Instant Takeaways From Utah State’s Loss To Texas A&M
Sep 6, 2025, 3:02 PM
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 06: Cashius Howell #9 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs past Jake Eichorn #56 of the Utah State Aggies in the first half of a game at Kyle Field on September 06, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Joe Buvid/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Buvid/Getty Images)
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State football‘s offense has shown signs of being an explosive unit, but penalties and protection problems have limited the Aggies’ ceiling through two weeks.
USU fell flat in its first road test, struggling to meet the intensity level of No. 19 Texas A&M.
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On-site! 🤘#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/gwv1dSf8jq
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 6, 2025
The Aggies ended their 44-22 loss with 11 penalties, bringing their total to 22 penalties in two games. That is an unacceptable number Bronco Mendenhall is sure to address while preparing to host Air Force on September 13.
Utah State began the weekend 130th in the country for most penalties and did nothing to help that status in College Station.
Offensive line struggles once again
Mendenhall didn’t sound overly concerned after USU allowed six sacks in its week one win over UTEP. It’s doubtful his tune will be as upbeat this time around.
During one stretch in the second period, Bryson Barnes was sacked four times in a six-play sequence.
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It didn’t help matters when starting tackle Trey Anderson was helped off the field late in the first half after his legs were rolled up on to end a play.
Texas A&M finished with six sacks, resulting in 47 yards of offense lost. USU netted just 78 yards on the ground in the loss.
Barnes-led offense shows its explosive potential
Former Utah QB Bryson Barnes is the unquestioned leader for Utah State’s offense.
With the ‘Pig Farmer’ leading the way, USU has shown an ability to create big plays through two games.
RELATED: Power Four Castoffs Leading Utah State’s Offensive Backfield
No quit here. @bryson_barnes10 ➡️ Davis for 6️⃣ pic.twitter.com/sxvuA3MJhb
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 6, 2025
The Milford, Utah, native completed six passes of 15 yards or more to four different receivers.
Transfer wide receivers Brady Boyd (6 catches, 87 yards) and Braden Pegan (3 catches, 23 yards, TD) give Barnes two long and athletic targets on the edge.
The backfield tandem of Miles Davis and Javen Jacobs offers depth and versatility at running back.
POV you're Miles Davis silencing the crowd 🤫#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/US2gwlyYd3
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 6, 2025
Davis has been the featured option, making two touchdown grabs and leading the team with 50 yards on the ground. Jacobs carried eight times for 32 yards, but proved himself as a strong runner between the tackles against a stout SEC defense.
Against a more traditional Mountain West defense, this offense could be a threat to score from anywhere on the field.
Landon Rehkow gives Utah State a weapon at punter
Perhaps punting is genetic because Utah State sophomore punter Landon Rehkow is the third sibling to pursue field positioning as a vocation.
Ryan punted at BYU before taking his trade to the NFL. The Cincinnati Bengals currently roster him. Another brother, Austin, punted for the Idaho Vandals.
Utah State Punter Landon Rehkow getting loose in some special shoes 🐄
Aggies will be rocking special cow print helmets today to pay homage to the school’s agricultural history🤠🐮 pic.twitter.com/pVkj2xSqCR
— Hailey Sutton (@_HaileySutton) August 30, 2025
Two games into his Aggie career, and Landon is living up to the strong-legged Rehkow reputation.
The Verdale, Washington, native averaged better than 47 yards per kick on seven punts in the season-opener against UTEP. Rehkow boomed four kicks 50+ yards and landed three inside the 20-yard line.
His second game with Utah State was no different.
Rehkow shone with nine punts, averaging 40.4 yards per attempt and a long of 61. Three of his punts resulted in fair catches, and two were downed inside the 20.
Utah State Aggies 2025 Schedule (1-1, 0-0)
- UTEP Miners vs. Utah State Aggies | W 28-16
- Utah State Aggies @ Texas A&M Aggies | L 44-22
- Saturday, September 13 – Air Force Falcons vs. Utah State Aggies | 7:45 p.m. MT
- Saturday, September 20 – McNeese State Cowboys vs. Utah State Aggies | 6 p.m. MT
- Saturday, September 27 – Utah State Aggies @ Vanderbilt Commodores | 10:45 a.m. MT
- BYE
- Saturday, October 11 – Utah State Aggies @ Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors | 10 p.m. MT
- Friday, October 17 – San Jose State Spartans @ Utah State Aggies | 7 p.m. MT
- Saturday, October 25 – Utah State Aggies @ New Mexico Lobos | 1 p.m. MT
- Saturday, November 8 – Nevada Wolfpack @ Utah State Aggies | 5:30 p.m. MT
- Saturday, November 15 – Utah State Aggies @ UNLV Rebels | 5 p.m. MT
- Saturday, November 22 – Utah State Aggies @ Fresno State Bulldogs | 8:30 p.m. MT
- Friday, November 28 – Boise State Broncos @ Utah State Aggies | 2 p.m. MT
Following Utah State football with KSL Sports Zone
Utah State returns to Logan for the start of Mountain West Conference play when the Air Force Falcons come calling on Saturday, September 13. Kickoff is at 7:45 p.m. MT.
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.
Take us with you, wherever you go.
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.
