Efficient offense steamrolls Wyoming

By Thomas Sorenson

Wyoming came into Friday’s game with only one win on the season and a defense giving up more than 30 points per game.

Truth be told, the Cowboys never really had a chance.

Utah State routed Wyoming 58-27 to remain atop the Mountain Division and in the driver’s seat for a shot at the Mountain West championship.

“These guys practiced really well and prepared really well,” said head coach Matt Wells. “They got off the mat and came back to work.”

It was an explosive performance by the USU offense as it racked up 592 yards, more than any game since 2012.

“I’m proud of the offense,” Wells said. “That was a very good performance.”

“Very good” doesn’t really do justice to what the offense did, though. The Aggies picked up nearly a first down every play — averaging over nine yards for every snap — and didn’t punt until the last possession of the game.

USU finished with 296 yards on the ground, the second most rushing yards they’ve had in a single game this season, and averaged an eye-popping 6.9 yards per carry. The offense also torched Wyoming through the air, completing 16-of-19 passes for 296 yards and averaging over 15 yards per completion.

“The o-line did a really good job of opening up the holes and we did a good job of reading them,” said junior running back Devante Mays, who had a career-high 176 yards rushing in the game.

The Aggies pounded Wyoming on the second drive, rushing for 51 yards on their way to the go-ahead touchdown. Mays finished off the last 27 yards of the drive, gaining 13 yards, three yards and then slicing through the defense for the final 11 yards and the score.

“The biggest thing is running the football and finding ways to let No. 32 [Mays] run,” Wells said. “He responded in a very positive way. He’s getting better each week and I’m proud of where he has come.”

The first drive, though, was all about the passing game. On the first play of the game, sophomore quarterback Kent Myers threw a 35-yard pass to junior tight end Chris Copier. He then hit senior wide receiver Hunter Sharp up the sideline for a 23-yard gain and then two plays later connected with junior tight end Wyatt Houston for an eight-yard score less than three minutes into the game.

It was the first time all season the Aggies have scored on their first drive of the game.

“We had some nice play-action stuff to take advantage of some looks that we wanted to throw it in,” Wells said.

Myers finished the game 14-of-17 for 246 yards and three touchdowns, after starting the game with a perfect 10-for-10 passing. It was the second time in his career passing for over 200 yards, having set a career high with 260 yards against Fresno State on Oct. 10.

Two Aggies scored their first career touchdowns when sophomore quarterback Damion Hobbs threw a 34-yard strike to sophomore receiver Jaren Colston-Green in the fourth quarter.

— thomas.sorenson@aggiemail.usu.edu
@tomcat340