Utah State Concludes Mountain West Play at New Mexico

Game will be televised live on CBS Sports Network on Friday, Nov. 24, at 1:30 p.m.

Football 11/20/2023 10:31:00 AM

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UTAH STATE CONCLUDES MOUNTAIN WEST PLAY AT NEW MEXICO
Game will be televised live on CBS Sports Network on Friday, Nov. 24, at 1:30 p.m.

UTAH STATE (5-6, 3-4 MW) vs. NEW MEXICO (4-7, 2-5 MW)
Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 • 1:30 p.m. • Albuquerque, New Mexico • University Stadium (39,224)

GAME 12 INFORMATION
TV: CBS Sports Network
• Play-by-Play: Chris Lewis
• Analyst: Robert Turbin
• Xfinity (Utah): Ch. 269/753HD
• DISH: Ch. 158
• DirecTV: Ch. 221

RADIO: Aggie Sports Network
• Play-by-Play: Scott Garrard
• Analyst: Kevin White
• Online: kslsports.com/kslsportszone

SOCIAL MEDIA: #AGGIESALLTHEWAY
• X/Instagram: @USUFootball
• Facebook: USUFootball
• YouTube: UtahStateFootball
• Live Stats: stats.statbroadcast.com

KICKOFF COVERAGE
• Utah State (5-6, 3-4 MW) concludes its regular season with a Mountain West game at New Mexico (4-7, 2-5 MW) on Friday, Nov. 24, at 1:30 p.m., on CBS Sports Network (Xfinity Ch. 269/753HD, DISH Ch. 158, DirecTV Ch. 221) with Chris Lewis (play-by-play) and USU Hall of Fame running back Robert Turbin (analyst) on the call.

• With a win against New Mexico, Utah State will be bowl eligible for the 11th time in the last 13 years after playing in just six bowl games in its first 119 years. USU played in five-straight bowl games from 2011-15 and won three-straight from 2012-14, both of which are school records.

• Utah State is 8-3 in the month of November under head coach Blake Anderson.

• Utah State runs a play on average every 21.4 seconds, which is the fifth-fastest tempo in the nation. Jacksonville State and South Florida lead the nation with a play every 20.6 seconds, followed by Tennessee (21.2), TCU (21.3) and USU.

• Utah State's 31 touchdown passes are tied with USC and Washington for the third-most in the nation, trailing only Oregon (39) and LSU (37), while its 47 total touchdowns are tied for the 23rd most.

• Utah State is tied for first in the Mountain West and tied for seventh in the nation with three blocked kicks this season as it has blocked two punts (vs. Iowa, vs. Boise State) and one extra point (vs. UConn).

• Utah State is second in the Mountain West and 26th in the nation in scoring offense at 33.2 points per game. USU is also first in the MW and 23rd in the nation in total offense (441.5 ypg).

• Utah State's defense is fifth in the Mountain West and 24th in the nation with its 19 forced turnovers, while also ranking third in the MW and 12th in the nation with nine fumble recoveries, and fifth in the MW and 42nd in the nation with 10 passes intercepted.

• Utah State and LSU are the only FBS teams in the nation that have two players with at least 10 touchdown catches this year as junior WR Jalen Royals is tied for fourth in the nation with 12 touchdowns and senior WR Terrell Vaughn is tied for 11th with 10 touchdowns.

• Junior WR Jalen Royals has 61 receptions for 934 yards and 12 touchdowns and is 66 yards shy of becoming just the 13th player in school history with 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.

• Graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. leads the Mountain West and ranks seventh in the nation with 120 tackles (10.9 pg). Tafisi has posted seven-straight double-digit tackle games and has eight total this season, which is tied for the third-most in the nation.

SCOUTING NEW MEXICO
• New Mexico is 4-7 on the season and 2-5 in Mountain West play following its 25-17 Mountain West win at Fresno State last weekend. The Lobos are led by senior QB Dylan Hopkins, who is 145-of-251 (.578) passing for 1,949 yards (194.9 ypg) with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Senior RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt leads the team in rushing with 952 yards on158 carries (6.0 ypc/86.5 ypg) with 16 touchdowns. And, senior WR Jeremiah Hixon has caught 35 passes for 433 yards (12.4 ypr/43.3 ypg) and five touchdowns. Defensively, junior LB Alec Marenco has a team-best 53 tackles, which includes 2.5 tackles for loss, while sophomore LB Christian Ellis has 52 tackles, which includes 1.0 tackles for loss. As a team, New Mexico is averaging 26.0 points and 398.9 yards of total offense per game (179.5 rushing, 219.4 passing), and allowing 34.3 points and 399.9 yards of total offense (161.5 rushing, 238.4 passing). New Mexico returns six starters (O-5, D-1) and 37 lettermen (O-19, D-16, S-2) from last year's team that went 2-10 overall and 0-8 in MW play to finish sixth in the Mountain Division. Danny Gonzales is 11-31 in his fourth season as a collegiate head coach.

AGGIES AND LOBOS SERIES HISTORY
• Utah State and New Mexico will meet for the 30th time this weekend with USU holding a 16-13 advantage all-time, which includes a 7-9 road record. USU has won each of the last six games played between the two teams and nine of the last 12 overall. The first game played in the series was in Albuquerque on Dec. 1, 1951, with UNM winning 17-13. USU won last year's meeting in Logan, 27-10, and posted a 35-10 road win in 2021, which is the last time the two teams played one another in Albuquerque. Overall, USU is 8-2 against the Lobos since joining the Mountain West in 2013.

UTAH STATE vs. NEW MEXICO SERIES 11TH-MOST PLAYED IN SCHOOL HISTORY
• Utah State and New Mexico will be meeting for the 30th time this weekend in what is the 11th-most played series in school history.

• Utah State and New Mexico have spent 22 years as league foes as both schools were members of the Skyline Conference from 1951 to 1961, along with its current membership in the Mountain West. The Lobos have been members of the MW since its inception in 1999, while USU joined the league prior to the 2013 season.

COACHING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND NEW MEXICO
• Utah State head coach Blake Anderson spent three years (1999-2001) as an assistant (WR, RB) at New Mexico under head coach Rocky Long. Current UNM head coach Danny Gonzales was a graduate assistant for the Lobos during Anderson's time on staff in Albuquerque.

CONNECTIONS BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND NEW MEXICO PLAYERS
• The following are connections between Utah State and New Mexico players. USU graduate senior QB Cooper Legas and redshirt freshman TE Chase Tuatagoloa both attended Orem (UT) HS, as did UNM freshman OL Matthew Toilolo. USU junior LS Jacob Garcia and UNM sophomore OL Shancco Matautia both attended Servite HS in Anaheim, California. USU junior CB Jaylen Martin and UNM sophomore LB Kam Robinson both attended East Los Angeles (CA) College. USU junior QB Zeke Payne and UNM senior running back Jaylen Morgan both attended New Mexico Highlands. USU junior PK William Testa and sophomore OL Aloali'i Maui both attended New Mexico Military Institute, as did UNM senior S Blaine Smith and junior RB Jimmy Gallegos. Junior RB Rahsul Faison and UNM junior OL CJ James both attended Lackawanna (PA) College. Junior WR Jalen Royals and UNM junior DL Tavien Ford both began their collegiate careers at Georgia Military College. USU junior DE John Ward and UNM sophomore DE Tyler Kiehne both began their collegiate careers at UCLA. Redshirt sophomore CB Avante Dickerson and redshirt freshman DT Sir Mells both began their collegiate careers at Oregon, as did UNM senior DL Avery Burt. USU sophomore S Simeon Harris and redshirt freshman WR Grant Page both began their collegiate careers at Colorado, as did UNM freshman OL Travis Gray. USU sophomore ILB Gavin Barthiel and UNM junior DE Gabriel Lopez both began their collegiate careers at Washington State.

UTAH STATE IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST
• Utah State is 51-34 (.600) all-time in Mountain West play, including a 28-16 (.636) home record. USU is also 49-22 (.690) in its last 71 home games, including a 10-8 (.556) record under third-year head coach Blake Anderson. USU is 162-118 (.579) all-time inside Maverik Stadium. On the road, USU is 23-18 (.561) in MW play, including an 11-7 (.611) record under Anderson. Overall, USU is 21-15 (.583) in its last 36 road games.

• Utah State (51-34) has the third-best record against Mountain West opponents since it joined the league in 2013. Boise State (72-17) has the best record during that time, while San Diego State (59-28) has the second-best record.

• Utah State is 179-196-8 (.478) all-time against current members of the Mountain West with a 40-28-4 record vs. Wyoming, a 38-39-2 record vs. Colorado State, a 20-21-1 record vs. San José State, an 18-8 record vs. UNLV, a 16-13 record vs. New Mexico, a 13-19-1 record vs. Fresno State, a 12-6 record vs. Hawai`i, an 8-19 record vs. Nevada, a 5-23 record vs. Boise State, a 5-7 record vs. Air Force, and a 4-13 record vs. San Diego State.

DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State has 46 players in its program from the Beehive State, while New Mexico has 33 players on its roster from the Land of Enchantment.

• Utah State is 48-21 (.696) all-time against Division I teams from the state of New Mexico with a 32-8 record against New Mexico State and a 16-13 record versus New Mexico.

• Utah State is 8-3 (.727) in games played during the month of November under head coach Blake Anderson, and 4-6-1 (.409) all-time in known games played on Nov. 24.

• Utah State is 25-35-1 (.418) all-time in Friday games, including an 0-2 record this year as it lost at Air Force, 39-21, and lost to Fresno State 37-32.

SERIES NOTABLES BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND NEW MEXICO
• Utah State has won each of the last six games in the series by double digits and has outscored New Mexico 226-101 (37.7-16.8) in those games.

• Utah State has held New Mexico to less than 30 points in each of the last 10 meetings and in 26 games in series history. USU has scored at least 35 points in four of the last five meetings.

• Utah State has held New Mexico to 10 or fewer points nine times in series history, including in each of its last two games, and is 9-0 in those games.

• Utah State has held New Mexico to less than 400 yards of offense in each of the last six meetings and in 11 of the last 14 meetings overall.

• Each of the last six games, all Utah State wins, have been by double digits. However, 11 of the 29 games (.379) in the series have been decided by one score.

• Twelve of Utah State's last 14 wins in the series have been by double digits, while five of New Mexico's last seven wins have been by single digits.

• New Mexico has controlled the time of possession in 11 of the last 14 meetings.

• New Mexico has rushed for more yards in nine of the previous 14 meetings, while Utah State has passed for more yards in 12 of the last 14 meetings.

• The team with the most rushing yards has won 10 of the last 14 meetings, with the only exception being Utah State's wins in 2002, 2017, 2019 and 2022.

• The team with fewer turnovers has won 11 of the last 14 meetings, and there have been fewer than three turnovers by both teams in nine of the last 14 meetings.

• Utah State has not committed a turnover in each of the last two games and has won the turnover battle in five of the last six games, all of which have been USU wins.

• In the last 14 meetings, Utah State is 7-2 when scoring first and 6-2 when leading at the half, while New Mexico is 3-2 when scoring first and 2-3 when leading at the half.

• The team that scores first has won nine of the last 11 games in the series, while the team that leads at the half has won eight of the last 11 games.

• New Mexico has had four 100-yard receivers and five 100-yard rushers in the past 14 meetings, but no 300-yard passers, while Utah State has had five 100-yard rushers and four 100-yard receivers in the last 14 meetings, to go along with four 300-yard passers.

• In 29 previous meetings with New Mexico, Utah State has had 10 100-yard rushers, four 100-yard receivers and four 300-yard passers.

• There have been four shutouts in series history, three by Utah State's defense and one by New Mexico's defense.

FROM THE RECORD BOOKS
Here is a look at some of the top Utah State team and individual statistical performances against New Mexico over the years.
• Utah State set a then-school record with 704 yards of total offense against New Mexico in 2018. That total is now the second-most in school history.

• Utah State's 516 passing yards against New Mexico in 2018 are the second-most in school history.

• Utah State's 39-36 loss at New Mexico in 1998 is its only triple-overtime game in school history and the Aggies have never played in an overtime game that went longer than three periods. In fact, USU has played just 13 overtime games in school history and two have been against New Mexico as the Aggies posted a 45-44 overtime home win against UNM in 2002.

• New Mexico is Utah State's only opponent that it has played multiple overtime games against.

• Utah State's eight forced turnovers vs. New Mexico in 1961 is tied for the most in school history, along with the eight turnovers it forced against Boise State in 2015, Idaho in 1971 and 1969, and San Diego State in 1968. USU's seven recovered fumbles against UNM in 1961 is a school record.

• Utah State allowed just two first downs against New Mexico in 1953, which is tied for the school record, also doing so against Idaho in 1961.

• Utah State's 470 rushing yards against New Mexico in 1960 are the second-most in school history, while its 337 rushing yards against UNM in 2013 rank as the 26th-most.

• Utah State allowed New Mexico zero passing yards and no completions in 1954, both of which are tied for single-game school records.

• Jordan Love's 448 passing yards against New Mexico in 2018 are the fifth-most in school history.

• Jose Fuentes' 80-yard pass to Kevin Curtis against New Mexico in 2002 is tied for the 18th-longest pass play in school history, while Travis Cox's 79-yard pass to Barry Tolli against UNM in 2003 is tied for the 25th-longest pass play in school history.

• Brad Bohn set a then-school record for points scored by a kicker with 18 against New Mexico in 1998, a record that was broken by Dominik Eberle. Bohn also tied the then-school record for field goals made in that game against the Lobos as he was 5-of-5 on field goals (37, 23, 23, 41, 33) and 3-for-3 on extra points. That record was also broken by Eberle.

LAST MEETING vs. NEW MEXICO
LOGAN, Utah - Utah State successfully orchestrated both a fake punt and fake field, the latter resulting in the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter, as the Aggies scored the final 20 points in a 27-10 Mountain West win against New Mexico on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, on Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium.

New Mexico (2-7, 0-5 MW) was leading Utah State (4-5, 3-2 MW) 10-7 with 10:51 remaining in the third quarter when graduate senior PK Connor Coles lined up for a 23-yard field goal attempt. Once junior P/H Stephen Kotsanlee fielded the ball from sophomore LS Jacob Garcia, he wasted little time flipping the pigskin to Coles, who ran untouched into the end zone from six yards out, putting the Aggies on top 14-10.

Not only did Coles score his first-career touchdown on the cold and rainy day, but he also booted a pair of field goals from 49 and 27 yards out, respectively, and made good on all three of his extra points as he tied his career-high with 15 points scored.

Kotsanlee also converted a first down on a fake punt as he rushed for 10 yards on a fourth-and-3 play from USU's own 41-yard line in the second quarter.

Utah State finished the game converting all four of its fourth down attempts, which is a season high. USU was just 3-of-17 on third down, while New Mexico was 6-of-16.

Kotsanlee punted six times on the day for an average of 44.5 yards, including a long of 58. He also had one punt downed inside the 20-yard line.

Utah State's defense also found the end zone as graduate senior S Hunter Reynolds returned a fumble 55 yards for a touchdown, giving the hosts a 27-10 lead with 3:00 left in the game.

Reynolds finished with a game-high 10 tackles as the Aggies limited the Lobos to just 258 yards of total offense – a season low for a USU opponent, which included just 42 passing yards. It was Reynolds second double-digit tackle outing of the season and the third of his career, and his second-career fumble recovery.

Junior CB Jamie Nance recovered his second fumble in as many games on a muffed punt in the third quarter that led to Coles' 49-yard field goal to extend USU's lead to 17-10.

The Aggies' lone offensive touchdown came on their opening possession courtesy of a 38-yard pass from junior QB Cooper Legas to junior WR Terrell Vaughn, making it 7-0.

Legas was 13-of-27 passing for 149 yards and the one touchdown as Utah State totaled 280 yards of total offense. Vaughn finished with five catches for a career-high 83 yards, while freshman RB Robert Briggs led the Aggies' ground game with 82 yards rushing on a season-high 19 carries. Graduate senior WR Brian Cobbs added four receptions for 31 yards.

Freshman ILB Max Alford had a career-high eight tackles, including a career-best 1.5 tackles for loss, while redshirt freshman S Ike Larsen also recorded a career-high eight stops.

Graduate junior DE Daniel Grzesiak tied his career-high with six tackles, which included 1.0 sacks, while junior DT Poukesi Vakauta tied his career-high with three stops. Redshirt junior S Dominik Tatum added a season-high six tackles.

Utah State finished the game with 3.0 sacks and 6.0 tackles for loss, while New Mexico had 4.0 sacks and 8.0 tackles for loss.

LAST ROAD MEETING vs. NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico - Graduate junior QB Logan Bonner passed for 306 yards and a career-high five touchdowns and senior WR Deven Thompkins set the single-season school record for receiving yards as Utah State clinched a berth in the Mountain West championship game with a 35-10 win at New Mexico on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2021.

The Aggies (9-3, 6-2 Mountain West) have won six of their last seven games to secure their first appearance in the conference championship game since 2013, their inaugural season in the MW. The Lobos (3-9, 1-7) ended their season with four-straight losses.

Thompkins caught five passes for 35 yards to set the school record for most receiving yards in a single season. He now has 1,543 on the year, surpassing the previous mark of 1,531 set by Kevin Curtis in 2021.

Utah State finished the game with 440 yards of total offense (122 rushing, 318 passing) despite possessing the ball for just 24:36.

In just three quarters of work, Bonner was 16-of-23, throwing touchdown passes of 27, 39, 36, 76 and 10 yards, respectively, to tie the school record of five set by five other quarterbacks. Bonner now has 32 touchdown passes on the season, which is tied with Jordan Love for the single-season school record.

Bonner staked the Aggies to a 28-0 lead at the break as he was 12-of-16 passing for 242 yards and a career-high-tying four touchdowns in the first half alone. Senior WR Derek Wright was on the receiving end of three of those passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns – from 27 and 76 yards out, respectively.

Utah State's defense stymied New Mexico all game long as the Lobos were held to just 186 yards of offense, including 101 on the ground.

Graduate senior ILB Justin Rice and graduate senior DE Nick Heninger led all tacklers in the game with 10-apiece. Heninger was also credited with 3.0 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Graduate junior S Hunter Reynolds also recovered a fumble for the Aggies, while junior DE Byron Vaughns tied his career-high with eight stops, which included 2.0 tackles for loss.

Overall, Utah State's defense finished the game with 12.0 tackles for loss and won the turnover battle, 2-0.

Wright caught four passes for a career-high 150 yards and a career-high-tying two touchdowns. His first score of the game, a 27-yarder, gave Utah State a 7-0 lead with 8:42 to go in the first quarter.

Bonner and the Aggies poured it on in the second quarter as the signal caller threw touchdown passes of 39 yards to graduate senior WR Jordan Nathan, 36 yards to graduate senior WR Brandon Bowling and a 76-yard bomb to Wright.

Utah State, which racked up 281 yards in the first half and held New Mexico to 63, led 28-0 at the break. The Aggies made it 35-0 with 5:57 left in the third quarter when Bonner put the exclamation point on his day with a 10-yard touchdown pass to junior WR Justin McGriff.

With the win, Utah State became just the eighth team in school history to win nine or more games.

The Aggies have won five straight against the Lobos and improved to 15-13 all-time in the overall series.

GAME 11 RECAP vs. BOISE STATE
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, Nov. 18, 2023.

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 QB Cooper Legas connected with junior WR Jalen Royals for a 57-yard touchdown on the first play of its third drive to give USU a 7-0 lead. Junior PK 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 RB Davon Booth led USU 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 RB George Holani scored on a 75-yard touchdown run. Following a turnover by the Aggies on the ensuing possession, the Broncos cashed in when TE 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 as the visitors scored 14 points in 13 seconds.

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 senior WR 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 (compared to zero by BSU) and allowed four sacks.

Boise State finished with 445 yards of total offense, including 352 on the ground. Holani racked up 178 yards 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 S Devin Dye racked up a career-high 14 tackles for the Aggies. Graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. had 12 stops, including 0.5 tackles for loss a, marking the seventh straight game he has notched double-digit tackles.

UTAH STATE LOSES EIGHTH-STRAIGHT GAME TO BOISE STATE
• Utah State lost its eighth-straight game to Boise State last weekend with a 45-10 home loss. Overall, it was the 20th loss in the last 21 meetings against the Broncos as USU is now 5-23 all-time in the series.

• Utah State did score the first 10 points of the game as it lead 7-0 after the first quarter and 10-0 early in the second quarter. However, from that point on, Boise State scored the final 45 points, including 31 in the second quarter alone.

• Utah State's defense shined early as it held Boise State 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. In fact, USU forced Boise State into consecutive three-and-outs to start the game, which was a first for USU's defense this season.

• 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 (compared to zero by BSU) and allowed four sacks.

• Utah State blocked a punt in the third quarter, which was its second blocked punt of the season and third blocked kick this year, as it blocked an extra point at UConn.

UTAH STATE UNDEFEATED WITH FOURTH-QUARTER LEAD UNDER ANDERSON
• Utah State improved to 19-0 under third-year head coach Blake Anderson when it takes a lead into the fourth quarter following its 41-24 home win against Nevada two weekends ago. USU is also 11-0 under Anderson when it leads at the half and 8-1 when it leads after the first quarter, following its loss to Boise State last weekend as it lead 7-0 after the first quarter.

UTAH STATE HAS SCORED 30-PLUS POINTS IN SIX OF ITS LAST EIGHT GAMES
• With its 41-24 Mountain West home win against Nevada two weekends ago, Utah State has now scored 30 or more points in six of its last eight games and has had at least 500 yards of total offense in three of its last six outings. During its last eight games, Utah State's offense is averaging 31.5 points and 454.3 yards (173.4 rushing, 280.9 passing)

UTAH STATE'S DEFENSE DURING ITS LAST SIX GAMES
• Utah State's defense has held four of its last six opponents to less than 400 yards of total offense as it limited Colorado State to 320 yards, San José State to 370 yards, San Diego State to 384 yards and Nevada to 347 yards. During its last six games, Utah State's defense is allowing 387.8 yards per game (192.2 rushing, 195.7 passing) and has forced 10 turnovers.

UTAH STATE POSTS 15TH COME-FROM-BEHIND WIN UNDER ANDERSON
• Utah State posted its 15th come-from-behind win in three seasons under head coach Blake Anderson, as it rallied from an early 7-0 deficit to post a 32-24 double-overtime win at San Diego State two weekends ago. USU also posted double-digit comebacks against both Colorado State and UConn as it trailed 17-0 in both of those games, which are tied for the fourth-largest comebacks in school history. In fact, nine of USU's comebacks under Anderson have been when trailing by double digits.

UTAH STATE 10-2 UNDER ANDERSON IN ONE-SCORE GAMES
• Utah State is 10-2 in one-score games under head coach Blake Anderson, including a 2-2 record this year, following its 32-24 double-overtime win at San Diego State two weekends ago. USU also posted a 34-33 win at UConn on Sept. 30, and lost to James Madison 45-38 on Sept. 23, and to Fresno State 37-32 on Oct. 13.

UTAH STATE LEADS THE NATION WITH 11 PLAYS OF 50-PLUS YARDS
• Utah State has had 12 plays of 50-plus yards this season, which is tied for first in the nation, and six plays of 60-plus yards, which is tied for sixth nationally. USU has also had 22 plays of at least 40 yards, which is fourth in the nation, and 61 plays of at least 20 yards, which is tied for 21st nationally.

• Furthermore, Utah State has had 10 pass plays of at least 50 yards this season, which is the second-most in the nation behind USC (11).

DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State has been outscored 112-31 (-81) in the first quarter this season, but has outscored its opponents 334-253 (+81) the remainder of the game, including 136-99 (+37) in the second quarter, 89-49 (+40) in the third quarter, 94-98 (-7) in the fourth quarter and 15-7 (+8) in overtime.

• Utah State has 11 scoring drives this season that have taken less than 60 seconds, which includes 10 touchdown drives and one field goal. USU also has 12 scoring plays of at least 50 yards this season with 10 passes and two runs. Overall, USU has 31 scoring plays this year of at least 20 yards (20 passing, 8 rushing, 3 interceptions).

• Utah State has been tied at the end of the first quarter four times this year, including in three of its last five games. USU's first-quarter lead against Boise State (7-0) marked the first time this year it has led after the first 15 minutes.

ROYALS POSTS FOURTH 100-YARD RECEIVING GAME OF THE SEASON
• Junior WR Jalen Royals had seven receptions for 113 yards in his last game against Boise State, which is his fourth 100-yard receiving game of the season. Those four 100-yard receiving games are the second-most in the Mountain West this season and tied for the 17th-most in the nation.

• Royals also had a 57-yard touchdown catch against the Broncos, which was his sixth touchdown reception this season of at least 50 yards, which leads the nation. Overall, Royals has caught at least one touchdown in six of his last seven games and in eight of his last 10 overall.

ROYALS IN THE AGGIE RECORD BOOKS
• Junior WR Jalen Royals has 61 receptions for 934 yards and 12 touchdowns this year. Those 12 touchdowns are the second-most in single-season school history. Tracy Jenkins holds the school record with 14 touchdown catches in 1990.

• Royals is also 66 receiving yards shy of becoming just the 13th player in school history with 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.

BOOTH RECORDS THIRD 100-YARD RUSHING GAME OF THE SEASON
• Junior RB Davon Booth posted his third 100-yard rushing game of the season last weekend against Boise State as he carried the ball 12 times for 125 yards. Booth also had a season-long 49-yard run in the first quarter and a 45-yard run in the third quarter.

LEGAS PLAYING WELL IN HIS LAST FIVE GAMES
• Graduate senior QB Cooper Legas has played well during his last six games, as the Aggies have gone 4-2 in those outings with wins against UConn, Colorado State, San Diego State and Nevada, and losses to Fresno State and Boise State. In his last six games, Legas is 90-of-142 (.634) passing for 1,431 yards (238.5 ypg) with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. Against UConn and San Diego State, Legas entered midway through both contests and led the Aggies to come-from-behind wins.

• Legas was 8-of-12 passing for 128 yards and one touchdown against Boise State before getting hurt in the second quarter and not returning to the game.

LEGAS IN THE AGGIE RECORD BOOKS
• Graduate senior QB Cooper Legas is 284-of-454 (.626) passing in his career and that completion percentage is third all-time in school history. Furthermore, his 64.8 completion percentage (138-of-213) this year is the fourth-best in school history.

• Legas has 19 touchdown passes this season, which is tied for the 10th-most in a single-season in school history, and 31 touchdown passes in his career, which is three shy of entering the career top 10 at USU.

• Legas has thrown three or more touchdowns in four of his last six games and has had multiple touchdown passes in five of his last six games. Overall, Legas has now thrown multiple touchdowns nine times in his career and three or more touchdowns five times in his career.

VAUGHN ENTERS AGGIE RECORD BOOKS
• Senior WR Terrell Vaughn has 131 receptions for 1,429 yards and 15 touchdowns in his two-year Aggie career. Overall, Vaughn is now 14th all-time in receptions and 20th all-time in receiving yards as he is the 22nd player in school history to catch 100 passes and the 38th player in school history with 1,000 career receiving yards. Furthermore, Vaughn's 15 career touchdown receptions are tied for the 13th-most all-time at USU and he is just one shy of entering the career top 10.

• This season, Vaughn has 75 receptions for 805 yards and 10 touchdowns. Those 75 receptions are the seventh-most in single-season school history, while the 10 touchdown catches are tied for the eighth most.

• Vaughn also has three games this year with double-digit receptions, which is tied for the second-most in the Mountain West and tied for the fifth-most in the nation.

FAISON HAS CAREER GAME AGAINST NEVADA
• Junior RB Rahsul Faison had the best game of his Aggie career two weekends ago in a 41-24 Mountain West home win against Nevada as he carried the ball a career-high 22 times for a career-best 181 yards and one touchdown. Faison, who had five carries for 13 yards in the first half, gained 168 yards in the second half on 17 carries as he rushed for 121 yards on nine carries in third quarter and 47 yards on eight carries in the fourth. Faison also scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the season on a 2-yard run in the third quarter.

• Those 181 rushing yards are the most by an Aggie since Devante May rushed for 206 yards against Weber State in 2016.

UTAH STATE MILESTONES THAT EQUAL SUCCESS
• Utah State has won 46 of its last 58 games when it has a 100-yard rusher, including a 3-2 record this year, and 53 of its last 63 contests when rushing at least 40 times in a game, including a 4-2 record in 2023. USU has also won 71 of its last 78 games when scoring at least 30 points, including a 5-2 record this year.

AGGIE TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON
#6 | Ike Larsen | S | 5-10 | 185 | So. | Smithfield, Utah | Sky View HS
• Named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week (11/6/23) for the second time this season and third time in his career as he had eight tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss, and intercepted a pass on a fourth-down play in the second overtime to seal the win for USU against San Diego State. Larsen also disrupted a fake field goal in the second quarter and made the tackle on a fake punt in the fourth quarter, as both plays were unsuccessful.

• Larsen, who now has four interceptions on the season and eight in his career, is the only MW defender this year to be named the player of the week twice.

• Was named the 2023 College Football Network (CFN) Midseason National Safety of the Year and to the CFN Midseason All-America First-Team Defense, along with being tabbed the Mountain West Safety of the Year and Midseason MW First-Team Defense.

• Named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week (10/9/23) as he tied his career high with two interceptions against Colorado State. He also had seven tackles and a pass breakup against the Rams.

• Named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week (10/2/23) for the first time in his career after blocking the tying extra point in the final minute of Utah State's 34-33 road win at UConn.

• For his career, Larsen has a school-record five blocked kicks (4 punts, 1 PAT).

• Has recorded at least four tackles in every game this season and has six-plus tackles in eight of his last nine games. Also has three pass breakups and six passes defended in his last seven games.

• Had 10 tackles at San José State to give him three double-digit tackle games this year and in his career.

TAFISI HAS SEVEN STRAIGHT DOUBLE-DIGIT TACKLE GAMES
• Graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. has posted double-digit tackles in each of his last seven games as he had 12 tackles against Boise State, 12 stops against Nevada, 13 tackles against San Diego State, 14 tackles against San José State, a career-high 17 tackles against Fresno State, 10 tackles against Colorado State and 13 tackles against UConn. Tafisi also had 12 tackles against No. 25 Iowa as he has eight double-digit tackle games this season and 13 in his career.

• Tafisi is the first Aggie to post seven-straight double-digit tackle outings since Brent Passey had eight-straight double-digit tackle games in 1999. His eight double-digit tackle games on the season are tied for the third-most in the nation.

TAFISI HAS 120 TACKLES ON THE SEASON
• Graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. has 120 tackles this season and is the 64th player in school history to have 100-plus tackles in a season. Overall, his 120 tackles this year are the 30th-most in single season school history.

DYE HAS CAREER-HIGH 14 TACKLES IN BOISE STATE GAME
• Sophomore S Devin Dye posted his first-career double-digit tackle outing in his last game against Boise State with a career-high 14 tackles. Dye also recorded nine tackles and one pass breakup in his previous outing against Nevada. He also had nine tackles at San Diego State. Against San José State, he recorded nine tackles, to go along with his first-career forced fumble and his first-career fumble recovery, on back-to-back possessions inside USU's 10-yard line.

• In his last eight games, Dye has posted 72 tackles (9.0 pg), to go along with five pass breakups, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

ROWAN BLOCKS FIRST-CAREER KICK IN BOISE STATE GAME
• Junior WR Kyrese Rowan blocked his first-career kick on a punt in the third quarter against Boise State last weekend.

TUIAKI SCORES FIRST-CAREER TOUCHDOWN IN NEVADA GAME
• Sophomore DT Seni Tuiaki scored the first touchdown of his football career, at any level, two weekends ago against Nevada as he returned an interception 63 yards for the score. Tuiaki also had a season-high five tackles against the Wolf Pack.

FITZGERALD HAS CAREER GAME AGAINST NEVADA
• Redshirt freshman DE Paul Fitzgerald had a career game two weekends ago against Nevada as he had a career-high seven tackles, which included 1.0 sacks.

MOTU'APUAKA HAS PLAYED IN THE THIRD-MOST GAMES IN SCHOOL HISTORY
• Senior DT Hale Motu'apuaka has played in 56 career games, which is tied for the third-most in school history. The school record for games played is 59 set by Demytrick Ali'ifua (2017-21). Motu'apuaka has also started 38 games, which is tied for the ninth-most in school history.

DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State blocked its third kick of the season against Boise State on a punt in the third quarter. USU also blocked an extra point with 40 seconds remaining to preserve a 34-33 win at UConn. And, USU blocked a punt at No. 25 Iowa. USU has now blocked 10 kicks (7 punts, 2 extra points, 1 field goal) under head coach Blake Anderson, which included four blocks (3 punts, 1 extra point) during the 2022 campaign. The school record for blocked kicks in a season is six set in 2012.

UTAH STATE 26TH IN THE NATION IN SCORING OFFENSE
• Utah State is second in the Mountain West and 26th in the nation in scoring offense (33.2 ppg), first in the MW and 23rd in the nation in total offense (441.5 ypg), second in the MW and 42nd in the nation in passing efficiency (145.2), fourth in the MW and 36th in the nation in passing offense (265.4 ypg), fifth in the MW and 60th in the nation in completion percentage (.621), sixth in the MW and 44th in the nation in rushing offense (176.1 ypg), and 12th in the MW and 118th in the nation in sacks allowed with 38 (3.45 pg).

• Utah State is also third in the MW and 49th in the nation in first downs with 236 (21.5 pg), fifth in the MW and 49th in the nation in passing yards per completion (12.5), sixth in the MW and 47th in the nation in red zone offense (.868), sixth in the MW and 48th in the nation in fourth down conversions (.577), and sixth in the MW and 59th in the nation in fumbles lost with six (0.55 pg).

UTAH STATE THIRD IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST IN TACKLES FOR LOSS
• Utah State is third in the Mountain West and 61st in the nation in tackles for loss with 63 (5.7 pg), fourth in the MW and 53rd in the nation in passing defense (217.8 ypg), sixth in the MW and 59th in the nation in passing efficiency defense (131.0), sixth in the MW and 83rd in the nation in sacks with 21 (1.9 pg), ninth in the MW and 97th in the nation in total defense (404.4 ypg), 11th in the MW and 113th in the nation in scoring defense (33.2 ppg), and 12th in the MW and 120th in the nation in rushing defense (186.5 ypg).

• Utah State is also third in the MW and 58th in the nation in red zone defense (.811), fourth in the MW and 55th in the nation in fourth down conversions (.500), and is one of 21 FBS teams in the nation with three defensive touchdowns this season.

UTAH STATE 24TH IN THE NATION WITH 19 FORCED TURNOVERS
• Utah State is fifth in the Mountain West and 24th in the nation with 19 forced turnovers this season. USU is also third in the MW and 12th in the nation in fumbles recovered with nine (0.8 pg), and fifth in the MW and 42nd in the nation in passes intercepted with 10 (0.9 pg).

• Uth State also has three defensive touchdowns on the season, all interception returns, which ranks first in the MW and 11th in the nation.

UTAH STATE SEVENTH IN THE NATION IN BLOCKED KICKS
• Utah State is tied for first in the Mountain West and tied for seventh in the nation with three blocked kicks this year, sixth in the MW and 61st in the nation in punt returns (8.9 ypr), sixth in the MW and 80th in the nation in kickoff return defense (20.8 ypr), seventh in the MW and 83rd in the nation in kickoff returns (19.3 ypr), 10th in the MW and 105th in the nation in net punting (36.4 ypp), and 11th in the MW and 123rd in the nation in punt return defense (14.9 ypr).

AGGIES IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST AND NCAA RANKINGS
• Utah State sophomore S Ike Larsen is first in the Mountain West and third in the nation with two blocked kicks (0.18 pg), tied for first in the MW and eighth in the nation with one defensive touchdown (0.09 pg), first in the MW and 14th in the nation with four interceptions (0.36 pg), sixth in the MW in passes defended with nine (0.8 pg), and 11th in the MW and 78th in the nation in tackles (7.4 pg). Junior WR Jalen Royals is first in the MW and fourth in the nation in receiving touchdowns with 12 (1.1 pg), fourth in the MW and 22nd in the nation in receiving (84.9 ypg), fifth in the MW and 38th in the nation in receptions (5.5 pg), eighth in the MW and 88th in the nation in yards per reception (15.3), and ninth in the MW and 76th in the nation in scoring (6.7 ppg). Junior CB Jaiden Francois is tied for first in the MW and eighth in the nation with one defensive touchdown (0.09 pg). Sophomore DT Seni Tuiaki is tied for first in the MW and eighth in the nation with one defensive touchdown (0.09 pg). Graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. is first in the MW and seventh in the nation in tackles (10.9 pg), and fifth in the MW in forced fumbles with two (0.18 pg). Graduate senior QB Cooper Legas is first in the MW and 17th in the nation in passing efficiency (158.3), second in the MW and 24th in the nation in yards per pass attempt (8.52), second in the MW and 34th in the nation in completion percentage (.648), third in the MW and 44th in the nation in points responsible for (12.9 ppg), fourth in the MW and 28th in the nation in yards per completion (13.2), fourth in the MW and 38th in the nation in passing touchdowns with 19 (2.1 pg), sixth in the MW and 63rd in the nation in passing (201.7 ypg), sixth in the MW and 68th in the nation in total offense (215.2 ypg), and sixth in the MW and 68th in the nation in completions per game (15.3). Junior DE Blaine Spires is second in the MW and fourth in the nation in fumbles recovered with three (0.30 pg). Senior WR Terrell Vaughn is second in the MW and 11th in the nation in receiving touchdowns with 10 (0.9 pg), second in the MW and 15th in the nation in receptions (6.8 pg), and sixth in the MW and 44th in the nation in receiving yards (73.2 ypg). Junior RB Davon Booth is second in the MW and 14th in the nation in yards per carry (6.34), and sixth in the MW and 67th in the nation in rushing (69.1 ypg). Junior WR Micah Davis is second in the MW and 17th in the nation in punt returns (9.3 ypr), fourth in the MW and 38th in the nation in yards per reception (17.4), and eighth in the MW and 55th in the nation in receiving touchdowns with six (0.55 pg). Junior PK Elliott Nimrod is fourth in the MW and 29th in the nation in field goal percentage (.833), seventh in the MW and 70th in the nation in scoring (7.0 ppg), and seventh in the MW and 76th in the nation in field goals (1.0 pg). Redshirt freshman DE Paul Fitzgerald is eighth in the MW in sacks with 5.0 (0.45 pg). Freshman QB McCae Hillstead is ninth in the MW and 92nd in the nation in touchdown passes with 10 (1.4 pg). Junior RB Rahsul Faison is ninth in the MW in rushing (52.9 ypg). Redshirt junior S Anthony Switzer is 10th in the MW and 62nd in the nation in tackles (7.5 pg). And, sophomore S Devin Dye is 13th in the MW and 98th in the nation in tackles (7.1 pg).

WHAT'S RETURNING IN 2023
• Utah State returns nine starters (O-4, D-5) as part of 35 letterwinners (O-19, D-13, S-3) from last year's team that posted a 6-7 record, tied for second in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West with a 5-3 mark, and concluded its season by playing in its 10th bowl game in the past 12 years against Memphis (L, 38-10) in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl in Dallas, Texas. USU also welcomes back 14 redshirts (O-7, D-6, S-1) and three squadmen (O-1, D-2).

• Highlighting Utah State's returners in 2023 are a trio of all-Mountain West performers in sophomore S Ike Larsen, senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. and senior WR Terrell Vaughn. Larsen earned second-team all-MW accolades and was named a College Football News Honorable Mention Freshman All-American, while Tafisi and Vaughn both garnered honorable mention all-MW honors. USU also returns senior P Stephen Kotsanlee, who earned honorable mention all-MW honors in 2020.

• Other starters returning for Utah State in 2023 include graduate senior CB Michael Anyanwu, graduate senior QB Cooper Legas, graduate senior OL Wade Meacham, senior DT Hale Motu'apuaka, senior TE Josh Sterzer and senior DT Poukesi Vakauta.

UTAH STATE WELCOMES 62 NEWCOMERS
• Utah State welcomes 62 newcomers (O-27, D-32, S-3) to its program this fall, which is the sixth-most in the nation. Among the group of new players are 14 four-year transfers in graduate senior OL Ralph Frias III (Arizona State), senior RB Sione Finau (BYU), graduate junior WR Colby Bowman (Stanford), junior CB Jaiden Francois (UCF), junior QB Zeke Payne (New Mexico Highlands), junior DE Blaine Spires (Bowling Green), redshirt sophomore CB Avante Dickerson (Oregon), sophomore CB Al Ashford III (Wisconsin), sophomore ILB Gavin Barthiel (Washington State), sophomore S Simeon Harris (Colorado), redshirt freshman DT Sir Mells (Oregon), redshirt freshman WR Grant Page (Colorado), redshirt freshman ILB Logan Pili (BYU) and redshirt freshman S Jackson Sundstrom (Concordia). USU also welcomes 21 junior college transfers (O-9, D-11, S-1), to go along with 27 high schoolers (O-13, D-12, S-2).

• Among the 21 junior college transfers, five of those players began their careers at the FBS level in junior WR Micah Davis (Air Force), junior RB Rahsul Faison (Marshall), junior CB Jaylen Martin (California), sophomore DE Ioholani Raass (UCLA) and sophomore S Javar Strong (Arkansas State).

UTAH STATE HAS FOUR SETS OF BROTHERS ON 2023 ROSTER
• Utah State has four sets of brothers on its 2023 roster in senior DT Hale Motu'apuaka (Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou HS) and redshirt freshman OL Tavo Motu'apuaka (Honolulu, Hawaii/Mililani HS), junior DE Cian Slone (Rocklin, California/American River JC/Rocklin HS) and sophomore S Teeg Slone (Rocklin, California/American River JC/Rocklin HS), sophomore OL Elia Migao (Temecula, California/Chaparral HS) and sophomore DE Enoka Migao (Temecula, California/Chaparral HS), and redshirt freshman DE Kaden Jolley (Fruita, Colorado/Fruita Monument HS) and freshman DT Tanner Jolley (Fruita, Colorado/Fruita Monument HS).

NINE AGGIES WITH BACHELOR'S DEGREES
• Utah State has nine players on its 2023 roster that have already received their bachelor's degrees in graduate senior CB Michael Anyanwu (kinesiology), graduate senior OL Ralph Frias III (interdisciplinary studies), graduate senior OL Calvin Knapp (interdisciplinary studies), graduate senior QB Cooper Legas (economics), graduate senior OL Wade Meacham (psychology), graduate senior CB Xavion Steele (sociology), graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. (integrated studies), graduate junior WR Colby Bowman (science, technology and society) and graduate junior QB Levi Williams (integrated studies).

AGGIES WHO HAVE SERVED LDS CHURCH MISSIONS
• Utah State has 14 players on its 2023 roster who have served missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in graduate senior OL Wade Meacham, senior RB Sione Finau, senior TE Josh Sterzer, senior WR Kyle Van Leeuwen, sophomore DE Kaden Jolley, sophomore DT Seni Tuiaki, redshirt freshman K/P Ryan Marks, redshirt freshman ILB Bronson Olevao Jr., redshirt freshman LB Logan Pili, redshirt freshman OL Adam Pond, freshman DE Emerson Conlon, freshman ILB Bowen Fjord, freshman DT Tanner Jolley and freshman S Titan Saxton.

AGGIES WHO ARE MARRIED
• Utah State has five players on its 2023 roster who are married in graduate senior OL Wade Meacham, senior DT Hale Motu'apuaka, senior TE Josh Sterzer, junior OL Cole Motes and redshirt freshman ILB Logan Pili.

DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State sophomore S Devin Dye's dad, Jermaine, spent 13 years in Major League Baseball as an outfielder for several teams, including the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox, as he was named World Series MVP. He was a two-time All-Star, a Gold Glove Award recipient in 2000 and a Silver Slugger Award recipient in 2006.

• Utah State junior WR Micah Davis' dad, Dexter, spent five years in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams.

ANDERSON ENTERS THIRD SEASON AT UTAH STATE
• Blake Anderson, who is entering his third season at Utah State, is just the second head coach in program history to lead the Aggies to consecutive bowl games in his first two seasons. Overall, Anderson is the fifth head coach in school history to coach in multiple bowls, along with E. Lowell Romney (1946-47), John Ralston (1960-61), Gary Andersen (2011-12, 2019) and Matt Wells (2013-15, '17).

• In 2021, Anderson led the Aggies to their first-ever Mountain West Championship with a 46-13 win at No. 19 San Diego State, which was the program's first win against a nationally-ranked opponent in six years. Anderson also led USU to its sixth bowl win in school history with a 24-13 victory against Oregon State in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl, and a school-record-tying 11 wins after being picked to finish fifth in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West in the preseason polls. USU concluded its season ranked 24th in the nation in the final Associated Press poll, marking just the fifth-time ever that USU finished a season nationally ranked.

• Under Anderson, Utah State tied for the best turnaround in the nation in 2021, as the Aggies became the first FBS team ever to go from zero or one win to 11 wins the following season. USU also became the first FBS program in eight years to post a 7-0 road record.

• Anderson, who was named the 2021 AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year and a finalist for the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year Award, was the only first-year head coach in the nation to lead his team to nine or more wins. In 2022, Anderson led USU to the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl.

• Anderson has won three conference championships as a head coach with two Sun Belt titles at Arkansas State (2015, 2016), along with one Mountain West title at Utah State (2021). Anderson coached in his eighth bowl game in nine seasons last year and has a 3-5 bowl record.

ANDERSON AS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR AND QUARTERBACKS COACH
• Along with his head coaching responsibilities, Blake Anderson is also serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach this season. During his time as a head coach at Arkansas State, Anderson also served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. In 2017, ASU ranked fifth in the nation in passing (342.2 ypg), 10th in total offense (494.8 ypg) and 13th in scoring (37.8 ypg). In 2018, ASU ranked 17th in the nation in total offense (466.2 ypg), 21st in passing (281.5 ypg) and 54th in scoring (30.3 ppg).

CEFALO HAS COACHED THREE BILETNIKOFF SEMIFINALISTS
• Utah State co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Kyle Cefalo has coached a Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist in three of the last four seasons. In his first year at USU in 2021, Cefalo coached Deven Thompkins, who set school records with 102 receptions for 1,704 yards. At Arkansas State, Cefalo coached Jonathan Adams in 2020 and Omar Bayless in 2019, as both players were named Sun Belt Conference Offensive Players of the Year.

OTHER COACHING NOTABLES
• Utah State welcomes six new coaches to its staff this fall in defensive coordinator Joe Cauthen, defensive passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach Mitchell White, offensive line coach Cooper Bassett, defensive line coach Tevita Finau, running backs coach Rodney Freeman III and safeties coach Ethan Morriss.

• Cauthen spent five years working with USU head coach Blake Anderson at Arkansas State (2014-18) as the Red Wolves played in five-straight bowl games and won a pair of conference championships (2015-16).

• Anderson has two former Aggies on his staff in tight ends coach DJ Tialavea (2010-13) and director of player development and community engagement Austin Albrecht (2014-16).

• Finau spent five years (2012-16) in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets and Houston Texans.

• White spent six years in professional football, including in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders (2013) and Philadelphia Eagles (2017). White also played four years in the Canadian Football League and won back-to-back Grey Cups with the Ottawa Redblacks (2016) and Toronto Argonauts (2017). During the 2016 campaign, he was named a CFL East All-Star.

AGGIES IN OVERTIME
• Utah State is 7-6 all-time in overtime, winning four of its last six. All-time, USU is 4-3 in single-overtime games, 3-2 in double-overtime games, and 0-1 in triple-overtime games. USU's last overtime game was a 32-24 double-overtime win at San Diego State on Nov. 4, 2023.

AGGIES IN THE NFL
• Utah State currently has nine players on NFL rosters and has had 13 players drafted into the NFL in the past 12 years. Former Aggies currently in the NFL include CB Jalen Davis (Cincinnati Bengals), OG Tyler Larsen (Washington Commanders), SS Dallin Leavitt (Green Bay Packers), QB Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers), LS Patrick Scales (Chicago Bears), WR Deven Thompkins (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), LB Nick Vigil (New York Jets), WR Derek Wright (Carolina Panthers) and LB Bobby Wagner (Seattle Seahawks).

HEAD COACH BLAKE ANDERSON
• Blake Anderson (hired on Dec. 12, 2020) is in his third year as Utah State's head coach and is the 29th head coach in program history. He has a 73-53 overall record, including a 52-27 conference mark. He has posted a 22-16 record at USU, including a 14-9 Mountain West record.

• Anderson has 30 years of coaching experience and has been part of six conference championships. He has also coached in 13 bowl games and he won a national championship at the junior college level.

• During the 2022 campaign, Anderson led Utah State to six wins and its 10th bowl game in the past 12 seasons, including its second in as many years. USU also tied for second-place in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West with a 5-3 mark as the Aggies had nine players earn various all-conference accolades. Graduate senior safety Hunter Reynolds was named a ProFootballFocus Honorable Mention All-American, while redshirt freshman safety Ike Larsen was named a College Football News Honorable Mention Freshman All-American.

• In his first season at Utah State, Anderson led the Aggies to their first-ever Mountain West Championship with a 46-13 win at No. 19 San Diego State, their sixth bowl win in school history with a 24-13 victory against Oregon State in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl, and a school-record-tying 11 wins as USU was picked to finish fifth in the Mountain Division of the MW in the preseason polls.

• Under Anderson, Utah State tied for the best turnaround in the nation in 2021 as the Aggies became the first FBS program ever to go from zero or one win to 11 wins the following season.

• During the 2021 season, Utah State set 10 school records, including 4,248 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes, and tied four more as it became the first FBS program in eight years to go 7-0 on the road. USU also ranked 15th in the nation in passing offense (303.4 ypg) and 23rd in total offense (445.6 ypg), and was top three in the MW in passing offense, total offense and scoring offense (32.6 ppg).

• Anderson, who was named the AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year in 2021 at Utah State, mentored a pair of Aggies that broke several single-season school records in quarterback Logan Bonner and wide receiver Deven Thompkins. Bonner set school records in passing touchdowns (36) and passing yards (3,628), while Thompkins set school records for receptions (102) and receiving yards (1,704).

• Overall, Anderson saw nine of his players earn all-Mountain West honors, including Thompkins, who was named a third-team All-American by The Associated Press.

• Anderson came to Utah State after spending seven years as the head coach at Arkansas State, leading ASU to six-consecutive winning seasons and six-straight bowl games (2014-19), including a 31-13 win against UCF in the 2016 Cure Bowl and a 34-26 win against FIU in the 2019 Camellia Bowl. ASU also won back-to-back Sun Belt Conference Championships under Anderson (2015-16).

• During that six-year stretch, the Red Wolves broke 12 school records, including 494.8 yards of total offense per game, 4,106 passing yards and 38 touchdown passes in 2017, 520 points scored and 69 total touchdowns in 2015, and 6,174 yards of total offense and 1,024 total plays in 2014.

• The Red Wolves won at least seven games, including at least five league games, six-straight years under Anderson, including a nine-victory campaign in 2015 and eight-win seasons in 2016, 2018 and 2019. In all, Anderson posted a 51-37 (.580) record at ASU, including a 38-18 (.679) mark in the Sun Belt Conference. Those 51 wins, 40 of which were by double digits, are tied for the third-most in school history.

• Statistically, Arkansas State annually ranked as one of the top offensive teams in the nation under Anderson. In 2020, the Red Wolves led the Sun Belt Conference and ranked 15th nationally in total offense at 489.7 yards per game. ASU also led the Sun Belt in total offense in 2018 (466.2 ypg), 2017 (494.8 ypg) and 2014 (476.5 ypg), and ranked second in 2015 (438.5 ypg). Furthermore, the 2017 team ranked 10th in the nation in total offense, while the 2018 team was 17th and the 2014 team was 20th nationally.

• As for passing offense, Arkansas State led the Sun Belt Conference and ranked third in the nation in 2020 at 364.4 yards per game. In 2019, the Red Wolves finished second in the conference and 10th in the nation with 312.1 passing yards per game. ASU also led the Sun Belt in passing offense in both 2017 and 2018 with 342.2 and 281.5 passing yards per game, respectively. The 2017 team also ranked fifth nationally in that category, while the 2018 team was 21st in the nation.

• Arkansas State also led the Sun Belt Conference in scoring offense three times under Anderson as the 2017 team averaged 37.8 points per game to rank 13th nationally, while the 2015 team averaged 40.0 points per game to rank 12th in the nation, and the 2014 team averaged 36.7 points per game to rank 18th nationally. In fact, six of Anderson's seven Red Wolves' teams averaged over 30 points per game.

• Following the 2019 campaign, Anderson received the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award and was named the Grant Teaff Coach of the Year, presented annually by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as he guided the Red Wolves to an 8-5 record and Camellia Bowl championship after his wife, Wendy, passed away prior to the start of the season following a courageous battle with cancer.

• A two-year letterwinner at wide receiver for Sam Houston State from 1990-91, Anderson was named Southland Conference all-academic as a senior. He also played for two years as a quarterback and receiver at Baylor (1988-89). Anderson graduated with his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from SHSU in 1992. He also attained his master's degree in sports administration from Eastern New Mexico in 1994.

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