Notebook: Inside the game

Louisiana Tech was held to only 329 all-purpose yards during Saturday’s game against the Aggies, which was 128 yards fewer than Utah State’s second best defensive performance.

Head Coach Brent Guy said the key to the defensive success was blitzing.

“We decided to come after them,” he said. “I felt like we were more aggressive. For the most part, I thought it worked.”

John Chick led the USU defense with seven tackles – four of them for a loss – and two sacks. Chick now has 8.5 sacks on the season which leads the Western Athletic Conference.

“I did okay,” Chick said. “The calls that were made went well with their offense. I made a couple mistakes as well.”

Chick said the Bulldog offense was not capable of overpowering the Aggies.

“The plays they made were because of our mistakes, not their execution,” he said. “The defense did a lot of great things, but we still need to improve.”

Wide receiver Kevin Robinson said the defense is doing its part to win games.

“The defense is excellent,” he said. “We just got to score for them.”

Who-loway?

Dionte’ Holloway had three receptions for 71 yards Saturday. He had only made a combined four receptions for 78 in the Aggies’ seven previous games.

“Tarrell [Richards] went down and they called my number,” he said. “I took that opportunity and ran with it.”

Holloway said even though his statistics might not show it, he felt he has been contributing to this team all season.

“I played the whole game against San Jose State and Fresno State,” he said. “I just played my role. I know I can make plays and I was ready today.”

Holloway said Richards was higher on the depth chart than he was going into Saturday’s game, but he suffered a pinched nerve in his neck and had to sit out the rest of the game.

“They wouldn’t let him play,” he said. “But he said he’s doing better now.”

Referees or Zebras?

The Aggies weren’t the only ones struggling on the field Saturday. The officiating crew made a few questionable plays as well.

On USU’s first drive of the game, an Aggie receiver was pushed to the ground well before the ball arrived, but no pass interference was called.

Then, in the third quarter, quarterback Leon Jackson III was called for a 15-yard face mask penalty as he was being hit out of bounds.

Not only is it extremely rare to see that call go against the offense, it is unheard-of to see it called against a quarterback.

But Louisiana Tech was not the only team to benefit. In the third quarter, Kevin Robinson was ruled out of bounds before he fumbled the ball just 5 yards from the end zone. But replays showed that Robinson was nowhere close to being out of bounds before the ball came out. USU scored a touchdown three plays later.

Other notes:

• The 35-yard field goal by Justin Hamblin at the end of the second quarter was the longest of his USU career.

• The loss drops USU to 2-6 on the season, which means they cannot win six games to become bowl-eligible.

• Jackson’s 372 yards passing was a career-high.

By the numbers:

9457 – Total paid attendance.478 – Total yards for USU, resulting in 17 points.276 – Total yards for LTU, resulting in 27 points.35 – Yard field goal for Justin Hamblin, a career best.6 – Fumbles by the Aggies, four of which were recovered by the Bulldogs.2 – Fair catches called for by Kevin Robinson on punt returns.0 – Interceptions thrown by Leon Jackson III at home this season.-bhhinton@cc.usu.edu