Utah State football: Some good, some bad and Devante Mays
What a crazy mixed bag of a game this was.
Despite some glaring errors, it’s tough to be upset at a 20-point come-from-behind win at home. Several USU players stepped up and made game-changing plays, giving life to the Aggies’ bowl hopes and considerable interest in Saturday’s showdown with in-state rival BYU.
Why were the Aggies down 27-7?
Before getting into the really good stuff, let’s not forget how ugly this game almost was. Midway through the third quarter, an Aggie team that was supposed to make a title run this year trailed a team that had previously lost to Wyoming by 20 points.
You can justify losses to Air Force and New Mexico — road games against improving programs certainly aren’t Utah State’s strong suit. But losing at home to the Nevada Wolf Pack would’ve been grounds for some serious skepticism of this coaching staff.
Thankfully, the Aggies completed a comeback bid in thrilling fashion and now we can instead focus on just how much fun it is to watch USU football when the team is playing to win.
Devante Mays reached a new level
I’ve been a strong supporter of the Mays hype train all year, so trust me when I say if this game didn’t make a believer out of you, nothing will.
Mays’ monumental effort on the ground Saturday provided USU with the pulse it needed to claw back into a competitive game. His 133 yards and two touchdowns were hard-fought, and truly the most consistent aspect of the Aggies’ game plan.
Utah State’s offense was noticeably weak when straying away from the run, but when Mays had the ball he could be seen putting his head down and leaving the imprint of his facemask in the abdomen of would-be tacklers. His punishing style paid off huge by game’s end, and he now has a team-high nine touchdowns this season.
Mays had a particularly electric 35-yard rush to set up an easy touchdown score. Mays spun, toppled and juked through defenders with impunity — it was Sportscenter material. Without Mays, the Aggies lose this game.
Special teams made up for mistakes
Aggie special teams has been a cruel mistress this year. You never know if they’re going to fumble a critical punt return, or if Hunter Sharp is going to run it 96 yards for a touchdown.
It’s been a rollercoaster of inconsistency all year, but a picture-perfect punt to the 1-yard line and some serious hustle from junior cornerback Jentz Painter to down the ball before it bounced into the end zone for a touchback was probably the single most important play of the game.
Had the punt or Painter been just a little off, the Wolf Pack would’ve taken possession at the 20-yard line with about five minutes remaining in the game and a six-point lead.
Instead, Nevada coughed up a go-ahead touchdown in its own end zone, and the Aggies escaped with a win.
Fackrell is still a stud
Much will be made about Keeton’s return to action in this game, but it’s Fackrell’s play Aggie fans should be lauding. Not that Keeton didn’t perform admirably in relief — he earned several first downs with his legs that kept key drives alive. But a zero touchdown, one interception game isn’t exactly worth throwing a parade over.
Despite some uncharacteristically erratic run defense this year from USU’s linebacking unit, Fackrell has remained a consistent force for the Aggies. Fackrell leads the nation with five fumble recoveries, averages 6.6 tackles per game and together with Nick Vigil provides the defensive foundation for any Aggie comeback bid.
Utah State’s defense has three defensive touchdowns this year, and Fackrell’s recovery in the end zone Saturday probably kept the Aggies from a lost season.
— Logan Jones is a junior majoring in journalism. Contact him at logantjones@aggiemail.com or on Twitter @Logantj.
Photos from Saturday’s game can be found here: https://usustatesman.com/gallery/usu-football-vs-nevada/