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FRESNO, Calif. -- This was a difficult pill to swallow for the Aggies as they fall to Fresno State 31-21. Both teams played hard and followed the lead of their star players. These are those who stood out:
Utah State Running backs: What more can be said about this group, in the first quarter alone senior Michael Smith broke off a 48-yard touchdown reception off of a screen pass and junior Robert Turbin shed several tackles along the sideline to get open for a 59-yard touchdown run. Kerwynn Williams was solid yet again opening up the USU offense with his sprinter speed. When the game was winding down and the Aggies were struggling to hold on to a lead, the ball went elsewhere. Turbin finished the game with 16 carries for 155 yards and, for the first time all season, scored only once while Smith and Williams finished for a combined 92 yards on 12 carries. Smith was able to add to his touchdown reception with a rushing score from 46 yards out.
Chuckie Keeton, Utah State QB: Keeton has been playing like a fifth year senior against Wyoming and Fresno State was no different. He made great aggressive decisions all game long, be it throwing deep down the sideline or making a perfect pitch to Michael Smith for a 46-yard touchdown scamper. When the game was on the line and his team needed Keeton to make big plays, be was unable to do so. The Fresno State defense aggressively shut him down and when Keeton was forced to throw the ball, they were waiting. Keeton had a strong game, but was hurt by poor play-calling down the stretch. Keeton finished the game 15-31 for 194 yards and one touchdown.
Robbie Rouse, Fresno State RB: The 5-foot 7-inch running back from San Diego, Calif. absolutely gouged the Aggies this week. For the first time all season Utah State looked lost against the run. As expected, the USU defensive secondary struggled against a talented passer in sophomore Derek Carr (who threw for 248 yards on 23 of 39 passing and two touchdowns), but it was Rouse's big time runs that hurt the Aggies the most. Utah State was able to apply pressure on Carr occasionally, but not in the way that Coach Gary Andersen would have hoped because they were constantly afraid Rouse would break off another big gain. There were several pass interference calls on the Aggie defensive backs that cost the defense key yardage, but it was Rouse's ability to break tacklers and get to the first down markers that was the downfall of Utah State. He finished with 140 yards on the ground on 24 carries. Rouse also chipped in four catches for 40 yards.
Derek Carr, Fresno State QB: The Bulldogs needed a big game from the sophomore and they got it. Carr finished with 248 yards and two touchdowns and continually found holes in the Aggie secondary. When his team needed it, Carr led them downfield and finished an 80-yard drive with a 23-yard TD pass to fellow sophomore wide receiver Jalen Saunders (who made an incredible run for the score, breaking several tackles along the way). The USU defense struggled to find a way to shut down just one part of the Bulldog offense and in doing so, allowed both the passing game and the running game to flourish.
For the Aggies to continue in the hunt for the WAC Championship, they are going to need the defense (and coaching staff) to improve as the season progresses. Otherwise, it might be another long season.
Email: onlinesports@ksl.com
