Defense flexes muscles at USU spring game

In the annual USU spring football game, the defense came out on top with a 32-25 win over the offense.

The Aggie offense scored just one touchdown — a 15-yard end zone fade route from Jordan Love to Ron’quavion Tarver — and weren’t able to consistently keep drives going. In the 57-play scrimmage, the defense recorded four sacks, seven tackles for loss and forced five three-and-outs.

Junior linebacker Tip Galeai led the way in the pass rush with two sacks with safety Jontrell Rocquemore and corner Andre Grayson each recording three tackles.

There were some positives on offense. On multiple occasions, Love showed off his deep-ball accuracy connecting on several long passes of over 15 yards, including a 41-yard to tight end Dax Raymond. Tarver showed off his talent as an outside receiver reeling in five catches for 76 yards and the one touchdown. On that score, Tarver high-pointed Love’s rainbow pass, fighting off the near perfect coverage by the defense.

“I feel a lot more comfortable than last year,” Love said. “Just learning the offense, getting everything down. Got a lot of returners coming back, o-line, so I feel comfortable in the pocket. Got receivers I know will make plays down field.”

Love finished 5-10 with 121 yards and one touchdown pass. Junior running back Gerold Bright ran for 27 yards on six carries to lead the Aggies in rushing.

The scrimmage was only a “half-scrimmage” according to USU head coach Matt Wells, due to some minor injuries, specifically on the offensive line and at wide receiver. There was only one pause for injury during the scrimmage, but both players involved appeared to be OK.

“No major injuries is always good,” Wells said. “Now it’s time to go to work in the third quarter and the fourth quarter. We’re halfway done with our preparation, the rest of April and may will be key finishing physically and academically.”

At the end of the full-speed scrimmage, Utah State did seven-on-seven drills and later one-on-one drills. There were three separate one-on-one drills done, first a wide receiver against defensive back, then running backs against linebackers, then a pass-rushing drill with the offensive and defensive linemen squaring off.

Utah State’s first game will be at Michigan State on Aug. 31, with the home opener on Sept. 8 against New Mexico State.