2023 UTAH STATE FOOTBALL END OF SEASON NOTES PACKAGE
6-7 Overall (4-4 Mountain West / Tied-Sixth)
 
• Utah State finished the 2023 season with a 6-7 record and tied for sixth place in the Mountain West with a 4-4 league mark. Offensively, USU was led by graduate senior QB Cooper Legas, who was 138-of-213 (.648) passing for 1,815 yards (201.7 ypg) with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Junior RB Davon Booth led the team in rushing with 805 yards on 120 carries (6.7 ypc/67.1 ypg) with six touchdowns. And, junior WR Jalen Royals had 71 receptions for 1,080 yards (15.2 ypr/83.1 ypg) and 15 touchdowns. Defensively, graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. led the team with 142 tackles, which included 7.5 tackles for loss, while sophomore S Ike Larsen had 103 tackles, which included 4.5 tackles for loss and a team-best four interceptions. As a team, USU averaged 33.2 points and 438.6 yards of total offense (254.2 passing, 184.4 rushing), and allowed 34.7 points and 433.1 yards (219.6 passing, 213.5 rushing).
 
• Utah State played in a bowl game for the 11th time in the last 13 seasons and for the 17th time in school history, as it lost to Georgia State 45-22 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, held in Boise, Idaho. Overall, it was the third time in school history that USU played in three-straight bowl games. USU is now 6-11 all-time in bowl games.     
 
• Utah State has now won at least six games 40 times in school history and 11 times in the past 13 seasons. USU also finished Mountain West play with a 4-4 record, marking the 11th time in the last 13 years that it won at least four league games. Overall, USU has won four or more conference games 43 times in school history.
 
• Utah State played 13 games for the 11th time in the past 13 seasons in 2023 after not playing in more than 12 games prior to its current run. The school record for games played in a season is 14 set in 2013, and tied in 2014 and 2021.
 
• Utah State's Blake Anderson is just the second head coach in school history, along with Matt Wells (2013-14), to lead the Aggies to bowl games in each of his first three seasons. Overall, Anderson is the third head coach in school history to coach in three or more bowls, along with Gary Andersen (2011-12, 2019) and Wells (2013-15, '17).
 
• Utah State senior DT Hale Motu'apuaka played in 58 games during his career, which is the second-most in school history behind Demytrick Ali'ifua (2017-21), who played in 59 career games. Motu'apuaka also started 40 career games, which is tied for the seventh-most in school history.
 
• Utah State junior WR Jalen Royals caught 71 passes for 1,080 yards and a school-record 15 touchdowns on the season. The previous record for touchdown receptions was 14 set by Tracy Jenkins in 1990. Royals also ranks 10th in the USU single-season record books in receiving yards, tied for eighth in total touchdowns with 15 and tied for 10th in receptions. 
 
• Utah State senior WR Terrell Vaughn caught 89 passes for 933 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. Those 89 catches rank as the fourth-most in a single-season in school history, while his 11 touchdowns are tied for the third-most. For his career, Vaughn caught 145 passes for 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns as he ranks tied for ninth all-time in receptions and tied for 10th all-time in touchdown catches.
 
• Utah State graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. had 142 tackles on the season, which is tied for the ninth-most in a single season in school history. Tafisi also set the school record for consecutive double-digit tackles games with nine and the most double-digit tackle games in a season with 10.
 
• Utah State graduate senior QB Cooper Legas was 138-of-213 (.648) passing for 1,185 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions on the season. That completion percentage is the fourth-best in school history for a single season, while his 19 touchdowns are tied for the ninth-most. For his career, Legas is 284-of-454 (.626), which ranks as the third-best completion percentage in school history. 
 
• Utah State junior RB Davon Booth rushed for 805 yards on 120 carries (6.7 ypr) and six touchdowns. That rushing average of 6.7 yards per carry is the sixth-best in a single season in school history.
 
• Utah State junior PK Elliott Nimrod was 41-of-43 (.953) on extra points this season to rank eighth in PATs made and tied for eighth in PATs attempted for a season, while his 95.3 conversion percentage is the 10th-best in school history for a career. He was also 11-of-14 (.786) on field goals as that percentage is tied for the ninth-best in a single season in school history.
 
• Utah State only had five players (2 offense, 3 defense) start all 13 games this year in senior WR Terrell Vaughn, junior WR Jalen Royals, sophomore S Ike Larsen, sophomore DT Seni Tuiaka and redshirt freshman DE Paul Fitzgerald.
 
UTAH STATE WINS THREE OF ITS FINAL FOUR GAMES TO GET BOWL ELIGIBLE 
• The 2023 team was just the fourth in school history to play in a bowl game after starting the season with a losing record. After starting the season with a 1-3 record, Utah State finished the regular season by winning three of its final four games. USU's 1993 team started the year with a 1-5 record before winning its final six games, including its first-ever bowl win with a 42-33 victory against Ball State in the Las Vegas Bowl II. The 2011 team had a 2-5 record before winning five-straight games to snap a 14-year bowl drought as it played in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. And the 2022 team won five of its final seven games after starting the season with a 1-4 record as it played in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. 
 
UTAH STATE UNDEFEATED WITH FOURTH-QUARTER LEAD UNDER ANDERSON 
• Utah State improved to 20-0 under third-year head coach Blake Anderson when it takes a lead into the fourth quarter following its 44-41 double-overtime win at New Mexico in its regular season finale. 
 
UTAH STATE SCORED 30-PLUS POINTS IN SEVEN OF ITS LAST 10 GAMES
• With its 44-41 double-overtime win at New Mexico in its regular season finale, Utah State scored 30 or more points in seven of its last 10 games and had at least 500 yards of total offense in four of its last eight outings.  
 
UTAH STATE POSTS 16TH COME-FROM-BEHIND WIN UNDER ANDERSON
• Utah State posted its 16th come-from-behind win under head coach Blake Anderson, as it trailed New Mexico 41-38 in the second overtime during its regular season finale. USU also posted double-digit comeback wins 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 11-2 UNDER ANDERSON IN ONE-SCORE GAMES
• Utah State is 11-2 in one-score games under head coach Blake Anderson, including a 3-2 record this year, following its 44-41 double-overtime win at New Mexico in its regular season finale. USU also posted a 32-24 double-overtime win at San Diego State, a 34-33 win at UConn, and lost to James Madison 45-38 and to Fresno State 37-32 this year.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH UTAH STATE'S OFFENSE
• Utah State ran a play on average every 21.4 seconds, which is the fifth-fastest tempo in the nation. Jacksonville State led the nation with a play every 20.3 seconds, followed by South Florida (20.9), Tennessee (21.2), TCU (21.2) and USU.
 
• Utah State's 35 touchdown passes were the eighth-most in the nation, while its 56 total touchdowns were tied for the 23rd-most.
 
UTAH STATE LED THE NATION WITH 14 PLAYS OF 50-PLUS YARDS
• Utah State had 14 plays of 50-plus yards this season, which was tied for the most in the nation. USU also had 25 plays of at least 40 yards, which was tied for the fifth-most in the nation, seven plays of 60-plus yards, which was tied for the fourth-most nationally, and 70 plays of at least 20 yards, which was tied for the 31st-most nationally. Furthermore, Utah State had 11 pass plays of at least 50 yards this season, which was tied for first in the nation.
 
AGGIES IN OVERTIME
• Utah State is 8-6 all-time in overtime, winning five of its last seven, and posting a 2-0 record this year with double-overtime wins at San Diego State and at New Mexico. All-time, USU is 4-3 in single-overtime games, 5-2 in double-overtime games, and 0-1 in triple-overtime games.
 
UTAH STATE BOWL HISTORY
• Utah State has a 6-11 bowl record all-time as it lost to San José State, 20-0, in the 1946 Raisin Bowl (Fresno, Calif.); lost to Pacific, 35-21, in the 1947 Grape Bowl (Lodi, Calif.); lost to New Mexico State, 20-13, in the 1960 Sun Bowl (El Paso, Texas); lost to Baylor, 24-9, in the 1961 Gotham Bowl (New York City); defeated Ball State, 42-33, in the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl II; lost to Cincinnati, 35-19, in the 1997 Humanitarian Bowl; lost to Ohio, 24-23, in the 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl; defeated Toledo, 41-15, in the 2012 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl; defeated No. 24 Northern Illinois, 21-14, in the 2013 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl; defeated UTEP, 21-6, in the 2014 Gildan New Mexico Bowl; lost to Akron, 23-21, in the 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl; lost to New Mexico State, 26-20 in overtime, in the 2017 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl; defeated North Texas, 52-13, in the 2018 New Mexico Bowl; lost to Kent State, 51-41, in the 2019 Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl;  defeated Oregon State, 24-13, in the 2021 Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl; lost to Memphis, 38-10, in the 2022 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl; and lost to Georgia State, 45-22, in the 2023 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
 
DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State had 13 scoring drives this season that took less than 60 seconds, which included 12 touchdown drives and one field goal. USU also had 14 scoring plays of at least 50 yards this season with 11 passes and three runs. Overall, USU had 35 scoring plays this year of at least 20 yards (22 passing, 10 rushing, 3 interceptions).
 
UTAH STATE MILESTONES THAT EQUAL SUCCESS
• Utah State has won 47 of its last 59 games when it has a 100-yard rusher, including a 4-2 record this year, 54 of its last 64 contests when rushing at least 40 times in a game, including a 5-2 record this year, and 72 of its last 79 games when scoring at least 30 points, including a 6-2 record this year.
 
UTAH STATE IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST
• Utah State is 52-34 (.605) all-time in Mountain West play, including a 15-9 (.625) record under third-year head coach Blake Anderson. At home, USU has a 28-16 (.636) record in MW games, including a 10-8 (.556) mark under Anderson. And on the road, USU is 24-18 (.571) in MW play, including a 12-7 (.632) record under Anderson.  
 
• Utah State (52-34) has the third-best record against Mountain West opponents since it joined the league in 2013. Boise State (73-17) has the best record and San Diego State (60-28) has the second-best.
 
• Utah State is 180-196-8 (.479) 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 17-13 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. 
 
WHAT RETURNED IN 2023 
• Utah State returned 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 were 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 included 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 WELCOMED 62 NEWCOMERS 
• Utah State welcomed 62 newcomers (O-27, D-32, S-3) to its program this fall, which was 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 HAD FOUR SETS OF BROTHERS ON 2023 ROSTER  
• Utah State had 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). 
 
AGGIES WHO HAVE SERVED LDS CHURCH MISSIONS 
•  Utah State had 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 had 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.
 
UTAH STATE 26TH IN THE NATION IN SCORING OFFENSE 
• Utah State finished the 2023 season second in the Mountain West and 26th in the nation in scoring offense (33.2 ppg), first in the MW and 25th in the nation in total offense (438.6 ypg), second in the MW and 44th in the nation in passing efficiency (143.2), fourth in the MW and 30th in the nation in rushing offense (184.4 ypg), fourth in the MW and 43rd in the nation in passing offense (254.2 ypg), seventh in the MW and 61st in the nation in completion percentage (.617), and 11th in the MW and 117th in the nation in sacks allowed with 44 (3.38 pg). 
 
• Utah State was also third in the MW and 39th in the nation in first downs with 284 (21.8 pg), fourth in the MW and 39th in the nation in fumbles lost with six (0.46 pg), sixth in the MW and 50th in the nation in red zone offense (.867), sixth in the MW and 52nd in the nation in passing yards per completion (12.29), and seventh in the MW and 53rd in the nation in fourth down conversions (.562).   
 
UTAH STATE 33RD IN THE NATION IN TACKLES FOR LOSS
• Utah State's defense finished the 2023 season second in the Mountain West and 33rd in the nation in tackles for loss with 80 (6.2 pg), fifth in the MW and 56th in the nation in sacks with 29 (2.23 pg), sixth in the MW and 60th in the nation in passing defense (219.6 ypg), sixth in the MW and 61st in the nation in passing efficiency defense (131.3), 11th in the MW and 117th in the nation in total defense (433.1 ypg), 11th in the MW and 120th in the nation in scoring defense (34.7 ppg), and 12th in the MW and 126th in the nation in rushing defense (213.5 ypg). 
 
• Utah State was also second in the MW and 43rd in the nation in red zone defense (.810), third in the MW and 48th in the nation in fourth down conversions (.471), and was one of 28 FBS teams in the nation with three defensive touchdowns on the season.
 
UTAH STATE 38TH IN THE NATION WITH 20 FORCED TURNOVERS
• Utah State finished the 2023 season fifth in the Mountain West and 38th in the nation with 20 forced turnovers. USU was also third in the MW and 16th in the nation in fumbles recovered with 10 (0.77 pg), and seventh in the MW and 65th in the nation in passes intercepted with 10 (0.77 pg).
 
UTAH STATE 10TH IN THE NATION IN BLOCKED KICKS
• Utah State finished the 2023 season tied for first in the Mountain West and 10th in the nation with three blocked kicks. USU was also fifth in the MW and 70th in the nation in kickoff returns (19.7 ypr), sixth in the MW and 67th in the nation in punt returns (8.6 ypr), sixth in the MW and 73rd in the nation in kickoff return defense (20.4 ypr), 10th in the MW and 101st in the nation in net punting (36.8 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 finished the 2023 season first in the Mountain West and fourth in the nation with two blocked kicks (0.15 pg), tied for first in the MW and eighth in the nation with one defensive touchdown (0.08 pg), third in the MW and 19th in the nation with four interceptions (0.31 pg), eighth in the MW in passes defended with 10 (0.77 pg), and eighth in the MW and 56th in the nation in tackles (7.9 pg). Junior WR Jalen Royals was first in the MW and second in the nation in receiving touchdowns with 15 (1.2 pg), third in the MW and 24th in the nation in receiving (83.1 ypg), fifth in the MW and 38th in the nation in receptions (5.5 pg), seventh in the MW and 64th in the nation in scoring (7.2 ppg), and seventh in the MW and 88th in the nation in yards per reception (15.2). Junior CB Jaiden Francois tied for first in the MW and eighth in the nation with one defensive touchdown (0.08 pg). Sophomore DT Seni Tuiaki tied for first in the MW and eighth in the nation with one defensive touchdown (0.08 pg). Graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. was first in the MW and seventh in the nation in tackles (10.9 pg), and 10th in the MW in forced fumbles with two (0.15 pg). Junior DE Blaine Spires was second in the MW and sixth in the nation in fumbles recovered with three (0.25 pg), and 10th in the MW in sacks with 5.0 (0.42 pg). Junior RB Davon Booth was second in the MW and seventh in the nation in yards per carry (6.71), and seventh in the MW and 72nd in the nation in rushing (67.1 ypg). Senior WR Terrell Vaughn was second in the MW and 11th in the nation in receiving touchdowns with 11 (0.8 pg), second in the MW and 13th in the nation in receptions (6.8 pg), fifth in the MW and 45th in the nation in receiving yards (71.8 ypg), and ninth in the MW and 97th in the nation in all-purpose yards (89.5). Junior WR Micah Davis was second in the MW and 24th in the nation in punt returns (9.3 ypr), third in the MW and 40th in the nation in yards per reception (17.4), eighth in the MW and 76th in the nation in receiving touchdowns with six (0.55 pg), 10th in the MW in receiving (57.1 ypg) and 10th in the MW in all-purpose yards (87.4 ypg). Redshirt freshman DE Paul Fitzgerald was fourth in the MW and 38th in the nation in sacks with 8.0 (0.62 pg). Graduate senior QB Cooper Legas was sixth in the MW and 53rd in the nation in passing touchdowns with 19 (2.1 pg). Junior PK Elliott Nimrod was sixth in the MW and 53rd in the nation in field goal percentage (.786), ninth in the MW and 81st in the nation in scoring (6.7 ppg), and 10th in the MW and 87th in the nation in field goals (0.9 pg). Freshman QB McCae Hillstead was eighth in the MW and 93rd in the nation in touchdown passes with 11 (1.4 pg). Junior RB Rahsul Faison was ninth in the MW in rushing (56.6 ypg).  Sophomore S Devin Dye was ninth in the MW in passes defended with nine (0.75 pg). And, graduate senior CB Michael Anyanwu was 10th in the MW in forced fumbles with two (0.15 pg).        
 
ROYALS NAMED COLLEGE FOOTBALL NETWORK THIRD-TEAM ALL-AMERICAN
• Utah State junior WR Jalen Royals was named a College Football Network (CFN) Third-Team All-American, becoming the first Aggie wide receiver to be named an All-American since Kevin Curtis in 2001, and only the eighth wide receiver to earn All-America honors in school history, along with Kevin Alexander (1995), Kendal Smith (1988), James Murphy (1979), Jimmy Bryant (1978), Tom Forzani (1972) and Mike O'Shea (1968).
 
LARSEN NAMED COLLEGE FOOTBALL NETWORK HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICAN
• Utah State sophomore S Ike Larsen was named a College Football Network (CFN) Honorable Mention All-American. He is the seventh defensive back to earn All-America honors in school history, along with Hunter Reynolds (2022), Jalen Davis (2017), Nevin Lawson (2013), Will Davis (2012), Travis Clark (1988) and Henry King (1966). Larsen was named a College Football News Honorable Mention Freshman All-American in 2022.
 
TAFISI NAMED PHIL STEELE HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICAN
• Utah State graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. was named a Phil Steele Honorable Mention All-American, becoming the first Aggie linebacker to be named an All-American since David Woodward in 2019, and only the fifth linebacker to earn All-America honors in school history, along with Kyler Fackrell (2015), Zach Vigil (2014) and Al Smith (1985, 1986).
 
UTAH STATE HAS NINE PLAYERS NAMED ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST
• Utah State had nine players garner all-Mountain West honors, including three first-team selections, in graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr., junior WR Jalen Royals and sophomore S Ike Larsen. Senior WR/KR Terrell Vaughn was named to the second team. And five more Aggies were named honorable mention all-MW in senior DT Hale Motu'apuaka, redshirt junior LB Anthony Switzer, junior WR/PR Micah Davis, junior TE Broc Lane and sophomore S Devin Dye.
 
• Three Aggies are receiving MW honors for the second time as Larsen was named to the second team in 2022, while Tafisi and Vaughn both garnered honorable mention accolades a season ago. 
 
UTAH STATE FOURTH IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST IN ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS
• Utah State had four offensive and five defensive players recognized by the Mountain West, including two specialists, for a total of 10 all-conference awards, which tied for the fourth-most in the league. UNLV had a league-best 14 all-conference honorees, while Boise State and Colorado State were second with 12. USU, Air Force, Fresno State and San José State all had 10 honorees, followed by San Diego State (9), Wyoming (8), New Mexico (7), Hawai'i (6) and Nevada (6).
 
UTAH STATE NOTABLES ON ALL-CONFERENCE PLAYERS
• For the first time in its 11 years in the Mountain West, Utah State had a pair of wide receivers earn first- and second-team honors in Jalen Royals and Terrell Vaughn. In fact, Royals is just the second Aggie wide receiver to earn first-team all-MW honors along with Deven Thompkins in 2021. And Vaughn is one of just six wide receivers to earn first- or second-team all-MW accolades along with Thompkins' first team honor in 2021, and Hunter Sharp, Siaosi Mariner and Brian Cobbs, who were all named to the second team in 2015, 2019 and 2022, respectively.
 
• Graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. is the sixth linebacker to be named first-team all-Mountain West along with David Woodward (2019), Kyler Fackrell (2015), Nick Vigil (2014, 2015), Zach Vigil (2014) and Jake Doughty (2013).
 
• Sophomore S Ike Larsen is the third Aggie defensive back to earn first-team all-Mountain West honors along with Nevin Lawson in 2013 and Jalen Davis in 2017. Larsen is also the first Aggie to earn first and second-team all-MW honors as a freshman and sophomore. 
 
TWO AGGIES EARN MOUNTAIN WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS IN 2023
• Utah State had two Mountain West Player of the Week recipients this year in graduate junior QB Levi Williams and sophomore S Ike Larsen. Larsen was named the MW Defensive Player of the Week twice during the season following performances against Colorado State and at San Diego State, and the MW Special Teams Player of the Week once following his performance at UConn. Williams was named the MW Offensive Player of the Week once following his performance at New Mexico in the season finale, which was also his first start in his two-year Aggie career. 
 
MOTU'APUAKA PLAYED IN HULA BOWL
• Utah State senior DT Hale Motu'apuaka accepted an invitation to play in the 2024 Hula Bowl. Motu'apuaka was the 13th Aggie to play in the Hula Bowl and first since Gerold Bright in 2019. Other Aggies to play in the all-star game include Donald Penn (2006), Ben Holbrook (2000), Walter Fiefia (1999), Brandon Dyson (1998), Scott Parrish (1976), Phil Olsen (1970), Bill Staley (1968), Ron Sbranti (1966), Jim McNaughton (1964), Lionel Aldridge (1963) and Merlin Olsen (1962).
 
LEVI WILLIAMS NAMED MOUNTAIN WEST OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
• Graduate junior QB Levi Williams was named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career following his performance in Utah State's 44-41 double-overtime win at New Mexico on Friday, Nov. 24, in both team's regular season finale.
 
• Making his first-career start at Utah State, Williams accounted for 351 yards of offense and five touchdowns (3 rushing, 2 passing).
 
• Williams posted his third-career 100-yard rushing game, including his first at Utah State, as he rushed for a season-high 153 yards on a career-high 25 carries and scored a season-high three touchdowns, including both of USU's touchdowns in overtime. His 153 rushing yards are the second-most of his career, while his three rushing touchdowns are tied for the second-most in his career.
 
• Those three rushing touchdowns are tied for the most in a single game in school history by a quarterback and his 25 rushing attempts are the most by a quarterback in school history. He scored his first rushing touchdown on a 29-yard run in the third quarter to give USU a 24-14 lead. His second rushing touchdown came in the first overtime as he scored on a 6-yard run to give USU a 38-31 lead.  He then scored the game-winning touchdown in the second overtime on a 13-yard run on a broken play after dropping the snap.
 
• Williams is the eighth quarterback in school history to rush for 100 yards in a game, and his 153 rushing yards are the second-most by a quarterback in school history.
 
• Williams was 16-of-27 passing for 198 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. All of his passing stats are career-highs at Utah State. Both of his touchdown passes came in the first quarter on a 13-yard completion and a 57-yard completion to junior WR Jalen Royals.
 
• His five touchdowns responsible for are tied for the most in the Mountain West this season, while his rushing yards (153), rushing attempts (25) and rushing touchdowns (3) are the most by a MW quarterback this year.
 
• Williams' five total touchdowns (3 rushing, 2 passing) is tied for the most in his career as he also had five total touchdowns (4 rushing, 1 passing) in the 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
 
JALEN ROYALS IN THE UTAH STATE RECORDS BOOK
• Junior WR Jalen Royals had 71 receptions for 1,080 yards and a school-record 15 touchdown catches this season, breaking the previous record of 14 touchdown receptions that was set by Tracy Jenkins in 1990. With his 1,080 receiving yards this year, he is just the 13th player in school history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. Overall, his 1,080 receiving yards are the 10th-most in a single season in school history, while his 71 receptions are tied for the 10th most and his 15 total touchdowns are tied for the eighth-most.
 
• Royals had three receptions for 57 yards and one touchdown (35) against Georgia State (12/23) in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Royals finished the season with at least one touchdown reception in nine of his last 10 games and in 10 of his last 12 overall. Overall, Royals had seven touchdown receptions this season of 50 or more yards, which led the nation. 
 
• Royals had seven receptions for 89 yards and two touchdowns (13, 57) against New Mexico. 
 
• Royals had four 100-yard receiving games on the season, which was tied for the second-most in the Mountain West and tied for the 21st-most in the nation. His last 100-yard receiving game was against Boise State as he had seven receptions for 113 yards. 
 
• His breakout game this year was at UConn (9/30) as he had a career-high 185 receiving yards and a career-high three touchdowns (15, 71, 52) on a career-high-tying seven receptions. 
 
• He continued his streak as he had back-to-back 100-yard receiving games against Colorado State (10/7) and Fresno State (10/13) as he had six receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns (24, 51) against the Rams and seven receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns (29, 52) against the Bulldogs.
 
• During that three-game stretch, Royals had three-straight 100 yard receiving games, and caught 20 passes for 450 yards and seven touchdowns.
 
• Royals is the 39th player in school history with 1,000 career receiving yards.
 
COOPER LEGAS IN THE UTAH STATE RECORDS BOOK
• 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.
 
• Had 19 touchdown passes this season, which is tied for the 10th-most in school history, and has 32 touchdown passes in his career, which is two shy of entering the career top 10 at Utah State.
 
• Threw three or more touchdowns in four of his last six games and has had multiple touchdown passes in five of his last six games. Has now thrown multiple touchdowns nine times in his career and three or more touchdowns five times in his career. 
 
• Led Utah State to a 4-2 record in the last six games he played in 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 was 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.
 
• Was 11-of-13 passing for 204 yards and three touchdowns in the second-half at UConn (9/30) as he led Utah State to a come-from-behind win after trailing by 17 points.
 
• Was 11-of-15 passing for 167 yards and two touchdowns in the second-half at San Diego State (11/4) as he led Utah State to a come-from-behind win after trailing by seven points.
 
• 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.
 
• Had back-to-back 300-yard passing games this year, which is tied for the third-most in the Mountain West this season. Was 19-of-29 for a career-high 387 yards and a career-best four touchdowns (24, 76, 51, 19) against Colorado State (10/7), and 23-of-40 for 363 yards and three touchdowns (29, 52, 43) against Fresno State (10/13).
 
• Completed 32-of-48 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown (16) in the season opener at No. 25 Iowa (9/2) as his completions and attempts are both career highs. In fact, those 32 completions are the second-most in a single game in school history.
 
TERRELL VAUGHN IN THE UTAH STATE RECORDS BOOK
• Senior WR Terrell Vaughn had 145 receptions for 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns in his two-year Aggie career. Overall, Vaughn is tied for ninth all-time in receptions, tied for 10th all-time in touchdown catches and 18th 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. 
 
• Had 89 receptions for 933 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Those 89 receptions are the fourth-most in single-season school history, while the 11 touchdown catches are tied for the third-most.
 
• Had 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. Also had three 100-yard receiving games this year and four in his career.
 
• Had eight receptions for 86 yards and one touchdown (2) against Georgia State (12/23) in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
 
• Had a career-high 12 receptions for 93 yards and one touchdown (16) at No. 25 Iowa (9/2). Had 11 receptions for 73 yards and a career-high-tying two touchdowns (4, 5) against Idaho State (9/9). And had 10 catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns (20, 6) against James Madison (9/23).
 
• Had back-to-back 100-yard receiving games as he had a season-high 143 receiving yards on eight catches and one touchdown (76) against Colorado State (10/7), and 119 yards on seven catches and one touchdown (43) against Fresno State (10/13). 
 
• Had multiple touchdown receptions twice this year and three times in his career. Scored a touchdown in 14 games in his career.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH DAVON BOOTH
• Junior RB Davon Booth posted his third 100-yard rushing game of the season against Boise State (11/18) 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. Booth was one of just four running backs to rush for 100 yards against Boise State this season.
 
• Rushed for 71 yards on four carries, including a career long 65-yard touchdown against Georgia State (12/23) in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. It was the longest scoring run in USU bowl history.
 
• Posted his first-career 100-yard rushing game against James Madison (9/23) as he rushed for 103 yards on a career-high 21 carries. JMU entered the game leading the nation in rushing yards allowed at 22.7 yards per game and had not allowed a 100-yard rusher in its last eight games.
 
• Rushed for a career-high 141 yards and a career-high-tying two touchdowns (22, 48) on 14 carries against Colorado State (10/7). 
 
• Scored a career-high two touchdowns (8, 40) against Idaho State (9/9) as he gained 83 yards on six carries.
 
• His three 100-yard rushing games were tied for the sixth-most in the Mountain West this season.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH RAHSUL FAISON
• Junior RB Rahsul Faison posted his second 100-yard rushing game of the season at New Mexico (11/24) in the regular season finale as he gained 106 yards on 18 carries, and scored his fifth rushing touchdown of the season on a 17-yard run.
 
• Rushed for a career-high 181 yards on a career-high 22 carries and one touchdown against Nevada (11/11). 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. 
 
• Those 181 rushing yards are the most by an Aggie since Devante May rushed for 206 yards against Weber State in 2016.
 
• Gained 91 yards on five carries, including a career-long 60 yard run for a touchdown, against Idaho State (9/9). 
 
• Had seven rushes this season of at least 20 yards, including three of 40-plus yards.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH ROBERT BRIGGS JR.
• Sophomore RB Robert Briggs Jr. posted his first-career 100-yard rushing game against Idaho State (9/9) as he gained 101 yards on nine carries, including scoring his first rushing touchdown of the season and the second of his career on a career-long 58-yard run.
 
• Rushed for 80 yards on a career-high 19 carries against Colorado State (10/7).
 
• Scored what proved to be the winning touchdown in the second overtime at San Diego State (11/4) on a 20-yard run. Rushed for 59 yards on nine carries against the Aztecs.
 
• Gained 69 yards on 11 carries against Nevada (11/11).
 
FOUR DIFFERENT AGGIES HAVE RUSHED FOR 100 YARDS THIS SEASON
• Utah State had four different players rush for 100 yards this season, which is a school record, in junior RB Davon Booth (3), junior RB Rahsul Faison (2), sophomore RB Robert Briggs Jr. (1) and graduate junior QB Levi Williams (1). The previous school record was three players with 100-yard rushing games in 1966, 1974, 2009, 2012 and 2017.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH MICAH DAVIS
• Junior WR Micah Davis recorded his first 100-yard receiving game as an Aggie and the second of his career as he caught a career-high five passes for 104 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown, against Colorado State (10/7). 
 
• His other 100-yard receiving game was against Utah State during the 2021 season when he was at Air Force as he caught four passes for a career-high 110 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown.
 
• Had a career-high six receptions for 87 yards and one touchdown (47) against Nevada (11/11).
 
• Returned 26 punts for 250 yards (9.62 ypr) this season as eight of his punt returns (30.8 percent) were for 10 or more yards. His 26 punt returns led the MW and were the third-most in the nation, while his 250 punt return yards were the most in the MW and the eighth-most in the nation.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH McCAE HILLSTEAD
• Freshman QB McCae Hillstead set a freshman passing record against James Madison (9/23) as he was 25-of-47 (.532) for 399 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions, all of which are career highs, in his first-career start. Those 399 passing yards are the most by a freshman and tied for the 14th-most in school history. It is also the most yards thrown by an Aggie since Jordan Love threw for 416 yards at Wake Forest in 2019.
 
• Was the eighth true freshman to start at quarterback for the Aggies in school history and first since Bishop Davenport started one game last year. Kent Myers started five games as a true freshman in 2014. Darell Garretson started seven games as a true freshman in 2013. Chuckie Keeton started eight games as a true freshman in 2011. Riley Nelson started six games as a true freshman in 2006. Jerod Walker started two games as a true freshman in 2005. And, Jeff Crosbie started four games as a true freshman in 1998.
 
• In the first extended playing time of his career at Air Force (9/15), Hillstead was 18-of-27 passing for 202 yards and three touchdowns.
 
• Was 17-of-29 passing for 160 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in a start at San José State (10/21).
 
• Was 12-of-16 passing for 62 yards in the first half at San Diego State (11/4) before missing the second half due to an injury.
 
• Was 7-of-11 passing for 57 yards and one touchdown against Georgia State (12/23) in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
 
IKE LARSEN NAMED MOUNTAIN WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK THREE TIMES
• Sophomore S Ike Larsen was 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 Utah State in double-overtime against San Diego State. He 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.
 
• Named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week (10/9/23) as he tied his career high with two interceptions against Colorado State, while adding seven tackles and a pass breakup.
 
• 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.
 
• Was the only Mountain West 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.
 
• Has a school-record five blocked kicks (4 punts, 1 PAT), which includes a blocked punt at No. 25 Iowa and a blocked extra point at UConn this year. He blocked three punts last year, which is the single-season school record.
 
• Had four interceptions on the season and eight in his career and is two interceptions shy of entering the career top 10 all-time in school history. 
 
• Tied his career-high with 11 tackles in his last outing against Georgia State (12/23) in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl to give him five double-digit tackle games this season and in his career. Also had 11 tackles at New Mexico (11/24) and against Air Force (9/15), and had 10 stops against both James Madison (9/23) and San José State (10/21).
 
• Recorded at least four tackles in every game this season and had six-plus tackles in 10 of his last 11 games. Also had four pass breakups and seven passes defended in his last nine games.
 
• Finished the season with 103 tackles becoming the 65th player in school history to have 100-plus tackles in a season.
 
MJ TAFISI JR. IN THE UTAH STATE RECORDS BOOK
• Graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. had 141 tackles this season, which is tied for the ninth-most in a single-season in school history. He is the 64th player in school history to have 100-plus tackles in a season.
 
• Set a school record with nine-straight double-digit tackle outings to end the season, breaking the previous record of eight set by Brent Passey in 1999. Tafisi's 10 double-digit tackle games on the season are also a school record and were tied for the third-most in the nation. For his career, he had 15 double-digit tackle games.
 
• Posted double-digit tackles in each of his last nine games as he had 11 tackles against Georgia State (12/23) in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, 11 tackles at New Mexico (11/24), 12 tackles against Boise State (11/17), 12 stops against Nevada 11/11), 13 tackles against San Diego State (11/4), 14 tackles against San José State (10/21), a career-high 17 tackles against Fresno State (10/13), 10 tackles against Colorado State (10/7) and 13 tackles against UConn (9/30). Tafisi also had 12 tackles against No. 25 Iowa (9/2) as he has nine double-digit tackle games this season and 14 in his career.
 
• Had 211 tackles and 16.5 tackles for loss during his two-year Utah State career, which was first and second on the team among active players.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH DEVIN DYE
• Sophomore S Devin Dye posted his first-career double-digit tackle outing against Boise State (11/18) with a career-high 14 tackles. 
 
• Recorded nine tackles and one pass breakup in his previous outing against Nevada (11/11) and had nine tackles at San Diego State (11/4).
 
• Had perhaps the best game of his career at San José State (10/21) as he had 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 nine games, Dye posted 75 tackles (8.3 pg), to go along with five pass breakups, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. 
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH HALE MOTU'APUAKA
• Senior DT Hale Motu'apuaka played in 58 career games, which is the second-most in school history. The school record for games played is 59 set by Demytrick Ali'ifua (2017-21). Motu'apuaka also started 40 games, which is tied for the seventh-most in school history.
 
• Had 114 tackles in his career, which includes 10.5 sacks and 22.0 tackles for loss. His sacks and TFLs are the most on the team among active players, while his tackles are the fourth-most.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH ANTHONY SWITZER
• Redshirt junior S Anthony Switzer had a career-high-tying 10 tackles against Fresno State (11/13), marking the third time this year and in his career he has posted double-digit tackles.
 
• Had a career-high 10 tackles at UConn (9/30), which included a career-best 1.0 sacks and a career-high 3.0 tackles for loss. 
 
• Had 10 tackles against Idaho State (9/9). Had nine tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss, at San José State (10/21). Added nine tackles, including 1.0 sacks, and a pass breakup against Boise State (11/18).
 
• Recovered a fumble and had an interception, to go along with five tackles, against James Madison (9/23).
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH MICHAEL ANYANWU
• Graduate senior CB Michael Anyanwu had 41 tackles and five pass breakups on the season, while adding two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
 
• Had multiple tackles in 12 of the 13 games he has played in this year, including a season-high six stops against both Idaho State (9/9) and James Madison (9/23).
 
• Had a season-high two pass breakups in his last game at New Mexico (11/24).
 
• For his career, he had 136 tackles and 18 pass breakups to rank second on first on the team among active players.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH PAUL FITZGERALD
• Redshirt freshman DE Paul Fitzgerald has 46 tackles on the season, which is the most on the team by a defensive lineman. Also had 8.0 sacks and 9.0 tackles for loss, both of which were team highs, while adding one forced fumble and one pass breakup.
 
• Tied a Utah State bowl game record with a career-high 3.0 sacks against Georgia State (12/23) in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. 
 
• Had a career-high seven tackles, which included 1.0 sacks, against Nevada (11/11). Had six tackles, including a career-high 2.0 sacks and a career-best 2.5 tackles for loss, against Idaho State (9/9). Had five tackles, including 1.0 sacks, against Fresno State (10/13).
 
• Has at least three tackles in nine of the 12 games he has played in this year.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH BLAINE SPIRES
• Junior DE Blaine Spires had 27 tackles on the season, which included 5.0 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. Also led the team with three fumble recoveries, to go along with one forced fumble.
 
• Had a career-high 2.0 sacks in his last game at New Mexico (11/24). 
 
• Recorded a tackle for loss in eight games this year and a sack in four of the last seven games.
 
• Had a season-high five tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss, against Colorado State (10/7).
 
ELLIOTT NIMROD IN THE UTAH STATE RECORD BOOKS
• Junior PK Elliott Nimrod was 11-of-14 on the season on field goals, including 3-of-3 from 20-29 yards, 6-of-8 from 30-39 yards and 2-of-3 from 40-49 yards, and 41-of-43 on PATs. 
 
• Made five-straight field goals dating back to the Colorado State game on Oct. 7, before missing a 37-yarder against Georgia State (12/23) in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
 
• Is eighth in the single-season record books at Utah State in PATs made (41) and tied for eighth in PATs attempted (41), while his 95.3 percentage on extra points ranks 10th all-time in school history on the career records list. Furthermore, his 78.6 field goal percentage is tied for the ninth-best in a single season in school history. 
 
• Scored a career-high 14 points against James Madison (9/23) as he scored his first-career touchdown on an 18-yard run on a fake field goal. Was also 5-of-5 on extra points and 1-of-2 on field goals as he made a 28-yarder and missed a 37-yarder.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH RYAN MARKS
• Redshirt freshman P Ryan Marks served as Utah State's punter in each of the last seven games. He punted 38 times for an average of 43.2 yards and had 12 punts downed in the 20-yard line. 
 
• Had seven punts of 50-plus yards on the season, including a career-long 75-yard punt against San José State (10/21), which is tied for the fourth-longest punt in school history and longest since 1998. Averaged a season-best 49.0 yards on five punts against the Spartans
 
• Punted five times for an average of 42.4 yards at New Mexico (11/24), which included a 58- and 60-yard punt, and had a season-best three punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTABLE
• 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. 
 
HEAD COACH BLAKE ANDERSON
• Blake Anderson (hired on Dec. 12, 2020) concluded his third year as Utah State's head coach and is the 29th head coach in program history. He has a 74-54 overall record, including a 53-27 conference mark. He has posted a 23-17 record at USU, including a 15-9 Mountain West record. In fact, Anderson is just the second head coach in school history to lead the Aggies to a bowl game in each of his first three seasons.
 
• Anderson has 30 years of coaching experience and has been part of six conference championships. This will be his 14th bowl game as a coach and he won a national championship at the junior college level.
 
• In 2023, Anderson led Utah State to six wins and its 11th bowl game in the past 13 seasons. Offensively, USU was one of the best teams in the nation with Anderson serving as the offensive coordinator as the Aggies led the Mountain West and ranked 25th in the nation in total offense at 433.1 yards per game and was second in the MW and 26th in the nation scoring 33.2 points per game. Nine Aggies earned all-conference honors under Anderson, including three All-Americans in graduate senior linebacker MJ Taifsi Jr. (honorable mention), junior wide receiver Jalen Royals (third team) and sophomore safety Ike Larsen (honorable mention).    
 
• During the 2022 campaign, Anderson led Utah State to six wins, including a 5-3 Mountain West record, and an appearance in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. The Aggies had nine players earn various all-conference accolades, including graduate senior safety Hunter Reynolds who 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 two wins. During that six-year stretch, the Red Wolves broke 12 school records ASU also won back-to-back Sun Belt Conference Championships under Anderson (2015-16). Overall, Anderson went 51-37 (.580) during his time at ASU, including a 38-18 (.679) league record.
 
• 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.