Ike Larsen Blocked Punt Leads To Safety As Aggies Trail UNLV

LOGAN, Utah – Ike Larsen continued his penchant for the big play when his second-quarter punt block led to a safety for Utah State.

The Aggies (1-2) are hosting the much improved UNLV Rebels (2-1) at Maverik Stadium on Saturday, September 24.

Larsen busted loose right up the middle to block the Rebel punt. The ball then rolled out of the end zone, resulting in the first Aggie safety since the Mountain West Championship game against San Diego State in December.

SAFETY‼️ @IkeLarsen19 MAKING PLAYS😤

📺 @CBSSportsNet #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/8rNbTfWo6R

— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 25, 2022

For Larsen, a redshirt freshman out of Sky View High School just ddown the road from Utah State, this was the first punt block of his career. Larsen has two interception already this season.

Logan Bonner threw his second interception of the day on the Aggies next drive, leaving USU trailing 21-9.

At A Glance

Last season, USU converted on 100-of-223 third down chances. Meaning the Aggies moved the chains nearly 45% of the time on third down. In 2022, that rate has fallen to a 23.4% (127th in the nation) success rate on third down.

In the red zone, the Aggies have just three touchdowns in seven opportunities and have not converted a field goal from inside the 20. Last season they found the end zone on 28 of 54 chances, adding a field goal another 14 times.

Utah State is 130th out of 131 FBS teams in terms of red zone offense this season.

A high powered offense, UNLV enters this matchup averaging 41.4 points per game. They are the 15th highest scoring team this season.

The Rebels average more than 200 yards per game on the ground as a team, tied for the 36th best rushing attack in the nation. Utah State has allowed 240 rushing yards per game this season (128th out of 131 FBS teams).

𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝟒 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 🏈

▫️Brian Cobbs
▫️Joshua Sterzer
▫️Stephen Kotsanlee
▫️Hale Motu’apuaka
▫️Hunter Reynolds #BeatUNLV | #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/hHsPdLgzA3

— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 24, 2022

Utah State has named five captains for this game. Graduate senior wide receiver Brian Cobbs; junior tight end Joshua Sterzer; junior punter Stephen Kotsanlee; senior defensive tackle Hale Motu’apuaka; and graduate senior safety Hunter Reynolds.

How To Watch

Riding a two game losing streak, the Aggies (1-2) welcome in the UNLV Rebels (2-1) to Maverik Stadium in the Mountain West Conference opener for each team on Saturday, September 24.

Every Utah State football game can be heard on the KSL Sports Zone with Scott Garrard and former Aggie quarterback Kevin White on the call. This game will be televised on CBS Sports Network with Chris Lewis and former Utah State great, running back Robert Turbin on the mic.

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