Utah State Shutout In Blowout Loss To No. 1 Alabama

LOGAN, UT –The Aggies got their pay day against Alabama and not much else as the Crimson Tide controlled all phases in 55-0 win against Utah State.

Utah State (1-1) traveled to Tuscaloosa, Alabama where they faced the preseason No. 1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.

During the week, Aggie head coach Blake Anderson cautioned that Utah State would quickly find out what they were made of against the preseason national title favorites in Alabama. Anderson’s words proved prophetic as the Crimson Tide scored early and often on Saturday night.

Final.

Alabama – 55
Utah State – 0

— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 4, 2022

Alabama didn’t look like a team that was replacing their top six wide receivers and essentially every skill position except quarterback.

The Aggies secondary was picked apart by returning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young on his way to the ninth game in his young career with five passing touchdowns. Young finished 18-for-28 for 195 yards through the air. He also rushed for 100 yards on five carries.

The Aggies picked up a 23-yard first down on their first play from scrimmage and it was all downhill from there.

Alabama scored on every possession of the first half, finding the end zone five times and a pair of field goals. The Tide would go on to score on their first nine possessions of the game.

The Aggies were limited to 136 yards of total offense while surrendering nearly 600 yards to Alabama. Utah State didn’t help themselves as they committed 11 penalties, handing Alabama 110 yards for free.

First Half

Alabama won the toss and deferred, giving the Aggies offense their first crack at the Tide defense.

Logan Bonner connected with Brian Cobbs for a 23-yard pitch and catch down the Aggie sideline on the first offensive play of the game.

Not much else went right for the Aggies in this one as they wouldn’t pick up another first down in the quarter.

Bryce Young, Alabama’s returning Heisman Trophy winning quarterback lit up the Aggie defense early. Young was 8-for-10 for 80-yards and a touchdown to Jermaine Burton after their first two drives.

In a decision that showed exactly how aggressive Blake Anderson expected to be on offense, trailing 10-0, the Aggies went for it on fourth down at their own 35-yard line.

An incomplete pass from Bonner to Justin McGriff gave the ball back to Alabama in excellent offensive position.

From there, it took Alabama just three plays to find the end zone. Young hit Traeshon Holden in the back of the end zone for his second touchdown pass of the season.

END 1️⃣ | Aggies trail 17-0 after the first quarter.#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/rRdrth4aU5

— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 4, 2022

The Alabama onslaught continued into the second quarter when the Tide marched 82 yards on 10 plays. Burton got free in the end zone where Young found him on a two yard touchdown pass, increasing Alabama’s advantage to 24-0.

With the Tide up 31-0, Cooper Legas replaced Bonner at quarterback.

The Aggies suffered another loss late in the half, this time on the defensive side of the football. Defensive end Patrick Joyner Jr. was ejected after a late hit and targeting call when the crown of his helmet hit Alabama’s Young in the helmet.

Alabama ended up taking a 41-0 lead into the half.

USU had just two first half first downs, gaining only 58 yards offensively.

Halftime in Tuscaloosa pic.twitter.com/hf53BK48vB

— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 4, 2022

Second Half

Alabama made sure the Aggies had no illusions of a second half comeback when Jahmyr Gibbs took a handoff on the first play of the third quarter and galloped for 58 yards, into Aggie territory. Young ran for a four yard score just two plays later to expand the Tide lead to 48-0.

The lone bright spot for Utah State was redshirt freshman safety Ike Larsen. Larsen intercepted a Jalen Milroe deep pass for the first turnover the night for either team. Later in the fourth quarter, Larsen broke through the Alabama line to block a punt.

.@IkeLarsen19 with the interception!#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/Wk4k2rFmzR

— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 4, 2022

Up Next

Utah State (1-1) return home to Maverik Stadium and Merlin Olsen Field to take on the Weber State Wildcats (1-0) on Saturday, September 10. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 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