Dynamic Win Shows Potential Of Young Utah State Team
Oct 9, 2022, 1:26 AM | Updated: Oct 11, 2022, 11:00 am
LOGAN, Utah – 60 minutes of football is what Utah State was finally able to produce and with it came a much needed win for the beleaguered Aggies.
Riding a four game losing streak and in desperate need of a break, USU finally appeared to find the spark that has been missing for the early portion of the schedule.
Several different Aggies made big plays on each side of the ball, contributing to an important intra-division Mountain West conference win.
On the defensive side of the ball, Ajani Carter created two turnovers. Carter forced a fumble that was recovered by Andre Grayson on the Falcons second possession of the fourth quarter. The turnover came following a Legas to Vaughn 34-yard scoring strike that gave the Aggies their first lead since the first quarter.
BALL DON'T LIE‼️
📺 @FS1 #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/ecwUMjSiBs
— USU Football (@USUFootball) October 9, 2022
Later in the quarter, Carter intercepted a Haaziq Daniels pass, allowing the USU offense to burn more than three minutes of game time.
“No matter if it’s jumping on the fumble recovery or punching the ball out. Anytime you can get the ball, turn it over is always going to be a good feeling,” Carter said following his career game. “It got some energy going.”
Utah State’s defense held the Falcons to 264 yards rushing, well below their 369.8 yard average entering the contest.
Offensively, Calvin Tyler Jr. finished with 109 yards on the ground and a touchdown. The score was his first of the season and it marks the third time Tyler Jr. has eclipsed the century mark this season.
Brian Cobbs, Terrell Vaughn and NyNy Davis combined for 16 catches and 208 yards through the air. Cobbs and Vaughn each had touchdown grabs. The dynamic wide receiving duo each added a 30+ yard reception in the game.
.@cooperlegas & @Terrell_Vaughn6 making plays for a TOUCHDOWNNNN🔥😤
📺 @FS1 #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/GxFab1DFFr
— USU Football (@USUFootball) October 9, 2022
Capping off the best overall performance of the season for the Aggies was junior quarterback Cooper Legas.
Making only the second start of his career, and first at home, the QB from Orem High School looked cool, calm, and collected in spite of being regularly harassed by the Falcon pass rush.
“It’s fun to be out here. Especially at home and to get a big win against a team like Air Force. That just helps the team all come together and have belief in what the offense is doing, what the defense is doing and special teams. We can all come together,” Legas said after the win.
Taking advantage of whatever the Air Force defense gave him, Legas went 18-for-23 through the air, finishing with 215 passing yards and two touchdowns. The athletic QB also ran 13 times, picking up 76 yards including a back breaking 32-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter.
COOPER LEGAS KEEPS IT FOR 7🤫😤
📺 @FS1 #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/3QMOxeWJYd
— USU Football (@USUFootball) October 9, 2022
The only blemish for Legas on the night was an ill-advised but ultimately inconsequential interception that came late in the first half. It was the only turnover of the night for USU.
Legas was good, but more importantly, he complimented his teammates and they were able to reciprocate in the much needed victory.
“It’s not just confidence in me. It’s the offense as a whole. The defense as a whole. Special teams as a whole. We all know we can work together, play big games like this and win them.”
Up Next
Utah State (2-4, 1-1) heads out on the road for their next two games. Next weekend the Aggies will be in Fort Collins, Colorado to face the Colorado State Rams (1-4, 1-0). The Rams are coming off of their first win of the season, a 17-14 conference win over Nevada.
Every Utah State football game can be heard on the KSL Sports Zone with Scott Garrard and former Aggie quarterback Kevin White on the call.
