LOGAN, Utah – After the third weekend of the 2023 college football season, Utah State leads the nation in rushing yards per attempt (7.6) and is tied for first nationally in defensive touchdowns with two, while ranking among the top 40 teams in the nation in 17 different statistical categories.
 
Offensively, Utah State is first in the Mountain West and 18th in scoring offense (46.0 ppg), first in the MW and 26th in the nation in sacks allowed with two (1.0 pg), first in the MW and 26th in the nation in completion percentage (.711), first in the MW and 35th in the nation in total offense (460.0 ypg), second in the MW and sixth in the nation in rushing offense (248.0 ypg), sixth in the MW and 77th in the nation in passing efficiency (137.0), and sixth in the MW and 85th in the nation in passing offense (212.0 ypg).
 
Utah State is also first in the MW and 10th in the nation in turnovers lost with one, first in the MW and 20th in the nation in turnover margin (+1.00), third in the MW and 30th in the nation with one interception thrown, and third in the MW and 35th in the nation in tackles for loss allowed with nine (4.50 pg).
 
Defensively, Utah State is second in the MW and 14th in the nation with 8.5 tackles for loss per game, fourth in the MW and 39th in the nation in rushing defense (94.5 ypg), fourth in the MW and 68th in the nation in passing efficiency defense (125.7), fourth in the MW and 73rd in the nation total defense (354.0 ypg), fifth in the MW and 87th in the nation in scoring defense (26.0 ppg), sixth in the MW and 103rd in the nation in passing defense (259.5 ypg), and eighth in the MW and 84th in the nation in sacks with three (1.50 pg).
 
Utah State is also second in the MW and 42nd in the nation in passes intercepted with two (1.0 pg).
 
On special teams, Utah State is second in the MW and 46th in the nation in punt return defense (1.0 ypr), fourth in the MW and 38th in the nation in kickoff returns (23.3 ypr), fifth in the MW and 60th in the nation in punt returns (7.6 ypr), seventh in the MW and 62nd in the nation in net punting (39.9 ypp), and 10th in the MW and 126th in the nation in kickoff return defense (28.3 ypr).
 
Individually, senior wide receiver Terrell Vaughn currently leads the nation with 11.5 receptions per game, is second in the MW and seventh in the nation in receiving touchdowns with three (1.5 pg), third in the MW and 49th in the nation in scoring (9.0 ppg), sixth in the MW and 46th in the nation in receiving yards (83.0 ypg), and 10th in the MW in all-purpose yards (92.5 ypg). Sophomore safety Ike Larsen is tied for first in the nation with one blocked kick (0.5 pg), tied for first in the nation with one defensive touchdown (0.5 pg), is second in the MW and 25th in the nation with one interception (0.5 pg), and is fourth in the MW and 20th in the nation in pass breakups (1.5 pg). Junior cornerback Jaiden Francois is tied for first in the nation with one defensive touchdown (0.5 pg), and is second in the MW and 25th in the nation with one interception (0.5 pg). Graduate senior linebacker MJ Tafisi Jr. is first in the MW and eighth in the nation in tackles for loss (2.0 pg), and fourth in the MW and 16th in the nation in forced fumbles with one (0.5 pg). Junior placekicker Elliott Nimrod is tied for first in the nation in field goal percentage (100.0), and is sixth in the MW and 53rd in the nation in field goals made per game (1.0). Graduate senior quarterback Cooper Legas is first in the MW and 22nd in the nation in completion percentage (.719), third in the MW and 24th in the nation in completions per game (23.0), seventh in the MW and 86th in the nation in passing efficiency (128.6), eighth in the MW and 91st in the nation in passing yards per game (169.0), and ninth in the MW and 94th in the nation in total offense per game (186.5). Junior defensive end Cian Slone is second in the MW and seventh in the nation in fumbles recovered with one (0.5 pg). Junior wide receiver Micah Davis is second in the MW and 34th in the nation in punt returns (7.6 ypr). Graduate senior cornerback Michael Anyanwu is fourth in the MW and 16th in the nation in forced fumbles with one (0.5 pg). Senior punter Stephen Kotsanlee is fifth in the MW and 21st in the nation in punting (45.2 ypp). Junior running back Rahsul Faison is fifth in the MW and 56th in the nation in rushing (77.0 ypg). Redshirt junior safety Anthony Switzer is sixth in the MW and 43rd in the nation in tackles (9.0 pg). Junior safety Simeon Harris is eighth in the MW and 80th in the nation in tackles (8.0 pg). And, junior running back Davon Booth in eighth in the MW in rushing (58.0 ypg).
 
Fans can follow the Aggie football program at twitter.com/USUFootball or on Facebook at Utah State Football, as well as on Instagram at instagram.com/USUFootball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics.