Offensive surge propels Aggies to 48-24 win over North Dakota
The Aggie offense shined as Utah State defeated North Dakota 48 to 24 at Maverick Stadium in their season home opener on Friday night.
Starting quarterback, Logan Bonner, had an exceptional night. He set a career-high for passing yards with 315 yards and tied his career-high for touchdown passes with four. This seems to indicate Utah State has settled their quarterback debate. Bonner led the majority of drives for the Aggies. Andrew Peasley did get in a few times during the game and scored on a 59-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Strong receiver play aided Bonner throughout the game. A fellow Arkansas State transfer, Brandon Bowling picked up his first touchdown as an Aggie with a 54-yard reception in the first quarter. Derek Wright had a career-high two touchdown receptions, including a 41-yard reception in the fourth quarter. Devon Thompkins set a career-high for longest reception with a 75-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter. Thompkins also set a career-high with 172 yards on eight receptions.
The defense played well in the second half and limited North Dakota to only a field goal. Justin Rice had two interceptions, a career-high for him and Jaylin Bannerman picked up the Aggies’ only sack in the game.
Utah State’s offensive line also had a solid performance, allowing only one sack. They helped the Aggies pick up 217 yards on the ground, led by running back Calvin Tyler Jr. who had 72 yards and one touchdown.
After a combined 89 minute delay that included a lengthy lightning delay and the stadium lights going off, football finally kicked off in Logan. It was all Fighting Hawks in the first quarter. North Dakota started off strong, building a 21 to 7 lead over the Aggies after 15 minutes. Trick plays confused the Aggie defense and left the Hawks wide open for scores.
To start the second half, the Aggie defense proceeded to make some effective adjustments and only allowed a field goal the rest of the game. They finished the half with 13 unanswered points to cut the North Dakota lead down to one going into halftime, 21 to 20.
Utah State came out of the locker room to start the second half and was able to score on one play on their second drive of the half. Bonner found Thompkins on a short pass, who then found space with help from teammates blocking for a 75-yard touchdown reception that gave the Aggies their first lead of the game 27 to 24.
Utah State didn’t look back after that as they piled on three more touchdowns to close out the game 48 to 24.
Offensively, the Aggies struggled on third downs, converting on only 31.3% of their chances. That didn’t matter though as the offense converted on fourth down three times, including once for a touchdown via a two-yard touchdown run by Calvin Tyler Jr.
Utah State improved to 2-0 with their victory over North Dakota. Blake Anderson is now the first Utah State head coach to win their first two games in over 100 years. The last Aggie coach to do it was Dick Romney in 1918. Anderson also picked up his first win in Maverick Stadium.
The Aggies will travel to Colorado Springs next week to take on the Air Force Academy on Sept. 18.