Utah State Football Takes Off In Second Half, Downs Robert Morris
Aug 31, 2024, 9:51 PM | Updated: Sep 3, 2024, 1:58 pm
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State Football overcame an early scare from the Robert Morris Colonials to come away with a 36-14 win in week one of the 2024 season.
The Aggies trailed 14-10 at halftime. With former Utah QB Bryson Barnes under center for the third and fourth quarters, USU looked like a different team.
Barnes scored three total touchdowns, two through the air and one on the ground, while the Aggies defense held RMU scoreless.
LIGHT THE A BLUE‼️#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/cc5HNZ4wgA
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 1, 2024
Utah State Robert Morris
The Aggies came in as heavy favorites but you couldn’t really tell based on how the game started to unfold.
Utah State started with the ball and quickly moved down the field on an 8-play, 54-yard drive. Just as the Aggies were knocking on the door of the red zone, QB Spencer Petras threw a pick.
INTERCEPTION! Harvey picks the ball off and returns it to the RMU 41. #BobbyMo
— RMU Football (@RMU_Football) September 1, 2024
USU’s defense stepped up and forced a quick three-and-out and Robert Morris punted back to the Aggies.
After two Rahsul Faison rushes netted 20 yards, Petras threw a second interception on his very next pass attempt.
Finally, after a few possession changes, Utah State found the end zone near the end of the first quarter.
RELATED: Spencer Petras Opens Utah State Football Season With 57-Yard Touchdown
Aggies on the board first!! #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/8gyi6D7Wsk
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 1, 2024
The Colonials got the ball back and went on a 7-play, 75-yard drive that broke into the second quarter.
On 1st & 10 just inside USU territory, QB Anthony Chiccitt found Cole Mitchell for a 40-yard touchdown.
A broken coverage from Utah State freed up the deep passing TD. When Mitchell got behind the defense, safety Ike Larsen was left to make a play on the larger tight end.
Let’s have a look at the touchdown. #BobbyMo pic.twitter.com/ll6QD8n2CZ
— RMU Football (@RMU_Football) September 1, 2024
USU marched down the field on their next drive but was held up in the red zone and had to settle for a field goal.
Once again, Robert Morris proved that USU’s lead was far from safe.
After the Aggies and Colonials traded punts, the momentum was shifted a bit as Petras went down with an injury. Former Ute QB Bryson Barnes checked in but there was clearly something brewing in Logan.
Just before the half, RMU led an efficient drive 80 yards to the house. RB Delvecchio Powell II ended off the drive with a 31-yard TD rush.
𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗖𝗛𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗥𝗠𝗨‼️
Powell finds the end zone from 31-yards! #BobbyMo leads 14-10 with 41 seconds until the half. pic.twitter.com/ta5AZNh1Lz— RMU Football (@RMU_Football) September 1, 2024
Utah State had 40 seconds and two timeouts to at least get into field goal range. This ended up not mattering as Barnes went for it all on a first down and threw the Aggies’ third first-half interception.
To add insult to injury, the injury reeled in by Rob Carter Jr. was SportsCenter Top 10 worthy.
USU went into the break trailing Robert Morris, 14-10.
In case you missed it, check out this acrobatic interception by Rob Carter Jr. to end the half. #BobbyMo pic.twitter.com/EwE9XxXmk9
— RMU Football (@RMU_Football) September 1, 2024
Whatever halftime speech was given to the Aggies in the locker must’ve worked as they turned up the heat in the second half.
On the first offensive drive after the break, Barnes found White who once again showed off his wheels for a long TD.
RELATED: Former Ute QB Bryson Barnes Throws First TD With Utah State Football
.@krowan_23 is having a NIGHT 👀🔒🔥#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/CsRZg8Mhca
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 1, 2024
Utah State and RMU traded quick possessions and punts over the next six minutes of the quarter.
Late in the third, USU kicker Elliott Nimrod loaded up from 50 yards and nailed it to put the Aggies up six, 20-14.
On the Colonials’ next possession, safety Ike Larsen sprinted from the middle of the field over toward the left sideline to pull jump the Robert Morris pass.
Be like IKE @IkeLarsen19 #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/LN5PUOenT3
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 1, 2024
The Larsen interception finally put some wind in USU’s sails.
As the fourth quarter started, Barnes showed off his dual-threat ability. With tight coverage all over the field, the former Ute opted to scramble and found himself with nothing but grass in front of him.
Barnes took it 63 yards to the house to put Utah State up by two possessions.
RELATED: Utah State QB Bryson Barnes Takes Off For 63-Yard Rushing Touchdown
TO. THE. HOUSE. 🏠 #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/eiPpR99iqX
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 1, 2024
Once again, the Aggies’ defense forced another quick three-and-out.
Unlike in the first half, the USU offense took advantage. After Robert Briggs broke off a 55-yard rush down the left sideline, they set up just outside the red zone.
Barnes found Jalen Royals wide open on the right side. One broken tackle later, Royals walked into the end zone to make it a 33-14 lead for the home team.
RELATED: Utah State’s Bryson Barnes, Jalen Royals Connect On TD Following Long Rush
It’s a @RoyalsJalen TD #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/egzzXq77ZE
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 1, 2024
It truly was the tale of two halves for Utah State Football.
With Barnes leading the offense in the second half, the Aggies outscored the Colonials 26-0. The former Ute connected on 11 of his 21 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns. He added five rushes for 88 yards and a TD on the ground.
USU will travel to USC to take on the Trojans in week two on Saturday, September 7.
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Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com. Follow Chandler on Twitter @CHoltSports or on Threads @chandlerho1t.
