PHILADELPHIA — Graduate QB
Spencer Petras was 26-of-44 passing for a career-high 293 yards with two touchdowns in Utah State's 45-29 loss at Temple on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Aggies were in complete control of the contest midway through the second quarter, as the defense registered a trio of 3-and-outs on Temple's first four drives while the Utah State offense found its rhythm en route to 300 yards in the first half.
Freshman RB
Herschel Turner recorded his first career touchdown on a 4-yard run early in the second quarter for the first points of the game. Turner finished the game with 32 rushing yards on six carries.
On USU's next drive, Petras found senior WR
Jalen Royals for a 26-yard score to put the Aggies up 14-0. Royals finished the day with a career-high 10 receptions for 112 yards, which is his fifth-career 100-yard receiving game.
After Utah State generated its two-possession lead, the Temple offense awoke as Antonio Jones scored on a 32-yard rush before Antwain Littleton II tied the game on a 17-yard touchdown catch from Evan Simon.
On the Aggies' final drive of the first half, senior RB
Rahsul Faison restored USU's lead with a 20-yard scamper, part of a season-high 148 yards on a career-high 27 attempts. The Owls did not relent, however, as Maddux Trujillo hit a 64-yard field goal as time expired to trim Utah State's halftime lead to 21-17.
USU began the second half much like the first, forcing a three-and-out and quickly marched deep into Temple territory on offense. A sack from the Owls then led to a missed field goal from graduate PK
Elliott Nimrod. Three plays later, Temple's Simon found Dante Wright for a 91-yard touchdown to give Temple the lead for good as Simon threw another two touchdowns to begin the fourth quarter and put the home side up, 38-21.
The Aggies attempted a comeback on the ensuing possession, taking only four plays to go 75 yards as Petras found junior WR
Jack Hestera for a 28-yard touchdown. Petras then found graduate WR
Kyrese White for the 2-point conversion to bring USU within nine points. The following onside kick attempt was recovered by Temple, however, leading to a one-yard touchdown keeper from Simon to fully ice the game. White finished the game with a career-high eight receptions for 96 yards.
Petras, who tied his career high with 26 completions, had one interception on the day.
Senior S
Jordan Vincent recorded double-digit tackles for the fourth consecutive games, ending with 11 stops. Senior DT
Miguel Jackson recorded USU's lone sack of the contest, while graduate DE
Blaine Spires,graduate CB
Jaiden Francois, and graduate S
Torren Union also had 1.0 tackles for loss apiece.
Junior CB
DJ Graham II forced one fumble, USU's second forced fumble of the season, which was recovered by the Owls. Junior CB
Avante Dickerson and junior S
Simeon Harris each had one pass breakup for the Aggies. Utah State outgained Temple, 479-451, and had 26 first downs to the Owls' 20. The Aggies went 6-for-15 on third down, and 1-for-2 on fourth down, while the Owls converted 10-of-16 third down attempts. The Aggies also went 2-for-4 in the red zone while Temple registered four scores on four red zone attempts.
Junior DE
Lawrence Falatea made his first-career start, while Graham made his first start as an Aggie.
Fall Schedule
Utah State heads into a bye week before opening Mountain West play on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Boise State.
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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