LOGAN, Utah — Utah State amassed 646 yards of total offense and shutout Robert Morris in the second half en route to a 36-14 season-opening home win on Saturday night at Maverik Stadium.
Trailing 14-10 at the break, Utah State scored 26 unanswered points in the final 30 minutes as it amassed 376 yards in the second half.
Utah State began the game with back-to-back interceptions before graduate senior wide receiver
Kyrese White broke loose for a 57-yard touchdown catch-and-run to break open the scoring late in the first quarter. Following an RMU answer on the ensuing drive, the Aggies moved back into the red zone to set up a 36-yard field goal from graduate senior placekicker
Elliott Nimrod to retake the lead.
Utah State looked poised to take control after forcing a three-and-out on the next possession. USU's next drive stalled, however, after graduate senior quarterback
Spencer Petras exited with an injury. Petras ended the game with 145 yards on 10-of-15 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions. Following Petras' exit, the Colonials captured the momentum with a touchdown late in the second quarter to claim a 14-10 halftime lead.
Coming out of intermission, Utah State asserted itself over the final 30 minutes, holding Robert Morris scoreless and to only 115 yards of total offense. White again led the Aggies, this time taking a swing pass 53 yards for the score to give USU the lead for good. Nimrod connected on another field goal, a career-long 50-yarder, to push the lead to 20-14.
On the next possession with RMU driving to begin the fourth quarter, junior safety
Ike Larsen made his presence known, picking off the third-down pass to deliver the ball back to the Aggie offense. It was Larsen's second possession-switching play of the night after recording a fourth-down stop in the first half.
On the second play of USU's ensuing drive, junior quarterback
Bryson Barnes took off up the middle, breaking loose for a 63-yard touchdown scamper to firmly put the Aggies in the driver's seat.
Utah State continued to take control, forcing a three-and-out to immediately regain possession. Junior running back
Robert Briggs Jr. then broke through the defense for a 55-yard run before being forced out. Briggs also suffered a leg injury on the play and had to be carted off the field. USU's momentum persisted, however, as Barnes connected with senior wide receiver
Jalen Royals for a 21-yard strike to push the advantage to 33-14. Nimrod connected on a 42-yard field goal on Utah State's final drive to account for the final tally.
The Aggie attack was equally effective through the air as on the ground as the offense totaled 343 passing yards alongside 303 rushing yards. Barnes finished with a line of 11-for-21 passing for 198 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Barnes also tied for the team lead in rushing alongside Briggs as the pair each finished with 88 yards on five and nine attempts, respectively. Senior running back
Rahsul Faison added 12 carries for 78 yards, while freshman
Herschel Turner Jr. made his career debut and gained 44 yards on four rushes. White led the Aggies in receiving with 131 yards on only three catches, while Royals posted a team-high five catches for 77 yards.
A pair of newcomers led the Aggie defense as graduate senior linebacker
Jon Ross Maye and senior safety
Jordan Vincent each finished with 10 tackles. The Aggies also received a pair of sacks from senior defensive end
Cian Slone and graduate senior defensive end
Blaine Spires.
Fall Schedule
Utah State continues its 2024 season on Saturday, Sept. 7, when it travels to take on No. 23 USC.
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.
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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