After two straight losses at home and a bye week, Utah State was able to get back on track with a win over UNLV in Las Vegas. It wasn’t the prettiest of games for Utah State but the Aggies were able to get it done and come out with a 28-24 win. UNLV was able to a strong start in the first quarter putting up 17 points and holding Utah State to 7. The Aggies were able to score 7 points in every quarter and held UNLV to no points in the second and fourth quarter.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

FG UNLV; Daniel Gutierrez 26 yard kick; UNLV: 3; USU: 0

TD USU; Savon Scarver 100 yard kick return; USU: 7; UNLV: 3

TD UNLV; Charles Williams 75 yard run; UNLV: 10; USU: 7

TD UNLV: Charles Williams 1 yard run; UNLV: 17; USU: 7

Second Quarter

TD USU; Logan Bonner 37 yard pass to Deven Thompkins; UNLV: 17; USU: 14

Third Quarter

TD USU; Logan Bonner 6 yard pass to Deven Thompkins; USU: 21; UNLV: 17

TD UNLV; Charles Williams 5 yard run; USU: 21; USU: 24

Fourth Quarter

TD USU; Elelyon Noa 11 Yd Run; USU: 28; UNLV 24

FINAL: Utah State 28; UNLV 24

Statistics Comparison

Total yards: USU: 440 yards; UNLV: 330 yards

Passing yards: USU: 298 yards; UNLV: 111 yards

Rushing yards: UNLV: 219 yards; USU: 142 yards

First downs: USU: 26; UNLV: 12

Third downs: USU: 7-15; UNLV: 3-12

Penalties: UNLV: 7-95; USU: 8-55

Turnovers: USU: 1; UNLV: 2

Possession: USU: 32:18; UNLV: 27:42

Utah State Players of the Game

Offensive player of the game:

Deven Thompkins caught 12 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns and made a huge difference in the game. He was able to create big plays that got Utah State going. One of the things that Utah State has struggled with the past two seasons is finding reliable receivers and Utah State has seemingly solved this problem this season.

Defensive player of the game:

Shaq Bond without a doubt made the biggest difference in this game. He made nine tackles (6 solo, 3 assist), forced a fumble, and had two interceptions. In a game that was decided by four points and came down to the wire, Shaq Bond really helped Utah State to win this game.

Analysis

This wasn’t the prettiest game for Utah State, as already stated, but there were encouraging signs. The defense did a much better job of holding their ground in the second half and the Aggies were able to find more offensive consistency.

This was an important win for Utah State because they remain with one loss in conference play and are very much in contention for the division title. Utah State heads home to play Colorado State who remains undefeated in conference play in a critical showdown.

Blake Anderson has Utah State moving in a positive direction and a win over the Rams would only create more positive energy.