Five Bryson Barnes Touchdowns Lead Utah State Past Air Force
Sep 13, 2025, 11:28 PM | Updated: Sep 14, 2025, 8:09 am
Bryson Barnes #18 of the Utah State Aggies was recently named to the KSL Sports Zone 60 in 60 watchlist for 2025. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
LOGAN, Utah – Bryson Barnes set the tone with a career-high three rushing scores and five touchdowns overall as the Aggies pulled away for a 49-30 win over Air Force.
USU opened its final season of Mountain West play with a statement win over the Air Force Falcons.
NO. FLY. ZONE. #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/PM0iNNpRT9
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 14, 2025
Barnes completed 17-of-22 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns. He added 125 carries for 44 yards and three touchdowns.
Braden Pegan set career-highs in catches (seven), yards (147), and touchdowns (two), including a highlight reel fourth quarter touchdown that highlighted his chemistry with Barnes.
Defensive end John Miller finished with a career-high 15 tackles and a sack. Will Holmes had 13 tackles and recovered a fumble. Tyree Morris and Bronson Olevao Jr. combined for a sack.
First Quarter
Utah State kicked off, and Josh Johnson took the first snaps for Air Force after a touchback
The Aggies created the first momentum swing of the night when they held firm against a strong rushing attack. Following a second-down sack by Will Holmes, Johnson fumbled on 2nd-and-16.
GIMME DAT 🏈!
Another look at that fumble recovery from Will Holmes to start the game!
📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/UJDHz74fzh
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 14, 2025
Holmes fell on Air Force’s first turnover of the season to give his team possession at the 27-yard line.
Bryson Barnes completed a 16-yard pass to Javen Jacobs, moving the Aggies inside the ten.
On 3rd-and-Goal, Barnes punished tacklers for a seven-yard touchdown run to grab a 7-0 lead with 10:04 left in the quarter.
6⃣ on the board!! @bryson_barnes10 with the keeper for the first points of the game!#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/SxmkXvXOXG
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 14, 2025
A third-down incompletion forced the Falcons to punt the football back to USU. A fortunate bounce forced the Aggies to begin the drive at the three following a 60-yard boot.
Utah State gave the football back after a three-and-out of its own.
Sophomore QB Liam Szarka came out to lead the Falcons’ next drive. He led the Academy on its first extended drive of the night. Air Force was deep in the red zone when the first quarter ended.
Second Quarter
Utah State struck quickly after a field goal for the visitors.
Braden Pegan worked free on what appeared to be a busted coverage. Barnes identified the mistake and lofted a ball to Pegan. The rest was a sprint to the end zone won by the Aggies.
Safest hands in the @MountainWest! Braden Pegan takes it all the way for the touchdown!!
📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/EivKeraBNI
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 14, 2025
USU led 14-3 with 13:02 left in the half.
Air Force’s first big play came when RB Cade Harris turned the corner for 49 yards, putting the Falcons in a 1st-and-Goal situation.
After a timeout, Szarka rolled to his right before stretching the football across the goal line, making it 14-10.
Fourth-down Szarka KEEPER 💰
📺 FS1 pic.twitter.com/2bT87l17jZ
— Mountain West (@MountainWest) September 14, 2025
USU couldn’t answer, punting instead on its next drive.
Air Force went for a flea-flicker that Noah Avinger intercepted on an ill-advised Szarka throw into double coverage. It was his second INT in as many weeks.
AVINGERS ASSEMBLE! @NAvinger1 with an INT for the 2nd Straight Week!
📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/0lgXFMPaoW
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 14, 2025
Both schools punted before USU ran out the clock.
Third Quarter
Utah State began the half with a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive.
After advancing into the red zone, multi-talented backup QB/WR Anthony Garcia took the snap and followed his blockers around the left side for a 17-yard TD.
So nice, we’ll show it to you twice!
📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/dp5jdl2y5Y
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 14, 2025
The Aggie defense followed it up by forcing a three-and-out to get the ball back.
Miles Davis exploded for 30 yards on the first play from scrimmage to maintain the momentum.
Three plays later, Barnes rumbled 11 yards for his second rushing TD of the night and third of the season.
USU led 28-10 after the extra point.
Bryson Barnes ANOTHA ONE
📺 FS1 pic.twitter.com/30dmyERrsi
— Mountain West (@MountainWest) September 14, 2025
Josh Johnson took over at QB for Szarka to begin the half.
Air Force thought it had an answer when Cade Harris reached the end zone. The points were taken off the board after a holding call.
Several plays later, the Falcons benefited from a review that gave Owen Allen a short-yardage touchdown. A failed two-point conversation kept Utah State in front 28-16.
The home team wasted no time regaining the momentum.
On a free play after a Falcon lineman jumped offside, Barnes rolled to his right. The ‘Pig Farmer’ set his feet and threw a deep ball to the back line of the end zone.
Have a day BP! Braden Pegan with ANOTHA ONE for 6⃣!
📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/gZX8n696K7
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 14, 2025
Pegan was there, and after being interfered with by a defender, somehow came down with his second touchdown catch of the night.
The Aggies took a 35-16 lead into the final period.
Fourth Quarter
The Falcons battled back with a 75-yard scoring drive that kept the deficit at 11.
Utah State struggled to match the energy, punting after its first three-and-out of the half.
With Air Force threatening to tighten the game further, D’Angelo Mays picked off a pass to cut the drive short.
Another look at the D'lo pick!
📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/l8qXyhk2OO
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 14, 2025
The Aggies took control with under seven minutes to play.
Brady Boyd tiptoed the sideline with a 24-yard catch to move his team into the red zone.
Utah State opted for a field goal attempt on fourth down, but a personal foul ‘leaping’ penalty gave USU 1st-&-Goal from the nine.
That's FIVE total tuddys for Barnes 😱
📺 FS1 pic.twitter.com/C5MvhosbuZ
— Mountain West (@MountainWest) September 14, 2025
Barnes sealed the win with his career-high third rushing score of the night.
Szarka added a late rushing touchdown for Air Force to make it 42-30 USU.
Javen Jacobs added the finishing touches when he burst through a hole for a 48-yard touchdown.
The extra point gave the Aggies a 49-30 lead and made the final 1:20 academic.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
