Utah State falls to Arkansas State in OT, final score: 21-14

Another day, another disappointment. The frustrations are piling up for the Aggie faithful: an injured, and extremely sub-his-usual-par Chuckie Keeton, another season-ending ACL injury for an Aggie superstar in Kyler Fackrell, a thumping taken in Tennessee, and now a loss that had no business being any such thing.

Darrell Garretson lost a regular season game for the first time in his career as a starter last night as the Aggies fell 21-14 in overtime in a road game at Arkansas State. Garretson went 27-46 (58.7%) for 268 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, and a net rushing yardage of -- 13 on 4 attempts. Despite consistently good field position, and multiple opportunities presented by the defense -- the Aggie D created four turnovers on the night -- Garretson was unable to guide his offense to the pay dirt, stalling out time after time after time.

Things had originally looked up for the Aggies, as Garretson connected with Hunter Sharp on an 81 yard touchdown pass down the sideline on the Aggies' second drive of the game. After that play, however, it would be another half hour before either team would score again, despite three forced turnovers by the Aggies in the first half.

Halfway through the third quarter, the Red Wolves evened the game up after Jaron Bentrude bobbled a punt snap, allowing the Wolves the start with the ball already inside the red zone. Three plays later, a ten yard scamper by JD McKissic brought the score to a tie. The Aggies responded with a quick strike of their own, as Garretson threw his second TD pass of the evening, this time to Ronald Butler over the middle. But Arkansas St held USU scoreless for the remainder of the game and, with just less than five minutes to go, were able to pull even again, aided by a 4th down PI called against USU.

The Red Wolves were driving again late in the game, with less than two minutes to go, when their QB improbably fumbled the ball. It slipped from his hand while attempting a pass, and the Aggies recovered. With three seconds remaining, USU attempted a 38 yard field goal for the win, but had the kick blocked. In OT, ASU scored a quick touchdown, and stopped the Aggies on a 4th and three to win the game.

It's too early in the season to make too many assumptions, but I fear Utah State may be regressing to its former let's-find-a-way-to-lose ways. The Aggies were clearly stronger in every phase of the game except one: scoring. Unfortunately, that happens to be the most important. The biggest concern to me, personally is this: of 13 times defending in the red zone, the Aggies have allowed points 12 times (92%), and allowed touchdowns 9 times (69%). If the Aggies can't stop this seepage, I don't see much light at the end of this season's tunnel.