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LOGAN -- A raucous crowd was on hand for the Utah State Homecoming game on Saturday at Romney Stadium and the social media universe was buzzing with excitement.
Even in the press box, you could tell there was a special feeling in the air as the Aggies were looking to start the season with a record of 2-1 for the first time since 1997. The community of Logan and surrounding area definitely took notice.
Salt Lake Tribune writer Tony Jones (@TonyAggieville) wrote about 15 minutes prior to kickoff, "Wow. Romney will in all likelihood be a sellout. Best crowd since BYU last season".
With all the festivities associated with homecoming, the student body was definitely feeling school spirit.
Brooke Miller (@BrookalookTrout) tweeted, "Just sang the Scotsman at USU homecoming!" As the game began, the Aggies defense came out in a strong manner as they forced a couple of tough series on the Rams. However, as the offense started to move the ball downfield, a rather unfamiliar event for Utah State, an event that Sammy Hislop (@MrHislop) said looked more like something the Aggies rivals to the south have been doing a lot of lately:
"USU is taking a page from the BYU turnover book."
Alexander Perkins (@SuperPerks) felt the same way. He tweeted, "BYU fans know the feeling. Aggie defense is legit! Only one first down allowed so far. Too bad USU fumbled twice."
The Utah State defense did their job once again on the following possession, but the special teams ended up catching the bug that bit the offense on the previous possession when the Aggies muffed the punt return.
Tyler D. Huskinson (@TDHuskiSports) tweeted, "Fumble USU. Not the best first quarter thus far."
T. Wade (@cheecho6), a self-proclaimed "Utah State hooligan", tweeted an interesting perspective near the end of the first quarter that held true throughout the entire game. He said, "Before the game I said the team with less turnovers would win the game. Utah State has two, Colorado State has none. Not looking good."
The turnovers definitely hurt the Aggies on the scoreboard. Tony Jones (@TonyAggieville) tweeted an interesting note at the conclusion of the first quarter. He said, "USU with its first scoreless quarter this season".
As the second quarter progressed, John Coon (@johncoonsports) said, "If Utah State's offense could match the defense, the Aggies would be running away from Colorado State right now."
The running backs for Utah State must have heard him right then. A 51-yard Michael Smith scamper to the 14-yard line was followed immediately by a streak to the end zone by Kerwynn Williams to put the first points on the scoreboard.
Kevin Lytle (@Kevin_Lytle) said, "Michael Smith is looking really dangerous running the ball for USU."
You better believe that BYU fans were following this game intently as the Battle for the Old Wagon Wheel resumes this coming Friday in Provo.
BYU News (@BYUNews) tweeted, "It's going to be interesting to see how BYU run D will play vs. USU next week".
Towards the end of the second quarter, the Rams offense kept grinding away at the Aggies defense. Rich Kurtzman (@richkurt) tweeted, "Eight minute drive for the Rams which ends up as a FG. CSU Football only had 22 yards of offense before last drive".
As the Aggies and Rams went into the locker room at halftime, Kraig Williams of the Deseret News (@DesNewsKraig) tweeted an interesting stat about the USU defense. He said, "As good as the USU defense has been this game, they still have yet to create a turnover this season".
The Aggies came out as a refreshed team in the second half as they capped off an excellent 80-yard drive with a 3-yard Robert Turbin rushing touchdown.
Cache Sports Media (@Cache_Sports) tweeted following the touchdown, "Turbin's TD rush is the 26th of his career. He is now 5th on the all-time list for USU".
Things turned south quickly for the Aggies however as Michael Smith had the ball stripped from him and returned for a touchdown in the middle of the third quarter.
Fellow ksl.com contributor Tavin Stucki (@TavinStucki) tweeted, "USU awful lucky to be up four points after three turnovers".
Tony Jones (@TonyAggieville) commented on the Aggies offensive strategy early on in the fourth quarter. He said, "Offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin has been awfully conservative. With a tired defense, let's see if he opens it up a bit."
The Aggies offense got their chance with excellent field position after the defense picked up their first fumble recovery of the season at the Colorado State 27-yard line in the middle of the fourth quarter. Turbin led the Aggies downfield as he rumbled into the end zone for his second touchdown of the night.
However, the Aggies continued to give Colorado State opportunities to win the game. After forcing a fourth down at midfield, the Rams punted to the Aggies. Utah State return man Eric Moats muffed on the return for the second time in the game and the Rams recovered.
It was all downhill from there.
The game went to double overtime and Colorado State squeezed out the victory 35-34 after Turbin was stuffed at the 1-yard line for the go ahead, game-winning two point conversion attempt.
In the end, Utah State walks away from the game with a record of 1-2 and leaves their fans stunned.
Brandon Brown (@BrandonBrownSLC) said, "When is USU going to turn it around?"
"Stunned by that decision. Even had two chances to think about it. Wow. Could cost USU a bowl game", tweeted Austin Horton (@austinhorton).
Ty Ogden (@TYOGDEN_22) said, "If it weren't for the USU special teams, they would be 3-0 on the season".
Jonathon B. Allen (@jonballen) let out the rage that Aggie fans have felt for years when he said, "I hate feeling like this. EVERY. SINGLE. FOOTBALL. SEASON. Basketball season can't come soon enough".
Richard Epperson (@RichEppe) summed up what everyone was thinking Saturday night at Romney Stadium. He said, "I think the USU football team is headed in the right direction, but stupid mistakes keep us as a mediocre team".
Utah State has a lot of thinking to do this week as they prepare to travel to Provo and take on the BYU Cougars this coming Friday night.
Email: onlinesports@ksl.com
