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LOGAN — Despite its recent losses, Utah State's football team remains highly ranked among the country and conference’s statistical leaders in this week’s Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Western Athletic Conference (WAC) statistics, which were released Sunday.
Utah State remained amongst the leaders despite a season-low offensive output and scoring total in last Saturday's 24-17 loss to Louisiana Tech.
The Aggies continue to lead the WAC and rank sixth in the FBS in rushing offense, even though they were held to a season-low 166 rushing yards Saturday.
USU, which led the conference and was ranked 18th in the county in scoring last week, slipped to second in the league and 24th in the nation, averaging 35.9 points per game. In total offense, USU is second in the conference and 27th in the country with 450 ypg.
Defensively, USU leads the WAC and ranks 24th in the FBS in total defense (324.0 ypg), including ranking second in the league and tied for 24th in the country in rushing defense (113.9 ypg). The Aggie defense also has the second-best sacks average in the WAC at 2.1 pg, ranking tied for 44th in the FBS. USU is second in the league and 43rd in the nation in pass defense (210.1 ypg).
On special teams, Utah State also leads the WAC and ranks 10th in the FBS in net punting at 40.9 ypp.
Individually, junior RB Robert Turbin is now second in the WAC and 12th in the FBS in rushing (117.9 ypg), while also leading the conference and ranking tied for fourth in the country in scoring (12.0 ppg). Turbin is also seventh in the conference and 42nd in the country in all-purpose yards (131.1 ypg).
Freshman QB Chuckie Keeton is second in the league and 43rd in the nation in passing efficiency (140.96), in addition to ranking sixth in the conference and 74th in the country in total offense (196.6 ypg).
Junior RB/KR Kerwynn Williams is third in the WAC and 21st in the FBS in all-purpose yards (152.6 ypg), including ranking fourth in the conference and 41st in the country in kick returns (24.3 ypr).
Defensively, senior LB Bobby Wagner is tops in the WAC and third in the FBS in tackles at 12.7 per game, fresh of his career-best 20 tackles Saturday. Fellow senior LB Kyle Gallagher is tied for 13th in the league (7.6 pg). Senior DE/LB Levi Koskan is fifth in the conference and tied for 49th in the country in sacks with .6 pg, while also ranking fifth in the league and tied for 63rd in the nation in tackles for loss (1.1 pg). Junior LB Maurice Alexander is tied for sixth in the conference and tied for 74th in the country in sacks (.5 pg)
Junior P Tyler Bennett is second in the WAC and seventh in the FBS in punting at 46.1 ypp. Sophomore PK Josh Thompson is fifth in the league and tied for 87th in the nation in field goals (.7 pg), while ranking tied for fourth in the conference in scoring (6.7 ppg).
Utah State will have its second and final bye of the season this week before returning to WAC play on Saturday, Nov. 5 when it plays at Hawaii at 10 p.m. (MT).
The Aggies return home to the friendly confines of Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium to host San Jose State on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m.
Fans can follow the Aggie football program on Twitter (@USUFootball) or by visiting the USU football blog. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter (@USUAthletics).
Doug Hoffman is the assistant athletic director for Utah State University.
