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LOGAN — When redshirt sophomore Jordan Love took over as the starting quarterback midway through the 2017 season, many Utah State fans believed it was a move that would give the Aggies the best chance to win games.
Utah State finished the season 3-3 after Love made his first career start against UNLV on Oct. 21. In the final two games of the season at Air Force and in the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl against New Mexico State, Love completed 57 percent of his passes and averaged 267 yards passing per game. He threw two touchdowns in the loss at Air Force and didn't throw a touchdown pass against New Mexico State.
But after a full spring and summer as the starter, Love and the Utah State offense have rolled so far in the 2018 season. Utah State sits at 2-1, but the lone loss came at then-No. 11 Michigan State in which the Aggies led 31-30 late in the fourth quarter.
Love completed 29-of-44 passes for 319 yards and two interceptions in the loss. But the Bakersfield, California native scored the first touchdown of the season on a 1-yard rush.
In the home opener against New Mexico State, Love didn't have to throw a lot as the Aggies rushed for 300 yards on the day. Love once again completed better than 50 percent of his passes, threw for 159 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a 60-13 Utah State win.
In the Aggies' recent win against Tennessee Tech, Love completed 21-of-26 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown in the blowout win — not bad considering Love and the entire first team offense didn't play a down in the second half.
"Whenever you can put the game together in both passing and running the ball, your offense is going to move really well," Love said following the Tennessee Tech win. "Against Michigan State, we threw the ball well. Last week we ran the ball well. This week, we combined both of those and had a really good game."
Head coach Matt Wells said one word comes to mind with regard to his sophomore quarterback: confidence.
"He's got a ton of confidence," Wells said. "And he's got weapons around him. As a quarterback, when you look around you and you're like 'I've got some legit wideouts, two really good tight ends, running backs that are playing well, and I've got a senior-dominated offensive line in front of me.'
"First of all, that gives him confidence. The success that he has, he's earned that."
Let's just look at the numbers of where the Utah State offense ranks in some important categories. The Aggies are first in the Mountain West in points per game with 54.7, which is also good for fourth in the nation.
Utah State is third in the Mountain West on completion percentage at 69.1 percent, third in the Mountain West in total offense at 467 yards per game, third in the Mountain West in rushing offense at 206.3 yards per game, and the experienced Aggie offensive line is only allowing 1.67 sacks per game.
Standing behind that offensive line, using all the weapons around him, Love is making the most of his sophomore season.
"He's a confident kid," Wells said. "He looks different. He's put on weight. I'm proud of where he's at. Now it's about staying in rhythm and playing at a high level every single week."
With Mountain West Conference play opening Saturday when the Aggies host Air Force in a late evening kickoff, Love knows it's about staying focused and not overlooking an opponent — prepare like the team is facing the best in the country.
"No matter who you're playing, you have to prepare the same way," Love said. "No matter who it is, you have to go out there and perform." Kyle McDonald is sports fan who loves the Chicago Cubs. Follow him on Twitter at @kylesportsbias
