Grading Utah State's 28-21 win over New Mexico


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LOGAN — Utah State earned its eighth win of the season with a 28-21 home win over New Mexico at 28-degree Romney Stadium, and there was a lot of heat on the offense to keep the team’s four-game winning streak moving.

Kent Myers earned the fourth win of his college career, and JoJo Natson found his way atop the rush offense again for the Aggies (8-3, 5-1 MWC) after spotlighting on special teams a week ago at Wyoming.

Here’s how the offense, defense and special teams fared against the Lobos (3-7, 1-5 MWC).

Offense: B+ -----------

After Myers threw an interception on his third pass attempt of the game, the freshman Texas native settled down and completed 13 of 21 passes for 150 yards and a 10-yard touchdown to tight end Wyatt Houston. On the ground, the Aggies outgained the Lobos 272-246, an impressive feat against the option team that ranked fourth in the NCAA in rush yards per game entering the contest. Devonte Robinson also found room to move, scoring on a 59-yard rush on the first run of his career, and the Aggies consistently made use of big plays all night.

Defense: A-

Utah State’s defenders were close to perfection, but Romell Jordan’s 72-yard touchdown run to cap a two-play drive in the second quarter was the longest rush allowed by the Aggie defense since 2007 at Oklahoma.

Still, the defense settled down, holding the Lobos out of the end zone in the second half until Tyler Duncan hauled in a 59-yard pass from Lamar Jordan with 4:17 remaining in the game to cut the lead to 28-21. Frankie Sutera had seven tackles and brought down his seventh interception of the year, the third most in the nation. Nick Vigil had 13 tackles and a tackle for loss, and more importantly made it through the game healthy and without any re-aggravation to his tender hamstring.

Special teams: A

JoJo Natson started to get his mojo back, returning the Lobos’ opening punt 25 yards. Natson would finish with 44 yards on four punt returns, and the Aggie punt coverage helped down four balls inside the 20 and two inside the 5-yard line.

Jaron Bentrude continued his standout senior season, averaging 44.4 yards on five punts, including a 50-yard boot and another that nipped the end zone for a touchback. Bentrude also showed flashes on kickoffs, letting a ball rip to the 4-yard line that New Mexico barely returned to the 20.

Team: A-

“We left a lot out there, but the main thing is that we got the W,” Myers said after the game. The Aggie offense continues to take shape under its fourth quarterback of 2014, and Utah State is still in contention for a Mountain West title in college football’s week 12.

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