Previewing Utah State football vs. Fresno State
The Utah State Aggies football team faces off against conference rival Fresno State on Saturday and will be looking to take out some built-up frustration from last week’s loss to Brigham Young University. The Fresno State Bulldogs hope to start a win streak, coming off a 41-38 victory over Hawaii.
2-1 All-time head-to-head record
The Aggies and Bulldogs have faced each other three times since the Aggies joined the Mountain West Conference in 2013 and the Aggies are on top in terms of record, with two wins to the Bulldogs’ one. Their first matchup came late in the 2013 season, when Fresno State was ranked 24th in the nation and the Aggies were thriving in their new conference, having won all but one of their previous conference games.
Despite the Aggies’ success, the Bulldogs pulled away and won 24-17. The teams played again two years later, this time early in the season. Utah State earned its revenge, beating out a weak Bulldogs team 56-14. The last time the two teams met was during the 2016 season. Utah State was struggling, having only won two of their first six games, with none of those wins coming against a conference opponent. Despite their downfalls, the Aggies got the win, beating the Bulldogs 38-20.
2019 team comparisons
This year, the two teams will be meeting on even ground. Both teams have a 4-4 record, but Utah State does have the conference advantage, three wins to Fresno State’s two. Both teams are having vastly different seasons from the year prior. Utah State finished last year with 11 wins and ranked 22nd in the Final AP poll, while Fresno State finished with 12 wins and ranked 18th in the final AP poll. This season has been a reality check for both teams and each team will be looking to knock the other off.
Fresno State scouting report
Fresno State’s average game has been high scoring on both sides of the ball. With Bulldogs Quarterback Jorge Reyna at the helm, the team is scoring an average of 34.2 points per game, placing them 34th in the nation in that statistic. Reyna has taken all but two snaps under center this season and has a high passer-efficiency rating of 131.8, completing 162 passes on 258 attempts, equaling 1829 yards and 11 touchdowns with only six interceptions.
Lead rusher Ronnie Rivers has been quietly having an outstanding season, with 553 yards on 109 attempts, averaging 5.1 yards-per-carry. He has eight rushing touchdowns on the season. In addition, Rivers has also been an effective receiver, catching 22 passes for 153 yards, averaging seven yards per reception and has earned two touchdowns through the air.
Senior linebacker turned fullback, turned running back Josh Hokit has been a go-to in the red zone and has had a strong season on the ground. Hockit is averaging 4.3 yards-per-carry on 50 attempts with eight touchdowns and has one touchdown as a receiver. With junior linebacker David Woodward out for the Aggies, the Bulldog offense will be looking to increase their averages.
Defensive breakdown
With such a high-powered offense, it would not be a stretch to assume the Bulldogs should be having a stellar season. However, their defense has been ineffective and, at times, atrocious, allowing an average of 31.9 points per game. The defense has allowed teams to run all over them, allowing 165 yards rushing per game with two touchdowns. The pass defense has not been any better, allowing opposing quarterbacks 244.4 passing yards and two touchdowns per game through the air.
If there is any bright spot on that side of the ball for Fresno State, it is the play of red shirt junior linebacker Justin Rice, who has been having a spectacular season, totaling 78 tackles in eight games, including two sacks, two interceptions on four defended passes, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown.
The most help Rice received is from sophomore defensive back Wylan Free, who has two interceptions with an average return of 52 yards, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
What to watch for
Both teams are looking for a win and the winner of this game will most likely receive a bowl bid, while the loser will likely miss out on postseason play. With that in mind, look for both teams to be putting in a lot of effort on both sides of the ball with offense dominating the day.