LAS VEGAS — Leading up to its game against UNLV on Saturday afternoon at Sam Boyd Stadium, the Utah State football team was facing a dilemma at the quarterback position.

However, redshirt freshman Jordan Love ended that situation in a hurry.

In his first start as an Aggie, Love finished with three touchdowns and 358 yards to help USU dominate UNLV 52-28.

Senior running back LaJuan Hunt Jr. reached the century mark for just the second time as an Aggie, and Jordan Nathan and Savon Scarver combined for 367 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns as Utah State racked up 578 yards of total offense on the day.

After falling behind 28-14 early in the second quarter, USU scored 38 unanswered points on 10 of its final 12 drives (seven touchdowns and a field goal) to earn its second straight road win.

With the win, USU improves to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in the Mountain West Conference.

Here is the triple option of takes from the big win for the Aggies.

Jordan Love took the quarterback job by the horns

It is safe to say that, at least for the moment, Utah State has found a quarterback. In his first start as an Aggie, redshirt freshman Love made two things known: it's his job to lose, and that he is the future of USU football.

Love completed 19 of 27 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 42 yards rushing on eight carries and another touchdown.

Love led all but one of the Utah State scoring drives and finished with a passer rating of 193.1. The touch on the deep ball was there. The ability to hit open receivers was there.

Yes, it was against a UNLV defense that gave up 473 yards and a 27-0 lead to Air Force a week ago. However, Love put on a clinic. It helped that the Aggies were able to run the ball (more about that in just a second) and that Aggie receivers were catching it.

The biggest difference that Love makes is his ability to hit the deep ball. Trailing 14-0 in the first quarter, Love hit fellow freshman Savon Scarver on a 70-yard bomb, and it set the tone for the rest of the day.

Hello, LaJuan Hunt

The senior from Fort Lauderdale had his best game since he was a freshman. Hunt rushed for 101 yards on 16 carries and three touchdowns. He also had two receptions for 39 yards.

The first touchdown came in the second quarter from 13 yards out. Hunt followed that up with a 1-yard touchdown run right before halftime to tie the game at 28-28. And his final touchdown came from 30 yards out at the beginning of the fourth quarter and was really the dagger.

The last time Hunt rushed for over 100 yards was as a true freshman at Hawaii where he ran for 153 yards on 34 carries.

It was a major boost for the Aggie offense, which will look to continue the trend when USU hosts Boise State next Saturday.

Freshman duo impresses

There are two names that the USU faithful should get to know: Savon Scarver and Jordan Nathan.

Scarver and Nathan combined for 367 total yards and two touchdowns on the night. Scarver had 108 kick return yards, 75 receiving yards and a touchdown. Nathan had 92 punt return yards, 92 receiving yards on three receptions and a touchdown.

Scarver's touchdown came on one play: a 70-yard bomb that really got the USU offense going.

Nathan made the big plays on special teams where he had a 70-yard punt return that led to an Aggie score with the game tied at 28 early in the third quarter.

Nathan scored his touchdown on a 75-yard reception in the second quarter. The red sea of the UNLV defense parted, and Nathan found himself all alone for the easy score.

It was a huge night for the Aggies all around. USU needed a win to keep its hopes alive for a bowl game. Sitting at 4-4 with four games to play, it is very much within reach. It starts with a big game in Logan next Saturday against Boise State.

Kyle McDonald is sports fan who loves the Chicago Cubs. Follow him on Twitter at @kylesportsbias

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