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LOGAN — The Utah State Aggies picked up their first Mountain West Conference win of the season with a 38-20 decision over Fresno State Saturday night at Maverik Stadium.
It was one that saw the Aggies break a three-game losing streak. The Aggies finally broke through with a touchdown on their first drive of the second half, and that was something they didn't do in the previous two contests.
Here are some instant observations from Aggies win.
Kent Myers can play
The junior quarterback threw for 188 yards and three touchdowns and also added 66 yards on eight carries. He made plays with his legs and showed that he can throw the deep ball with some touch. This was especially true on his third touchdown pass that came in the fourth quarter to Ron’quavion Tarver. Myers put enough touch on the 25-yard pass to allow Tarver to stay inbounds and score. It is something he will have to do more of if the Aggies want to make their sixth straight bowl game.
Touchdown on second half opening drive was huge
Two weeks ago at Colorado State, the Aggies held a 24-10 lead going into the half. USU stalled on its opening drive of the second half and Colorado State went on to score 21 unanswered points to win 31-24. A week before that, the Aggies came out of halftime trailing 7-3 against Boise State. Myers started the half off with a 45-yard run to get into Bronco territory, but the drive stalled and USU never recovered.
On Saturday night, leading 17-14 at the half, the Aggies put together an impressive eight-play, 75-yard drive culminating in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Myers to tight end Wyatt Houston to make it 24-14. It was a statement drive and coming off a bye week it was important for USU to finish drives.
Balance is the key
The Aggies had 204 rushing yards and 188 passing yards. Three Aggies had three or more receptions, and Myers threw touchdown passes to three different receivers as well. Running back Tonny Lindsey Jr. showed he has the ability to close out games as he finished with 95 yards on 23 carries. Most of those yards came late in the fourth quarter and helped the Aggies finish off another 75-yard drive on a short touchdown run by backup quarterback Damion Hobbs. It was a solid night on both sides of the ball. USU needed a game like this heading into a showdown with preseason Mountain West Conference favorite San Diego State at Maverik Stadium Friday night.
Kyle McDonald is sports fan who loves the Chicago Cubs and the Utah Valley University Wolverines. He is a communication major at UVU and will graduate in the spring of 2017. Follow him on Twitter at @kylesportsbias
