Utah State seeks first win as Troy visits for Homecoming
Sep 22, 2026, 11:56 AM
The Utah State Aggies are preparing to host the Troy Trojans as they seek their first win of 2026. (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
LOGAN – Utah State heads into its homecoming game against Troy this weekend searching for its first win — and the consistency needed to earn it.
For coach Bronco Mendenhall, the answer to an 0–3 start is not to look ahead at what the record could mean for the rest of the season. It is to focus on the work that can change it, even when progress has not yet translated into a victory.
“Teams can improve before you see the change on the board,” Mendenhall said.
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The Aggies have adjustments to make on both sides of the ball after their loss to Utah. The offense is still working to establish an identity and sustain production, while the defense is looking to eliminate the mistakes that turned into explosive plays.
Troy will test both efforts. Mendenhall described its defense in direct terms: “Multiple, disruptive, aggressive, confident, clear identity, and good players.”
He pointed to a varied, pressure-heavy approach that will challenge an Aggies offense still sorting through personnel changes and injuries. Utah State’s coaching staff continues to evaluate how to get the ball to its best playmakers while building a more consistent approach.
Wide receiver Demick Starling believes the offense can get there. Despite the struggles of McCae Hillstead and Grady Brosterhous in the passing game, he said his confidence in the quarterbacks has not changed.
“I think we work, we work really hard, and we will have a breakthrough,” Starling said.
For Starling, the path forward centers on execution, consistency, and the explosive plays the Aggies expect their offense to produce. Practice provides the opportunity to turn those expectations into results.
“The good thing about football is that you practice more than you play,” he said.
RELATED: Linebacker Harrison Taggart posts encouraging update
Utah State head coach Bronco Mendenhall joined DJ & PK to give an injury update on Harrison Taggart after the linebacker left the Aggies’ rivalry game against Utah in an ambulance.#goaggies #pac12 pic.twitter.com/cJGVlNYKbj
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 22, 2026
Defensively, Utah State faces a Troy offense Mendenhall said can threaten opponents through its running game and play-action passing. He described Troy’s running backs as physical, patient runners with good vision who are difficult to tackle.
That makes assignment discipline and tackling important priorities after Utah capitalized on breakdowns.
“In this particular case, there were four big plays on the day, three of which were scoring plays,” Mendenhall said of the Utah game.
Linebacker Asher Cunningham welcomed the challenge of facing a run-oriented opponent and emphasized following the game plan and getting defenders to the ball. He also rejected the idea that either side should feel responsible for carrying the team alone.
Despite the winless start, Cunningham believes the Aggies are close to taking a step forward.
“I feel like we’re right there. I feel like our team is really close and we’re bonding together. We have all the talent in the world to be the best team we can be,” Cunningham said.
Homecoming gives Utah State an opportunity to make that progress in front of its own fans. Cunningham expressed excitement about returning to the home atmosphere, while Starling wants to reward that support with a victory.
For Mendenhall, the occasion is a positive — but it does not change the assignment.
As he put it, “The preparation is the preparation.”
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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.
Parts of this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team.
