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LOGAN — Nick Vigil was working through the summer with a few plays to join Utah State’s offense as a running back, but injuries curtailed that decision and he focused on his role in the Aggie defense through the first month of the season.
With a stagnant rushing offense, head coach Matt Wells turned to Vigil during the bye week and put in some work in preparation for BYU.
He then put in his own work last Friday night in Provo. The youngest of two Vigil brothers on the team ran for 59 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries and added nine tackles for Utah State’s first win in Provo since 1978.
“I definitely didn’t expect to get that many carries,” said Vigil, who led the Aggies in rushes and tackles in the 35-20 win. “But I thought we played well as a team, rallied around each other and ran the ball well.”
Vigil averaged 3.6 yards per carry in the first outing on offense of his Utah State career. He barely came off the field all four quarters, cramping and dehydrating as he waited for his next move throughout the game.
“Nick played really well, on both sides of the ball,” quarterback Darell Garretson said. “He had a really good game, and when we needed those hard yards, he got those for us. He got those first downs; I think that’s a testament to our offensive line, too, getting off the ball and having a good push up front.”
Vigil’s effort wasn’t the only one that impressed, either. Several Aggies had career games in Provo. Garretson threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns on 19-of-25 passing, and Hunter Sharp had his third-straight 100-yard receiving game with 173 yards and a score on five catches.
Devonte Robinson added to it with 98 yards and the first two touchdowns of his Aggie career on six receptions.
But Vigil’s two-way performance stood out.
“It came at a good time; we needed it,” said head coach Matt Wells, who noted Vigil was throwing up on the sideline from so much effort. “What an athlete. What a player. He’s a natural. Phenomenal performance tonight on both sides of the ball."
There was one problem Wells found with Vigil’s offensive explosion: his older brother, senior linebacker Zach Vigil, wants to see a few snaps at fullback and block for his sibling before the season is over.
Wells said he shouldn’t hold his breath, though.
“He’s going to stay at middle linebacker,” the head coach said with a grin, shutting down those rumors. “We can’t afford to lose him.”
