USU football opens Mendenhall era with 28–16 win over UTEP
Utah State opened its 2025 season with a 28-16 win over UTEP at Maverik Stadium on Aug. 31, giving new head coach Bronco Mendenhall a successful debut in front of an energized home crowd.
Quarterback Bryson Barnes threw for 247 yards and a touchdown and added a rushing score, while running back Miles Davis paced the offense with a career-high 184 all-purpose yards and a long touchdown run. The Aggies committed no turnovers and leaned on their defense to close the game out after the offense sputtered in the second half.
“This was a really gratifying day,” Mendenhall said. “I felt lucky to be the coach tonight. Super proud of the young men — just them battling and persevering and showing resiliency from beginning to end. Ultimately, that’s what winning college football games takes.”
The Aggies’ first drive showed early signs of rhythm, with Barnes connecting with Texas Tech transfer Brady Boyd twice and Davis moving the chains on the ground. The drive stalled after penalties and a sack, but kicker Tanner Rinker drilled a career-long 49-yard field goal to open the scoring.
UTEP responded quickly with a 34-yard touchdown from Malachi Nelson to Kenny Odom, but Davis answered with the game’s defining play. The BYU transfer broke free on a 58-yard scoring run down the left sideline with 20 seconds left in the first quarter, giving Utah State a 10-7 lead.
“It just comes down to faith and trusting the process,” Davis said. “To step out there with my brothers and see the work we’ve put in since January pay off like that — it just felt good.”
Utah State added a second-quarter field goal, and then Barnes hit tight end Broc Lane on a 52-yard strike for his 30th career touchdown pass. Lane’s grab was the longest of his career and gave the Aggies a 20-7 cushion.
UTEP stayed within striking distance behind its array of speedy running backs, but the Aggies’ defense made key stops to prevent long drives from turning into touchdowns. Cornerback Noah Flores grabbed his second career interception in the second quarter after checking in for the injured Dylan Tucker. Senior cornerback Noah Avinger led all players with 11 tackles.
“When the offense needs us, we go out there and perform,” Avinger said. “We trust each other. Coach Howell put us in the right spots, the guys up front did their jobs and the DBs tackled in space. That’s what it takes to stop a team like that.”
Mendenhall also pointed to special teams as a factor in the win. Rinker went 2-for-2 on field goals, and the Aggies converted a two-point attempt on a swinging gate play after Barnes’ 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
“Normally, special teams are a little loose in the first game,” Mendenhall said. “But I thought our coverage units and execution were really strong. That was critical in the margin we had to manage the game late.”
The Aggies’ performance was not without issues. The offense committed multiple penalties, including illegal formations and delays of game, and Barnes was sacked six times. Several second-half drives stalled behind negative plays, allowing UTEP to stay within two scores.
“It wasn’t perfect. More penalties than I would have liked,” Mendenhall admitted. “But I’d rather have penalties of aggression than pre-snap or procedural penalties. Those are things we can clean up.”
For a team that started six first-time players and gave 36 Aggies their debut, the win was as much about establishing an identity as it was about the scoreboard. Mendenhall said his focus in Week 1 was not about hype but about steady improvement.
“I tell the team this isn’t about a motivational speech that goes on YouTube,” he said. “I love the process, the grind of becoming. If the focus is the process, then the outcome takes care of itself. Tonight was one step, and now we move on to the next one.”
Davis echoed that sentiment, noting the importance of stacking confidence week by week.
“This win brought us closer as a team and closer to the community,” he said. “But the job’s not done. Every week has to be greater than the last.”
Utah State now faces a major step up in competition with a road trip to No. 19 Texas A&M on Sept. 6. For now, the Aggies are 1-0 for the third straight year and have an opening win to build from.
“Winning college football games is hard no matter who you play,” Mendenhall said. “I’m just happy for the kids, especially after UTEP cut the deficit to 12 early in the fourth. They showed they can finish. That matters.”