By Marie Reader

Game will be televised live on ESPN on Saturday, Dec. 23, at 1:30 p.m.

 

Utah State Game Notes | Utah State Media Guide | Georgia State Game Notes | Watch Live | Listen Live | Live Stats | Tickets | Digital Game Program

 

GEORGIA STATE (6-6, 3-5 SBC) vs. UTAH STATE (6-6, 4-4 MW)
Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023 • 1:30 p.m. • Boise, Idaho • Albertsons Stadium (36,387)

GAME 13 INFORMATION
TV: ESPN
• Play-by-Play: Chris Cotter
• Analyst: Mark Herzlich
• Reporter: Morgan Uber
• Xfinity (Utah): Ch. 35/668HD
• DISH / DirecTV: Ch. 140/206
• DirecTV: Ch. 221

RADIO: Aggie Sports Network
• Play-by-Play: Scott Garrard
• Analyst: Kevin White
• Online: kslsports.com/kslsportszone
• National: Sirius XM 80/SXM App 80

NATIONAL RADIO: ESPN
• Play-by-Play: Clay Matvick
• Analyst: Dave Steckel
• Online: Sirius XM 84/SXM App 84

KICKOFF COVERAGE
• Utah State (6-6, 4-4 MW) is playing in a bowl game for the 11th time in the last 13 seasons and for the 17th time in school history, as it faces Georgia State (6-6, 3-5 SBC) in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 23, at 1:30 p.m. It will be the first meeting between the two programs.

• Utah State will be playing in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl for the fifth time in the 27-year history of the event, which is the most appearances by any team. USU played in the inaugural Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (FIPB) in 1997, then played in back-to-back FIPBs in 2011 and 2012. USU’s last appearance in the FIPB was in 2015.

• Utah State is 6-10 all-time in its previous 16 bowl games, including a 1-3 record in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Since 2011, USU is 5-5 in its last 10 bowl games.

• Utah State was a member of the Sun Belt Conference in 2003 and 2004 and went 5-9 (.357) in league play. Overall, USU is 9-13 (.409) against current members of the Sun Belt, including a 0-0 bowl record.

• Utah State head coach Blake Anderson is 5-1 (.833) all-time against Georgia State and 38-19 (.667) all-time against current members of the Sun Belt Conference.

• Utah State’s Blake Anderson is just the second head coach in school history, along with Matt Wells (2013-15), to lead the Aggies to bowl games in each of his first three seasons. Overall, Anderson is the third head coach in school history to coach in three or more bowl games, along with Gary Andersen (2011-12, 2019) and Wells (2013-15, ’17). With a victory, Anderson can join Wells as the only head coaches in school history to win multiple bowl games.

• Graduate junior QB Levi Williams is 2-0 as a starter in bowl games (at Wyoming) and was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl as he rushed for 200 yards and four touchdowns, while passing for 127 yards and another score in a 52-38 win against Kent State. Williams also led UW to a 38-17 win against Georgia State in the 2019 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl.

• Utah State has two quarterbacks on its roster (Levi Williams and Cooper Legas) that are a combined 3-1 all-time in bowl games.

• Utah State and LSU are the only FBS teams that has two players with 10 or more touchdown catches on the season as junior WR Jalen Royals is tied for second in the nation with 14 and senior WR Terrell Vaughn is tied for 14th with 10. For the year, the duo has caught 149 passes for 1,870 yards and 24 touchdowns.

• Graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. ranks eighth in the nation with 131 tackles (10.9 pg). Tafisi has posted eight-straight double-digit tackle games, which ties the school record, and has nine this season, which is tied for the third-most in the country.

ROYALS NAMED COLLEGE FOOTBALL NETWORK THIRD-TEAM ALL-AMERICAN
• Utah State junior WR Jalen Royals was named a College Football Network (CFN) Third-Team All-American, becoming the first Aggie wide receiver to be named an All-American since Kevin Curtis in 2001, and only the eighth wide receiver to earn All-America honors in school history, along with Kevin Alexander (1995), Kendal Smith (1988), James Murphy (1979), Jimmy Bryant (1978), Tom Forzani (1972) and Mike O’Shea (1968).

LARSEN NAMED COLLEGE FOOTBALL NETWORK HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICAN
• Utah State sophomore S Ike Larsen was named a College Football Network (CFN) Honorable Mention All-American. He is the seventh defensive back to earn All-America honors in school history, along with Hunter Reynolds (2022), Jalen Davis (2017), Nevin Lawson (2013), Will Davis (2012), Travis Clark (1988) and Henry King (1966). Larsen was named a College Football News Honorable Mention Freshman All-American in 2022.

TAFISI NAMED PHIL STEELE HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICAN
• Utah State graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. was named a Phil Steele Honorable Mention All-American, becoming the first Aggie linebacker to be named an All-American since David Woodward in 2019, and only the fifth linebacker to earn All-America honors in school history, along with Kyler Fackrell (2015), Zach Vigil (2014) and Al Smith (1985, 1986).

UTAH STATE HAS NINE PLAYERS NAMED ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST
• Utah State had nine players garner all-Mountain West honors, including three first-team selections, in graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr., junior WR Jalen Royals and sophomore S Ike Larsen. Senior WR/KR Terrell Vaughn was named to the second team. And five more Aggies were named honorable mention all-MW in senior DT Hale Motu’apuaka, redshirt junior LB Anthony Switzer, junior WR/PR Micah Davis, junior TE Broc Lane and sophomore S Devin Dye.

• Three Aggies are receiving MW honors for the second time as Larsen was named to the second team in 2022, while Tafisi and Vaughn both garnered honorable mention accolades a season ago.

UTAH STATE FOURTH IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST IN ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS
• Utah State had four offensive and five defensive players recognized by the Mountain West, including two specialists, for a total of 10 all-conference awards, which tied for the fourth-most in the league. UNLV had a league-best 14 all-conference honorees, while Boise State and Colorado State were second with 12. USU, Air Force, Fresno State and San José State all had 10 honorees, followed by San Diego State (9), Wyoming (8), New Mexico (7), Hawai’i (6) and Nevada (6).

UTAH STATE NOTABLES ON ALL-CONFERENCE PLAYERS
• For the first time in its 11 years in the Mountain West, Utah State had a pair of wide receivers earn first- and second-team honors in Jalen Royals and Terrell Vaughn. In fact, Royals is just the second Aggie wide receiver to earn first-team all-MW honors along with Deven Thompkins in 2021. And Vaughn is one of just six wide receivers to earn first- or second-team all-MW accolades along with Thompkins’ first team honor in 2021, and Hunter Sharp, Siaosi Mariner and Brian Cobbs, who were all named to the second team in 2015, 2019 and 2022, respectively.

• Graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. is the sixth linebacker to be named first-team all-Mountain West along with David Woodward (2019), Kyler Fackrell (2015), Nick Vigil (2014, 2015), Zach Vigil (2014) and Jake Doughty (2013).

• Sophomore S Ike Larsen is the third Aggie defensive back to earn first-team all-Mountain West honors along with Nevin Lawson in 2013 and Jalen Davis in 2017. Larsen is also the first Aggie to earn first and second-team all-MW honors as a freshman and sophomore.

TWO AGGIES EARN MOUNTAIN WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS IN 2023
• Utah State had two Mountain West Player of the Week recipients this year in graduate junior QB Levi Williams and sophomore S Ike Larsen. Larsen was named the MW Defensive Player of the Week twice during the season following performances against Colorado State and at San Diego State, and the MW Special Teams Player of the Week once following his performance at UConn. Williams was named the MW Offensive Player of the Week once following his performance at New Mexico in the season finale, which was also his first start in his two-year Aggie career.

MOTU’APUAKA TO PLAY IN HULA BOWL
• Utah State senior DT Hale Motu’apuaka has accepted an invitation to play in the 2024 Hula Bowl. The 78th Hula Bowl All-Star game will be held at FBS Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 10 a.m. (MT). The game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network. Motu’apuaka will be the 13th Aggie to play in the Hula Bowl and first since Gerold Bright in 2019. Other Aggies to play in the all-star game include Donald Penn (2006), Ben Holbrook (2000), Walter Fiefia (1999), Brandon Dyson (1998), Scott Parrish (1976), Phil Olsen (1970), Bill Staley (1968), Ron Sbranti (1966), Jim McNaughton (1964), Lionel Aldridge (1963) and Merlin Olsen (1962).

SCOUTING GEORGIA STATE
• Georgia State is 6-6 on the season and tied for fifth-place in the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference with a 3-5 record. The Panthers enter the bowl game on a five-game losing streak. The Panthers are led by senior QB Darren Grainger, who is 225-of-336 (.670) passing for 2,364 yards (197.0 ypg) with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Senior RB Marcus Carroll leads the team in rushing with 1,350 yards on 274 carries (4.9 ypc/112.5 ypg) with 13 touchdowns, and junior WR Robert Lewis has 70 receptions for 877 yards (12.5 ypr/73.1 ypg) with seven touchdowns. Defensively, senior LB Jontrey Hunter has a team-best 96 tackles, which includes 7.0 tackles for loss, to go along with three forced fumbles. As a team, GSU is averaging 25.8 points and 372.5 yards of offense per game (200.9 passing, 171.6 rushing), and allowing 30.8 points and 431.9 yards of offense (287.1 passing, 144.8 rushing). Shawn Elliott is 40-44 in his seventh season at Georgia State and 41-49 in eighth seasons as a collegiate head coach.

• This will be Georgia State’s sixth bowl game as it has a 3-2 record in its previous five bowl outings. In fact, this will be GSU’s sixth bowl game in the last nine years as the program has won each of its last two bowl games with a 39-21 victory against Western Kentucky in the 2020 Lending Tree Bowl and a 51-20 win against Ball State in the 2021 Camellia Bowl.

AGGIES AND PANTHERS SERIES HISTORY
• Utah State and Georgia State will be meeting for the first time.

UTAH STATE SPENT TWO YEARS AS A MEMBER OF THE SUN BELT CONFERENCE
• Utah State was a member of the Sun Belt Conference during the 2003-04 seasons and went 5-9 (.357) in league play.

• If you are wondering how Utah State ended up in the Sun Belt Conference, here is what happened. The Big West Conference stopped sponsoring football following the 2000 season (USU was a member of the Big West from 1978-2000). USU then spent two seasons (2001-02) as an Independent prior to joining the Sun Belt Conference. Utah State then joined the Western Athletic Conference prior to the 2005 season and later joined the Mountain West prior to the 2013 campaign.

UTAH STATE vs. THE SUN BELT CONFERENCE
• Utah State is 9-13 all-time against current members of the Sun Belt Conference with a 4-3 record against Arkansas State, a 1-4 record against Southern Mississippi, 1-2 records against Louisiana-Monroe and Troy, a 1-1 record against Louisiana, a 1-0 record against Texas State and an 0-1 record against James Madison

• Utah State went 0-1 against teams from the Sun Belt Conference this year with a 45-38 home loss to James Madison on Sept. 23.

• This will be Utah State’s first-ever bowl game against a Sun Belt opponent.

ANDERSON IN THE SUN BELT CONFERENCE
• Utah State head coach Blake Anderson spent seven seasons in the Sun Belt Conference as the head coach at Arkansas State, leading the Red Wolves to a 51-37 (.580) record, including a 38-18 (.679) league mark and a pair of conference titles in 2015 and 2016. Anderson also led ASU to six-straight winning seasons and six-straight bowl games from 2014-19, prior to the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign.

ANDERSON vs. THE SUN BELT CONFERENCE
• Utah State head coach Blake Anderson is 5-1 (.833) all-time against Georgia State and 38-19 (.667) all-time against current members of the Sun Belt Conference. In his previous six meetings against the Panthers, Anderson’s teams scored at least 31 points in all six of those contests, including three games with at least 50 points and four with at least 48 points.

ANDERSON IN BOWL GAMES
• Utah State head coach Blake Anderson is 3-5 all-time in bowl games, which includes a 1-1 record at Utah State and a 2-4 record at Arkansas State. At USU, Anderson led the Aggies to a 24-13 win against Oregon State in the 2021 LA Bowl and a 38-10 loss against Memphis in the 2022 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. At ASU, the Red Wolves posted a 63-44 loss to Toledo in the 2014 GoDaddy Bowl, a 47-28 loss to Louisiana Tech in the 2015 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, a 31-13 win against UCF in the 2016 Cure Bowl, a 35-30 loss to Middle Tennessee in the 2017 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, a 16-13 overtime loss to Nevada in the 2018 Arizona Bowl, and a 34-26 win against FIU in the 2019 Camellia Bowl.

THE MOUNTAIN WEST vs. THE SUN BELT CONFERENCE
• The Mountain West is 35-18 (.660) all-time against current members of the Sun Belt Conference. In bowl games, the MW is 5-4 against current members of the Sun Belt Conference, including a 2-0 record against Georgia State. In the 2019 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl, Wyoming defeated Georgia State 38-17. And in the 2015 Cure Bowl, San José State defeated Georgia State 27-16.

AGGIE PLAYERS FROM GEORGIA
• Utah State has two players on its active roster from Georgia in junior WR Jalen Royals (Powder Spring/Hillgrove HS/Georgia Military College) and junior WR Micah Davis (Atlanta/Harrison HS/Iowa Western CC).

AGGIE PLAYERS FROM IDAHO
• Utah State has three players on its active roster from Idaho in redshirt freshman DE Paul Fitzgerald (Idaho Falls/Thunder Ridge HS), redshirt freshman wide receiver Quentin Riley (Meridian, Idaho/Meridian HS) and freshman defensive tackle Dalin Walker (Meridian/Owyhee HS).

COACHING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND GEORGIA STATE
• Utah State head coach Blake Anderson spent two years (2012-13) as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at North Carolina, where Georgia State wide receivers coach Quinshad Davis played from 2012-15.

CONNECTIONS BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND GEORGIA STATE PLAYERS
• Utah State junior WR Jalen Royals and Georgia State junior DE Carlos Fletcher both began their collegiate careers at Georgia Military College. USU sophomore S Javar Strong and GSU senior WR Rykem Laney both attended Hutchinson (Kan.) CC.

DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State has 46 players in its program from the Beehive State, while Georgia State has 50 players on its roster from the Peach State.

• This will be Utah State’s second-ever game against a team from the state of Georgia as it lost at Georgia, 38-7 in 1999.

UTAH STATE MAKING FIFTH APPEARANCE IN FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL
• Utah State will be playing in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl for the fifth time in the 27-year history of the event, which is the most appearances by any team. USU played in the inaugural Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in 1997, which was then called the Humanitarian Bowl, as it lost to Cincinnati, 35-19. USU then played in back-to-back Famous Idaho Potato Bowls in 2011 and 2012 as it lost to Ohio, 24-23, and defeated Toledo, 41-15, respectively. USU’s last appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl was in 2015 when it lost to Akron, 23-21.

• There are nine teams that have made multiple appearances in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise State (4), Nevada (4), Fresno State (3), Idaho (3), Georgia Tech (2), Ohio (2), Western Michigan (2), Wyoming (2) and USU, while 26 teams have appeared in the bowl game once.

UTAH STATE RECORDS IN THE FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL
• Utah State has five players that have rushed for 100 yards in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (FIPB) history, including Kerwynn Williams’ 242 yards against Toledo in 2012, which is the second-most in FIPB history. Levi Williams’ 200 rushing yards for Wyoming against Kent State in 2021 is the fourth-most and Michael Smith’s 157 yards against Ohio in 2011 is the sixth-most. Devante Mays rushed for 125 yards against Akron in 2015 and Robert Turbin rushed for 102 yards against Ohio in 2011.

• Kerwynn Williams averaged 13.1 yards per carry in 2012 and Michael Smith averaged 13.1 yards per carry in 2011, both of which are highest average in FIPB history. No. 3 on that list is Levi Williams, who averaged 12.5 yards per carry for Wyoming in 2021 against Kent State.

• Kerwynn Williams had 269 all-purpose yards against Toledo in 2012, which is the third-most in FIPB history.

• Levi Williams’ four rushing touchdowns against Kent State in 2021 are tied for the most in FIPB history, while Kerwynn Williams’ three rushing touchdowns against Toledo in 2012 are tied for the third-most.

• Levi Williams’ five total touchdowns against Kent State in 2021 are tied with five other players for the most in FIPB history.

• Levi Williams’ 80-yard touchdown run against Kent State in 2021 is the longest rush in FIPB history and tied for the longest play from scrimmage.

• Steve Smith is the only Utah State player that has had a 100-yard receiving game in the FIPB, as he had 136 yards on four catches against Cincinnati in 1997.

• Utah State holds FIPB records for yards per carry (11.4) and yards per play (9.4) against Toledo in 2012. Furthermore, USU’s five rushing touchdowns against Toledo are tied for the third-most in FIPB history, and its 353 rushing yards in that game are the third-most in FIPB history.

AGGIE BOWL GAME EXPERIENCE
• Utah State has 37 players on its roster that have played in at least one bowl game in graduate senior OL Ralph Frias III, graduate senior OL Wade Meacham, graduate senior CB Michael Anyanwu, graduate senior OL Calvin Knapp, graduate senior QB Cooper Legas, graduate senior CB Xavion Steele, senior OL Falepule Alo, senior OL Wyatt Bowles, senior RB Cooper Jones, senior P Stephen Kotsanlee, senior DT Hale Motu’apuaka, senior S Omari Okeke, senior OL Jackson Owens, senior S Dusten Ramseyer-Burdett, senior TE Josh Sterzer, senior DT Poukesi Vakauta, senior WR Kyle Van Leeuwen, senior WR Terrell Vaughn, graduate junior QB Levi Williams, redshirt junior LB Anthony Switzer, junior CB Jaiden Francois, junior LS Jacob Garcia, junior TE Broc Lane, junior OL Cole Motes, junior PK Elliott Nimrod, junior WR Kyrese Rowan, junior WR Jalen Royals, junior DE Blaine Spires, junior DE John Ward, redshirt sophomore CB Avante Dickerson, sophomore ILB Max Alford, sophomore ILB Cole Joyce, sophomore DT Bo Maile, sophomore WR Ryder MacGillivray, sophomore OL Elia Migao, sophomore WR Otto Tia, redshirt freshman CB JD Drew and redshirt freshman ILB Logan Pili.

• Of the 37 players that have played in bowl games for Utah State, 14 have appeared in multiple bowl games (Anyanwu, Bowles, Finau, Garcia, Kotsanlee, Knapp, Legas, Meacham, Motes, Motu’apuaka, Nimrod, Rowan, Vakauta and Williams) and two have played in three bowls (Motu’apuaka and Williams).

• Utah State also has nine players that have started in bowl games (Alford, Anyanwu, Legas, Meacham, Motes, Motu’apuaka, Sterzer, Vaughn, Williams), while Anyanwu, Motes, Motu’apuaka and Williams have all started in two bowl games.

UTAH STATE FACES GEORGIA STATE IN FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL 
• Utah State (6-6, 4-4 MW) will play Georgia State (6-6, 3-5 SBC) in the 2023 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 23, at 1:30 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN (Xfinity Ch. 35/668HD, DISH Ch. 140, DirecTV Ch. 206) with Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Mark Herzlich (analyst) and Morgan Uber (reporter) on the call. The game can also be heard nationally on ESPN Radio with Clay Matvick (play-by-play) and Dave Steckel (analyst).

UPDATING THE UTAH STATE ROSTER
• As of Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, Utah State has 10 players that have entered the transfer portal. Senior RB Cooper Jones (will play in the bowl game), junior OL Shively Asoau Fua, junior DT Siaosi Lauhingoa, junior DT Vaughn Mamea, junior PK William Testa, sophomore S Devin Dye, sophomore DE Maka Tu’akoi, redshirt freshman DE Adam Tomczyk, redshirt freshman ILB Josh Williams and freshman RB Reggie Foster. Furthermore, graduate senior OL Calvin Knapp has finished his career as he also competes in track & field for USU.

• Utah State running backs coach Rodney Freeman II has accepted a job at East Carolina.

UTAH STATE NOTABLES HEADING INTO THE BOWL GAME
• Utah State is playing a 13th game for the 11th time in the past 13 seasons after not playing in more than 12 games prior to its current run. The school record for games played in a season is 14 set in 2013, and tied in 2014 and 2021.

• Utah State is 18-20 (.474) all-time in games played during the month of December, including a 2-1 record under current head coach Blake Anderson, and 0-0 all-time on Dec. 23.

A LOOK AT UTAH STATE
• Utah State is 6-6 on the season and finished tied for sixth place in the Mountain West with a 4-4 league record following its 44-41 double overtime win at New Mexico in its regular season finale. Offensively, USU is led by graduate senior QB Cooper Legas, who is 138-of-213 (.648) passing for 1,815 yards (201.7 ypg) with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Junior RB Davon Booth leads the team in rushing with 734 yards on 116 carries (6.3 ypc/66.7 ypg) with five touchdowns, and junior WR Jalen Royals has 68 receptions for 1,023 yards (15.0 ypr/85.3 ypg) and 14 touchdowns. Defensively, graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. leads the team with131 tackles, which includes 7.5 tackles for loss, while sophomore S Ike Larsen has 91 tackles, to go along with six pass breakups and four interceptions. As a team, USU is averaging 34.1 points and 446.3 yards of total offense (259.8 passing, 186.6 rushing), and allowing 33.8 points and 415.6 yards (216.5 passing, 199.1 rushing).

UTAH STATE WINS SIX GAMES FOR 40TH TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY
• Utah State has won at least six games 40 times in school history and 11 times in the past 13 years. With a victory in its bowl game, USU would finish with seven or more wins for the eighth time in the past 12 years, joining the 2011 (7 wins), 2012 (11 wins), 2013 (9 wins), 2014 (10 wins), 2018 (11 wins), 2019 (7 wins) and 2021 (11 wins) teams, and for the 28th time in school history.

UTAH STATE MILESTONES THAT EQUAL SUCCESS
• Utah State has won 47 of its last 59 games when it has a 100-yard rusher, including a 4-2 record this year, and 54 of its last 64 contests when rushing at least 40 times in a game, including a 5-2 record this year. USU has also won 72 of its last 79 games when scoring at least 30 points, including a 6-2 record this year.

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
• Utah State has won or shared 13 league titles in school history (1921, 1935, 1936, 1946, 1960, 1961, 1978, 1978, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2012, 2021).

DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State has only had five players (2 offense, 3 defense) start all 12 games this year in senior WR Terrell Vaughn, junior WR Jalen Royals, sophomore S Ike Larsen, sophomore DT Seni Tuiaka and redshirt freshman DE Paul Fitzgerald.

UTAH STATE BOWL HISTORY
• Utah State has a 6-10 bowl record all-time as it lost to San José State, 20-0, in the 1946 Raisin Bowl (Fresno, Calif.); lost to Pacific, 35-21, in the 1947 Grape Bowl (Lodi, Calif.); lost to New Mexico State, 20-13, in the 1960 Sun Bowl (El Paso, Texas); lost to Baylor, 24-9, in the 1961 Gotham Bowl (New York City); defeated Ball State, 42-33, in the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl II; lost to Cincinnati, 35-19, in the 1997 Humanitarian Bowl; lost to Ohio, 24-23, in the 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl; defeated Toledo, 41-15, in the 2012 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl; defeated No. 24 Northern Illinois, 21-14, in the 2013 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl; defeated UTEP, 21-6, in the 2014 Gildan New Mexico Bowl; lost to Akron, 23-21, in the 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl; lost to New Mexico State, 26-20 in overtime, in the 2017 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl; defeated North Texas, 52-13, in the 2018 New Mexico Bowl; lost to Kent State, 51-41, in the 2019 Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl;  defeated Oregon State, 24-13, in the 2021 Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl; and lost to Memphis, 38-10, in the 2022 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl.

UTAH STATE 24TH IN THE NATION IN SCORING OFFENSE 
• Utah State is second in the Mountain West and 24th in the nation in scoring offense (34.1 ppg), first in the MW and 21st in the nation in total offense (446.3 ypg), second in the MW and 43rd in the nation in passing efficiency (144.7), fourth in the MW and 25th in the nation in rushing offense (186.6 ypg), fourth in the MW and 42nd in the nation in passing offense (259.8 ypg), sixth in the MW and 62nd in the nation in completion percentage (.619), and 11th in the MW and 118th in the nation in sacks allowed with 41 (3.42 pg).

• Utah State is also fourth in the MW and 45th in the nation in first downs with 266 (22.2 pg), fifth in the MW and 38th in the nation in red zone offense (.884), fifth in the MW and 45th in the nation in passing yards per completion (12.47), fifth in the MW and 47th in the nation in fumbles lost with six (0.50 pg), and sixth in the MW and 34th in the nation in fourth down conversions (.621).

UTAH STATE THIRD IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST IN TACKLES FOR LOSS
• Utah State is third in the Mountain West and 49th in the nation in tackles for loss with 71 (5.9 pg), third in the MW and 40th in the nation in passing efficiency defense (125.9), sixth in the MW and 53rd in the nation in passing defense (216.5 ypg), fifth in the MW and 73rd in the nation in sacks with 24 (2.0 pg), 10th in the MW and 105th in the nation in total defense (415.6 ypg), 11th in the MW and 115th in the nation in scoring defense (33.8 ppg), and 12th in the MW and 125th in the nation in rushing defense (199.1 ypg).

• Utah State is also third in the MW and 62nd in the nation in red zone defense (.825), third in the MW and 49th in the nation in fourth down conversions (.471), and is one of 23 FBS teams in the nation with three defensive touchdowns this season.

UTAH STATE 38TH IN THE NATION WITH 19 FORCED TURNOVERS
• Utah State is sixth in the Mountain West and 38th in the nation with 19 forced turnovers this season. USU is also fourth in the MW and 21st in the nation in fumbles recovered with nine (0.75 pg), and sixth in the MW and 58th in the nation in passes intercepted with 10 (0.83 pg).

UTAH STATE 10TH IN THE NATION IN BLOCKED KICKS
• Utah State is tied for first in the Mountain West and tied for 10th in the nation with three blocked kicks this year, sixth in the MW and 68th in the nation in punt returns (8.9 ypr), sixth in the MW and 78th in the nation in kickoff return defense (20.8 ypr), seventh in the MW and 90th in the nation in kickoff returns (18.5 ypr), ninth in the MW and 99th in the nation in net punting (37.0 ypp), and 11th in the MW and 121st in the nation in punt return defense (14.9 ypr).

AGGIES IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST AND NCAA RANKINGS
• Utah State sophomore S Ike Larsen is first in the Mountain West and third in the nation with two blocked kicks (0.17 pg), tied for first in the MW and eighth in the nation with one defensive touchdown (0.09 pg), first in the MW and 17th in the nation with four interceptions (0.33 pg), sixth in the MW in passes defended with 10 (0.83 pg), and eighth in the MW and 62nd in the nation in tackles (7.6 pg). Junior WR Jalen Royals is first in the MW and second in the nation in receiving touchdowns with 14 (1.2 pg), third in the MW and 19th in the nation in receiving (85.2 ypg), fifth in the MW and 34th in the nation in receptions (5.7 pg), seventh in the MW and 64th in the nation in scoring (7.2 ppg), and seventh in the MW in yards per reception (15.0). Junior CB Jaiden Francois is tied for first in the MW and eighth in the nation with one defensive touchdown (0.09 pg). Sophomore DT Seni Tuiaki is tied for first in the MW and eighth in the nation with one defensive touchdown (0.09 pg). Graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. is first in the MW and eighth in the nation in tackles (10.9 pg), and fourth in the MW in forced fumbles with two (0.17 pg). Graduate senior QB Cooper Legas is first in the MW and 18th in the nation in passing efficiency (158.3), second in the MW and 23rd in the nation in yards per pass attempt (8.52), second in the MW and 33rd in the nation in completion percentage (.648), third in the MW and 44th in the nation in points responsible for (12.9 ppg), fourth in the MW and 26th in the nation in yards per completion (13.2), fifth in the MW and 50th in the nation in passing touchdowns with 19 (2.1 pg), sixth in the MW and 64th in the nation in passing (201.7 ypg), sixth in the MW and 70th in the nation in total offense (215.2 ypg), and seventh in the MW and 73rd in the nation in completions per game (15.3). Junior DE Blaine Spires is second in the MW and fifth in the nation in fumbles recovered with three (0.27 pg), and eighth in the MW in sacks with 5.0 (0.45 pg). Junior RB Rahsul Faison is second in the MW and 10th in the nation in yards per carry (6.55), and 10th in the MW in rushing (57.2 ypg). Senior WR Terrell Vaughn is second in the MW and 14th in the nation in receiving touchdowns with 10 (0.8 pg), second in the MW and 16th in the nation in receptions (6.8 pg), and fifth in the MW and 50th in the nation in receiving yards (70.6 ypg). Junior PK Elliott Nimrod is third in the MW and 23rd in the nation in field goal percentage (.846), eighth in the MW and 67th in the nation in scoring (7.1 ppg), and ninth in the MW and 77th in the nation in field goals (1.0 pg). Junior WR Micah Davis is third in the MW and 27th in the nation in punt returns (9.3 ypr), third in the MW and 42nd in the nation in yards per reception (17.4), and eighth in the MW and 69th in the nation in receiving touchdowns with six (0.55 pg). Junior RB Davon Booth is fourth in the MW and 15th in the nation in yards per carry (6.33), and eighth in the MW and 78th in the nation in rushing (66.7 ypg). Sophomore S Devin Dye is ninth in the MW in passes defended with nine (0.75 pg). Redshirt freshman DE Paul Fitzgerald is ninth in the MW in sacks with 5.0 (0.42 pg). And, Freshman QB McCae Hillstead is 10th in the MW in touchdown passes with 10 (1.4 pg).

GAME 12 RECAP vs. NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico  – Graduate junior QB Levi Williams accounted for 351 yards of total offense and five touchdowns in Utah State’s dramatic 44-41 double-overtime win at New Mexico at University Stadium on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.

For Williams, it was his first start in two years with Utah State.

With the win, Utah State (6-6, 4-4 Mountain West) became bowl eligible for the third-consecutive season under head coach Blake Anderson.

Williams’ final touchdown of the night proved to be the game-winner. After initially fumbling the snap, he scooped up the ball, rolled to his left and ran into the end zone from 13 yards out to end the game.

Williams was 16-of-27 passing for 198 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 153 yards and three more scores on 25 carries. All of his stats are career highs during his two years at Utah State, while his 25 rushes are a collegiate career high.

Both of Williams’ touchdown passes were thrown in the first quarter to junior WR Jalen Royals. Royals first score came on a 13-yard pass to finish off a 10-play, 75-yard drive for the Aggies to start the game. Royals also hauled in a 57-yard pass on USU’s second series.

Royals finished the game with seven receptions for 89 yards and became just the 13th player in school history to post 1,000 receiving yards in a season. Royals also tied the school record for receiving touchdowns in a season with 14, a mark that was set by Tracy Jenkins in 1990.

Utah State finished the game with 500 yards of total offense (302 rushing, 198 passing).                   The Lobos (4-8, 2-6 MW) were led by Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who rushed for 233 yards and one touchdown on 31 carries. Quarterback Dylan Hopkins was 12-of-31 passing for 125 yards as New Mexico finished with 539 total yards, including 337 on the ground.

Williams accounted for both of Utah State’s touchdowns in the extra sessions. Following his 6-yard touchdown run that gave the Aggies a 38-31 lead, the Lobos answered with a Devon Dampier 4-yard touchdown run to tie things up.

Utah State’s defense then forced New Mexico to settle for a 19-yard field goal by Luke Drzewiecki to give the Lobos a 41-38 lead, setting up Williams’ game-winning heroics.

The Aggies led 31-21 with 5:30 to go in the fourth quarter following a 17-yard touchdown run by junior RB Rahsul Faison, who finished with 106 yards rushing on 18 carries.

However, the Lobos scored the final 10 points of regulation on a 2-yard touchdown run by Dampier and a 22-yard field goal by Drzewiecki with four seconds remaining on the clock.

New Mexico began the game-tying drive on its own 9-yard line with just 2:09 left in the fourth quarter. The Lobos benefitted from three pass interference penalties on the Aggies, including two on third down.

Graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. led the Aggies with 11 tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss. It was his eighth-straight double-digit tackle outing, which is the longest streak by an Aggie since 1999.

Sophomore S Ike Larsen also had 11 tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss, and one pass breakup. Senior DT Hale Motu’apuaka had three tackles, including a career-high-tying 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks.

One of the biggest plays of the game came courtesy of Motu’apuaka. With New Mexico on the doorstep of scoring a touchdown in the second overtime, Motu’apuaka stopped Croskey-Merritt for a 1-yard loss on third-and-goal from the 1, setting up Drzewiecki’s go-ahead 19-yard field goal.

UTAH STATE WINS THREE OF ITS FINAL FOUR GAMES TO GET BOWL ELIGIBLE 
• This year’s team is just the fourth in school history to play in a bowl game after starting the season with a losing record. After starting the season with a 1-3 record, Utah State finished the regular season by winning three of its final four games. USU’s 1993 team started the year with a 1-5 record before winning its final six games, including its first-ever bowl win with a 42-33 victory against Ball State in the Las Vegas Bowl II. The 2011 team had a 2-5 record before winning five-straight games to snap a 14-year bowl drought as it played in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. And the 2022 team won five of its final seven games after starting the season with a 1-4 record as it played in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl.

UTAH STATE UNDEFEATED WITH FOURTH-QUARTER LEAD UNDER ANDERSON 
• Utah State improved to 20-0 under third-year head coach Blake Anderson when it takes a lead into the fourth quarter following its 44-41 double-overtime win at New Mexico in its regular season finale. USU is also 12-0 under Anderson when it leads at the half and 9-1 when it leads after the first quarter.

UTAH STATE HAS SCORED 30-PLUS POINTS IN SEVEN OF ITS LAST NINE GAMES
• With its 44-41 double-overtime win at New Mexico in its regular season finale, Utah State has now scored 30 or more points in seven of its last nine games and has had at least 500 yards of total offense in four of its last seven outings. During its last nine games, Utah State’s offense is averaging 32.9 points and 459.3 yards (187.7 rushing, 271.7 passing)

UTAH STATE POSTS 16TH COME-FROM-BEHIND WIN UNDER ANDERSON
• Utah State posted its 16th come-from-behind win under head coach Blake Anderson, as it trailed New Mexico 41-38 in the second overtime during its regular season finale. USU also posted double-digit comeback wins against both Colorado State and UConn as it trailed 17-0 in both of those games, which are tied for the fourth-largest comebacks in school history. In fact, nine of USU’s comebacks under Anderson have been when trailing by double digits.

UTAH STATE 11-2 UNDER ANDERSON IN ONE-SCORE GAMES
• Utah State is 11-2 in one-score games under head coach Blake Anderson, including a 3-2 record this year, following its 44-41 double-overtime win at New Mexico in its regular season finale. USU also posted a 32-24 double-overtime win at San Diego State, a 34-33 win at UConn, and lost to James Madison 45-38 and to Fresno State 37-32 this year.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH UTAH STATE’S OFFENSE
• Utah State runs a play on average every 21.4 seconds, which is the fifth-fastest tempo in the nation. Jacksonville State leads the nation with a play every 20.6 seconds, followed by South Florida (20.7), Tennessee (21.0), TCU (21.2) and USU.

• Utah State’s 33 touchdown passes are tied for the fifth-most in the nation, trailing Oregon (44), LSU (41), Appalachian State (34) and Arizona (34), while its 53 total touchdowns are tied for the 22nd most.

UTAH STATE LEADS THE NATION WITH 13 PLAYS OF 50-PLUS YARDS
• Utah State has had 13 plays of 50-plus yards this season, which is tied for the second-most in the nation trailing Boise State (14) and tied with North Carolina and UCF. USU also has 24 plays of at least 40 yards, which is tied for third in the nation, six plays of 60-plus yards, which is tied for 14th nationally, and 67 plays of at least 20 yards, which is tied for 29th nationally. Furthermore, Utah State has had 11 pass plays of at least 50 yards this season, which is tied for first in the nation with USC (11).

DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State has 12 scoring drives this season that have taken less than 60 seconds, which includes 11 touchdown drives and one field goal. USU also has 13 scoring plays of at least 50 yards this season with 11 passes and two runs. Overall, USU has 33 scoring plays this year of at least 20 yards (21 passing, 9 rushing, 3 interceptions).

UTAH STATE IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST
• Utah State is 52-34 (.605) all-time in Mountain West play, including a 15-9 (.625) record under third-year head coach Blake Anderson. At home, USU has a 28-16 (.636) record in MW games, including a 10-8 (.556) mark under Anderson. And on the road, USU is 24-18 (.571) in MW play, including a 12-7 (.632) record under Anderson.

• Utah State (52-34) has the third-best record against Mountain West opponents since it joined the league in 2013. Boise State (73-17) has the best record and San Diego State (60-28) has the second-best.

• Utah State is 180-196-8 (.479) all-time against current members of the Mountain West with a 40-28-4 record vs. Wyoming, a 38-39-2 record vs. Colorado State, a 20-21-1 record vs. San José State, an 18-8 record vs. UNLV, a 17-13 record vs. New Mexico, a 13-19-1 record vs. Fresno State, a 12-6 record vs. Hawai`i, an 8-19 record vs. Nevada, a 5-23 record vs. Boise State, a 5-7 record vs. Air Force, and a 4-13 record vs. San Diego State.

LEVI WILLIAMS NAMED MOUNTAIN WEST OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
• Graduate junior QB Levi Williams was named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career following his performance in Utah State’s 44-41 double-overtime win at New Mexico on Friday, Nov. 24, in both team’s regular season finale.

• Making his first-career start at Utah State, Williams accounted for 351 yards of offense and five touchdowns (3 rushing, 2 passing).

• Williams posted his third-career 100-yard rushing game, including his first at Utah State, as he rushed for a season-high 153 yards on a career-high 25 carries and scored a season-high three touchdowns, including both of USU’s touchdowns in overtime. His 153 rushing yards are the second-most of his career, while his three rushing touchdowns are tied for the second-most in his career.

• Those three rushing touchdowns are tied for the most in a single game in school history by a quarterback and his 25 rushing attempts are the most by a quarterback in school history. He scored his first rushing touchdown on a 29-yard run in the third quarter to give USU a 24-14 lead. His second rushing touchdown came in the first overtime as he scored on a 6-yard run to give USU a 38-31 lead.  He then scored the game-winning touchdown in the second overtime on a 13-yard run on a broken play after dropping the snap.

• Williams is the eighth quarterback in school history to rush for 100 yards in a game, and his 153 rushing yards are the second-most by a quarterback in school history.

• Williams was 16-of-27 passing for 198 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. All of his passing stats are career-highs at Utah State. Both of his touchdown passes came in the first quarter on a 13-yard completion and a 57-yard completion to junior WR Jalen Royals.

• His five touchdowns responsible for are tied for the most in the Mountain West this season, while his rushing yards (153), rushing attempts (25) and rushing touchdowns (3) are the most by a MW quarterback this year.

• Williams’ five total touchdowns (3 rushing, 2 passing) is tied for the most in his career as he also had five total touchdowns (4 rushing, 1 passing) in the 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

WILLIAMS NAMED 2021 FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL MVP
• In his last game at Wyoming on Dec. 21, 2021, Levi Williams became the first quarterback in college history to rush for 200 yards, score four rushing touchdowns and pass for one touchdown in a bowl game, as he was named the Most Valuable Player in Wyoming’s 52-38 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win against Kent State. He rushed for a career-high 200 yards on 16 carries (12.5 ypr) and a career-best four touchdowns, including a career-long 80-yard run, against the Golden Flashes, while also completing 9-of-11 passes for 127 yards and another touchdown. Those 200 rushing yards are the fifth-most in FBS bowl game history by a quarterback.

WILLIAMS vs. GEORGIA STATE IN 2019 NOVA HOME LOANS ARIZONA BOWL
• Levi Williams threw for a season-high 234 yards and a career-high three touchdowns in his first career start in a 38-17 win against Georgia State in the 2019 Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl. Williams was 11-of-26 passing in the game with one interception and rushed for 53 yards on 12 carries and another score. He had a long completion of 63 yards and a long run of 20 yards in the game.

JALEN ROYALS IN THE UTAH STATE RECORDS BOOK
• Junior WR Jalen Royals has 68 receptions for 1,023 yards and 14 touchdowns this year, tying the school record for touchdown receptions that was set by Tracy Jenkins in 1990. With his 1,023 receiving yards this year, he is just the 13th player in school history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. Overall, his 1,023 receiving yards are the 13th most in a single season in school history.

• Royals had seven receptions for 89 yards and two touchdowns (13, 57) in his last game against New Mexico. Overall, Royals now has seven touchdown receptions this season of 50 or more yards, which leads the nation. Royals now has at least one touchdown reception in eight of his last nine games and in nine of his last 11 overall.

• Royals has four 100-yard receiving games on the season, which is tied for the second-most in the Mountain West and tied for the 21st-most in the nation. His last 100-yard receiving game was against Boise State as he had seven receptions for 113 yards.

• His breakout game this year was at UConn (9/30) as he had a career-high 185 receiving yards and a career-high three touchdowns (15, 71, 52) on a career-high-tying seven receptions.

• He continued his streak as he had back-to-back 100-yard receiving games against Colorado State (10/7) and Fresno State (10/13) as he had six receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns (24, 51) against the Rams and seven receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns (29, 52) against the Bulldogs.

• During that three-game stretch, Royals had three-straight 100 yard receiving games, and caught 20 passes for 450 yards and seven touchdowns.

• Royals needs one touchdown catch to set the single season school record with 15 and two touchdown catches to enter the top 10 all-time at Utah State. He also needs three receptions to enter the single season top 10 in that category. He is the 39th player in school history with 1,000 career receiving yards.

COOPER LEGAS IN THE UTAH STATE RECORDS BOOK
• Graduate senior QB Cooper Legas is 284-of-454 (.626) passing in his career and that completion percentage is third all-time in school history. Furthermore, his 64.8 completion percentage (138-of-213) this year is the fourth-best in school history.

• Has 19 touchdown passes this season, which is tied for the 10th-most in school history, and 32 touchdown passes in his career, which is two shy of entering the career top 10 at Utah State.

• Has thrown three or more touchdowns in four of his last six games and has had multiple touchdown passes in five of his last six games. Has now thrown multiple touchdowns nine times in his career and three or more touchdowns five times in his career.

• Has led Utah State to a 4-2 record in the last six games he has played in with wins against UConn, Colorado State, San Diego State and Nevada, and losses to Fresno State and Boise State. In his last six games, Legas is 90-of-142 (.634) passing for 1,431 yards (238.5 ypg) with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. Against UConn and San Diego State, Legas entered midway through both contests and led the Aggies to come-from-behind wins.

• Was 11-of-13 passing for 204 yards and three touchdowns in the second-half at UConn (9/30) as he led Utah State to a come-from-behind win after trailing by 17 points.

• Was 11-of-15 passing for 167 yards and two touchdowns in the second-half at San Diego State (11/4) as he led Utah State to a come-from-behind win after trailing by seven points.

• Was 8-of-12 passing for 128 yards and one touchdown against Boise State before getting hurt in the second quarter and not returning to the game.

• Had back-to-back 300-yard passing games this year, which is tied for the third-most in the Mountain West this season. Was 19-of-29 for a career-high 387 yards and a career-best four touchdowns (24, 76, 51, 19) against Colorado State (10/7), and 23-of-40 for 363 yards and three touchdowns (29, 52, 43) against Fresno State (10/13).

• Completed 32-of-48 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown (16) in the season opener at No. 25 Iowa (9/2) as his completions and attempts are both career highs. In fact, those 32 completions are the second-most in a single game in school history.

TERRELL VAUGHN IN THE UTAH STATE RECORDS BOOK
• Senior WR Terrell Vaughn has 137 receptions for 1,471 yards and 15 touchdowns in his two-year Aggie career. Overall, Vaughn is now tied for 11th all-time in receptions and 19th all-time in receiving yards as he is the 22nd player in school history to catch 100 passes and the 38th player in school history with 1,000 career receiving yards.

• Has 81 receptions for 847 yards and 10 touchdowns this season as those 81 receptions are the sixth-most in single-season school history, while the 10 touchdown catches are tied for the eighth most.

• Has three games this year with double-digit receptions, which is tied for the second-most in the Mountain West and tied for the fifth-most in the nation. Also has three 100-yard receiving games this year and four in his career.

• Had a career-high 12 receptions for 93 yards and one touchdown (16) at No. 25 Iowa (9/2). Had 11 receptions for 73 yards and a career-high-tying two touchdowns (4, 5) against Idaho State (9/9). And had 10 catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns (20, 6) against James Madison (9/23).

• Had back-to-back 100-yard receiving games as he had a season-high 143 receiving yards on eight catches and one touchdown (76) against Colorado State (10/7) and 119 yards on seven catches and one touchdown (43) against Fresno State (10/13).

• Has multiple touchdown receptions twice this year and three times in his career. Has scored a touchdown in 13 games in his career.

• Needs eight catches to enter the top 10 all-time in school history for career receptions. Needs one touchdown catch to enter the career top 10 in school history as he currently ranks 13th all-time at Utah State with 15 career touchdown catches.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH DAVON BOOTH
• Junior RB Davon Booth posted his third 100-yard rushing game of the season against Boise State (11/18) as he carried the ball 12 times for 125 yards. Booth also had a season-long 49-yard run in the first quarter and a 45-yard run in the third quarter. Booth is one of just four running backs to rush for 100 yards against Boise State this season.

• Posted his first-career 100-yard rushing game against James Madison (9/23) as he rushed for 103 yards on a career-high 21 carries. JMU entered the game leading the nation in rushing yards allowed at 22.7 yards per game and had not allowed a 100-yard rusher in its last eight games dating back to the 2022 season.

• Rushed for a career-high 141 yards and a career-high-tying two touchdowns (22, 48) on 14 carries against Colorado State (10/7).

• Scored a career-high two touchdowns (8, 40) against Idaho State (9/9) as he gained 83 yards on six carries.

• His three 100-yard rushing games are tied for the sixth-most in the Mountain West this season.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH RAHSUL FAISON
• Junior RB Rahsul Faison posted his second 100-yard rushing game of the season in his last outing at New Mexico (11/24) in the regular season finale as he gained 106 yards on 18 carries, and scored his fifth rushing touchdown of the season on a 17-yard run.

• Rushed for a career-high 181 yards on a career-high 22 carries and one touchdown against Nevada (11/11). Faison, who had five carries for 13 yards in the first half, gained 168 yards in the second half on 17 carries as he rushed for 121 yards on nine carries in third quarter and 47 yards on eight carries in the fourth.

• Those 181 rushing yards are the most by an Aggie since Devante May rushed for 206 yards against Weber State in 2016.

• Gained 91 yards on five carries, including a career-long 60 yard run for a touchdown, against Idaho State (9/9).

• Has seven rushes this season of at least 20 yards, including three of 40-plus yards.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH ROBERT BRIGGS JR.
• Sophomore RB Robert Briggs Jr. posted his first-career 100-yard rushing game against Idaho State (9/9) as he gained 101 yards on nine carries, including scoring his first rushing touchdown of the season and the second of his career on a career-long 58-yard run.

• Rushed for 80 yards on a career-high 19 carries against Colorado State (10/7).

• Scored what proved to be the winning touchdown in the second overtime at San Diego State (11/4) on a 20-yard run. Rushed for 59 yards on nine carries against the Aztecs.

• Gained 69 yards on 11 carries against Nevada (11/11).

FOUR DIFFERENT AGGIES HAVE RUSHED FOR 100 YARDS THIS SEASON
• Utah State has had four different players rush for 100 yards this season, which is a school record, in junior RB Davon Booth (3), junior RB Rahsul Faison (2), sophomore RB Robert Briggs Jr. (1) and graduate junior QB Levi Williams (1). The previous school record was three players with 100-yard rushing games in 1966, 1974, 2009, 2012 and 2017.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH MICAH DAVIS
• Junior WR Micah Davis recorded his first 100-yard receiving game as an Aggie and the second of his career as he caught a career-high five passes for 104 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown, against Colorado State (10/7).

• His other 100-yard receiving game was against Utah State during the 2021 season when he was at Air Force as he caught four passes for a career-high 110 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown.

• Had a career-high six receptions for 87 yards and one touchdown (47) against Nevada (11/11).

• Has returned 26 punts for 250 yards (9.62 ypr) this season as eight of his punt returns (30.8 percent) have been for 10 or more yards. His 26 punt returns led the MW and are the third-most in the nation, while his 250 punt return yards are the second-most in the MW and the ninth-most in the nation.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH McCAE HILLSTEAD
• Freshman QB McCae Hillstead set a freshman passing record against James Madison (9/23) as he was 25-of-47 (.532) for 399 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions, all of which are career highs, in his first-career start. Those 399 passing yards are the most by a freshman and tied for the 14th-most in school history. It is also the most yards thrown by an Aggie since Jordan Love threw for 416 yards at Wake Forest in 2019.

• Was the eighth true freshman to start at quarterback for the Aggies in school history and first since Bishop Davenport started one game last year. Kent Myers started five games as a true freshman in 2014. Darell Garretson started seven games as a true freshman in 2013. Chuckie Keeton started eight games as a true freshman in 2011. Riley Nelson started six games as a true freshman in 2006. Jerod Walker started two games as a true freshman in 2005. And, Jeff Crosbie started four games as a true freshman in 1998.

• In the first extended playing time of his career at Air Force (9/15), Hillstead was 18-of-27 passing for 202 yards and three touchdowns.

• Was 17-of-29 passing for 160 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in a start at San José State (10/21).

• Was 12-of-16 passing for 62 yards in the first half at San Diego State (11/4) before missing the second half due to an injury.

IKE LARSEN NAMED MOUNTAIN WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK THREE TIMES
• Sophomore S Ike Larsen was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week (11/6/23) for the second time this season and third time in his career as he had eight tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss, and intercepted a pass on a fourth-down play in the second overtime to seal the win for Utah State in double-overtime against San Diego State. He also disrupted a fake field goal in the second quarter and made the tackle on a fake punt in the fourth quarter, as both plays were unsuccessful.

• Named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week (10/9/23) as he tied his career high with two interceptions against Colorado State, while adding seven tackles and a pass breakup.

• Named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week (10/2/23) for the first time in his career after blocking the tying extra point in the final minute of Utah State’s 34-33 road win at UConn.

• Is the only Mountain West defender this year to be named the player of the week twice.

• Was named the 2023 College Football Network (CFN) Midseason National Safety of the Year and to the CFN Midseason All-America First-Team Defense, along with being tabbed the Mountain West Safety of the Year and Midseason MW First-Team Defense.

• Has a school-record five blocked kicks (4 punts, 1 PAT), which includes a blocked punt at No. 25 Iowa and a blocked extra point at UConn this year. He blocked three punts last year, which is the single-season school record.

• Has four interceptions on the season and eight in his career and is two interceptions shy of entering the career top 10 all-time in school history.

• Tied his career-high with 11 tackles in his last outing at New Mexico (11/24) to give him four double-digit tackle games this season and in his career. Also had 11 tackles against Air Force (9/15) and had 10 stops against both James Madison (9/23) and San José State (10/21).

• Has recorded at least four tackles in every game this season and has six-plus tackles in nine of his last 10 games. Also has four pass breakups and seven passes defended in his last eight games.

MJ TAFISI JR. IN THE UTAH STATE RECORDS BOOK
• Graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. has 131 tackles this season, which is tied for the 19th-most in a single-season in school history. He is the 64th player in school history to have 100-plus tackles in a season and is nine tackles shy of entering the single-season top 10 in school history.

• Has posted double-digit tackles in each of his last eight games as he had 11 tackles at New Mexico, 12 tackles against Boise State, 12 stops against Nevada, 13 tackles against San Diego State, 14 tackles against San José State, a career-high 17 tackles against Fresno State, 10 tackles against Colorado State and 13 tackles against UConn. Tafisi also had 12 tackles against No. 25 Iowa as he has nine double-digit tackle games this season and 14 in his career.

• Is the first Aggie to post eight-straight double-digit tackle outings since Brent Passey had eight-straight in 1999, which is the most in school history. Tafisi’s nine double-digit tackle games on the season are tied for the third-most in the nation.

• Has 200 tackles and 16.5 tackles for loss during his two-year Utah State career, which ranks first and second on the team among active players.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH DEVIN DYE
• Sophomore S Devin Dye posted his first-career double-digit tackle outing against Boise State (11/18) with a career-high 14 tackles.

• Recorded nine tackles and one pass breakup in his previous outing against Nevada (11/11) and had nine tackles at San Diego State (11/4).

• Had perhaps the best game of his career at San José State (10/21) as he had nine tackles, to go along with his first-career forced fumble and his first-career fumble recovery, on back-to-back possessions inside USU’s 10-yard line.

• In his last nine games, Dye has posted 75 tackles (8.3 pg), to go along with five pass breakups, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

• His dad, Jermaine, spent 13 years in Major League Baseball as an outfielder for several teams, including the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox, as he was named World Series MVP. He was a two-time All-Star, a Gold Glove Award recipient in 2000 and a Silver Slugger Award recipient in 2006.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH HALE MOTU’APUAKA
• Senior DT Hale Motu’apuaka has played in 57 career games, which is tied for the second-most in school history. The school record for games played is 59 set by Demytrick Ali’ifua (2017-21). Motu’apuaka has also started 39 games, which is tied for the eighth-most in school history.

• Has 114 tackles in his career, which includes 10.5 sacks and 22.0 tackles for loss. His sacks and TFLs are the most on the team among active players, while his tackles are the fourth-most.

• Is a three-time (2018, 2021, 2022) World Fireknife Competition Men’s Division Championship.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH ANTHONY SWITZER
• Redshirt junior S Anthony Switzer had a career-high-tying 10 tackles against Fresno State (11/13), marking the third time this year and in his career he has posted double-digit tackles.

• Had a career-high 10 tackles at UConn (9/30), which included a career-best 1.0 sacks and a career-high 3.0 tackles for loss.

• Had 10 tackles against Idaho State (9/9).

• Had nine tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss, at San José State (10/21). Added nine tackles, including 1.0 sacks, and a pass breakup against Boise State (11/18).

• Recovered a fumble and had an interception, to go along with five tackles, against James Madison (9/23).

INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH MICHAEL ANYANWU
• Graduate senior CB Michael Anyanwu has 38 tackles and five pass breakups on the season, while adding one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

• Has multiple tackles in 11 of the 12 games he has played in this year, including a season-high six stops against both Idaho State (9/9) and James Madison (9/23).

• Had a season-high two pass breakups in his last game at New Mexico (11/24).

• For his career, he has 133 tackles and 18 pass breakups to rank second on first on the team among active players.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH PAUL FITZGERALD
• Redshirt freshman DE Paul Fitzgerald has 42 tackles on the season, which is the most on the team by a defensive lineman. He also has 5.0 sacks and 6.0 tackles for loss, while adding one forced fumble and one pass breakup on the season. His 5.0 sacks are tied for the most on the team.

• Had a career-high seven tackles, which included 1.0 sacks, against Nevada (11/11).

• Had six tackles, including a career-high 2.0 sacks and a career-best 2.5 tackles for loss, against Idaho State (9/9).

• Had five tackles, including 1.0 sacks, against Fresno State (10/13).

• Has at least three tackles in nine of the 12 games he has played in this year.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH BLAINE SPIRES
• Junior DE Blaine Spires has 26 tackles on the season, which includes a team-best 5.0 sacks and a team-high 8.5 tackles for loss. He also leads the team with three fumble recoveries, to go along with one forced fumble.

• Had a career-high 2.0 sacks in his last game at New Mexico (11/24).

• Has recorded a tackle for loss in eight games this year and a sack in four of the last six games.

• Had a season-high five tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss, against Colorado State (10/7).

ELLIOTT NIMROD IN THE UTAH STATE RECORD BOOKS
• Junior PK Elliott Nimrod is 11-of-13 on the season on field goals, including 3-of-3 from 20-29 yards, 6-of-7 from 30-39 yards and 2-of-3 from 40-49 yards, and 39-of-41 on PATs.

• Has made five-straight field goals dating back to the Colorado State game on Oct. 7.

• Is tied for ninth in the single-season record books at Utah State in both extra points made (39) and attempted (41), while his 95.1 percentage on extra points ranks 10th all-time in school history on the career records list.

• Scored a career-high 14 points against James Madison as he scored his first-career touchdown on an 18-yard run on a fake field goal. Was also 5-of-5 on extra points and 1-of-2 on field goals as he made a 28-yarder and missed a 37-yarder.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH RYAN MARKS
• Redshirt freshman P Ryan Marks has served as Utah State’s punter in each of the last six games. Has punted 33 times for an average of 43.9 yards and has had 11 punts downed in the 20-yard line.

• Has seven punts of 50-plus yards on the season, including a career-long 75-yard punt against San José State (10/21), which is tied for the fourth-longest punt in school history and longest since 1998. Averaged a season-best 49.0 yards on five punts against the Spartans

• Punted five times for an average of 42.4 yards in his last game at New Mexico (11/24), which included a 58- and 60-yard punt, and had a season-best three punts downed inside the 20-yard line.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTABLE
• Utah State blocked its third kick of the season against Boise State on a punt in the third quarter. USU also blocked an extra point with 40 seconds remaining to preserve a 34-33 win at UConn. And, USU blocked a punt at No. 25 Iowa. USU has now blocked 10 kicks (7 punts, 2 extra points, 1 field goal) under head coach Blake Anderson, which included four blocks (3 punts, 1 extra point) during the 2022 campaign.  The school record for blocked kicks in a season is six set in 2012.

WHAT’S RETURNING IN 2023 
• Utah State returns nine starters (O-4, D-5) as part of 35 letterwinners (O-19, D-13, S-3) from last year’s team that posted a 6-7 record, tied for second in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West with a 5-3 mark, and concluded its season by playing in its 10th bowl game in the past 12 years against Memphis (L, 38-10) in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl in Dallas, Texas. USU also welcomes back 14 redshirts (O-7, D-6, S-1) and three squadmen (O-1, D-2).

• Highlighting Utah State’s returners in 2023 are a trio of all-Mountain West performers in sophomore S Ike Larsen, senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. and senior WR Terrell Vaughn. Larsen earned second-team all-MW accolades and was named a College Football News Honorable Mention Freshman All-American, while Tafisi and Vaughn both garnered honorable mention all-MW honors. USU also returns senior P Stephen Kotsanlee, who earned honorable mention all-MW honors in 2020.

• Other starters returning for Utah State in 2023 include graduate senior CB Michael Anyanwu, graduate senior QB Cooper Legas, graduate senior OL Wade Meacham, senior DT Hale Motu’apuaka, senior TE Josh Sterzer and senior DT Poukesi Vakauta.

UTAH STATE WELCOMES 62 NEWCOMERS 
• Utah State welcomes 62 newcomers (O-27, D-32, S-3) to its program this fall, which is the sixth-most in the nation. Among the group of new players are 14 four-year transfers in graduate senior OL Ralph Frias III (Arizona State), senior RB Sione Finau (BYU), graduate junior WR Colby Bowman (Stanford), junior CB Jaiden Francois (UCF), junior QB Zeke Payne (New Mexico Highlands), junior DE Blaine Spires (Bowling Green), redshirt sophomore CB Avante Dickerson (Oregon), sophomore CB Al Ashford III (Wisconsin), sophomore ILB Gavin Barthiel (Washington State), sophomore S Simeon Harris (Colorado), redshirt freshman DT Sir Mells (Oregon), redshirt freshman WR Grant Page (Colorado), redshirt freshman ILB Logan Pili (BYU) and redshirt freshman S Jackson Sundstrom (Concordia). USU also welcomes 21 junior college transfers (O-9, D-11, S-1), to go along with 27 high schoolers (O-13, D-12, S-2).

• Among the 21 junior college transfers, five of those players began their careers at the FBS level in junior WR Micah Davis (Air Force), junior RB Rahsul Faison (Marshall), junior CB Jaylen Martin (California), sophomore DE Ioholani Raass (UCLA) and sophomore S Javar Strong (Arkansas State).

UTAH STATE HAS FOUR SETS OF BROTHERS ON 2023 ROSTER  
• Utah State has four sets of brothers on its 2023 roster in senior DT Hale Motu’apuaka (Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou HS) and redshirt freshman OL Tavo Motu’apuaka (Honolulu, Hawaii/Mililani HS), junior DE Cian Slone (Rocklin, California/American River JC/Rocklin HS) and sophomore S Teeg Slone (Rocklin, California/American River JC/Rocklin HS), sophomore OL Elia Migao (Temecula, California/Chaparral HS) and sophomore DE Enoka Migao (Temecula, California/Chaparral HS), and redshirt freshman DE Kaden Jolley (Fruita, Colorado/Fruita Monument HS) and freshman DT Tanner Jolley (Fruita, Colorado/Fruita Monument HS).

EIGHTEEN AGGIES WITH BACHELOR’S DEGREES  
• Utah State has 18 players on its 2023 roster that have already received their bachelor’s degrees in graduate senior CB Michael Anyanwu (kinesiology/master’s of sports management), graduate senior OL Ralph Frias III (interdisciplinary studies), graduate senior OL Calvin Knapp (interdisciplinary studies), graduate senior QB Cooper Legas (economics), graduate senior OL Wade Meacham (psychology/MBA), graduate senior CB Xavion Steele (sociology/master’s of sports management), graduate senior ILB MJ Tafisi Jr. (integrated studies), senior OL Wyatt Bowles (interdisciplinary studies), senior RB Cooper Jones (journalism & communications), senior P Stephen Kotsanlee (exercise science), senior DT Hale Motu’apuaka (interdisciplinary studies), senior S Omari Okeke (interdisciplinary studies), senior Dusten Ramseyer-Burdett (integrated studies), senior WR Kyle Van Leeuwen (business management), graduate junior WR Colby Bowman (science, technology and society), graduate junior QB Levi Williams (integrated studies/MBA), redshirt junior S Anthony Switzer (integrated studies) and junior TE Broc Lane (exercise science).

AGGIES WHO HAVE SERVED LDS CHURCH MISSIONS 
•  Utah State has 14 players on its 2023 roster who have served missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in graduate senior OL Wade Meacham, senior RB Sione Finau, senior TE Josh Sterzer, senior WR Kyle Van Leeuwen, sophomore DE Kaden Jolley, sophomore DT Seni Tuiaki, redshirt freshman K/P Ryan Marks, redshirt freshman ILB Bronson Olevao Jr., redshirt freshman LB Logan Pili, redshirt freshman OL Adam Pond, freshman DE Emerson Conlon, freshman ILB Bowen Fjord, freshman DT Tanner Jolley and freshman S Titan Saxton.

AGGIES WHO ARE MARRIED 
• Utah State has five players on its 2023 roster who are married in graduate senior OL Wade Meacham, senior DT Hale Motu’apuaka, senior TE Josh Sterzer, junior OL Cole Motes and redshirt freshman ILB Logan Pili.

AGGIES IN OVERTIME
• Utah State is 8-6 all-time in overtime, winning five of its last seven, and posting a 2-0 record this year with double-overtime wins at San Diego State and at New Mexico. All-time, USU is 4-3 in single-overtime games, 5-2 in double-overtime games, and 0-1 in triple-overtime games.

HEAD COACH BLAKE ANDERSON
• Blake Anderson (hired on Dec. 12, 2020) is in his third year as Utah State’s head coach and is the 29th head coach in program history. He has a 74-53 overall record, including a 53-27 conference mark. He has posted a 23-16 record at USU, including a 15-9 Mountain West record. In fact, Anderson is just the second head coach in school history to lead the Aggies to a bowl game in each of his first three seasons.

• Anderson has 30 years of coaching experience and has been part of six conference championships. This will be his 14th bowl game as a coach and he won a national championship at the junior college level.

• In 2023, Anderson led Utah State to six wins and its 11th bowl game in the past 13 seasons. Offensively, USU was one of the best teams in the nation with Anderson serving as the offensive coordinator as the Aggies led the Mountain West and ranked 22nd in the nation in total offense at 446.3 yards per game and was second in the MW and 25th in the nation scoring 34.1 points per game. Nine Aggies earned all-conference honors under Anderson, including two College Football Network All-Americans in junior wide receiver Jalen Royals (third team) and sophomore safety Ike Larsen (honorable mention).

• During the 2022 campaign, Anderson led Utah State to six wins, including a 5-3 Mountain West record, and an appearance in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. The Aggies had nine players earn various all-conference accolades, including graduate senior safety Hunter Reynolds who was named a ProFootballFocus Honorable Mention All-American, while redshirt freshman safety Ike Larsen was named a College Football News Honorable Mention Freshman All-American.

• In his first season at Utah State, Anderson led the Aggies to their first-ever Mountain West Championship with a 46-13 win at No. 19 San Diego State, their sixth bowl win in school history with a 24-13 victory against Oregon State in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl, and a school-record-tying 11 wins as USU was picked to finish fifth in the Mountain Division of the MW in the preseason polls.

• Under Anderson, Utah State tied for the best turnaround in the nation in 2021 as the Aggies became the first FBS program ever to go from zero or one win to 11 wins the following season.

• During the 2021 season, Utah State set 10 school records, including 4,248 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes, and tied four more as it became the first FBS program in eight years to go 7-0 on the road. USU also ranked 15th in the nation in passing offense (303.4 ypg) and 23rd in total offense (445.6 ypg), and was top three in the MW in passing offense, total offense and scoring offense (32.6 ppg).

• Anderson, who was named the AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year in 2021 at Utah State, mentored a pair of Aggies that broke several single-season school records in quarterback Logan Bonner and wide receiver Deven Thompkins. Bonner set school records in passing touchdowns (36) and passing yards (3,628), while Thompkins set school records for receptions (102) and receiving yards (1,704).

• Overall, Anderson saw nine of his players earn all-Mountain West honors, including Thompkins, who was named a third-team All-American by The Associated Press.

• Anderson came to Utah State after spending seven years as the head coach at Arkansas State, leading ASU to six-consecutive winning seasons and six-straight bowl games (2014-19), including two wins. During that six-year stretch, the Red Wolves broke 12 school records ASU also won back-to-back Sun Belt Conference Championships under Anderson (2015-16). Overall, Anderson went 51-37 (.580) during his time at ASU, including a 38-18 (.679) league record.

• Statistically, Arkansas State annually ranked as one of the top offensive teams in the nation under Anderson. In 2020, the Red Wolves led the Sun Belt Conference and ranked 15th nationally in total offense at 489.7 yards per game. ASU also led the Sun Belt in total offense in 2018 (466.2 ypg), 2017 (494.8 ypg) and 2014 (476.5 ypg), and ranked second in 2015 (438.5 ypg). Furthermore, the 2017 team ranked 10th in the nation in total offense, while the 2018 team was 17th and the 2014 team was 20th nationally.

• As for passing offense, Arkansas State led the Sun Belt Conference and ranked third in the nation in 2020 at 364.4 yards per game. In 2019, the Red Wolves finished second in the conference and 10th in the nation with 312.1 passing yards per game. ASU also led the Sun Belt in passing offense in both 2017 and 2018 with 342.2 and 281.5 passing yards per game, respectively. The 2017 team also ranked fifth nationally in that category, while the 2018 team was 21st in the nation.

• Arkansas State also led the Sun Belt Conference in scoring offense three times under Anderson as the 2017 team averaged 37.8 points per game to rank 13th nationally, while the 2015 team averaged 40.0 points per game to rank 12th in the nation, and the 2014 team averaged 36.7 points per game to rank 18th nationally. In fact, six of Anderson’s seven Red Wolves’ teams averaged over 30 points per game.

• Following the 2019 campaign, Anderson received the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award and was named the Grant Teaff Coach of the Year, presented annually by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as he guided the Red Wolves to an 8-5 record and Camellia Bowl championship after his wife, Wendy, passed away prior to the start of the season following a courageous battle with cancer.

• A two-year letterwinner at wide receiver for Sam Houston State from 1990-91, Anderson was named Southland Conference all-academic as a senior. He also played for two years as a quarterback and receiver at Baylor (1988-89). Anderson graduated with his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from SHSU in 1992. He also attained his master’s degree in sports administration from Eastern New Mexico in 1994.

ANDERSON CONCLUDING THIRD SEASON AT UTAH STATE
• Blake Anderson, who is concluding his third season at Utah State, is just the second head coach in program history to lead the Aggies to three bowl games in his first three seasons. Overall, Anderson is the third head coach in school history to coach in three or more bowls, along with Gary Andersen (2011-12, 2019) and Matt Wells (2013-15, ’17).

• In 2021, Anderson led the Aggies to their first-ever Mountain West Championship with a 46-13 win at No. 19 San Diego State, which was the program’s first win against a nationally-ranked opponent in six years. Anderson also led USU to its sixth bowl win in school history with a 24-13 victory against Oregon State in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl, and a school-record-tying 11 wins after being picked to finish fifth in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West in the preseason polls. USU concluded its season ranked 24th in the nation in the final Associated Press poll, marking just the fifth-time ever that USU finished a season nationally ranked.

• Under Anderson, Utah State tied for the best turnaround in the nation in 2021, as the Aggies became the first FBS team ever to go from zero or one win to 11 wins the following season. USU also became the first FBS program in eight years to post a 7-0 road record.

• Anderson, who was named the 2021 AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year and a finalist for the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year Award, was the only first-year head coach in the nation to lead his team to nine or more wins. In 2022, Anderson led USU to the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl.

• Anderson has won three conference championships as a head coach with two Sun Belt titles at Arkansas State (2015, 2016), along with one Mountain West title at Utah State (2021). Anderson coached in his eighth bowl game in nine seasons last year and has a 3-5 bowl record.

ANDERSON AS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR AND QUARTERBACKS COACH
• Along with his head coaching responsibilities, Blake Anderson is also serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach this season. During his time as a head coach at Arkansas State, Anderson also served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. In 2017, ASU ranked fifth in the nation in passing (342.2 ypg), 10th in total offense (494.8 ypg) and 13th in scoring (37.8 ypg). In 2018, ASU ranked 17th in the nation in total offense (466.2 ypg), 21st in passing (281.5 ypg) and 54th in scoring (30.3 ppg).

CEFALO HAS COACHED THREE BILETNIKOFF SEMIFINALISTS
• Utah State co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Kyle Cefalo has coached a Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist in three of the last four seasons. In his first year at USU in 2021, Cefalo coached Deven Thompkins, who set school records with 102 receptions for 1,704 yards. At Arkansas State, Cefalo coached Jonathan Adams in 2020 and Omar Bayless in 2019, as both players were named Sun Belt Conference Offensive Players of the Year.

OTHER COACHING NOTABLES
• Utah State added six new coaches to its staff this fall in defensive coordinator Joe Cauthen, defensive passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach Mitchell White, offensive line coach Cooper Bassett, defensive line coach Tevita Finau, running backs coach Rodney Freeman III and safeties coach Ethan Morriss.

• Cauthen spent five years working with USU head coach Blake Anderson at Arkansas State (2014-18) as the Red Wolves played in five-straight bowl games and won a pair of conference championships (2015-16).

• Anderson has two former Aggies on his staff in tight ends coach DJ Tialavea (2010-13) and director of player development and community engagement Austin Albrecht (2014-16).

• Finau spent five years (2012-16) in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets and Houston Texans.

• White spent six years in professional football, including in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders (2013) and Philadelphia Eagles (2017). White also played four years in the Canadian Football League and won back-to-back Grey Cups with the Ottawa Redblacks (2016) and Toronto Argonauts (2017). During the 2016 campaign, he was named a CFL East All-Star.

AGGIES IN THE NFL
• Utah State currently has nine players on NFL rosters and has had 13 players drafted into the NFL in the past 12 years. Former Aggies currently in the NFL include CB Jalen Davis (Cincinnati Bengals),  OG Tyler Larsen (Washington Commanders),  S Dallin Leavitt (Denver Broncos), QB Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers), LS Patrick Scales (Chicago Bears), WR Deven Thompkins (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), LB Nick Vigil (Minnesota Vikings), WR Derek Wright (Carolina Panthers) and LB Bobby Wagner (Seattle Seahawks).

 

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