Utah State Football Falls in Road Opener at No. 13 USC

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Game Recap: Football | 9/8/2024 1:39:00 AM

LOS ANGELES, California — On the road against the 13th-ranked team in the nation, Utah State football was unable to keep pace as USC showcased its prowess on both sides of the ball, resulting in a 48-0 defeat on Saturday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. 

After stiffening in the red zone and forcing a field goal on USC’s opening drive of the game, the Aggies began marching down the field on their first possession. USU moved into Trojan territory after a 17-yard rush from senior running back Rahsul Faison before the drive stalled. Despite graduate punter Stephen Kotsanlee pinning USC at the 12-yard line, the Trojans took eight plays to go 88 yards for the score to go up, 10-0. 

The Aggies made several attempts to stage a comeback in the opening half, including a forced fumble from junior cornerback DJ Graham II which was then recovered by graduate linebacker Clyde Washington. USU was unable to overcome an interception and a failed fourth-down conversion as USC opened up a 27-0 halftime lead.

Facing a large deficit, the Trojan defense posed a formidable obstacle in USU’s attempts to climb back into the game. The Aggies advanced into USC territory on the opening drive of the third quarter and faced a 4th-and-12 from the Trojan 43-yard line. A well-time blitz from USC doomed the fourth-down attempt from USU, and the ensuing touchdown drive from USC further cemented the Trojans’ control of the contest. Freshman running back Herschel Turner reeled off a pair of 15- and 19-yard runs on USU’s final drive of the game to move deep into Trojan territory, but a 52-yard field goal attempt from graduate placekicker Elliott Nimrod fell just short of putting the Aggies on the board.

Junior quarterback Bryson Barnes ended with 103 yards on 18-for-27 passing with one interception. Faison led the way on the ground for the Aggies with 54 yards on nine attempts, including a long rush of 20 yards, while Turner finished second on the team with 38 yards on eight carries. Five different Aggies recorded two or more receptions as senior wide receiver Jalen Royals posted a team-high 47 yards on six catches. Graduate tight end Broc Lane added three catches for 27 yards while Faison added a further three receptions out of the backfield. Graduate wide receivers Colby Bowman and Kyrese White each chipped in with two catches for seven and 15 yards, respectively.

Defensively, senior safety Jordan Vincent again reached double-digit tackles as he tied with junior safety Ike Larsen for the team lead with 11 tackles apiece. Larsen also led the Aggies with a career-high-tying two pass breakups. Junior cornerback Avante Dickerson and redshirt junior linebacker added one PBU each. Dickerson also added on tackle-for-loss alongside Washington.

 

Up Next

Utah State returns home to take on in-state rival and No. 11-ranked Utah on Saturday, Sept. 14, at 2:30 p.m. (MT). The Aggies will play host to the Utes for the first time since 2012 when the Aggies claimed a 27-20 win in overtime.

 

Ticket Information

Season tickets and mini-plans for the 2024 season are on sale now. Purchase your tickets today to guarantee your seat for the return of the ‘Battle of the Brothers’ on Saturday, September 14th. To purchase visit utahstateaggies.com or call the ticket office at 435-797-0305.

Parking

All Single-Game Parking sales will be cashless, starting this year. Those can be purchased in advance for $10 online, or for $15 on game days at the F lot entrances.

 

Follow

Fans can follow the Aggie football program with behind the scenes content and coverage on social media through X, Instagram and Facebook, along with visiting www.utahstateaggies.com.

 – USU –