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HONOLULU — Utah State became the first team in the NCAA to win a game with four different starting quarterbacks when true freshman Kent Myers led the Aggies (6-3, 3-1 MWC) to a 35-14 win at Hawaii (2-7, 1-3).
The teenager from Rowlett, Texas, stepped into the starter’s role after senior Craig Harrison went down with a knee injury in last week’s home win over UNLV. After taking no snaps during the 2014 training camp — and expecting to redshirt his first season — Myers filled in nicely at quarterback against a depleted Warriors squad.
There was a lot of good for the Aggies in the win, but one sore spot also stands out.
Kent Myers
The true freshman quarterback couldn’t have begun the first start of his college career any better, completing his first 11 passes for 147 yards and three touchdowns as the Aggies scored early and often. Hawaii’s pass defense is among the worst in the country — but for a freshman to finish with 186 yards on 14 of 15 passing after completing the equivalent of a cross-country flight is nothing short of impressive. Utah State has had quarterback issues this season, losing its first three starters to injuries, including two season-enders. But with Myers under center, the Aggies have shown they not only have a solid present — they have a bright future as well.
LaJuan Hunt
The freshman from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, had a career-high 150 yards on 33 carries against the Rainbow Warriors, pacing the Aggie offense to stay ahead of a second-half defensive shutout. Hunt also had 44 yards on two catches, including a 44-yard touchdown reception from wide receiver Ronald Butler on the only scoring play of the second half.
Ronald Butler
Not only did the veteran wideout throw his second touchdown pass of the year, he also led the team with 79 yards and a score on six receptions. With JoJo Natson suspended for the game, Butler and Hunter Sharp (three receptions, 77 yards, two touchdowns) stepped up and kept pace in Utah State’s receiver corps.
Zach Vigil
In a 14-14 gridlock early in the first quarter, the Utah State defense appeared to be jet-lagged after its transoceanic flight to Honolulu. But the elder Vigil brother turned it around on one play, exploding into the backfield to strip Hawaii quarterback Ikaika Woolsey, and Devin Centers ran in the fumble 10 yards for a touchdown to go up 21-14. The Aggies scored 21 straight points after that play, but the defense didn’t allow another scoring drive to take control of the atmosphere at Aloha Stadium. Vigil now ranks 10th all-time in school history with 328 career tackles.
Suspensions handed out
Utah State announced minutes before kickoff that wide receiver/punt returner JoJo Natson and cornerback Daniel Gray were suspended one game for a violation of team rules. Natson was an eight-game starter who ranked second on the team with 39 receptions and 397 receiving yards, as well as 168 rushing yards to go along with his prolific special teams talent. Gray was the team leader with five pass breakups and provided a solid presence in the secondary in his first year of eligibility after transferring from Tennessee. Each suspension lasted only one game, and both are expected to return in time for the Aggies’ clash with Wyoming on Friday at 6 p.m. The specific violation is unknown, but Aggie fans will hope it doesn’t affect the team going forward.
