The Utah State (6-5) (4-3) football team was able to defeat Fresno State on the road this past Saturday, 28-17. Bryson Barnes was 16 of 30 with 150 yards and an interception. Barnes also rushed for 113 yards on 23 carries. Braden Pegan caught eight passes for 79 yards, but was injured in the second half of the game against Fresno State. No updates were provided on Pegan during the weekly press conference, so it is unclear what his status is for the Boise State game. Linebacker Bronson Olevao Jr. had a sack for the Aggies, and Ike Larsen led the team in tackles with eight solo tackles.
Fresno State quarterback EJ Warner threw for 187 yards and a touchdown to go with an interception. Warner completed 23 of his 33 pass attempts (70%). Running back Rayshon Luke led the Bulldogs on the ground with 81 yards on four carries and a long touchdown run. Jahil McClain had 45 receiving yards on two receptions and scored a touchdown.
Advertisement
Fresno State, a -1.5 favorite entering the game, led 17-7 at halftime and looked in good position to receive the second half kickoff. Utah State was able to force a punt to start the second half, then scored a touchdown on its first drive of the half to make the score 17-14. Utah State, on its own 15-yard line, fumbled the ball to Fresno State, and the Bulldogs were in place to take a 21-17 lead. Three plays later, EJ Warner would throw an interception and Utah State would take advantage of a long drive and score another touchdown to take its first lead of the game. The interception that led to a touchdown was the turning point of the game, as Utah State then scored another touchdown to take a 28-17 lead. It would be the final touchdown of the game, and Utah State would come away with a very important victory that would change the shape of the Mountain West championship race.
Comparison of statistics
First tests: USU: 27; FSU: 12
3rd down conversion: USU: 8-16 years (50%); FSU: 3-14 (21%)
Advertisement
Total Yards: USU: 403 meters; FSU: 365 meters
Overtaking course: FSU: 187 meters; USU: 176 meters
Rushed projects: USU: 227 meters; Fresno State: 178 meters
Penalties: USU: 7-40; FSU: 10-93
Turnover: FSU: 2 turnovers; USU: 1 turnover
Time of possession: USU: 33:04; FSU: 26:56
General thoughts
Utah State could have had a more successful game on offense, but they did something they haven’t been able to do consistently, which was run the ball. If the Aggies can get the ball rolling against Boise State next week, they will have a much better opportunity to beat the Broncos. Fresno State has done a great job at pass defense this season, Boise State has struggled at times in pass defense. The Aggies will need Bryson Barnes to use his legs in this one, but we’ll talk about that later in the week for the game preview.
Advertisement
Fresno State, heading into the Utah State game, was 7-3 (4-2) and having real success. The opportunity to play for a Mountain West title. With the loss to Utah State, the chances of Fresno State reaching the championship are extremely low. Utah State will have the opportunity to play the role of spoiler once again this week, hosting championship hopeful Boise State, who is in the conference championship with a win over Utah State and a San Diego State win over New Mexico.
