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LOGAN — The old sports cliche goes that defense wins championships, and Utah State will have to rely on the defense and special teams to make it back to the Mountain West championship game, if Saturday night’s 40-20 win over Idaho State is an indicator.
The Aggies (1-1) struggled on offense but turned four turnovers and a pair of touchdowns on an interception return and a punt return to spark the win. JoJo Natson ran back a punt 52 yards for a score, and freshman cornerback Jalen Davis was a difference maker against the Bengals (0-2) with two picks, including a 44-yard TD in the third quarter.
The offense passed the test Saturday night — barely. But the defense and special teams could elevate this team to a good season.
Rashad Hall and Joe Hill each rushed for around 70 yards and a touchdown as the ground game began rolling late. But Utah State’s offense was far from impressive, relying on a punt return and interception return for a touchdown to take control but only converting on four of 14 third downs.
Senior quarterback Chuckie Keeton completed only 13 of 30 passes for 116 yards and an interception through the air, though he did post a team-high 79 rushing yards and a score on eight carries.
JoJo Natson was the top receiver, grabbing six balls for 59 yards — the only receiver to total more than 19 yards through the air.
With the Aggie offense struggling, the Aggie defense took it upon itself not only to lock down the Bengals but also put a few points on the board. Jalen Davis had two interceptions on the night, the most for a Utah State freshman since 2003. He returned one pick 44 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter, a moment that helped turn the momentum in the Aggies’ favor after a tight first half. The defense also forced four turnovers to keep Idaho State out of the end zone. Devin Centers and LT Filiaga led the way with 10 tackles apiece, and Centers added a sack, a tackle-for-loss and a pass breakup for the Aggies.
The Aggies missed the opening field-goal attempt but got it back by blocking an Idaho State field goal attempt. Kennedy Williams was solid with the ball, and punter Jaron Bentrude had a standout game with 40.6 yards per punt on seven boots.
JoJo Natson scored on a 52-yard punt return after the Aggies forced a pooch kick from Idaho State’s end zone. Natson scooped up the ball on the west side, then cut across the field and rushed into the east corner of the end zone to go up 20-6 with 1:24 left in the first half.
Nick Diaz converted both of his attempted field goals, from 31 and 24 yards, in the first quarter.
It wasn’t always pretty for the Aggies, especially through the first half. But Utah State needed to get its first win of the year, and the team accomplished just that, albeit without many style points. The identity of this team appears to be on defense and special teams, a facet that most of the players relish.
Head coach Matt Wells pointed out that there were too many penalties (14 for 160 yards), and vowed to get them cleaned up as the offense goes to work in advance of a home game against Wake Forest.
