GAME WEEK: Utah State at San Jose State

WHAT TO WATCH FOR...
• Utah State's 4-2 start to the season is its best since 1982 when that Aggie team won five of its first seven games. Overall, USU has won nine of its last 12 games with its only losses during that stretch coming against Ohio (24-23) in the 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, at No. 22 Wisconsin (16-14) and at BYU (6-3) this season.

Utah State (4-2) at San Jose State (4-1)

Game Notes

Date: Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012
Kickoff: 2:07 p.m. (MT)
Location: San Jose, Calif.
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (30,456)
Series: Utah State trails, 13-20-1
TV: ESPN Regional (Altitude)
	Trey Bender (Play-by-Play)
	Jay Taylor (Analyst)
Radio: Utah State Sports Network
	Al Lewis (Play-by-Play)
	Craig Hislop (Analyst)
Live Stats: UtahStateAggies.com
Twitter Updates: /USUFootball
YouTube: /USUAthletics
Facebook: /USUFootball
Tickets: 1-877-SJSU-TIX

• Utah State's 9-3 record in its last 12 games under head coach Gary Andersen is its best stretch since going 10-2 during the 1972-73 seasons as the 1972 team won its final five games and the 1973 squad started the year with a 5-2 record.

• Utah State has won four of its last six road games dating back to 2011, including a 1-2 record this year as it lost at No. 22 Wisconsin (16-14), won at Colorado State (31-19), and lost at BYU (6-3). USU ended the 2011 season with road wins at Hawai`i (35-31), Idaho (49-42 2OT), and New Mexico State (24-21). Overall, USU is 6-16 (.273) in road games under Andersen.

• Utah State has won five-straight Western Athletic Conference games, which is its longest league winning streak since the 1999 and 2000 seasons when those two teams combined to win six-straight Big West Conference games. All-time, USU is 18-37 (.327) in WAC play.

• Utah State will begin WAC play on the road for the fourth time in this its eighth and final year in the league and is 0-3 in road WAC openers. In fact, USU is just 1-6 in WAC openers as its only league-opening win was a 42-17 victory at home against Idaho in 2008. Overall, USU is 27-25-3 (.518) all-time in conference openers including a 10-13-3 (.442) road record.

• Under Andersen, Utah State is 11-10 (.524) following a loss as it posted a 4-4 record in 2009, a 3-4 record in 2010, a 3-2 record a year ago, and a 1-0 record thus far this year. Overall, USU has lost back-to-back games just twice in its last 19 contests.

• Utah State has 55 players in its program from the state of Utah, while San Jose State has 89 players on its roster from the state of California.

• Utah State has out-scored its opponents 54-0 in the first quarter this year and 88-22 in the first-half. Overall, USU had led at the half in each of its first five games this season before trailing 6-3 at the half at BYU.

• During the last two years, 10 of Utah State's last 13 games have been decided by one score, while seven of its last 11 games had the winning points scored in the final minute of regulation or in overtime. Overall, USU has won six of its last nine games decided by one score dating back to the 2011 season.

UTAH STATE BEGINS WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE PLAY AT SAN JOSE STATE
Utah State (4-2, 0-0 WAC) continues its 2012 season with its fourth road game in the last five weeks as it begins Western Athletic Conference play at San Jose State (4-1, 0-0) on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 2:07 p.m. (MT). The game will be televised regionally by ESPN and broadcast on Altitude Sports (Comcast Ch. 61, DirecTV Ch. 681, DISH Network Ch. 410) with Trey Bender (play-by-play) and Jay Taylor (analyst) on the call. Live audio and streaming of the game is also available at www.UtahStateAggies.com. Live stats will be available through GameTracker, while Twitter updates - @USUFootball - will also be a part of Utah State's gameday coverage.

UTAH STATE-SAN JOSE STATE SERIES TIED FOR EIGHTH-LONGEST IN SCHOOL HISTORY
Utah State and San Jose State will be meeting for the 35th time in series history this weekend tying Denver for the seventh-most played series in school history trailing Utah (110), BYU (82), Colorado State (69), Wyoming (63), Idaho (38) and New Mexico State (36). USU's 34 current meetings with SJSU is tied with Montana State for the eighth-most in school history.

UTAH STATE PLAYS FOURTH ROAD GAME IN FIVE WEEKS AT SAN JOSE STATE
Utah State will conclude a brutal five-week stretch this weekend at San Jose State, as the Aggies will have played four of its last five games on the road. That four-game road stretch in a five-week period is the longest for a USU team since the 2009 season, Gary Andersen's first year as Aggie head coach, as that team began the season by playing four of its first five games away from home.

UTAH STATE AND SAN JOSE STATE AS CONFERENCE FOES
Utah State and San Jose State will continue its history as conference foes as both schools will officially join the Mountain West Conference on July 1, 2013. The two schools began its conference affiliation as members of the Big West Conference from 1978-1995 and has been conference foes in the Western Athletic Conference since 2005. As members of the Big West, San Jose State held a 10-4-1 series advantage against Utah State, while the series record as WAC members is currently 4-3-0 in favor of the Aggies.

UTAH STATE TO PLAY FINAL SIX GAMES OF THE REGULAR SEASON ON ARTIFICIAL SURFACES
After playing its first and only game of the regular season on natural grass at BYU, Utah State will conclude the year by playing its final six regular season games on artificial surfaces.

UTAH STATE VERSUS THE GOLDEN STATE
Utah State is 53-66-2 (.446) all-time against teams from the state of California, including a 19-43-2 (.313) road record. Overall, USU is 21-7 versus Pacific, 13-20-1 against San Jose State, 10-16-1 versus Fresno State, 8-6 against Cal State Fullerton, 1-10 versus San Diego State, 1-0 against Cal State Northridge, 0-4 versus USC, and 0-1 against Stanford, St. Vincent's and UCLA. In fact, the last time USU won a road game in the Golden State was on Nov. 13, 2010 at San Jose State, 38-34.

EIGHTH AND FINAL YEAR IN THE WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Utah State is entering its eighth and final year as a member of the Western Athletic Conference as it will officially join the Mountain West Conference on July 1, 2013. In its first seven years in the WAC, USU has posted an 18-37 (.327) mark. Prior to joining the WAC, Utah State was a member of the Sun Belt Conference from 2003-04 and spent two years as a independent (2001-02). USU was also a member of the PCAA/Big West Conference (1978-2000), the Mountain States Conference/Skyline (1938-61), and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (1916-37).

AGGIES IN THE CLASSROOM
Utah State has had 66 players earn academic all-WAC honors and 84 players have graduated from Utah State University in Gary Andersen's first three years as head coach. In 2011, USU had a WAC-leading 18 academic all-conference honorees.

DID YOU KNOW?
Utah State has eight players on its team who are married (McKade Brady, Clayton Christensen, Nate Needham, Joe Summers, Brad Theurer, Josh Thompson, Kevin Whimpey, Kyle Whimpey), while 16 Aggies have served a two-year LDS Church Mission (Eric Bernston, Clayton Christensen, Jefferson Court, Derek Keller, B.J. Larsen, Jason Luke, Logan Malohifo'ou, Jeff Manning, Alex Marsaw, Nate Needham, Travis Parrish, Eric Schultz, Brad Theurer, Cameron Webb, Kevin Whimpey and Kyle Whimpey).

A LOOK AT UTAH STATE
Utah State is 4-2 on the year after losing at BYU, 6-3, in its last outing. USU began the year by posting a 34-3 home win against Southern Utah, followed by a 27-20 overtime win at home against Utah, a 16-14 loss at No. 22 Wisconsin, a 31-19 win at Colorado State, and a 35-13 home win against UNLV. Offensively, USU is led by sophomore quarterback Chuckie Keeton who is 128-of-193 passing for 1,485 yards (247.5 ypg) with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. Senior running back Kerwynn Williams leads the team in rushing with 537 yards on 103 carries (89.5 ypg) with three touchdowns, and senior wide receiver Matt Austin leads the team with 22 catches for 310 yards (51.7 ypg) and three touchdowns. Defensively, senior safety McKade Brady leads the team with 53 tackles (21-solo, 32-assist), including 1.0 tackle for loss. Sophomore linebacker Zach Vigil has 49 tackles (19-solo, 30-assist) with 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, one blocked kick and one fumble recovery. And sophomore safety Brian Suite has 42 tackles (17-solo, 25-assist). As a team, USU is averaging 24.0 points and 419.0 yards of total offense per game (251.2-passing, 167.8-rushing) and allowing just 12.8 points and 297.3 yards of total offense (184.5-passing, 112.8-rushing).

UTAH STATE OFFENSE HAS SEASON-LOWS AT BYU
Utah State's offense had season-lows in total yards (243) and rushing yards (41) at BYU in its last game, not to mention a season-low three points. Those 243 total yards are the fewest for USU since it had 242 yards against Idaho at home during the 2010 season, and the 41 rushing yards for USU were its fewest since rushing for just 27 yards at home against Utah in 2008. Furthermore, USU's three points were its fewest scored in a game since losing at No. 19 Boise State, 52-0, on Nov. 10, 2007, a span of 52 games. And finally, the last time USU did not score a touchdown in a game was on Nov. 20, 2010 when it lost to Idaho at home, 28-6.

UTAH STATE DEFENSE PERFORMS WELL IN LOSS AT BYU
Utah State's defense had another outstanding performance in its last game at BYU as it allowed just six points, which are its fewest on the road since winning at UNLV, 42-0, on Nov. 11, 1995, a span of 193 games. Overall, it was USU's lowest scoring game since winning at Ohio, 5-0, on Sept. 17, 1994.

AGGIES AND COUGARS HAVE ONE OF THE LOWEST SCORING GAMES IN SERIES HISTORY
Utah State's 6-3 loss at BYU in its last game was one of the lowest scoring games in series history and the fewest combined points since a 0-0 tie in 1946. In fact, it was the sixth lowest scoring game in 82 meetings between the two teams.

UTAH STATE DEFENSE HOLDS ANOTHER OPPONENT UNDER 20 POINTS
For the fourth-straight game and fifth time this season, Utah State held an opponent under 20 points as it lost at BYU, 6-3. The last time USU held four-straight opponents to less than 20 points was during the 1991 season, and the last time USU began a season by allowing less than 21 points in each of its first six games was 1962 when that team held its first six opponents to 20 or fewer points.

UTAH STATE PRODUCES ANOTHER LENGTHY SCORING DRIVE AT BYU
Utah State's 13-play, 49-yard scoring drive that culminated with a 26-yard field goal by junior placekicker Josh Thompson against BYU in its last game was its second-longest scoring drive in terms of plays this year, behind its 19-play scoring drive at Colorado State. In all, USU has had four scoring drives on the season that have been at least 10 plays. In 2011, Utah State had 19 scoring drives of at least 10 plays. In 2010, USU had 15 scoring drives of at least 10 plays. And in 2009, USU had nine scoring drives of at least 10 plays for a total of 47 scoring drives of at least 10 plays in Andersen's four years.

UTAH STATE BLOCKS THIRD KICK OF THE YEAR AT BYU
Utah State blocked its third kick of the season in its last game at BYU as junior defensive lineman Paul Piukala blocked a 34-yard field goal attempt. USU's first blocked kick of the season was by sophomore linebacker Zach Vigil who blocked a Utah punt that was recovered in the end zone by junior safety Clayton Christensen. The Aggies' second blocked kick of the year was by redshirt freshman defensive lineman Jordan Nielsen who blocked an extra point in the Wisconsin game.

UTAH STATE HAS BEEN TIED OR HELD THE LEAD FOR MOST OF THE SEASON
Through six games and 360 minutes of play this season, Utah State has led or been tied for all but 51:30 (85.7 %). USU began the season by never trailing against Southern Utah in a 34-3 win, and never trailed in its 27-20 overtime win against Utah. Against Wisconsin, USU led for the first 41:54 of that game before the Badgers took the lead late in the third quarter and neither team scored in the fourth quarter. USU then led for the entire game against Colorado State and trailed for just 3:21 during the second quarter against UNLV. In its last game against BYU, USU led for the first 29:57 of the game before BYU scored a touchdown with three seconds remaining in the half. USU then trailed the entire second half against the Cougars.

DID YOU KNOW?
Utah State was 10-2 under Gary Andersen when allowing less than 20 points and 2-0 when allowing less than 10 points before losing at BYU, 6-3, in its last game. USU had also won each of its last three games when trailing at the half before losing to the Cougars.

FACKRELL NAMED WAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Redshirt freshman linebacker Kyler Fackrell was named the WAC's Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against BYU as recorded 10 tackles to go along with his first career interception, which he returned eight yards. For Fackrell, it is the second time this year he has posted double-digit tackles along with his career-high 11 stops against Utah. Fackrell's WAC Defensive Player of the Week honor is USU's first this year, and fifth overall as sophomore quarterback Chuckie Keeton has been named the WAC's Offensive Player of the Week twice, while senior running back Kerwynn Williams has been named the WAC's Offensive Player of the Week once. Senior punter Tyler Bennett has also been honored as he was named the league's Special Teams Player of the Week once.

UTAH STATE HAS SEASON-LOW 24 RUSHING ATTEMPTS AT BYU
Utah State carried the ball 24 times for 41 yards in its last game against BYU as both categories are season-lows. In fact, USU's 24 rushing attempts against BYU were its fewest in the Andersen era and the fewest since rushing just 21 times at Boise State in 2008. In fact, of the 43 games Utah State has played under Andersen it had never ran the ball less than 30 times in a game prior to the BYU contest and it had only the ran the ball less than 40 times a total of 15 times (1-2012, 2-2011, 5-2010, 7-2009).

UTAH STATE HAD SEASON-HIGH 39 PASS ATTEMPTS AGAINST BYU
Utah State attempted a season-high 39 passes in its last game against BYU, which are the most for an Aggie team since passing 39 times at Nevada in 2010. Overall, those 39 pass attempts are tied for the third-most in a single game in the Andersen era.

AUSTIN RECORDS CAREER-HIGH SEVEN CATCHES AT BYU
Senior wide receiver Matt Austin had a career-high seven catches for 72 yards in his last game at BYU. Those seven receptions are tied with senior running back Kerwynn Williams for the second-most by an Aggie player this year trailing the career-high eight receptions by senior tight end Kellen Bartlett against Utah.

KEETON HAS ANOTHER 200 YARD PASSING GAME
Sophomore quarterback Chuckie Keeton completed 22-of-38 passes for 202 yards in his last game against BYU, marking the fourth time this year and seventh time in his career that he has thrown for at least 200 yards. Furthermore, those 38 passing attempts against BYU are a career-high for Keeton.

BRADY RECORDS SIXTH CAREER DOUBLE-FIGURE TACKLE GAME AT BYU
Senior safety McKade Brady recorded a season-high 14 tackles against BYU, marking the third time this year and sixth time in his career he has recorded double-digit tackles.

Zach Vigil TIES CAREER-HIGH WITH 10 TACKLES AT BYU
Sophomore linebacker Zach Vigil tied his career-high with 10 tackles in his last game against BYU. Overall, it is the third time this year that Vigil has recorded double-digit tackles including his second time in as many games.

PLAYER NOTABLES AGAINST BYU
Sophomore quarterback Chuckie Keeton attempted a career-high 38 passes. Senior wide receiver Matt Austin caught a career-high seven passes. Redshirt freshman linebacker Kyler Fackrell recorded his first career interception. Fackrell also had 10 tackles for his second-career double-digit tackle outing. Senior free safety McKade Brady had a season-high 14 tackles, marking the third time this year and sixth time in his career he has recorded double-digit tackles. Sophomore linebacker Zach Vigil tied his career-high for the third time this season with 10 tackles. Junior defensive lineman Connor Williams tied his career-high with five tackles. Junior defensive lineman Paul Piukala blocked his first career kick on a 34-yard field goal attempt.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH UTAH STATE'S DEFENSE
Utah State's defense has not allowed a single team this year to run from more than 160 yards and pass for more than 250 yards, and has not allowed more than 400 yards of total offense in a single game this year. In fact, USU has held 15 straight opponents to less than 200 yards rushing, eighth straight opponents to less than 300 yards passing and eighth straight opponents to less than 400 yards of total offense. The last team to rush for 200 yards against Utah State was BYU (208) in 2011, while the last team to pass for 300 yards and have 400 yards of total offense against USU was Nevada in 2011 as the Wolf Pack passed for 315 yards and had 500 yards of total offense.

FORMER WALK-ONS PAYING DIVIDENDS AT UTAH STATE
Utah State has had great success with its walk-on program under current head coach Gary Andersen including a pair of middle linebackers who are now starting in junior Jake Doughty and sophomore Zach Vigil. Other former walk-ons who have started this season include senior safety McKade Brady, senior wide receiver Cameron Webb and sophomore safety Frankie Sutera. Other former walk-ons who have made contributions this year include junior defensive lineman B.J. Larsen and redshirt freshman defensive lineman Jordan Nielsen, along with junior placekicker Josh Thompson.

DID YOU KNOW?
Utah State is allowing just 12.8 points per game which is the fewest by an Aggie defense since the 1963 team allowed 9.9 points per game. In fact, the last Aggie defense to allow fewer than 20 points a game was in 1983 (19.5).

UTAH STATE RANKS EIGHTH IN THE NATION IN SCORING DEFENSE
As of Oct. 7, Utah State's defense ranks first in the WAC and eighth in the nation allowing just 12.8 points per game. USU also ranks first in the WAC and 16th in the nation in pass efficiency defense (103.9), second in the WAC and 16th in the nation in total defense (297.3 ypg), second in the WAC and 23rd in the nation in passing defense (184.5 ypg), second in the WAC and 23rd in the nation in rushing defense (112.8 ypg), and second in the WAC and 43rd in the nation in sacks per game (2.33).

UTAH STATE'S DEFENSE RANKS EIGHTH IN THE NATION IN REDZONE EFFICIENCY
Utah State's defense has done a great job of not allowing teams to score once it enters the redzone as USU's opponents are 10-of-16 (.625) inside the 20 this season to rank eighth in the nation. Of those 16 trips USU's opponents have made to the redzone, they have come away with just four touchdowns and six field goals, to go along with two missed field goals, one faked field goal attempt, one fumble, one interception and a loss on downs.

UTAH STATE'S DEFENSE RANKS 15TH IN THE NATION IN THIRD DOWN EFFICIENCY
Utah State's defense is allowing its opponents to convert just 30.5 percent of its third downs (32-105) which leads the WAC and ranks 15th in the nation. USU's defense is also allowing just 16.67 first downs per game to rank third in the WAC and tied for 17th in the nation.

UTAH STATE RANKS THIRD IN THE WAC IN TOTAL OFFENSE
As of Oct. 7, Utah State ranks third in the WAC and 51st in the nation in total offense (419.0) and third in the WAC and 63rd in the nation in rushing offense (167.8). USU also ranks fourth in the WAC and 38th in the nation in passing efficiency (143.6), fourth in the WAC and 49th in the nation in passing offense (251.2 ypg), and fifth in the WAC and 88th in the nation in scoring offense (24.0 ppg). USU also ranks fifth in the WAC and 65th in the nation in sacks allowed per game (1.83).

UTAH STATE RANKS 41ST IN THE NATION IN PUNTING
As of Oct. 7, Utah State ranks third in the WAC and 41st in the nation in net punting (38.6 ypk), third in the WAC and 41st in the nation in punt returns (10.6 ypr), and fourth in the WAC and 52nd in the nation in kickoff returns (22.2 ypr).

UTAH STATE PLAYERS IN THE WAC AND NATIONAL RANKINGS
As of Oct. 7, senior running back Kerwynn Williams ranks first in the WAC and tied for 26th in the nation in all-purpose yards (139.7 ypg), first in the WAC and 40th in the nation in rushing (89.5 ypg), and eighth in the WAC in total offense (89.5 ypg). Sophomore quarterback Chuckie Keeton ranks second in the WAC and 29th in the nation in total offense (285.7 ypg), fifth in the WAC and 37th in the nation in passing efficiency (145.6), fifth in the WAC and 42nd in the nation in passing (247.5 ypg), and 10th in the WAC in rushing (38.2 ypg). Sophomore running back Joe Hill ranks 10th in the WAC in scoring (6.0 ppg). Senior wide receiver Matt Austin ranks 10th in the WAC in receiving (51.7 ypg). Senior wide receiver Cameron Webb ranks third in the WAC and 53rd in the nation in punt returns (7.2 ypr). Senior punter Tyler Bennett ranks third in the WAC and tied for 25th in the nation in punting (43.2 ypk). Junior placekicker Josh Thompson ranks sixth in the WAC and tied for 77th in the nation in field goals (0.80 pg). Senior safety McKade Brady ranks second in the WAC and tied for 49th in the nation in tackles (8.8 pg). Sophomore linebacker Zach Vigil ranks fifth in the WAC and tied for 88th in the nation in tackles for loss (1.08 pg), sixth in the WAC and tied for 90th in the nation in tackles (8.2 pg), and tied for ninth in the WAC and tied for 88th in the nation in sacks (0.5 pg). Sophomore safety Brian Suite ranks 12th in the WAC in tackles (7.0 pg). Junior linebacker Jake Doughty ranks tied for 17th in the WAC in tackles (6.5 pg). Redshirt freshman linebacker Kyler Fackrell ranks tied for 23rd in the WAC in tackles (6.0 pg). Senior linebacker Bojay Filimoeatu ranks tied for 27th in the WAC in tackles (5.7 pg). Junior cornerback Nevin Lawson ranks 37th in the WAC in tackles (5.2 pg). Senior cornerback Will Davis ranks first in the WAC in passes defended (1.8 pg) and tied for 45th in tackles (4.0), and fellow senior cornerback Terrence Alston ranks tied for fifth in the WAC in passes defended (1.0 pg).

FIRST TIME STARTERS IN 2012
Six games into the 2012 season, Utah State has had 11 players make their first career starts at the Division I level. Against Southern Utah, freshman placekicker Brock Warren; senior defensive lineman Havea Lasike; junior offensive guard Kyle Whimpey; junior linebacker Zach Vigil; sophomore safety Frankie Sutera; and redshirt freshman linebacker Kyler Fackrell all started for the first time. Against Utah, sophomore offensive tackle Kevin Whimpey, sophomore running back Joe Hill and sophomore safety Brian Suite all made their first career starts. At Wisconsin, sophomore defensive lineman Elvis Kamana-Matagi made his first career start. And at Colorado State, senior wide receiver Cameron Webb made his first career start.

YOUNG AGGIES GAINING EXPERIENCE
Of the 66 players that saw action for Utah State in its season opener against Southern Utah, 26 were underclassmen including four true freshmen (K. Lee, L. Malohifo'ou, B. Natson, B. Warren), seven redshirt freshmen (K. Fackrell, T. Fisilau, L. Harold, D. Keller, J. Nielsen, T. Seefeldt, B. Swindall), and 15 sophomores (K. Andersen, J. Bentrude, C. Harrison, J. Haueter, J. Hill, J. Jenkins, E. Kamana-Matagi, C. Keeton, T. McMillian, N. Needham, R. Stewart, B. Suite, F. Sutera, A. Wheat, Jr., Kevin Whimpey). Furthermore, of the 66 players that Utah State played in its season opener against Southern Utah, 22 were playing in their first-ever Division I game, while 11 were playing in their first-ever collegiate game.

KEETON RANKS FIRST ALL-TIME AT UTAH STATE IN COMPLETION PERCENTAGE
Sophomore quarterback Chuckie Keeton is 234-of-367 passing during his brief Utah State career with a completion percentage of 63.8 percent, which ranks first all-time in school history. Keith Myers (1976-77) entered the 2011 season as the school record holder at 60.7 percent. Thus far in 2012, Keeton is completing 66.3 percent of his passes (128-193), which would rank second all-time at USU for a single-season Adam Kennedy's mark last year (.691).

BENNETT RANKS FIRST ALL-TIME AT UTAH STATE IN PUNTING
Senior Tyler Bennett has a career punt average of 43.6 yards on 94 punts (4,099), which ranks first all-time in school history. In 2012, Bennett has punted 36 times for an average of 43.2 yards. He has also had seven punts of 50-plus yards, while 19 have been downed inside the 20-yardline.

Kerwynn Williams RANKS FIFTH ALL-TIME AT UTAH STATE IN ALL-PURPOSE YARDAGE
Senior running back Kerwynn Williams had 57 all-purpose yards in his last game at BYU and now has 4,230 all-purpose yards in his career to rank fifth in school history. Williams is now 973 yards shy of tying Louie Giammona (1973-75) for fourth-place with 5,203 all-purpose yards.

THOMPSON SETS SCHOOL RECORDS IN KICKING IN 2011
Junior placekicker Josh Thompson set new Utah State single-season extra point records in 2011 with 57 makes in 58 attempts. Thompson also ranked fifth in school history in extra point percentage (.983). All-time, Thompson ranks fourth at USU in extra point percentage (.971), tied for fifth in extra points made (68) and sixth in extra points attempted (70).

UTAH STATE WINS FIRST NON-CONFERENCE ROAD GAME SINCE 2004
Utah State's 31-19 road win at Colorado State was its fourth road win in its last five outings dating back to 2011, but it was the Aggies first non-conference road win dating back to Sept. 25, 2004 when it won at UNLV, 31-21. Since that win in Las Vegas, USU had lost 19 straight non-conference road games. Furthermore, USU's 12-point road win was its largest since it won at New Mexico State by 18 points (35-17) on Nov. 17, 2007.

AGGIES IN OVERTIME
With its 27-20 overtime win against Utah on Sept. 7, Utah State improved to 5-4 all-time in overtime, including winning each of its last two as it won a double-overtime game at Idaho (49-42) in 2011. Under Andersen, USU is 2-1 in overtime games with wins against Utah (27-20 OT) and at Idaho (49-42 2OT), and a loss to Colorado State (35-34 2OT). All-time, USU is 3-2 in single-overtime games, 2-1 in double-overtime games, and 0-1 in triple overtime games.

UTAH STATE RETURNS EXPERIENCED OFFENSIVE LINE
Utah State returns a great deal of starting experience on the offensive line highlighted by first-team all-WAC junior center Tyler Larsen (6-4, 312), and senior offensive tackles Eric Schultz (6-4, 303) and Oscar Molina-Sanchez (6-5, 299) who have 77 combined starts between the three of them, including a combined 70 consecutive starts, as Larsen has made all of his 31 starts in a row, while Schultz has 25 straight starts and Molina-Sanchez had 14 consecutive starts in a row before missing the last three games. Overall, Molina-Sanchez has 21 total starts.

FIRST TIME STARTERS IN 2012
Three games into the 2012 season, Utah State has had 10 players make their first career starts at the Division I level. Against Southern Utah, freshman placekicker Brock Warren; senior defensive lineman Havea Lasike; junior offensive guard Kyle Whimpey; junior linebacker Zach Vigil; sophomore safety Frankie Sutera; and redshirt freshman linebacker Kyler Fackrell all started for the first time. Against Utah, sophomore offensive tackle Kevin Whimpey, sophomore running back Joe Hill and sophomore safety Brian Suite all made their first career starts. And at Wisconsin, sophomore defensive lineman Elvis Kamana-Matagi made his first career start.

AGGIES IN THE NFL
Utah State has eight former football players who are on NFL rosters for the 2012 season including Diondre Borel (Green Bay), Jarrett Bush (Green Bay), John Chick (Jacksonville), Curtis Marsh (Philadelphia), Donald Penn (Tampa Bay), Michael Smith (Tampa Bay), Robert Turbin (Seattle) and Bobby Wagner (Seattle).

THREE AGGIES SELECTED IN 2012 NFL DRAFT
Utah State had three players selected in the 2012 NFL Draft as linebacker Bobby Wagner was chosen in the second round (47) by the Seattle Seahawks, while running back Robert Turbin was chosen in the fourth round (106) by the Seattle Seahawks and fellow running back Michael Smith was picked in the seventh round (212) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

AGGIE FROM CANADA
Junior defensive lineman Connor Williams (Kanata, Ontario) is one of 46 Canadians currently on Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) rosters.

DID YOU KNOW?
Utah State has had a player rush for at least 100 yards 24 times in the last three-plus years under current head coach Gary Andersen. Prior to that, USU produced a 100-yard rusher 23 times in the previous eight seasons combined. Furthermore, USU has had a player rush for 200 or more yards twice in the past two seasons, but just once in the previous 10 seasons combined.

Related topics