Aggies lose by one
It could have been one of the best moments in sophomore Chris Stallworth’s young career. In mere seconds though, it turned into a nightmare as the Aggies suffered a disappointing 43-42 loss to the University of Wyoming Saturday at Romney Stadium.
Stallworth caught his first touchdown pass of the season off an 18-yard pass from Jose Fuentes with 25 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Stallworth’s reception gave the Aggies a chance to tie the game with the point after, forcing the Cowboys into overtime action.
Just after crossing the goal line though, Stallworth took off his helmet and celebrated along with the excited fans. Unfortunately for the Aggies, the team was handed a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike behavior. It could have been one of the best moments in sophomore Chris Stallworth’s young career. In mere seconds though, it turned into a nightmare as the Aggies suffered a disappointing 43-42 loss to the University of Wyoming Saturday at Romney Stadium.
Stallworth caught his first touchdown pass of the season off an 18-yard pass from Jose Fuentes with 25 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Stallworth’s reception gave the Aggies a chance to tie the game with the point after, forcing the Cowboys into overtime action.
Just after crossing the goal line though, Stallworth took off his helmet and celebrated along with the excited fans. Unfortunately for the Aggies, the team was handed a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike behavior.
Kicker Dane Kidman was forced to attempt the 35-yard PAT instead of 20 and with a lower angle. Cowboy Scottie Vines blocked the kick giving Wyoming the one point victory.
“The rules state you cannot take your helmet off and celebrate and that’s exactly what we did,” said USU coach Mick Dennehy.
The loss dropped the Aggies to 0-3 on the season.
Following the game-winning block, a mob of yellow and brown raced to the northwest sidelines to celebrate with the Cowboy fans, a game which was most likely dedicated to the eight Wyoming cross country runners who were killed last Sunday in a car accident. After celebrating, the Cowboys met at midfield and raised four fingers on each hand in remembrance of their fellow athletes.
“The pain will always be there, but this helps a lot,” said Wyoming quarterback Casey Bramlet. “We were playing for them.”
“I hadn’t used that in a way of motivation but, Rusty [Burns, Offensive Coordinator] did,” Wyoming coach Vic Koenning said. “If they wanted to make a statement about these guys and their families well, that’s a pretty strong statement.”
Throughout the game, the Aggies seemed in control, despite piling up 11 penalties for 122 yards on the night.
“We continue to find ways to shoot ourselves in the foot,” Dennehy said. “We are not good enough to overcome the kind of penalties we made.”
There were some highlights on the evening for the Aggies.
Junior Jose Fuentes – who has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 13 straight games – moved into eighth on the USU all-time passing list just ahead of Jeff Crosbie, who threw for 3,298 yards in his career. Fuentes began the game with 3,266 yards and came out with 3,539 career passing yards.
With the score tied at 36 apiece, the Aggies were in control of the ball with less than eight minutes remaining. USU was only able to pull out one first down and was forced to punt.
With possession of the ball, the Cowboys were able to move the ball 74 yards in four plays ending with an 8-yard touchdown run by Derek Armah.
The Aggies got the ball back with four minutes remaining, setting the game up for the nail-biting finish in front of 27,235 fans, the eighth largest crowd in Romney Stadium history and the largest non-Utah/BYU crowd in Logan.
Sophomore Kevin Curtis – who entered the game as the nation’ s leading receiver- dropped a pass in the endzone during the final two minutes of play.
“When Jose throws a good ball, I should catch it,” Curtis said.
Curtis made up for the drop as he caught a 20-yard reception from Fuentes to draw the Aggies closer to the goal line.
The rest is history.
“I’m as disappointed in myself as I am the kids,” Dennehy said. “As out of control as the guys were, I didn’t do a very good job of getting them ready.”