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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
LOGAN — Despite a well-rounded performance, Utah State couldn't do enough Friday night to beat the reigning Mountain West champion Fresno State.
"Clearly disappointed in the outcome, but not disappointed in the guys at all," Aggies coach Blake Anderson said.
After being down by 11 points in the fourth quarter, the Aggies mounted a comeback and controlled a 32-31 lead with less than five minutes to play.
Fresno State drove the length of the field on the ensuing drive and scored a touchdown to retake the lead 37-32. A failed 2-point try left the game within 5 points with just over two minutes to play and the Aggies with the ball.
Utah State went on to drive the ball down the length of the field until quarterback Cooper Legas' pass was intercepted across the middle of the field inside the Bulldogs' 40-yard line. Ball game.
Anderson later excused Legas' late-game interception, in part, due to him being aggressive based on the nature of the game.
Overall, Anderson was very complimentary of his own team and gave credit to Fresno State for making the plays it needed to make to win the game. That, combined with a slew of untimely penalties for the Aggies throughout the game, ultimately led to Utah State dropping to a 3-4 on the season. The Aggies gave up close to 100 yards in penalties, including 30 on one play.
For just the second time this year, the Aggies did not trail at the end of the first quarter, avoiding the "first quarter curse" that seems to plague the Aggies most weeks. Anderson called his team's performance the "most complete game we've played all year."
It was, rather, the third quarter that gave the Bulldogs the separation they needed to avoid a second consecutive road loss after their first loss of the season last week in Laramie, Wyoming. Fresno State outscored Utah State 14-3 in the third quarter.
The Aggies' offensive success relied heavily on Jalen Royals, who caught two touchdowns in the first half and finished with seven receptions for 125 yards; he has caught seven touchdown receptions in the past three games and has finished with more than 100 receiving yards in each one.
Royals said his recent success can be attributed to increased confidence in himself, adding, "I think I'm one of the best receivers in this conference and maybe in college football."
He also took an impressive reverse on a 2-point try early in the fourth quarter to the end zone to put the Aggies within 3 points. The play was supposed to be a pass, according to Royals, but when the receiver was covered, he improvised and took the ball into the end zone himself.
Terrell Vaughn added on a touchdown reception and 119 receiving yards of his own on seven receptions.
Though Aggies starting quarterback McCae Hillstead is making strides in his concussion recovery, he was still not available for Utah State's contest against the Fresno State. Legas, in his stead, went 23-for-39 for 363 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions.
MJ Tafisi led the defense with 17 total tackles, a career high for him.
"I'm extremely proud of the way we played," said Tafisi. "It always sucks to lose. Definitely a high-low."
Fresno State improves to 6-1 on the season and will not play again until a home game on Oct. 28 against UNLV.
The Aggies will have an extra day to prepare for their away contest against San Jose State next Saturday, the final game before a bye week. They will need to win three of their final five games if they are to make it to a bowl game this season.
