Utah State Loses Third Straight As Offense Sputters

LOGAN, Utah – Utah State wasn’t able to get their offense on-track following the bye as UNLV forced six turnovers in a 34-24 Rebel win.

The Aggies (1-3) played host to the much improved UNLV Rebels (3-1) at Maverik Stadium on Saturday, September 24.

Penalties and mental mistakes cost Utah State field position all game. The Aggies finished with 11 penalties resulting in 93-yards given up.

Coming in on a ‘short leash’, Logan Bonner tossed three first half interceptions, invoking boos from the home crowd for the second straight week as the Aggies fell behind early.

Utah State’s defense limited UNLV to 103 yards on the ground after they came in averaging 200+ rushing yards per game this season.

In spite of the inspired play from the defense, the Aggie offense couldn’t hold up their end of the bargain.

Bonner finished with five interceptions and six total turnovers after a fourth quarter strip sack.

First Quarter

Utah State’s defense got off to a fast start, forcing a three-and-outs on the Rebels first two possessions. Hale Motu’apuaka picked up his first sack of the season on UNLV’s first drive.

Later in the period on the Aggies second drive, Utah State lined up for a Connor Coles field goal but a running into the kicker penalty gave the Aggies a first down.

Four plays later, Logan Bonner hit Justin McGriff in the back of the end zone for the first touchdown of the afternoon for either team. McGriff battled through a defensive pass interference penalty on the play to make the grab.

1️⃣0️⃣ & 1️⃣ in the air for a TOUCHDOWN✈️🙌

📺 @CBSSportsNet #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/fGJmibHkM8

— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 24, 2022

On their ensuing possession, UNLV drove 89 yards on eight plays. Brumfield capped the drive with a four-yard scoring run to tie the game 7-7.

After a disastrous sequence on USU’s next possession that gave the Rebels first-and-goal inside the five yard line, Brumfield added his second rushing score of the day. The score gave UNLV a 14-7 lead after the first fifteen minutes.

Second Quarter

Following an Aggie three-and-out, Brumfield led UNLV on another eight-play scoring drive. This time it was a five-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams that gave UNLV a 21-7 lead.

With just under nine minutes left in the first half, the Aggies dynamic redshirt freshman safety Ike 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

Unfortunately for the Aggies, Bonner tossed his second interception of the game on the ensuing drive, leaving UNLV in front 21-9.

Following a Rebel field goal, Bonner put together his best drive of the half. An eight-play, 75-yard drive ended when Bonner found Terrell Vaughn in the end zone to make it 24-16.

.@Terrell_Vaughn6 GOT UP FOR THE TOUCHDOWNN😨🔥

📺 @CBSSportsNet #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/1Sqa4yUMze

— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 25, 2022

UNLV added a field goal before the end of the half, making the score 27-16 after two quarters.

Third Quarter

After a failed fourth down conversion attempt for the Aggies on the first drive of the second half, UNLV marched 57 yards for another touchdown. This time it was five-yard rush for Aidan Robbins that gave the Rebels a 34-16 advantage.

Bonner threw his fourth interception of the day when his pass intended for Brian Cobbs down the sideline was under thrown, ending the Aggies final possession of the quarter.

Fourth Quarter

The Aggies went 80 yards on their first drive of the final quarter but the offense stalled inside the 10-yard line, eventually turning the ball over on downs.

Later in the quarter and still trailing 34-16, Bonner connected with Vaughn on a 39-yard scoring pass. A subsequent two-point conversion brought the Aggies within 10, 34-24.

TOUCHDOWNNNN AGGIES @LoganBaneBonner ✈️ @Terrell_Vaughn6

📺 @CBSSportsNet #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/C7RhsvyAlb

— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 25, 2022

Neither team scored again, finishing with a 34-24 UNLV win.

Up Next

It’s a quick turnaround for the Aggies (1-3) as they will travel south to Provo, UT for a matchup with the No. 19 Brigham Young Cougars (2-1) at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Thursday, September 29. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. (MST).

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.

Follow @bpreece24