Jalen Royals Scores Long Touchdown, Utah State Takes Second Half Lead
Nov 4, 2023, 7:04 PM
Jalen Royals looks to pick up some YAC in Utah State's 42-21 loss at San Jose State on Saturday, October 21.
SAN DIEGO, California – In need of a spark, backup quarterback Cooper Legas took advantage of some trickeration, finding Jalen Royals for a 50-yard touchdown. Utah State took a 10-7 lead with its first touchdown of the afternoon.
Utah State is in California to take on the San Diego State Aztecs on Saturday, November 4.
RELATED: Hillstead Out, Cooper Legas Takes Over For Utah State
It's that man @RoyalsJalen AGAIN!
Coop ✈️ Royals from 50 yards out!
📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/D6TZEeaVSM
— USU Football (@USUFootball) November 5, 2023
On the longest play from scrimmage of the night for USU, Legas found Royals for a momentum-changing touchdown. Royals has six grabs for 74 yards and the score. Legas has completed 4-of-5 passes since entering late in the first half for Hillstead,
For Royals, it was his fifth touchdown of 50 or more yards in the last five games. Royals leads the Aggies with 11 TDs. He came into the game with a team-high 707 yards.
Utah State leads 10-7 halfway through the third period.
RELATED: Running Back Shift Highlights Utah State’s Week Ten Depth Chart
Utah State Aggies vs. San Diego State Aztecs
Saturday, November 4 – Snapdragon Stadium | San Diego, CA
The Aggies named five captains before facing SDSU.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮’𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙪𝙥 𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙖𝙣 𝘿𝙞𝙚𝙜𝙤 🫡#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/EcDKuabrHr
— USU Football (@USUFootball) November 4, 2023
Acting as captains today are senior linebacker MJ Tafisi Jr, sophomore safety Devin Dye, junior wide receiver Micah Davis, junior tight end Broc Lane, and junior long-snapper Jacob Garcia.
Utah State By The Numbers In 2023
The Jekyll & Hyde Aggies have been outscored 105-17 in first quarters this season. USU has turned the tables in the remaining quarters, outscoring opponents 265-167 in quarters two, three, and four.
𝗔𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗔𝗬❕
𝗩𝗦 San Diego State
📻 https://t.co/salTko6ZP6
📺 @FS1 #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/BSN3KlcUyE— USU Football (@USUFootball) November 4, 2023
Despite the difficulties in the opening 15 minutes, the Aggie offense leads the Mountain West and is 21st in the country, averaging 35.2 points per game. USU’s 451.1 yards per game of total offense leads the MW while its 287.4 passing yards per game is fourth in the conference and 22nd in the nation. Utah State has 25 passing touchdowns, tied with the No. 5 Washington Huskies for third-most in the country.
Defensively, Utah State’s 16 turnovers forced are third in the MW and 13th nationwide.
Following The Utah State Aggies With KSL Sports
Utah State looks for its second Mountain West win of the season against the San Diego State Aztecs on Saturday, November 4.
Listen to USU football games on KSL Sports Zone with Scott Garrard and former Aggie quarterback Kevin White (1988-89) on the call.
KSL Sports coverage of Utah State University Athletics can be found here.
