Aggies defeat Knights 30-27
For the second time in as many weeks, the Utah State University football team was able to play a complete football game.
The result: A 30-27 victory over the University of Central Florida Golden Knights at Romney Stadium on Saturday.
“This was a good football team we beat tonight,” USU head coach Mick Dennehy said. “Our guys stayed in it and battled and found a way to get it done.”
Even though the Aggies never trailed the UCF, USU watched a 17-0 lead vanish and almost lost a 30-20 lead halfway through the final quarter of play.
With less than two minutes remaining and in a position to tie the game, the Golden Knights fumbled the ball – and the game – on the Utah State 19-yard line.
Safety Bryan Jackson found the ball wrapped tightly in his arms after strong safety Jamar Glasper had a hit on UCF’s Sean Gaudion.
“The ball just came flying out,” Jackson said. “You just gotta hold on to the ball when you’re in that situation.”
The Aggies still needed a first down to secure the victory on third-and-3.
Coming into the game after both tailbacks Emmett White and Roger Fernandez went down with a sprained ankle and a head injury, respectively, backup David Fiefia ran the ball 10 yards around the left end to seal the victory.
“It felt good after sitting out to get the opportunity to play,” Fiefia said. “I’ve been waiting for this chance since I switched [positions]. I really wanted to play running back, so I made the decision to switch. I got a little down at first because I wasn’t playing as much as I did last season, but today I got to play.”
Fiefia scored what would be the game-winning touchdown earlier in the quarter as he succeeded on a 16-yard touchdown run. He finished the game with 42 yards on eight carries.
“That’s the sign of a true champion,” Dennehy said. “To be ready when your number is called.”
Utah State jumped to an early lead over the Golden Knights with touchdowns on the team’s first two drives only five minutes into the game.
Quarterback Jose Fuentes found Chris Stallworth on a 44-yard pass and White found the end zone from the 1-yard line after three pass plays, covering 59 yards.
USU Kicker Dane Kidman was successful on a 37-yard field goal just prior to the end of the first quarter, giving the Aggies a 17-0 lead and control of the game.
Halfway through the second quarter, it was UCF’s turn to score.
A 47-yard field goal attempt was blocked and returned 63 yards by Travis Fisher for a touchdown.
On the Golden Knights next drive, Ryan Schneider passed the ball 5 yards to Tavirus Davis for a touchdown, bringing Central Florida within three, 17-14.
A 38-yard field goal from Javier Beorlegui tied the game 17-17 in the third quarter.
Both teams played a field goal fest until the score was at 23-20 in the fourth quarter on Kidman’s third field goal of the day.
An interception by free safety Derrek Shank and the Fiefia touchdown would look to have been enough for the Aggies as they were up 30-20 with 7:58 remaining.
UCF thought differently, though.
In seven plays, Schneider had a 1-yard drive bringing the Golden Knights as close as they would get.
“Things started going real well for us in the fourth quarter,” Central Florida head coach Mike Kruczek said. “Then we turned the ball over twice in the fourth quarter. Those things drive you crazy.”
The Aggies will have their second bye of the season this week as they prepare to travel to Storrs, Conn. to take on the University of Connecticut Huskies on Nov. 10.