It appears Utah State's football team will be without one of its most veteran players when it kicks off its season on Saturday, Aug. 30 at Maverik Stadium against UTEP.
Senior safety Ike Larsen has been placed on suspension, it was announced by USU on Friday. Earlier Friday Brian Phillips of Big Blue USU Aggie News reported on X that Larsen had received a six-week suspension, starting immediately.
No specific details were announced by USU, which emailed The Herald Journal the following statement: "Ike Larsen has been placed on a short-term suspension from the USU Football team for a violation of team rules, effective today, Aug. 15, 2025.
Rumors have been swirling throughout the summer that Larsen, who played multiple sports at Logan and Sky View high schools, might be facing some discipline.
The Aggies were represented on the preseason all-Mountain West squad by Larsen for the third consecutive year, it was released last month at the conference's annual media days. He was the lone Aggie on the preseason all-conference team.
Larsen has contributed with 216 tackles, including nine for a loss, nine interceptions — two of which he returned for touchdowns — a school record five blocked kicks, 17 passes broken up and one forced fumble during the past three seasons for Utah State. The son of Bret and JoAnn Larsen was USU's second-leading tackler a year ago with 80.
Larsen garnered second-team all-conference honors in 2022 and first-team accolades in 2023. He was also named a honorable mention All-American by College Football Network as a redshirt sophomore in '23.
The Cache Valley native is one of just four returning starters for the Aggies, who went 4-8 a year ago, including 3-4 in Mountain West action. The others are tight end Josh Sterzer — Sterzer and fellow tight end Broc Lane both started several games last season — defensive tackle Gabriel Iniguez Jr. and linebacker John Miller.
