Aggies defeat Bulldogs in defensive showdown

The Utah State Aggies took down the Fresno State Bulldogs 17-10, the first time this season the Aggies have won in consecutive weeks. The Aggie defense shut down the Bulldog offense, while USU was able to move the ball efficiently on offense, helping them jump to an early lead, which they carried through the game.

USU elected to receive the kickoff to open the game. In their first drive, the Aggies had a promising start, moving the ball on the ground well to get to midfield. Fresno State was able to stop the Aggies after they chose to run the ball on 3rd and five. They would punt the ball from the Fresno State 43-yard line.

From the outset of the game, USU’s defense was ready to play, shutting down the Bulldogs and allowing only 73 total yards in the first half, including -3 rushing yards. In the Bulldogs’ first drive, the Aggies forced a three-and-out, returning the punt to the 50-yard line.

“I think we as a defense take pride in stopping the run, stopping the pass, and don’t let no one score,” defensive tackle Tyree Morriss said. “We’ve been setting goals, and I feel like we’ve been beating them, and that’s just we take pride on those goals, and we take that like take that to heart.”

Even given the short field, the Aggies still couldn’t get the offense going, being forced to punt after only three plays. Luckily for the Aggies, while the Bulldogs were able to get a first down, the drive stalled there, and the Aggies got the ball back quickly.

USU finally got the offense moving as McCae Hillstead found wide receiver Anthony Garcia for a 37-yard completion. On the following set of downs, Hillstead found an opening in the offensive line and scrambled out of the pocket. Getting hit late in his slide, the Aggies were granted an extra 15 yards as Fresno State defensive back Ethan Tierney was ejected for targeting. USU took a shot into the endzone where a pass interference call gave the Aggies a new set of downs on the two-yard line. 

In his second consecutive start for the Aggies, the coaching staff has been pleased with the impact Hillstead has made on the games.

“I liked the way McCae ran the ball; there was a physicality to it, and he managed the game really well. Two games in a row, I really liked the way he played,” said head coach Bronco Mendenhall. “He’s doing what he needs to do within what he’s given within the plan, and he’s just doing that with confidence and certainty, and I think he’s having fun, which this is supposed to be fun.”

Junior running back Sesi Vailahi would dive over the offensive line to give the Aggies their first touchdown. The touchdown is Vailahi’s first of the season.

Fresno State wouldn’t be able to respond as the Aggies would force another three-and-out, highlighted by back-to-back pass blocks by Carson Tujague.

Following another short Bulldog possession, the Aggies would move quickly into the red zone with a run by Javon Jacobs. Hillstead would again find a gap in the line to score another touchdown for the Aggies, giving them a 14-0 lead.

For the remainder of the half, each team would punt the ball after short three-play drives until the clock expired.

Out of the half, the Bulldogs pieced together their longest drive of the game, crossing into Aggie territory for the first time. The Bulldogs’ run game came alive, carrying them into the Aggie red zone. The Aggie defense found the Bulldogs in the backfield, with two tackles for loss to force the Bulldogs to settle for a field goal.

The following drives for both teams were short-lived, as they traded punts throughout the quarter.

As the quarter came to a close, Fresno State would give the Aggies a scare as they would move the ball all the way inside the USU 20. The Aggies would slow the drive at the USU 17, forcing the Bulldogs to go for it on 4th and 1. USU would make the stand on 4th down as Asher Cunningham brought down Fresno State’s running back behind the line of scrimmage.

USU would take the field with nine minutes to go and move the ball down the field enough to chew down the clock. Hillstead would connect with Noah White for a 22-yard reception. On the following play, he would scramble for 20 yards to get the Aggies into field goal range. The drive would stall, but the Aggies would make the field goal to extend the lead back to 14.

Fresno State would piece together a drive to get into Aggie territory. Assisted by a pass interference call against D’ Angelo Mayes, the Bulldogs would find the end zone to score their first and only touchdown of the night. Despite Fresno State’s onside attempt, the Aggies would recover and kneel out the time to seal the game.

“Fresno State’s a tough football team and really a strong culture and a winning culture. I’m really proud of our team,” Mendenhall said. “Our kids are tough, and they’re resilient, and they just keep showing up for whatever situation it is. They put their best out there, they stay unified, they stay united, and they believe in each other. It’s gratifying to see them again have another win against a really good opponent.”

With the win, the Aggies are now 3-2 in Pac-12 play, and 4-5 on the season. The Aggies are 4-1 at home, although they only have one remaining home game on the schedule. The Aggies will head to San Diego next week to take on the Aztecs.