LOGAN, Utah – Utah State football has a tradition of developing talented running backs that produce at a high level. And heading into the 2024 campaign, this year's stable of backs has the talent and depth to add to that history.
Utah State's two returners will be at the forefront of the running game heading into the season in senior
Rahsul Faison and junior
Robert Briggs Jr.
"Rahsul and Robert bring energy and a different dynamic with their personalities," said first-year running backs coach Jimmy Beal. "They really bring a work-ethic to the room, and they want to get better. Both of those guys are sponges right now and they do a great job of learning, listening and leading the group."
The Returners
Highlighting this group is Faison, who rushed for 736 yards on 118 carries (6.2 ypr) and five touchdowns in 2023, as he played in all 13 games with three starts in his first year with the program and produced a pair of 100-yard games.
During the 2023 season, Faison rushed for a career-high 181 yards on a career-high 22 carries and one touchdown against Nevada (11/11), which is the most rushing yards by an Aggie since 2016. He 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.
Utah State also returns Briggs, who rushed for 420 yards on 80 carries (5.3 ypc) and two touchdowns. During his two-year Aggie career, Briggs has played in 21 games with three starts and has rushed for 773 yards on 154 carries (5.0 ypc) and three scores.
In 2023, Briggs 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.
Another player returning here is freshman
Corbin Cottle who redshirted last season.
The Newcomers
Joining the three incumbents are five newcomers, which includes one four-year transfer, two junior college transfers and two high school players.
The one four-year transfer added to this group is sophomore
Jonathan Baird (Spokane, Wash./Mead HS/BYU), who spent the 2020 season at BYU.
Highlighting the two junior college transfers is junior
Nick Floyd (Riverside, Calif./Centennial HS/Mt. San Antonio College). During the 2023 season, Floyd earned California Community College Football Coaches Association All-America honors as a sophomore at Mt. San Antonio College, as he rushed for 1,265 yards on 136 carries (9.3 ypc/115.0 ypg) and 12 touchdowns.
Joining Floyd is sophomore
Derrick Jameson (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove HS/Iowa Central CC).
The two high school players added here include
Tre Kofe (Idaho Falls, Idaho/Corner Canyon (UT) HS) and
Herschel Turner Jr. (Richmond, Calif./Mt. Diablo HS). Turner finished his senior season rushing for 3,027 yards and 42 touchdowns on only 177 carries as he averaged 17.1 yards per attempt and 275.2 yards per game.
Offensive Production in 2023
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), and fourth in the MW and 43rd in the nation in passing offense (254.2 ypg).
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).
Fall Schedule
Utah State opens the 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 31, as it hosts Robert Morris and begins Mountain West play at Boise State on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Ticket Information
Season tickets and mini-plans for the 2024 season are on sale now. Purchase your tickets today to guarantee your seat for the return of the 'Battle of the Brothers' on Saturday, September 14th. To purchase visit utahstateaggies.com or call the ticket office at 435-797-0305.
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