Utah State Survives Double Overtime To Beat San Diego State

SAN DIEGO, California –  Robert Briggs and Ike Larsen made the two biggest plays in overtime and Utah State survived in San Diego to win 32-24 in double overtime against the Aztecs. Booth rumbled 20 yards for the game-winning touchdown and Larsen ended the game with an interception four plays later.

Utah State (4-5, 2-3) beat the San Diego State Aztecs (3-6, 1-4) on Saturday, November 4. USU improved to 7-6 all-time in overtime games and 3-2 in double overtime contests.

RELATED: Jalen Royals Scores Long Touchdown, Utah State Takes Second Half Lead

PICKED OFF TO SEAL WITH WIN! @USUFootball pic.twitter.com/Q5DKIhZwua

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 5, 2023

Cooper Legas completed 11-of-15 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Most importantly, Legas didn’t turn the football over after taking over for an injured McCae Hillstead. Jalen Royals and Terrell Vaughn each caught eight balls and a touchdown. Davon Booth led USU’s rushing attack with 77 yards and a touchdown to go with Briggs’ overtime rushing score.

MJ Tafisi recorded 13 tackles, the fifth-straight game in which he has had double-digit stops. Freshman linebacker Logan Pili finished with a career-high eight tackles and two tackles for a loss. The INT was Larsen’s sixth of the year.

First Quarter

Answering the question of who would be taking the snaps for the Aggies, McCae Hillstead trotted out for the game’s first possession. The true freshman quarterback led a three-and-out, gaining just five yards before punting the ball away.

The USU defense forced an Aztec punt to end their first drive.

FAMILY 🤝#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/V8UQf1oqeY

— USU Football (@USUFootball) November 4, 2023

After Utah State turned it over on downs near midfield, SDSU missed a 42-yard field goal attempt. The missed field goal gave the ball to USU with 6:10 left in the quarter.

The Aggies advanced into Aztec territory for the first time before a screen pass to Terrell Vaughn on third-and-three left USU short of the sticks. Ryan Marks punted back to SDSU to end the possession.

Late in the period, Lucky Sutton broke through the Aggie defense for a 62-yard run that put SDSU inside the red zone to end the quarter.

All squared up after 1️⃣#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/JFkfonYsK2

— USU Football (@USUFootball) November 4, 2023

Second Quarter

On the second play of the quarter, Jalen Mayden found Mark Redman in the end zone for the first points of the game. The touchdown ended a drought of five consecutive scoreless quarters for SDSU and was the first TD for Redman since the season opener.

Personal foul penalties and a fumble threatened to end the Aggies next drive USU persevered, advancing into the red zone for the first time. Consecutive incompletions intended for Broc Lane resulted in a 24-yard William Testa field goal to make it 7-3 with 10:14 left in the half.

.@WilliamTesta10 good from 24-yards out!#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/2iErLPZdsv

— USU Football (@USUFootball) November 4, 2023

San Diego State followed with a drive into the Aggie red zone but a fake field goal resulted in a turnover on downs. USU took over at the 15-yard line with 3:56 left in the half.

USU went into halftime trailing 7-3.

Third Quarter

Cooper Legas started at quarterback for the Aggies in the second half after Hillstead went to the locker room late in the first half.

RELATED: Hillstead Out, Cooper Legas Takes Over For Utah State

After forcing an SDSU punt to open the half, Utah State kept its first drive alive thanks to a fake punt. Legas took advantage of the extra opportunity, connecting with Jalen Royals for a 50-yard scoring bomb to give USU the 10-7 lead.

Ladies and Gentlemen, 𝕵𝖆𝖑𝖊𝖓 𝕽𝖔𝖞𝖆𝖑𝖘 👑 #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/tGHjVcn4kM

— USU Football (@USUFootball) November 5, 2023

USU forced another Aztec punt with 1:05 left in the quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Legas found Terrell Vaughn for 38 yards on the first play of the final period to put the Aggies in scoring position. Three plays later, Davon Booth scampered for a 19-yard rushing score to give USU a 17-7 lead.

RELATED: Davon Booth Scampers For Touchdown, Utah State Leads Late

.@Vonn_6k takes it in for six‼️@USUFootball takes a 17-7 lead on @FS1 pic.twitter.com/hbHniSWFVF

— Mountain West (@MountainWest) November 5, 2023

The Aztecs responded, driving 79 yards to score their second touchdown of the night. With the extra point, Utah State led 17-14 with 7:10 to play.

USU’s ensuing drive ended with a blocked punt that put San Diego State near scoring position with 2:27 to go. The Aztecs drove into the red zone, eventually kicking a game-tying 23-yard FG with 33 seconds left.

USU ran out the clock to force overtime.

Overtime

San Diego State took the ball first in overtime. After consecutive holding penalties put SDSU behind the chains, Mayden took advantage of an apparent defensive bust to find a wide-open Brionne Penny for a 27-yard touchdown. The score gave the Aztecs a 24-17 lead.

TOUCHDOWN AZTECS 🔥 @AztecFB pic.twitter.com/DmWBfu6jXM

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 5, 2023

Cooper Legas was forced out of the pocket and sacked on the Aggies first play from scrimmage in overtime. After taking a big hit on a scramble, Legas found Vaughn in the end zone to tie it at 24.

.@cooperlegas ✈️ @Terrell_Vaughn6 for 6️⃣!

📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/RiKJi1wz7O

— USU Football (@USUFootball) November 5, 2023

Second Overtime

Taking the first possession of the second OT period, Utah State took a 30-24 lead when Robert Briggs burst through the line for a 20-yard touchdown.

.@robertbriggs55 DON'T YA KNOW IT!!!

📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/kQl3AHoalQ

— USU Football (@USUFootball) November 5, 2023

On the two-point conversion, Legas handed off to Vaughn on a reverse pass. Vaughn tossed a perfect pass to Broc Lane to give USU a 32-24 lead.

Ike Larsen ended the game when he stepped in front of a fourth-and-four pass, intercepting the ball for the Aggies first turnover of the night.

Following The Utah State Aggies With KSL Sports

Utah State returns to Maverik Stadium on Saturday, November 11 for an afternoon matchup against the Nevada Wolf Pack (2-7, 2-3). Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. (MT). Nevada won the last game between these programs, besting USU 34-9 in November 2020. Utah State is 7-19 all-time against the Wolf Pack and 5-9 at home.

USU football games are found on KSL Sports Zone with Scott Garrard and former Aggie quarterback Kevin White (1988-89) on the call.

KSL Sports coverage of Utah State University Athletics can be found here. 

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