Fans enjoy Aggies' start, frustrated with collapse


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LOGAN — Utah State came out firing on all cylinders against BYU Saturday afternoon, but couldn't maintain the offensive dominance and ultimately fell on Senior Day, 51-28.

And social media users cheering on the Aggies went from ecstatic to downtrodden over the course of the game.

Things couldn't have started better for the hosts when Chuckie Keeton, starting for an injured Kent Myers, ran an option right to perfection.

The fifth-year senior faked a Cougar defender out of his shoes and took it to the house on his own.

Chuckie Keeton with phenomenal "ball fake" on option, runs 52 yards for TD on USU's first possession. — Kurt Kragthorpe (@tribkurt) November 28, 2015

BYU answered back with a scoring drive of its own, and on Utah State's next possession what would be a long, difficult night began for its kicking game.

49 yard field goal attempt by Thompson is blocked by BYU. That was a wacky possession from beginning to end. — Tommy (@tomcat340) November 28, 2015

The visitors from Provo caught a few breaks on their next drive, when what looked like a potential interception for the Aggies ended up being a first down.

USU football: No idea how BYU caught that in double coverage. Nice play. — Jason Turner (@hjtrebek) November 28, 2015

Cougars quarterback Tanner Mangum then lobbed a pass up for grabs and was somewhat lucky when the officials signaled pass interference.

Anyone care to explain to me how that ball was catchable? — The Bangarang (@USUBangarang) November 28, 2015

> Doesn't the ball have to be catchable for PI? > > — Ryan (@TrueAggieFan) [November 28, 2015](https://twitter.com/TrueAggieFan/status/670713301265846272)

Eventually it would only result in three points against the Aggies, but their kicking game failed to convert the subsequent possession into points.

Jake Thompson's attempt banked off the uprights from 32 yards out

#BanAggieKickers — Brian Floyd (@bfloydz) November 28, 2015

> PLEASE UTAH STATE GO GET A KICKER IN THE OFFSEASON > > — John Newbold (@Hurricane\_John) [November 28, 2015](https://twitter.com/Hurricane_John/status/670717999389675520)

Utah State's defense came up big, forcing a three-out, however, and soon after the home team began to control the contest.

Great stop by USU defense. Offense needs to continue to move the ball but actually convert — Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) November 28, 2015

Aggies coach Matt Wells got inventive on a fourth down and DJ Nelson ran a fake field goal for 12 yards to move the chains.

Perfect call on the fake! #GoAggies — Ryan (@TrueAggieFan) November 28, 2015

Utah State then capped an eight-play, 59-yard touchdown drive with a tough 6-yard LaJuan Hunt scoring run.

Sharp and Hunt playing like those extra yards will shut off the bomb strapped to their girlfriend's chest. Great drive. #USUvsBYU — The Bangarang (@USUBangarang) November 28, 2015

Another three-and-out from a seemingly inspired Aggies' defense then led to a chance for Keeton to enter the Logan school's record books.

Here to see USU football history. Chuckie Keeton goes to all time TD thrown as Aggie QB. Let's get this win! pic.twitter.com/Off30ADYcj — Emmett White (@EmmettWhite_32) November 28, 2015

> 🐐 [@ustate16](https://twitter.com/ustate16) > > — Charley Riddle (@charleyriddle) [November 28, 2015](https://twitter.com/charleyriddle/status/670725846349418496)

The two-score lead wouldn't hold up, though, and what appeared to be the beginning of the perfect send-off for the Aggies' seniors quickly went south.

A 72-yard BYU touchdown was followed up with Keeton's worst mistake of the first half.

Keeton fumbles on the last play and BYU's Tomasi Laulile returns it for a touchdown. BYU leads 24-21 at the half. — Utah State Football (@USUFootball) November 28, 2015

> Until Matt Wells gets rid of his unqualified brother as co-offensive coordinator, USU offensive playcalling will make no sense. > > — true american guy (@TySpace) [November 28, 2015](https://twitter.com/TySpace/status/670730203102969856)

BYU scored to extend its lead to 10, and Thompson's third field-goal attempt was again blocked. To make matters worse, the Cougars returned the ball to the Aggies' 10-yard line for what would lead to another score and a 38-21 deficit.

BYU MVP: Utah State's kicker. — Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) November 28, 2015

Utah State would get back within 10 when linebacker/running back Nick Vigil finished an eight-play, 86-yard move from 2 yards out.

Mr. Vigil can't help but score on BYU #beatBYU — Curtis Ripplinger (@CurtisRipp) November 28, 2015

The final Aggie touchdown was one of the only highlights in a second half that saw the game get away from Utah State and end poorly.

Looking for any reason not to switch to re-runs of "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" right now. — The Bangarang (@USUBangarang) November 28, 2015

Fans were left with a bitter taste in their mouths due to the lopsided loss to an in-state rival, but some of them preferred to focus on the season's positives.

Was it a disappointing season? Sure. But I refuse to label it "lost" because we still destroyed Boise state, and that deserves notice. — Logan Jones (@Logantj) November 29, 2015

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Kyle Spencer is a freelance journalist residing in Orem. You can find him on Twitter @kyledspencer or reach him by email at kspence04@gmail.com.

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