LOGAN, Utah – Utah State scored the first 10 points of the game, but never found paydirt again, as Boise State rolled to a 45-10 Mountain West win on Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium on Saturday night.
 
Utah State's defense shined early as it held Boise State (6-5, 5-2 Mountain West) to just two first downs and 44 yards of total offense in the first quarter as the Broncos had to punt in each of its first four possessions.
 
Offensively, Utah State (5-6, 3-4 MW) graduate senior quarterback Cooper Legas connected with junior wide receiver Jalen Royals for a 57-yard touchdown on the first play of its third drive to give USU a 7-0 lead. Junior placekicker Elliott Nimrod added a 34-yard field goal on its next possession to push its advantage to 10 points early in the second quarter.
 
Royals finished with seven catches for 113 yards and the one touchdown. Legas was 8-of-12 passing for 128 yards with one touchdown, but was hurt early in the second quarter and did not return.
 
Utah State, which turned it over four times, managed 373 yards of total offense on the night. Junior running back Davon Booth led Utah State in rushing with 125 yards on 12 carries.
 
Just 12 seconds after Nimrod made it 10-0 for the hosts early in the second quarter, BSU running back George Holani scored on a 75-yard touchdown run. Following a turnover by the Aggies on the ensuing possession, the Broncos cashed in when tight end Matt Lauter caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Taylen Green to give the visitors a 14-10 lead with 14:30 to go until halftime.
 
The Aggies appeared as if they were going to regain the lead when they drove into Boise State territory and had it first-and-goal from the 7. A 5-yard pass from Legas to Terrell Vaughn on third down moved the ball to the 2, where USU elected to go for the touchdown.
 
The trick play backfired, though, as Vaughn was intercepted by A'Marion McCoy, who returned it 21 yards. Boise State took advantage of that takeaway, as well, going 79 yards in four plays, capped by a 33-yard touchdown run by Holani to give the Broncos a 21-10 lead with 6:27 remaining in the quarter.
 
Another touchdown pass from Green to Lauter made the score 28-10. That touchdown came courtesy of another lost fumble by Utah State.
 
Jonah Dalmas sent Boise State into the locker room up 31-10 after he drilled a 44-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
 
The second quarter was one to forget for the Aggies as they turned the ball over three times, converted just one first down (on four attempts), committed two penalties (comparted to zero by BSU) and allowed four sacks.
 
Boise State finished the game with 445 yards of total offense, including 352 on the ground. Holani racked up 178 yards rushing and the two scores on 15 carries, while Ashton Jeanty churned out 85 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Jambres Dubar also found the end zone while rushing for 57 yards on 10 carries.
 
Defensively, the Broncos finished with 9.0 sacks as part of their 13.0 tackles for loss.
 
Sophomore safety Devin Dye racked up a career-high 14 tackles for the Aggies. Graduate senior inside linebacker MJ Tafisi Jr. had 12 stops, including 0.5 tackles for loss and one quarterback hurry, marking the seventh straight game he has notched double-digit tackles.
 
 
UP NEXT
The Aggies now face a must-win game on the road next Friday, Nov. 24, against New Mexico if they want to become bowl eligible for the 11th time in the last 13 years. The game, which is scheduled to kick off at 1:30 p.m., will be televised on the CBS Sports Network.
 
For more information on the Utah State football program, follow the Aggies on Twitter at @USUFootball, on Facebook at USUFootball and on Instagram at USUFootball.