LOGAN, Utah - Utah State topped 500 yards of offense for the third straight game and graduate QB Spencer Petras threw for 300 yards for the third time in as many weeks, but USU lost in a shootout to New Mexico 50-45 on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at Maverik Stadium.
Petras finished with 360 yards on 32-of-47 passing with two touchdowns, though an interception ended USU's attempt at a game-winning drive in the final minute. Petras is the first Aggie since Chuckie Keeton in 2012 to throw for 300 yards in three straight games.
The main beneficiary of Petras' passing was senior WR Jalen Royals, who recorded a career-high 11 receptions for 188 yards with one touchdown.
Utah State finished the game with 503 yards of offense, including 360 passing, while New Mexico had 552 yards, including 280 rushing and 272 passing.
Utah State opened the game with a flourish, outscoring the Lobos 14-0 in the first quarter and opening up a 17-0 lead early in the second frame.
After an interception from junior CB Avante Dickerson on the fourth play of the game, USU scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak to put the Aggies on the board. USU forced a Lobo three-and-out and on the next possession and scored again on a 6-yard run by senior RB Rahsul Faison. Freshman PK Tanner Cragun then booted a 38-yard field goal to put USU up 17-0 on the first play of the second quarter.
A muffed punt at the USU 21-yard line allowed the Lobos to score their first points of the game on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Devon Dampier to Javen Jacobs. UNM then converted a two-play to make the score 17-8. UNM added a 14-yard touchdown pass from Dampier to Ryan Davis on its next possession to get with two points at 17-15.
Utah State responded with its longest drive of the season, going 74 yards in 16 plays as Petras found junior WR
Otto Tia on a 4-yard pass to give USU a 24-15 lead at the half.
Utah State got the ball to start the second half and promptly scored on a 9-yard touchdown run by Faison. The Lobos refused to go quietly, however, as Dampier then scored on a 33-yard touchdown run.
Junior ILB
Cole Joyce then recovered a muffed punt at UNM's 19-yard line and Petras found Royals on a 13-yard touchdown pass to put Utah State up by multiple scores.
The Lobos again responded, going 80 yards in eight plays, capped by a 15-yard run by Jacobs to make the score 38-29 after a failed two-point conversion. UNM scored again on its next drive to trim Utah State's lead to 38-36.
Freshman RB
Herschel Turner Jr. scored on a 43-yard run on USU's next possession to give the home team a 45-36 lead. Dampier then scored on a 5-yard run to get the Lobos within 45-43.
Utah State was unable to pick up a first down on its next drive and was turned away on a fourth-and-one, giving UNM the ball at the USU 34-yard line. The Lobos scored five plays to take its first lead of the game, 50-45.
Utah State's final drive ended on its second play as Petras was intercepted by Dimitri Johnson.
Dampier had 377 yards of total offense and accounted for four touchdowns for the Lobos.
Senior S
Jordan Vincent led Utah State with a career-high-tying 12 tackles. USU forced four total turnovers as redshirt junior CB
DJ Graham II had a spectacular interception near the end zone and graduate TE
Broc Lane intercepted a Hail Mary pass on the last play of the first half. Redshirt junior ILB
John Miller had a career-high nine tackles, including a career-best 2.0 sacks and 3.0 tackles for loss.
Fall Schedule
Utah State heads to the road to take on Wyoming on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 5 p.m. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
Ticket Information
Mini-plans and single-game tickets for the 2024 season are on sale now. Purchase your tickets today by visiting utahstateaggies.com or calling the ticket office at 435-797-0305.
Parking
All Single-Game Parking sales will be cashless, starting this year. Those can be purchased in advance for $10
online, or for $15 on game days at the F lot entrances.
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