Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO — Utah State picked up its first win over BYU in four tries, and the first win in Provo since 1978 — snapping a 36-year, 17-loss streak in Utah County.
The Aggies (3-2) handed BYU its first loss of the year, ending the Cougars’ four-game winning streak and any chance at an undefeated season.
BYU (4-1) also lost star quarterback Taysom Hill for the year with a fractured left leg; he will have surgery Saturday morning, with at least three months of recovery expected.
Individual play stood out for the Aggies; collectively, there are a few things to work on, though.
Darell Garretson.“Good” may not begin to describe the sophomore quarterback from Chandler, Arizona. The recently named full-time starter threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns — in the first half. He finished with 321 yards and three scores on 19 of 25 passing, and went pick-free for the first time in 2014. Four of Garretson’s 14 completions went to Hunter Sharp for 117 yards and a score, and junior Devonte Robinson hauled in the first two touchdown passes of his career. In a week when Utah State’s fan base looked down with new that Chuckie Keeton was likely out for the remainder of the season, Garretson made the Aggies hopeful for the future.
Hunter Sharp.The junior-college transfer had another standout game, leading the Aggies with 173 yards and a touchdown on five receptions. Sharp’s big-play ability was on display, setting up several Utah State touchdowns as the Aggies beat the Cougars for the first time in 36 years.
Nick Vigil.Is there anything the standout linebacker can’t do? The native of Clearfield, Utah, had a team-high six tackles for the Aggies — and played both ways by leading the ground game with 59 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. Utah State has been searching for an answer to its rushing woes; who knew that answer would be buried in the Aggies’ deep linebacking corps? Older brother Zach Vigil, who had five tackles for Utah State, said he will try to join his brother in the backfield at fullback. Utah State coach Matt Wells’ response? “Not a chance.”
Devonte Robinson.When Brandon Swindall was lost to a season-ending leg injury two weeks into the season, Wells said the other receivers would have to step up and play “quality reps” for the first team. The junior answered the call, exploding for 98 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions Friday night in Provo.
The defense.Utah State defensive coordinator Todd Orlando wasn’t shy with his blitz packages, and the Aggies accrued four tackles for loss, two sacks and four turnovers in front of an ESPN audience. Nick Vigil starred on both sides of the ball, and even the Aggie secondary had five pass breakups in the win.
Third down for what?The Aggies took their foot off the gas on offense during the second half after taking a two-touchdown lead into the locker room. Utah State also struggled continuing long drives consistently, completing only five of 15 third downs. No game is perfect, and the win matters most for Utah State — but Wells will likely have a few words with his players for that stat.
Penalties.Utah State struggled to sustain momentum at times because of lost yardage (and big plays coming back) on penalties. The Aggies gave up 105 yards on 12 penalties, passing the century mark in free yards given to their opponents.
