A USU Rodeo Club member rides his horse out on Merlin Olsen Field bearing the first of 3 flags spelling “USU” before the Aggies take on the UTEP Miners on Aug 30, 2025. (Dane Johnson/The Utah Statesman)
USU quarterback #16 Bryson Barnes (center) looks to make a pass in Maverik Stadium as the Aggies play the UTEP Miners on Aug 30, 2025. (Dane Johnson/The Utah Statesman)
#25 for USU Chris Joe celebrates after making a tackle against UTEP in Maverik Stadium on Aug 30, 2025. (Dane Johnson/The Utah Statesman)
The HURD holds up a sign that reads “THIRD DOWN HURD DOWN” as the Aggies host the UTEP Miners in Maverik Stadium on Aug 30, 2025. (Dane Johnson/The Utah Statesman)
Tanner Rinker, #14 and kicker for the Aggies, watches his kick sail through the uprights at Maverik Stadium on Aug 30, 2025. (Dane Johnson/The Utah Statesman)
The HURD is seen singing along to the Scotsman during the USU vs UTEP football game at Maverik Stadium on Aug 30, 2025. (Dane Johnson/The Utah Statesman)
A member of the HURD, dressed like a cow, sings and dances to the Scotsman during the USU vs UTEP football game at Maverik Stadium on Aug 30, 2025. (Dane Johnson/The Utah Statesman)
Members of the HURD dance to the Scotsman during the USU vs UTEP football game on Aug 30, 2025 at Maverik Stadium. (Dane Johnson/The Utah Statesman)
Members of the HURD pose for a photo at Maverik Stadium as USU hosts UTEP on Aug 30, 2025.
Four members of the HURD pose for a photo, each with a letter of “COW!” painted across their bodies for the Ag-themed football game as USU hosts UTEP at Maverik Stadium on Aug 30, 2025. (Dane Johnson/The Utah Statesman)
Members of the HURD dance in the student section with cow-themed art painted on their bodies as USU plays UTEP at Maverik Stadium on Aug 30, 2025. (Dane Johnson/The Utah Statesman)
USU student Bella Camisa poses for a photo at Maverik Stadium during the USU vs UTEP football game on Aug 30, 2025. (Dane Johnson/The Utah Statesman)
Members of the USU Army ROTC man the canon at the north end zone on Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium during the USU vs UTEP football game on Aug 30, 2025.
The USU Aggies (right) line up against the UTEP Miners on second down as they play on Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium on Aug 30, 2025. (Dane Johnson/The Utah Statesman)
A UTEP football helmet belonging to #91 Carlos Arreola is seen atop a table on the sidelines as the Miners take on the USU Aggies at Maverik Stadium on Aug 30, 2025. (Dane Johnson/The Utah Statesman)
The Utah State Aggies huddle up and rehydrate between plays at Maverik Stadium as they host the UTEP Miners on Aug 30, 2025. (Dane Johnson/The Utah Statesman)
A cow-themed USU football helmet is seen on the sidelines of Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium as the Aggies host the UTEP Miners on Aug 30, 2025. (Dane Johnson/The Utah Statesman)
The Utah State Aggies football team started their season off with a strong 28-16 win against the UTEP Miners at Maverik Stadium on August 30, 2025. This was the team’s first game under new head coach Bronco Mendenhall.