SEATTLE, Washington – Utah State football fought to the final seconds, but a last-second Hail Mary attempt came up short as the Aggies lost 16-14 at No. 20 Washington on Saturday afternoon at Husky Stadium.

The first quarter proved scoreless as neither side ventured into the red zone. The Huskies managed a drive deep into Utah State territory before the Aggie defense stopped Washington on fourth-and-two at USU's 33-yard line. The Huskies were the first to reach the red zone early in the second quarter but Utah State again stiffened up on defense to hold Washington to a 30-yard field goal from Tyler Robles. 

The Utah State offense answered immediately as graduate quarterback Grady Brosterhous found senior wide receiver Javon Robinson up the middle on a deep pass on the first play of the ensuing drive. Robinson made one Husky defender miss and turned up the sideline to turn the play into a 78-yard touchdown, USU's longest play from scrimmage since 2020, to put USU up 7-3. The home side responded with an 8-play, 65-yard drive, retaking the lead on a one-yard TD run by Ansu Sanoe. Despite not entering Husky territory for the remainder of the half, the Aggie defense stepped up to keep the score at 10-7, forcing one Husky punt and a missed field goal as time expired in the first half.

Both defenses continued to play well in the second half with each side forcing a three-and-out to begin the third quarter. The defensive momentum lasted the entire frame with neither side threatening the end zone and the score remaining at 10-7 entering the fourth quarter. Just like the second, Washington reached the red zone quickly in the fourth quarter, but the Aggie defense remained strong to force another short field goal as Robles converted from 26 yards out. After USU's ensuing possession ended on an interception near midfield, the Huskies gained one first down to set up a 43-yard field goal from Robles to extend the lead to multiple possessions at 16-7.

With six-and-a-half minutes remaining, the Aggie offense awoke, gaining four first downs on a 13-play, 75-yard drive. Brosterhous capped of the drive with a seven-yard TD pass to graduate wide receiver Eli Wood to cut the deficit to 16-14. After a failed onside kick, the Aggie defense forced a swift three-and-out to give Utah State a final shot at a miracle comeback. Brosterhous scrambled twice for a combined 25 yards before finding graduate wide receiver Demick Starling for a 21-yard gain to Washington's 39-yard line with four seconds remaining. Utah State's final Hail Mary attempt was intercepted, however, as Washington sealed the two-point win. 

Brosterhous, making his first career start, finished with 196 yards on 17-of-28 passing with two touchdowns and three interceptions, all career highs. Brosterhous also added career highs of 21 rushing attempts for 81 yards. Wood and Robinson led the receiving corps with Wood recording a team-high six catches for 53 yards and a TD and Robinson leading the team with 100 yards on three catches with a TD. Graduate wide receiver Anthony Garcia added two catches for 12 yards while Starling, graduate running back Javen Jacobs and junior tight end Kache Kaio each added one catch for 21, eight and seven yards, respectively.

Graduate cornerback Kyle Stokes led the Aggie defense with eight tackles. Senior safety Brevin Hamblin and sophomore linebacker Chris Joe finished close behind with seven tackles apiece. Junior linebacker Asher Cunningham and graduate linebacker James Jennette each added a sack for USU while Jennette added another tackle-for-loss to lead the Aggies with two for the game. Sophomore safety David Kabongo added one TFL while graduate linebackers Bronson Olevao Jr. and BJ Diakite each finished with 0.5 TFLs. Senior defensive tackle Tyree Morris and sophomore defensive tackle Carson Tujague both added pass breakups.

Utah State finished with 271 yards of total offense, including 75 rushing yards and 196 total passing yards, while the Huskies finished with 356 total yards, garnering 107 on the ground and 249 through the air. 

Utah State football returns to the Beehive State for a road contest at No. 20 Utah on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 1:30 p.m. (MT). The game will be broadcast on FOX.

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