‘I Couldn’t Pick Anyone Better’ Mendenhall Says Of USU QB Bryson Barnes
Nov 25, 2025, 4:18 PM | Updated: Nov 27, 2025, 9:37 am
LOGAN, Utah – The Utah State Aggies are bowl eligible, but a win over rival Boise State to end the Mountain West era for both programs would undoubtedly send a statement heading into 2026.
No matter how Friday’s game shakes out, reaching a bowl game in year one of the Bronco Mendenhall era is a success.
“It’s just a really cool opportunity to be leading a program where the last game truly matters,” Mendenhall said on KSL Sports Zone with Hans Olsen on Monday afternoon. “Our team is just growing, becoming, gaining momentum, and getting better and better.”
RELATED: USU Bowl Eligible With Come-From-Behind Win At Fresno State
Boise State has long been the unquestioned football leader in the Mountain West.
Hosting them in Logan for a nationally televised game on the day after Thanksgiving is a primetime window the Aggies would do well to seize.
“There’s no skipping steps, and there’s no going around. The results are exactly what we’ve earned, to now be staged for Boise at home in our last Mountain West Conference game… How can you script it any better than that?” Mendenhall asked as he looked ahead to Friday’s matchup.
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Bronco Mendenhall, Aggies expect a packed Maverik Stadium on Friday afternoon
If two bowl-eligible teams on the final day of the regular season, and a budding college football rivalry, don’t fill up Maverik Stadium for a holiday weekend, Friday afternoon kickoff, nothing will.
Add in a chance, albeit a slim chance, for Utah State to reach the conference title game for the second time, Aggie fans should turn up in droves to support a team that Mendenhall believes reflects Cache Valley.
The Aggies need a win on Friday and losses from UNLV and/or New Mexico to create a tie-breaker scenario that would be decided by an average of the Connelly SP+, SportSource, ESPN’s SOR, and KPI Rankings. As many as four MW teams could be involved in the tie-breaker, depending on this weekend’s results.
One last ride at The Mav for the seniors!
🎟️ 🔗 https://t.co/WIw60vsD0v pic.twitter.com/8LB2CBBuwF
— USU Football (@USUFootball) November 24, 2025
“They’re gritty and tough, and not intimidated or concerned, really about anyone in what league or what patch or what stadium, and that’s a really cool place to start from,” the first-year USU head man said of his team. “I think it reflects the identity of this valley and the people who are here, too. They’re kind of up for any challenge.”
Cache Valley native and Aggie safety Ike Larsen joined his coach, using social media to encourage fans to turn out on Friday.
Can we sell out the mav this Friday?😀
— Ike Larsen (@IkeLarsen19) November 25, 2025
Tickets for Friday afternoon’s 2 p.m. MT kickoff are available here.
Bryson Barnes is positioning himself for Mountain West Player of the Year
To watch Bryson Barnes play this season is a study in relentlessness. No matter how many hits or how many incompletions, the graduate senior keeps dusting himself off and commanding a locker room that has complete trust in its quarterback.
By the numbers, Barnes is third in the league, averaging 286 total yards per game. His 26 total touchdowns are second behind UNLV’s Anthony Colandrea (28), and four more than the next player.
Who else would it be? 🤷
Our FEARLESS leader @bryson_barnes10 with Rock Break #2️⃣ of the year! 🪨 pic.twitter.com/x6UCc9afcN
— USU Football (@USUFootball) November 23, 2025
The ‘Pig Farmer’ is fourth in the conference in passing yards per game (227.5), and total passing yards (2,502), and his 13.2 yards per completion leads the league. His 18 passing TDs rank third in the MW.
His ability to protect the football has kept the Aggies in games all season. Barnes has thrown just three INTs this year.
The Utah native’s eight rushing touchdowns are tied for fourth in the Mountain West, and his 644 rushing yards are seventh in the league, right behind 689 yards from teammate Miles Davis.
Good mornin’ Aggies! While you were sleeping, we were celebrating! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/IDNZ7n6Kb0
— USU Football (@USUFootball) November 23, 2025
Off the field, Barnes has been an integral member of Mendenhall’s first Utah State team.
“I can’t believe that he was my quarterback, or is my quarterback, in my first year at Utah State. I couldn’t pick anyone better,” Mendenhall gushed when asked about his QB. “He just does everything I would hope a quarterback to be. Maybe more importantly, as a person. I’ve never been more impressed with a young man’s toughness, and resiliency, and determination, and leadership as I am with him.”
Following Utah State football with KSL Sports Zone
Utah State wraps up the 2025 regular season against the Boise State Broncos at Maverik Stadium on Friday, November 28. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. MT on CBS.
Listen to USU football games on KSL Sports Zone with Scott Garrard and former Aggie QB Kevin White on the call.
Find KSL Sports coverage of Utah State University Athletics here.
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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.
