USU breaks into record book
Utah State set a new school record Friday night in Laramie, Wyoming. This is the first time in school history Utah State has been bowl eligible for four straight years. Beating Wyoming 20-3 Utah State moved to 7-3 on the season and 4-1 in the Mountain West Conference.
“It’s a tremendous accomplishment by our kids,” said Matt Wells, second year head coach of the Aggies. “To be a part of something that’s never been done before at your school I think is a special, special deal. With all the injuries and adversity we continue to go through and fight through it’s a really cool deal. It’s such an honor to coach these kids.”
Last year Utah State won the Poinsettia Bowl which was the first time in school history the team had won back-to-back bowl games. Now the Aggies will have a chance to expand on their record.
“It’s a wonderful feeling, four years in a row,” said JoJo Natson, who caught three passes against Wyoming giving him 117 career receptions moving him into 13th place all-time at Utah State. “It brings so much joy to this program. All the players, we buy in, we listen to what the coaches say and come out on top.”
Senior linebacker Zach Vigil continued his record-breaking season by contributing eight tackles in the Wyoming game and moving into a tie for ninth place in Utah State history with 337 tackles.
B.J Larsen, senior defensive end, had his first interception of the season and second of his career as the Aggie defense held Wyoming scoreless in the second half. “He was able to tip that ball right to me,” Larsen said. “Credit goes out to Zach Vigil on that one. It’s just Aggie defense.” That Utah State defense has now forced 74 turnovers in its last 33 games.
Wyoming was the second straight game in which the USU defense has shut out its opposition in the second half. Three points allowed is the least the team has given up all season and the lowest score since the Colorado State shutout in 2010.
“It’s all about points,” Wells said. “Points scored is the number one stat on defense. That’s all that matters. If they can’t score, they can’t win. My hat is off to the defense.”
Another senior, placekicker Nick Diaz, moved up in the record books as well. Diaz kicked two field goals and two extra points moving him into fifth place in Utah State history career scoring with 236 points. He is also tied for third in school history with 38 made field goals.