LOGAN, Utah – Week three of spring ball is officially in the books following Utah State's first scrimmage Saturday afternoon inside the Stan Laub Training Facility.
 
Fourth-year head coach Blake Anderson ran his team through roughly a two-hour scrimmage and was pleased for the most part with the way the team performed.
 
"We got some good work in today," said Anderson. "I felt like the defensive energy was better today than it was last week, so that's a step in the right direction. We are a little over halfway through spring practice and there are still plenty of opportunities. I do think we are getting better and have come together as a team.
 
"The thing I like the most about the group is the competitive nature. We are so far away from where we want to be execution wise, especially defensively, that is a lot to ask in a short period of time. But, compared from last Friday to today, you can see they were more prepared, had more energy and they tackled better. I like the fact that each time we go out we get a little more competitive, make a few less mistakes and make a few more big plays. And with as many new bodies as we have, that is about all you can ask for at this point."
 
Overall, Utah State's offense gained 740 yards during the scrimmage (550 passing, 190 rushing), while the Aggie defense had 3.0 sacks and 6.0 tackles for loss, to go along with nine pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.
 
Graduate senior quarterback Spencer Petras, a transfer from Iowa, led Utah State as he was 26-of-34 passing for 295 yards with two touchdowns, while fellow graduate senior Cooper Legas was 16-of-22 passing for 115 yards. Junior Bryson Barnes, a transfer from Utah, was 7-of-10 for 95 yards and sophomore McCae Hillstead was 6-of-10 from 45 yards.
 
Junior wide receiver Otto Tia was one of 14 Aggies to catch a pass on the day as he had a team-best 11 receptions for 130 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore wide receiver Grant Page had seven catches for 105 yards, and senior tight end Josh Sterzer added four catches for 75 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown.
 
Senior All-American wide receiver Jalen Royals had six receptions for 50 yards in limited action, while graduate senior Kyrese Rowan had four receptions for 50 yards and graduate senior Colby Bowman caught five passes for 30 yards.
 
Senior running back Davon Booth led the rushing attack for the Aggies with 75 yards on 15 carries, while junior Robert Briggs Jr. gained 50 yards on 11 carries. Redshirt freshman Corbin Cottle gained 45 yards on six carries and senior Rahsul Faison rushed eight times for 25 yards.
 
Utah State did not finish the majority of its drives, which limited scoring opportunities during the scrimmage. However, USU did put the ball in the endzone twice during the day as Petras connected with Tia for a 5-yard touchdown. Petras then connected with Sterzer on a 45-yard scoring play.
 
Defensively, junior inside linebacker Jadon Pearson, a transfer from Utah, finished the scrimmage with a team-best nine tackles, while sophomore cornerback JD Drew added seven stops. Sophomore inside linebacker Bronson Olevao Jr., had five tackles, which included 2.0 sacks and 3.0 tackles for loss. And junior safety Simeon Harris added a team-best two pass breakups on the day.
 
Junior cornerback Davon Graham II, a transfer from Oklahoma, added six tackles as did redshirt senior safety Omari Okeke, who sat out last season with an injury. Junior cornerback Al Ashford III also had six tackles on the day. Junior inside linebacker Shaun Dolac, a transfer from Buffalo, and redshirt freshman cornerback Noah Flores both added five stops.
 
Considering Utah State has its third defensive coordinator in the last three years, Anderson is pleased with the progress that group has made this spring.
 
"I think the defensive has done a really good job, considering this is our third new defense in three years, that is a lot to ask for the guys that have been here. We are taking it slow, and they are truly focusing on the fundamentals, and you can see steady progress. They communicate extremely well, and the guys have liked the changes and adjustments that have been made. We will not have the entire defense in at the end of spring and I wouldn't expect to, but I've been really pleased overall, and the energy has been really good," added Anderson.
 
Utah State will practice twice next week, on Tuesday and Thursday, before finishing the spring with four more practices the following week, including its annual Blue vs. White Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 20, at 1 p.m.
 
Season ticket renewals are currently being accepted. To renew, fans should visit www.utahstateaggies.com, or do so in person or by phone through the USU Ticket Office during regular business hours (435-797-0305). New season ticket orders can also be made.
 
Utah State opens the 2024 season at home against Robert Morris on Saturday, Aug. 31. USU begins Mountain West play at Boise State on Saturday, Oct. 5.
 
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.