Utah State Aggies (Logan, UT) Web Search Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Transcription

1 Utah State Faces New Mexico State In NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl Third annual bowl game will be televised live on CBS Sports Network at 3:30 p.m. (MT). UTAH STATE FACES NEW MEXICO STATE IN NOVA HOME LOANS ARIZONA BOWL Third annual bowl game will be televised live on CBS Sports Network at 3:30 p.m. (MT). NEW MEXICO STATE (6-6, 4-4 SB) vs. UTAH STATE (6-6, 4-4 MW) Friday, Dec. 29, :30 p.m. Tucson, Ariz. Arizona Stadium (55,675) GAME 13 INFORMATION TV: CBS Sports Network Play-by-Play: Dave Ryan Analyst: Corey Chavous Reporter: Melanie Collins Comcast (Utah): Ch. 269/753HD DISH: Ch. 158 DirecTV: Ch. 221 RADIO: Aggie Sports Network Play-by-Play: Scott Garrard Analyst: Kevin Whimpey Online: 1280thezone.com / Tunein.com National: Sirius 138 / XM 384 / Internet 966 SOCIAL MEDIA: #AggiesAllTheWay Facebook: USUFootball YouTube: UtahStateFootball Live Stats: UtahState.Statbroadcast.com NMSU News Clips (1 of 26) Marketing and Communications

2 AGGIE RADIO NETWORKS Every Utah State football game can be heard live on the Aggie Radio Network. Scott Garrard serves as the playby-play announcer, while former USU all-conference offensive lineman Kevin Whimpey ( ) will provide color analysis. Games can also be heard on the Internet ( by clicking on the `Listen Live' link, as well as on the TuneIn App. Salt Lake City: KZNS (1280 AM/97.5 FM) Logan: KBLU-LP (92.3 FM) Cache Valley: KACH (1340 AM/105.5 FM) Price: KRPX (95.3 FM) Green River: KRPX (102.7 FM) Moab: KRPX (100.3 FM) Orangeville: KRPX (95.9 FM) KICKOFF COVERAGE Utah State is playing in a bowl game for the sixth time in the last seven seasons and for the 12th time in school history as it faces New Mexico State in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl on Friday, Dec. 29, at 3:30 p.m. (MT). The last time NMSU played in a bowl game was in the 1960 Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, when it defeated Utah State, This year will mark the first time in school history that Utah State is playing a previous bowl opponent in a bowl game. Utah State played in five-straight bowl games from and won three-straight bowls from , both of which are school records. All-time, USU is 4-7 in its previous 11 bowl games. Utah State and New Mexico State spent 26 years as conference foes as both were members of the Big West Conference from , members of the Sun Belt Conference from , and members of the Western Athletic Conference from In the Big West, USU held a 15-1 series advantage against NMSU, while the two teams split its two games as members of the Sun Belt. And as members of the WAC, USU had a 6-2 series advantage giving Utah State a 30-7 all-time series advantage against NMSU. With a win against New Mexico State, Utah State will finish the season at 7-6 and record its third winning season under head coach Matt Wells and its 61st winning season in school history. Utah State is 8-1 under Wells following a bye or multiple weeks off heading into a bowl game. USU is also following a loss under Wells, including a 4-1 record this season. Utah State has forced 26 turnovers (15 fumbles, 11 interceptions) this year, which ranks second in the Mountain West and tied for ninth in the nation. Last year, USU forced just 10 turnovers the entire season. USU also ranks tied for second in the nation with its 15 fumble recoveries, and is fourth in the Mountain West and 55th in the nation with its 11 interceptions on the season. Utah State ranks 17th in the nation in passing yards allowed (181.8 ypg), while New Mexico State ranks fourth in the nation in passing offense (352.6 ypg). UTAH STATE TO PLAY NEW MEXICO STATE IN NOVA HOME LOANS ARIZONA BOWL Utah State (6-6, 4-4 Mountain West) will play New Mexico State (6-6, 4-4 Sun Belt) in the 2017 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl on Friday, Dec. 29, at 3:30 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network (Comcast Ch. 269/753HD, Dish Network Ch. 158, DirecTV Ch. 221) with Dave Ryan (play-by-play), Corey Chavous (analyst) and Melanie Collins (reporter) on the call. Live audio of the game is available at NMSU News Clips (2 of 26) Marketing and Communications

3 A LOOK AT UTAH STATE Utah State is 6-6 on the season and finished tied for fourth place in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West with a 4-4 record after concluding its regular season with a loss at Air Force on Nov. 25. Offensively, USU is led by redshirt freshman QB Jordan Love, who is 104-of-191 (.545) passing for 1,377 yards (125.2 ypg) with eight touchdowns and six interceptions. Senior RB LaJuan Hunt leads the team in rushing with 695 yards on 149 carries (4.7 ypc/57.9 ypg) with 10 touchdowns, and junior WR Ron'quavion Tarver has 40 receptions for 472 yards (11.8 ypr/39.3 ypg) with seven touchdowns. Defensively, junior LB Suli Tamaivena leads the team with 109 tackles, which includes 3.0 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss, to go along with two fumble recoveries, while junior BS Gaje Ferguson has 86 tackles, which includes 1.0 sacks and 2.0 tackles for loss, to go along with one forced fumble. As a team, USU is averaging 31.0 points and yards of total offense (223.7 passing, rushing), and allowing 27.0 points and yards of total offense (219.9 rushing, passing). AGGIES RUSH FOR 2,000 YARDS FOR NINTH-STRAIGHT SEASON Utah State has rushed for 2,041 yards thus far this season on 440 carries (4.6 ypc), marking the ninth-straight year that USU has gained at least 2,000 yards on the ground. Prior to its current streak, USU went 33 years without rushing for 2,000 yards in a single season. UTAH STATE'S STATS IN ITS SIX WINS Utah State averaged 44.3 points and yards of total offense (231.7 rushing, passing) in its six wins this season, while allowing 14.2 points and yards of offense (207.2 rushing, passing). USU also scored touchdowns on 61 percent (14-23) of its red zone possessions, while scoring nine field goals for a perfect 100 percent overall red zone scoring percentage. USU also held the ball for 28:14 and converted on 42.2 percent (38/90) of its third downs. Defensively, Utah State only allowed 27 second-half points in its six wins. Utah State recorded 12.0 sacks and 26.0 tackles for loss and forced 22 turnovers, led by senior CB Jalen Davis, who had 2.0 sacks and 3.0 tackles for loss, to go along with five interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns. Junior LB Suli Tamaivena racked up 45 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks, to go along with a pass breakup, a fumble recovery and a quarterback hurry. And, senior BS Dallin Leavitt recorded 34 tackles, to go along with two interceptions and two pass breakups. Individually, senior RB LaJuan Hunt rushed for 508 yards on 81 carries (6.3 ypc/84.7 ypg) with seven touchdowns. Senior QB Kent Myers and redshirt freshman QB Jordan Love combined to throw 11 touchdowns on 116-of-176 (.659) passing for 1,389 yards. And, junior WR Ron'quavion Tarver caught 23 passes for 255 yards (11.1 ypc/42.5 ypg) with four touchdowns. AGGIES IN DECEMBER Utah State is (.286) all-time in games played during December and will be playing a game on Dec. 29 for the second time in school history, also doing so in the 1997 Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho. In fact, USU's Dec. 29 game is the third-latest date it has ever played a game in school history, as USU played on Jan. 1, 1947, in the Raisin Bowl in Fresno, Calif., and on Dec. 31, 1960, in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, against New Mexico State. USU is also all-time in games played on Friday, including an 8-5 (.615) record under Wells. UTAH STATE PLAYING 13TH GAME FOR SIXTH TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY Utah State will play its 13th game of the 2017 season in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl. Overall, USU has played in at least 13 games six times in the last seven seasons after not playing in more than 12 games prior to its current run. The school record for games played in a season is 14 set in 2013 and LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT SEASON NMSU News Clips (3 of 26) Marketing and Communications

4 Heading into the 2018 season, Utah State will return 18 starters (O-9, D-9) and 52 letterwinners (O-21, D-29, S-2) from this season's team, while losing just four starters (O-2, D-2) and 14 letterwinners (O-8, D-5, S-1). Hence, USU will return 82 percent of its starting lineup and 79 percent of its players that played this season. DID YOU KNOW? Senior CB Jalen Davis will start and play in his 49th career game at Utah State in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl, which will be the second-most games started in school history behind OC Tyler Larsen ( ), who started a school-record 52 games, which was also every game he played in. Defensive end Jordan Nielsen ( ) holds the school record for games played with 54. Senior RB LaJuan Hunt will play in his 51st career game in the bowl, as he is one of 14 Aggies in school history to play in 50 or more games. UTAH STATE BOWL HISTORY Utah State has a 4-7 bowl record all-time as it lost to San José State, 20-0, in the 1946 Raisin Bowl (Fresno, Calif.); lost to Pacific, 35-21, in the 1947 Grape Bowl (Lodi, Calif.); lost to New Mexico State, 20-13, in the 1960 Sun Bowl (El Paso, Texas); lost to Baylor, 24-9, in the 1961 Gotham Bowl (New York City); defeated Ball State, 42-33, in the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl II; lost to Cincinnati, 35-19, in the 1997 Humanitarian Bowl; lost to Ohio, 24-23, in the 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl; defeated Toledo, 41-15, in the 2012 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl; defeated No. 24 Northern Illinois, 21-14, in the 2013 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl; defeated UTEP, 21-6, in the 2014 Gildan New Mexico Bowl; and lost to Akron, 23-21, in the 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. UTAH STATE HAD NINE BOWL TEAMS ON 2017 SCHEDULE Utah State's 2017 schedule featured nine teams who played in bowl games a year ago as Wisconsin played in the Cotton Bowl (W, vs. Western Michigan); Wake Forest played in the Military Bowl (W, vs. Temple); BYU played in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl (W, vs. Wyoming); Colorado State played in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (L, vs. Idaho); Wyoming played in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl (L, vs. BYU); Boise State played in the Cactus Bowl (L, vs. Baylor); New Mexico played in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl (W, vs. UTSA); Hawai'i played in the Hawaii Bowl (W, vs. Middle Tennessee); and Air Force played in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl (W, vs. South Alabama). UTAH STATE ONE OF 28 PROGRAMS WITH NINE BOWL TEAMS ON ITS SCHEDULE Utah State is one of 28 FBS programs that had at least nine bowl teams from the 2016 season on its 2017 schedule. Notre Dame and Syracuse had a nation's best 11 bowl teams on this year's schedule, while Duke, Ole Miss and South Carolina had 10. Alabama, Central Florida, Clemson, Colorado State, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Kentucky, LSU, Massachusetts, Michigan State, Miami, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Tulsa, Utah State, Vanderbilt, Virginia and Virginia Tech all had nine bowl teams on its schedule from MOUNTAIN WEST SENDING SIX TEAMS TO BOWL GAMES The Mountain West is sending six teams to postseason bowl games in 2017, marking the 11th consecutive year the MW has sent at least five teams to the postseason. The Conference has earned 84 bowl bids since 1999 and holds a (.548) all-time record. Over the last 13 seasons, the Mountain West owns the third-best win percentage in bowl games among the 10 FBS conferences (.565), trailing only the SEC (.644) and Pac-12 (.566) Mountain West Champion Boise State (10-3, 7-1 MW) will play in its 16th consecutive bowl game when it takes on Oregon (7-5, 4-5 Pac-12) in the Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 16. The Broncos' 16-year bowl streak is best among Group of 5 institutions and sixth-best nationally, behind Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma and Virginia Tech. NMSU News Clips (4 of 26) Marketing and Communications

5 Colorado State (7-5, 5-3 MW) will appear in its fifth-straight bowl game when it takes on Marshall (7-5, 4-4 C- USA) in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 16. This is the first time since that CSU has gone to a bowl game in five consecutive seasons. All-time, CSU has played in 16 bowl games, including 15 since Wyoming (7-5, 5-3 MW) will play Central Michigan (8-4, 6-2 MAC) in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Friday, Dec.r 22. Overall, this is Wyoming's 15th bowl game and first appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. After going to the SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl last year, the Cowboys are going to the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time since San Diego State (10-2, 6-2 MW) will play in a school-record eighth consecutive bowl game, and 13th overall, when it takes on Army (8-3 overall) in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 23. The Aztecs have collected double-digit wins in three straight seasons and are one victory away from equaling a school-record 11th win (also accomplished in 1966, 1969, 2015 and 2016). Fresno State (9-4, 7-1 MW) has qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2014 and will play Houston (7-4, 5-3 AAC) in the Hawai`i Bowl on Sunday, Dec. 24. The Bulldogs have the nation's largest win improvement in 2017 (+8), while the Cougars are 3-3 in their last six games. The Bulldogs, who have a overall bowl record, are 0-2 in the Hawaii Bowl, losing in 2014 to Rice (30-6) and to SMU in 2012 (43-10). Utah State (6-6, 4-4 MW) will make its sixth trip to the postseason in the last seven years when it takes on New Mexico State (6-6, 4-4 Sun Belt) in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl on Friday, Dec. 29. USU, which has won three of its last four bowl games, has compiled a 4-7 record in bowl games and will be playing in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl for the first time. Utah State holds a 30-7 advantage in the series against NMSU, which dates back to NMSU is playing in its first bowl game since Dec. 31, 1960, when it defeated Utah State in the Sun Bowl (20-13). UTAH STATE COACHING CHANGES FOR 2017 Utah State's coaching staff had two changes during the offseason as fifth-year head coach Matt Wells hired David Yost as the offensive coordinator working with the quarterbacks, and Mark Tommerdahl as the special teams coordinator and running backs coach. Coaches who left the USU program following the 2016 season include assistant head coach/running backs/tight ends coach Mike Canales, who went to Tennessee, and linebackers coach David Kotulski, who went to Mercyhurst University. UTAH STATE THE ONLY PROGRAM WITH NEW OFFENSIVE COORDINATORS FOUR YEARS IN A ROW WITH SAME HEAD COACH Utah State is the only FBS program to have a new offensive coordinator in each of the past four seasons under the same head coach. In 2014, Kevin McGiven was the offensive coordinator. In 2015, Josh Heupel was the offensive coordinator. In 2016, Jovon Bouknight and Luke Wells were co-offensive coordinators. And in 2017, David Yost is the offensive coordinator. Kansas has had a new offensive coordinator in each of the past five seasons under different head coaches and Pittsburgh has had new offensive coordinators in each of the last four seasons under different head coaches. WELLS' 34 WINS FOURTH-MOST IN SCHOOL HISTORY Utah State head coach Matt Wells' 34 wins rank as the fourth-most in school history, while his 52.3 winning percentage (34-31) ranks seventh with a minimum of 15 games coached. MORE ON UTAH STATE'S HEAD COACH Matt Wells NMSU News Clips (5 of 26) Marketing and Communications

6 Utah State head coach Matt Wells is in his fifth season in charge of the Aggie football program and is the longest tenured head coach since Mick Dennehy ( ) also spent five years at USU. In fact, Wells is tied with Dennehy and George P. Campbell ( ) as the sixth-longest tenured head coaches in 120 seasons of Utah State football. Matt Wells will coach his fourth bowl game in 2017 to extend the school record for most bowl games by a head coach. E. Lowell `Dick' Romney (1946, 1947), John Ralston (1960, 1961) and Gary Andersen (2011, 2012) all coached the Aggies in two bowl games, while Charlie Weatherbie (1993) and John L. Smith (1997) each coached one bowl game at USU. Matt Wells, the 2013 Mountain West Coach of the Year, is one of just 21 coaches to lead his alma mater. He is also just the second Utah State graduate to be appointed its head football coach, joining Chris Pella, who graduated from USU in 1965 and coached the Aggies from WELLS ONE OF 21 FBS HEAD COACHES AT ALMA MATER Utah State head coach Matt Wells is one of 21 current FBS head coaches who are the head coaches at their alma mater, joining John Bonamego (Central Michigan), Troy Calhoun (Air Force), Paul Chryst (Wisconsin), Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern), Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State), Jim Harbaugh (Michigan), Bryan Harsin (Boise State), Paul Haynes (Kent State), Kliff Kingsbury (Texas Tech), Sean Kugler (UTEP), Tim Lester (Western Michigan), Mike Neu (Ball State), Barry Odum (Missouri), Mark Richt (Miami), Nick Rolovich (Hawai'i), Scott Satterfield (Appalachian State), David Shaw (Stanford), Kalani Sitake (BYU), Kirby Smart (Georiga) and Jeff Tedford (Fresno State). Of the 21 head coaches listed above who are currently at their alma mater, the Mountain West leads all conferences with five. DID YOU KNOW? Utah State's Matt Wells is coaching in his fourth bowl game this year to extend the school record for most bowl games by an Aggie head coach. E. Lowell `Dick' Romney (1946, 1947), John Ralston (1960, 1961) and Gary Andersen (2011, 2012) all coached the Aggies in two bowl games, while Charlie Weatherbie (1993) and John L. Smith (1997) each coached one bowl game at USU. Wells as been a player (1993) or coach (2012, 2013, 2014) in all four of Utah State's bowl wins. The NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl will be his seventh bowl game as an Aggie. In his five years as head coach, Wells has led Utah State to three wins against top 25 opponents, one more than USU had in its previous 115 years. Utah State is 14-4 with a freshman at quarterback over the last five seasons under Wells, including a 6-1 record in 2013, a 5-1 record in 2014 and a 3-2 record this season. With its win against BYU this season, Wells is the first Aggie coach to win multiple games against BYU since Bruce Snyder ( ) posted wins against the Cougars in 1978 and 1982, which is a span of 10 head coaches. DID YOU KNOW? Utah State senior CB Jalen Davis allowed a quarterback passer rating of just 32.3 percent when targeted this season, and that percentage ranks fourth in the nation among draft-eligible cornerbacks with a minimum of 125 snaps in coverage. NMSU News Clips (6 of 26) Marketing and Communications

7 DAVIS NAMED WALTER CAMP FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICAN Utah State senior CB Jalen Davis was named a first-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, marking just the ninth time in school history that Utah State has had a first-team All-American. Other Aggies who have been named first-team All-Americans include C Elmer "Bear" Ward in 1934 (Newspaper Enterprise of America), HB Kent Ryan in 1936 (All-America Board), T Merlin Olsen in 1960 and 1961 (Associated Press, United Press International, Football Writers Association, Helms Athletic Foundation, Movietone News, Newspaper Enterprise of America), DB Henry King in 1966 (The Sporting News), DL Bill Staley in 1967 (Central Press, Time Magazine, The Sporting News), DE Phil Olsen in 1969 (Associated Press, United Press International, Central Press, Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise of America, The Sporting News, Walter Camp Football Foundation), DL Rulon Jones in 1979 (The Sporting News), and KR Kevin Robinson in 2007 (CBSSportsline). Davis was also named a second-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and the Associated Press. Davis was a mid-season All-American by The Associated Press, ESPN, CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated, as he was the only non-power 5 player listed. EBERLE NAMED SB NATION HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICAN Utah State sophomore Dominik Eberle was named a SB Nation Honorable Mention All-American, honoring the top four placekickers in the nation. Eberle is the first-ever Utah State placekicker named an All-American and just the second-ever specialist, joining Steve Mullins who was named an honorable mention All-American punter by Football News is EBERLE NAMED FINALIST FOR LOU GROZA AWARD Utah State sophomore Dominik Eberle was named a finalist for the 2017 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl. Eberle was one of three finalists to land on the list, joining Daniel Carlson of Auburn and Matt Gay of Uta, who won the award. He and Gay are just the second and third players from the Beehive State (Utah's Louie Sakoda in 2008) to be named a Lou Groza finalist, and Eberle is the fifth player from a current Mountain West institution. Other than Merlin Olsen winning the Outland Trophy in 1961, this is the first time Utah State has ever had a player named a finalist for a national award. DAVIS NAMED SEMIFINALIST FOR JIM THORPE AWARD Utah State senior CB Jalen Davis was one of 13 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) players named as a semifinalst for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given annually to the top defensive back in college football. Joining Davis on the list was Marcus Allen (Penn State), Quin Blanding (Virginia), DeShon Elliott (Texas), Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama), Grant Haley (Penn State), Derwin James (Florida State), Jeremy McDuffie (Duke), Parry Nikcerson (Tulane), Justin Reid (Stanford), Dominick Sanders (Georgia), Levi Wallace (Alabama) and Denzel Ward (Ohio State). DAVIS AND EBERLE EARN FIRST-TEAM ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST HONORS Utah State senior CB Jalen Davis and sophomore PK Dominik Eberle both earned first-team all-mountain West honors. Davis is the first USU defensive back to be named first-team all-conference since Frankie Sutera in 2014, while Eberle is the first placekicker to earn the honor since Brad Bohn was named all-big West in UTAH STATE SEVENTH IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST IN ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS Utah State ranked seventh in the Mountain West in all-conference honorees in 2017 as it had three offensive players, two defensive players and one specialist recognized for a total of six all-conference awards. Boise State led NMSU News Clips (7 of 26) Marketing and Communications

8 the MW with 19 honorees, followed by Fresno State (16), Colorado State (10), San Diego State (10), Nevada (8), Wyoming (7), Utah State (6), Hawai'i (5), New Mexico (5), UNLV (4), San José State (4) and Air Force (2). Utah State players to earn first-team all-mountain West honors include senior CB Jalen Davis and sophomore PK Dominik Eberle. Aggies who earned honorable mention all-league honors include junior OT Roman Andrus, junior OC Quin Ficklin, senior BS Dallin Leavitt and redshirt sophomore TE Dax Raymond. DAVIS EARNS ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS FOR THE SECOND TIME Senior CB Jalen Davis earned all-mountain West honors for the second time in his career as he garnered honorable mention all-conference honors as a sophomore in TOMMERDAHL NOMINATED FOR BROYLES AWARD Utah State special teams coordinator and running backs coach Mark Tommerdahl was one of 56 coaches to be nominated for the 2017 Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach. ROBERTS NOMINATED FOR BURLSWORTH TROPHY Utah State's Braelon Roberts was nominated for the 2017 Burlsworth Trophy, which is given to the most outstanding football player from a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) school who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. Roberts was one of 63 players nominated from an FBS school. UTAH STATE RANKS FOURTH IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST IN SCORING OFFENSE Utah State is averaging 31.0 points per game to rank fourth in the Mountain West and 46th in the nation. USU also ranks sixth in the MW and 57th in the nation in rushing offense (170.1 ypg), sixth in the MW and 71st nationally in passing offense (223.7 ypg), seventh in the MW and 66th in the nation in completion percentage (.586), eighth in the conference and 71st in the nation in total offense (393.8 ypg), eighth in the MW and 90th in the nation in passing efficiency (123.9), and ninth in the conference and 71st in the nation in sacks allowed (2.08 pg). AGGIES RANK 18TH IN THE NATION IN PASSING DEFENSE Utah State is allowing passing yards per game to rank third in the Mountain West and 17th in the nation. USU also ranks fourth in the conference and 43rd in the nation in passing efficiency defense (122.4), fifth in the MW and 70th in the nation in scoring defense (27.0 ppg), sixth in the MW and 71st nationally in sacks (1.9 pg), seventh in the MW and 75th in the nation in total defense (401.7 ypg), and ninth in the MW and 116th nationally in rushing defense (219.9 ypg). UTAH STATE THIRD IN THE NATION WITH ITS FIVE DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS Utah State's defense has scored five touchdowns this year to rank tied for third in the nation with Florida State, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan, and trailing Wisconsin (6) and Texas (6). Senior CB Jalen Davis has scored three of those touchdowns as he had a 30- and a 50-yard interception return against BYU, and a 25-yard interception return against Idaho State, while freshman LB Maika Magalei returned a fumble 38 yards for a score against San José State and redshirt freshman LB David Woodward returned a fumble 70 yards for a touchdown at New Mexico. Overall, USU has scored 16 defensive touchdowns in its last 58 games. UTAH STATE RANKS THIRD IN THE NATION WITH ITS FOUR BLOCKED PUNTS Utah State ranks third in the nation with its four blocked punts, trailing Arizona State (5) and Virginia Tech (5). On the season, USU blocked punts against Idaho State, Wake Forest, San José State and Colorado State, returning the one against CSU for a touchdown. USU's four blocked kicks on the season rank second in the Mountain West behind Hawai'i (5) and 11th in the nation. The school record for blocks is six set in 2012 (3 FGs, 2 punts, 1 PAT). Overall, USU has blocked 14 kicks under head coach Matt Wells. NMSU News Clips (8 of 26) Marketing and Communications

9 UTAH STATE RANKS SECOND IN THE NATION IN KICKOFF RETURN DEFENSE Utah State ranks second in the nation in kickoff return defense (15.88 ypr), second in the Mountain West and 22nd in the nation in punt returns (11.3 ypr), seventh in the MW and 79th in the nation in net punting (37.21 ypp), and ninth in the MW and 87th in the nation in kickoff returns (20.21 ypr). EBERLE RANKS FIFTH IN THE NATION IN FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE Sophomore PK Dominik Eberle ranks first in the Mountain West and fifth in the nation in field goal percentage (.889) as he has made 16-of-18 field goals this season. Eberle also ranks tied for third in the MW and tied for 34th in the nation in field goals made (1.33 pg), and is eighth in the MW and 55th in the nation in scoring (7.8 ppg). DAVIS EIGHTH IN THE NATION WITH HIS FIVE INTERCEPTIONS Senior CB Jalen Davis ranks tied for eighth in the nation with five interceptions, while his 18 passes defended (13 pass breakups, 5 interceptions) rank tied for first in the Mountain West and tied for seventh in the nation (1.5 pg). Davis also ranks tied for first nationally with his three defensive touchdowns. OTHER AGGIES IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST AND NCAA RANKINGS Junior LB Louy Compton and junior QB DJ Nelson both rank tied for third in the nation with their two blocked kicks, while Nelson also ranks tied for second in the Mountain West and tied for 10th in the nation with his one punt return for a touchdown. Redshirt freshman WR Jordan Nathan ranks second in the MW and 17th in the nation in punt returns (10.6 ypr). Junior LB Suli Tamaivena ranks tied for fourth in the MW and tied for 23rd in the nation with his two fumble recoveries, and seventh in the MW and 34th in the nation in tackles (9.1 pg). Sophomore LB Justus Te'i ranks tied for fourth in the MW and tied for 23rd in the nation with his two fumble recoveries. Junior NG Gasetoto Schuster and sophomore DE Devon Anderson both rank tied for eighth in the MW in forced fumbles with two (0.18 pg). Senior QB Kent Myers ranks third in the MW and 33rd in the nation in completion percentage (.629) and eighth in the MW and 83rd in the nation in passing efficiency (123.7). Junior LB Chase Christiansen ranks tied for fourth in the MW and tied for 23rd in the nation in forced fumbles (.27 pg), and 34th in the MW in tackles (5.5 pg). Freshman WR Savon Scarver ranks seventh in the MW and 59th in the nation in kickoff returns (21.9 ypr). Senior BS Dallin Leavitt ranks tied for fifth in the MW and tied for 63rd in the nation with his three interceptions (0.3 pg), and 15th in the MW in tackles (7.3 pg). Senior RB LaJuan Hunt ranks tied for fifth in the MW and tied for 48th in the nation with his 10 rushing touchdowns (0.8 pg), and is fifth in the MW and tied for 50th in the nation with his 11 total touchdowns (0.9 pg). Junior WR Ron'quavion Tarver ranks tied for fourth in the MW and tied for 51st nationally with his seven receiving touchdowns (0.6 pg). Redshirt freshman QB Jordan Love ranks ninth in the MW and 86th in the nation in passing efficiency (123.7), 10th in the MW and 99th in the nation in completion percentage (.545), and 10th in the MW in passing (125.2 ypg). Junior BS Gaje Ferguson ranks 16th in the MW in tackles (7.2 pg). And, junior P Aaron Dalton ranks fifth in the MW and 62nd in the nation in punting (41.7 ypp). SCOUTING NEW MEXICO STATE New Mexico State is 6-6 and finished tied for fifth place in the Sun Belt Conference with a 4-4 record after winning three of its final four games, including a home win against South Alabama in its regular season finale on Dec. 2. The Aggies are led by senior QB Tyler Rogers, who is 319-of-512 (.623) passing for 3,825 yards (347.7 ypg) with 26 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Senior RB Larry Rose III leads the team in rushing with 807 yards on 171 carries (4.7 ypc/73.4 ypg) with nine touchdowns, and senior WR Jaleel Scott leads the team in receiving with 73 receptions for 1,042 yards (14.3 ypr/86.8 ypg) with eight touchdowns. Defensively, senior LB Dalton Herrington has a team-best 125 tackles, which includes 5.5 sacks and 15.0 tackles for loss, while junior LB Terrill Hanks has 100 tackles, which includes 6.0 sacks and 13.0 tackles for loss. As a team, New Mexico State is averaging 29.6 points and yards of total offense per game (352.6 passing, rushing), and allowing 30.5 points and yards of total offense (232.8 passing, rushing). New Mexico State returns 17 starters (O-8, D-9) and 44 lettermen (O-20, D-19, S-5) from last year's team that went 3-9 overall and 2-6 in Sun Belt play to NMSU News Clips (9 of 26) Marketing and Communications

10 finish tied for eighth. Doug Martin is in his 10th season as a collegiate head coach and is in five years as the head coach at New Mexico State. UTAH STATE AND NEW MEXICO STATE SERIES HISTORY Utah State leads the all-time series against New Mexico State, 30-7, which includes an 0-1 record at neutral sites as NMSU defeated USU, 20-13, in the 1960 Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Utah State has won each of the last three games played in the series and seven of the last nine overall. The last time NMSU defeated USU was on Oct. 10, 2009, in Las Cruces, This will also be the first nonconference game against New Mexico State since 2002, when USU posted a home win. UTAH STATE vs. NEW MEXICO STATE SERIES MOVING FORWARD Utah State and New Mexico State will continue its series with two upcoming games as USU will host NMSU in Logan on Sept. 18, 2018, and NMSU will host USU in Las Cruces on Nov. 6, UTAH STATE vs. NEW MEXICO STATE SERIES SEVENTH-LONGEST Utah State and New Mexico State will be meeting for the 38th time this weekend in what is currently the seventhmost played series in school history, trailing Utah (112), BYU (87), Colorado State (74), Wyoming (68), Idaho (39) and San José State (38). Utah State's 30 victories against New Mexico State is the fourth-most against any opponent in school history, trailing the 38 wins versus Wyoming, the 36 victories against Brigham Young and the 33 wins against Colorado State. UTAH STATE VERSUS THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO Utah State is (.672) all-time against Division I teams from the state of New Mexico with a 30-7 record against New Mexico State and an record versus New Mexico. WELLS VERSUS NEW MEXICO STATE Utah State head coach Matt Wells will be facing New Mexico State for the first time as a head coach, and owns a 4-1 record against NMSU as an assistant, posting a 2-0 record while at USU ( ) and a 2-1 record at New Mexico ( , `10). UTAH STATE AND NEW MEXICO STATE COACHING CONNECTIONS Utah State offensive line coach Steve Farmer coached with New Mexico State defensive line coach John Mumford at Louisiana-Monroe in 2014 and CONNECTIONS BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND NEW MEXICO STATE PLAYERS There are eight connections between Utah State and New Mexico State players. USU senior CB Wesley Bailey and NMSU junior LB Leon McQuaker both attended Eastern Arizona JC. USU junior LB Louy Compton and junior OL Rob Castaneda both attended Ellsworth (Iowa) CC, along with NMSU senior WR Jaleel Scott and junior WR Johnathan Boone. USU sophomore LB Jordan Hayes and NMSU senior WR Josh Aganon both attended Mesa (Ariz.) CC. HOMEGROWN PLAYERS Utah State has 41 players in its program from the state of Utah, while New Mexico State has 10 players on its roster from the state of New Mexico. AGGIES FROM ARIZONA NMSU News Clips (10 of 26) Marketing and Communications

11 Utah State has four players on its roster from Arizona in senior OL Preston Brooksby (Peoria/Sunrise Mountain HS), junior OC Quin Ficklin (Mesa/Red Mountain HS), redshirt freshman LS Brandon Pada (Glendale/Mountain Ridge HS) and freshman DE Nami Tuitu'u (Mesa/Mesa HS). UTAH STATE IN ARIZONA Utah State will be playing a football game in the state of Arizona for the first time since Sept. 13, 2003, when it lost at Arizona State, In all, this will be USU's 18th game in the state of Arizona as it has played at ASU 11 times and at Arizona six times. Utah State will be playing in Arizona Stadium for the sixth time when it faces New Mexico State in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl as the Aggies played road games against Arizona in 1956, 1958, 1963, 1984 and 1992, posting a 2-3 record inside the facility. UTAH STATE vs. THE SUN BELT CONFERENCE Utah State is all-time against current members of the Sun Belt Conference, which includes a 30-7 record against New Mexico State, a record against Idaho, a 4-3 record against Arkansas State, a 1-1 record versus Louisiana, a 1-2 record against both Louisiana-Monroe and Troy, and a 1-0 record against Texas State. USU has never faced Sun Belt members Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State or South Alabama. This will be the first-time ever that USU plays a team from the Sun Belt Conference in a bowl game. MOUNTAIN WEST vs. THE SUN BELT CONFERENCE IN BOWL GAMES The Mountain West is 2-4 all-time against teams from the Sun Belt Conference in bowl games. In the 2016 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl, Air Force defeated South Alabama, In the 2016 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Idaho defeated Colorado State, In the 2015 Cure Bowl, San José State defeated Georgia State, In the 2014 New Orleans Bowl, Louisiana defeated Nevada, In the 2013 Heart of Dallas Bowl, North Texas defeated UNLV, And in the 2011 New Orleans Bowl, Louisiana defeated San Diego State, AGGIES WITH BOWL GAME EXPERIENCE Utah State has 16 players on its roster with previous bowl game experience at USU, including three players who have appeared in multiple bowl games. Senior RB LaJuan Hunt, senior QB Kent Myers and senior DE Ian Togiai have all appeared in two bowl games as they played in USU's 21-6 win against UTEP in the 2014 GILDAN New Mexico Bowl and in USU's loss to Akron in the 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Furthermore, senior CB Jalen Davis, senior LB Alex Huerta, senior OL Jarom Ioane, senior RB Tonny Lindsey Jr., senior WR Braelon Roberts, junior LB Chasen Andersen, junior P Aaron Dalton, junior LB Derek Larsen, junior QB DJ Nelson, junior FS Jontrell Rocquemore, junior NG Gasetoto Schuster, junior BS Aaron Wade and redshirt sophomore TE Dax Raymond all played against Akron in Utah State has one other player who has played in a bowl game at another school in senior BS Dallin Leavitt. Leavitt played against Washington in the 2013 Fight Hunger Bowl as a member of BYU's football team. Of the 17 total players with bowl game experience on Utah State's roster, four have started in a bowl game as Myers started in the 2014 GILDAN New Mexico Bowl, while Davis, Roberts and Togiai all started in the 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Ironically, Togiai started that game on offense as a tight end instead of on defense. STATS FOR CURRENT AGGIES IN BOWL GAMES The following is a look at what current Utah State players have done in bowl games. Senior RB LaJuan Hunt has 23 yards rushing on eight carries (2.9 ypc), six yards receiving on three catches (2.0 ypc) and 55 return yards on two kickoffs (27.5 ypr) in two games. Senior QB Kent Myers is 19-of-32 passing (.594) for 191 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, to go along with 78 yards rushing and a touchdown on 24 carries, in two games. NMSU News Clips (11 of 26) Marketing and Communications

12 Myers garnered Offensive MVP honors at the 2014 Gildan New Mexico Bowl. Senior CB Jalen Davis has five tackles and one interception in one game. Senior WR Braelon Roberts has three catches for 26 yards (8.7 ypc) in one game. Junior LB Chasen Andersen has one tackle in one game. Junior P Aaron Dalton has six punts for 267 yards (44.5 ypp), including a career long of 69, and three downed inside the 20-yard line in one game. Junior QB DJ Nelson has one carry for minus seven yards in one game. Redshirt sophomore TE Dax Raymond has one catch for 22 yards in one game. And, junior BS Aaron Wade has one tackle in one game. MYERS WAS OFFENSIVE MVP OF 2014 GILDAN NEW MEXICO BOWL Utah State senior QB Kent Myers was named the offensive Most Valuable Player of the 2014 GILDAN New Mexico Bowl as he helped Utah State to a 21-6 win against UTEP. In the game, Myers was 5-of-12 passing for 68 yards with a long completion of 46 yards, and rushed for 70 yards on 15 carries, including a 48-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to give USU a lead it would never lose. In all, Myers accounted for 138 yards of total offense on the day. AGGIES IN OVERTIME Utah State is 6-5 all-time in overtime, winning three of its last four. All-time, USU is 4-2 in single-overtime games, 2-2 in double-overtime games, and 0-1 in triple-overtime games. USU's last overtime game was a loss at Arkansas State on Sept. 20, SERIES NOTABLES BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND NEW MEXICO STATE The following are series notables between Utah State and New Mexico State dating back to 1960 and encompassing the last 37 meetings. In 37 games in series history, Utah State has scored 569 more points than New Mexico State, 1, , for an average score of Utah State and New Mexico State will be meeting for just the sixth time in series history when both teams do not have losing records, with the last meeting being in 1993, when both teams were 5-5. Three of the last four games in the series, and 12 overall, have been decided by one score. Of New Mexico State's seven wins, only two have been by double-digits, while 21 of Utah State's wins have been by double-digits. The winning team has scored at least 20 points in each of the 12 previous meetings, and in 33 of the 37 meetings overall. USU has scored at least 40 points 13 times in series history, while NMSU has scored at least 40 points just once. In seven of Utah State's last 12 wins in the series, it has lost the time of possession. The team with fewer turnovers is 10-2 in the last 15 meetings. The team that has more rushing yards has won nine of the last 10 games in the series. The team that scores first is just 9-6 in the last 15 meetings, while the team that leads at the half is 8-4 in the last 15 meetings, with three games being tied at the half. All-time against New Mexico State, Utah State has had yard rushers, which ranks as the second-most against any opponent in school history, yard receivers, which ranks as the second-most against any opponent in school history, and four 300-yard passers, which ranks as the sixth-most against any opponent in school history. NMSU News Clips (12 of 26) Marketing and Communications

13 In the past 15 meetings with Utah State, New Mexico State has had seven 100-yard receivers, four 100-yard rushers, and one 300-yard passer. Utah State's 76-0 win against New Mexico State in 1964 ranks as the fifth-largest margin of victory in school history. Overall, there have been just two shutouts in series history as USU posted a 34-0 home win against NMSU in 1971, to go along with its 76-0 home win in Utah State has played in 11 overtime games in school history, including a road win against New Mexico State in FROM THE RECORD BOOKS Here is a look at some of the top Utah State team and individual statistical performances against New Mexico State over the years. Emmett White set a school and NCAA record with 578 all-purpose yards, and a school record 322 rushing yards (34 att.) against New Mexico State in Brent Snyder set school records for passing yards per attempt (14.1) and passing yards per completion (19.9) against New Mexico State in 1988, as he was 17-of-24 for 339 yards. Chris Pella set school records for extra points made (9) and attempted (10) against New Mexico State in Dene Garner made a school-record 59-yard field goal against New Mexico State in Garner also made a 51- yard field goal against NMSU in 1986, which ranks tied for the 18th-longest in school history. Chris Ulinski made a 56-yard field goal against New Mexico State in 2008, which is tied for the third-longest in school history. Sean Jones made a 54-yard field goal against New Mexico State in 1992, which is tied for the sixth-longest in school history. Nick Diaz made a 53-yard field goal against New Mexico State in 2012, which is tied for the eighth-longest in school history. Roger Grant rushed for 205 yards against New Mexico State in 1991, which is tied for the 24th-most in a single game in school history. Demario Brown rushed for 204 yards against New Mexico State in 1998, which ranks as the 25th-most in a game in school history. Matt Sauk passed for 371 yards against New Mexico State in 1997, which ranks as the 19th-most in a single game in school history. Kevin Alexander had 205 receiving yards against New Mexico State in 1995, which ranks as the 14th-most in a single game in school history. Utah State committed a school-record 19 penalties against New Mexico State in NMSU News Clips (13 of 26) Marketing and Communications

14 Utah State produced 619 yards of total offense against New Mexico State in 2000 and 605 yards against NMSU in 1996, which ranks as the ninth- and 10th-most yards in a single game in school history. Utah State had 393 passing yards against New Mexico State in 1997, which ranks as the 15th-most in a single game in school history. Utah State limited New Mexico State to 100 yards of total offense in 1964, which ranks as the eighth-fewest in a single game in school history. Utah State limited New Mexico State to 18 passing yards in 1964 and 21 passing yards in 1958, which ranks as the seventh- and 10th-fewest in a single game in school history. Utah State limited New Mexico State to minus seven yards rushing in 2008 and 1 yard rushing in 1985, which ranks as the eighth- and 15th-fewest in a single game in school history. DID YOU KNOW? Utah State head coach Matt Wells posted a banner day against New Mexico State as a sophomore in 1994, throwing for a career-high 247 yards on 20-of-39 passing with three touchdowns, in leading USU to a win. Utah State assistant head coach, co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Frank Maile played in three games against New Mexico State during his USU career as a defensive end and recorded six tackles, which included 0.5 tackles for loss, to go along with one fumble recovery and one pass breakup. His best game against NMSU was as a junior, as he recorded 5.0 tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss. Utah State director of football operations Waqa Damuni was a tight end for Utah State from and played against New Mexico State all three seasons. Utah State head coach Matt Wells spent three years living in the state of New Mexico as an assistant at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, serving as the Lobos' wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator in , and as the wide receivers coach in Furthermore, USU special teams coordinator and running backs coach Mark Tommerdahl lived in New Mexico one year as he was the special teams coordinator and tight end coach for the Lobos in LAST MEETING vs. NEW MEXICO STATE LOGAN, Utah - Utah State (6-2, 2-0 WAC) became bowl eligible for the second-straight year with a 41-7 rout against New Mexico State (1-6, 0-2 WAC) at Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium on Oct. 20, Utah State becomes bowl eligible in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1960 and USU has also now won seven-straight Western Athletic Conference games, its longest conference winning streak since the 1979 and 1980 teams won seven Big West games in a row, and its 6-2 start is its best since the 1978 team won seven of its first nine. Sophomore QB Chuckie Keeton was 16-of-26 passing for 257 yards and two touchdowns, the first on a 76-yard screen pass to senior RB Kerwynn Williams on USU's first play from scrimmage. Williams ended the day with three catches for 94 yards, while adding 13 carries for 82 yards with a touchdown. Keeton also rushed seven times for 81 yards with two touchdowns, including a career-long 76 yard run on USU's first possession of the second quarter to give the home team a 21-0 lead as USU amassed 256 rushing yards with three touchdowns. NMSU News Clips (14 of 26) Marketing and Communications

15 Utah State also totalled 260 yards through the air as sophomore QB Craig Harrison completed his lone pass of the afternoon for three yards. Senior WR Chuck Jacobs had four catches for 94 yards, with 49 yards coming on a scoring strike from Keeton for USU's second touchdown of the first quarter. Junior LB Jake Doughty led the USU defense with 10 tackles, while senior CB Will Davis tallied eight stops, including two tackles for loss and also snared his first career interception that he returned out of NMSU's end zone for 35 yards. Redshirt freshman LB Kyler Fackrell also had eight tackles and blocked a 42-yard New Mexico State field goal attempt, USU's fourth blocked kick this season. Utah State connected on two field goals, as sophomore PK Nick Diaz boomed a career-long 53-yarder early in the third quarter and added a 48-yarder at the start of the fourth stanza. The 53-yard field goal was USU's longest since a 56-yarder by Chris Ulinski in 2008, which also came at home against New Mexico State. Diaz's field goal is tied for the eighth-longest in school history. New Mexico State QB Andrew Manley was 19-of-37 for 177 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Manley connected with Austin Franklin for a 6-yard touchdown at the 8:15 mark of the third quarter for the visitor's only score of the afternoon. New Mexico State finished with 321 yards of total offense (189-passing, 132-rushing). Davis Cazares posted a game-high 12 tackles and blocked a Diaz field goal attempt in the fourth quarter to pace the visitor's defense. Williams and Jacobs' long catch and run scoring plays gave USU the early 14-0 lead as the navy Aggies have now out-scored their opposition, 82-3, in the first quarter. Utah State took a 28-0 lead into halftime, as Williams added a 3-yard run with 39 seconds before intermission to improve the northern Aggies to a first-half scoring advantage this season. Diaz's 53-yarder put USU ahead 31-0 before NMSU got on the board with the scoring pass. Keeton's 9-yard run came with 1:01 to go in the third quarter and Diaz capped the scoring with his 48-yard upright split with 12:13 left in the game. LAST BOWL MEETING vs. NEW MEXICO STATE EL PASO, TEXAS - New Mexico State, in winning its 15th-straight game, overcame Utah State, 20-13, in a bruising Sun Bowl football battle. USU owned a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when HB Tom Larscheid ran for 13 yards and a touchdown. The score was set up with a 53-yard punt return by Ernie Reese, which set a Sun Bowl record. New Mexico State answered right back in the second quarter. Quarterback Charley Johnson's 3-yard pitch to Pervis Atkins along with Atkins' subsequent kick, tied the score in the second period. USU then regained the lead by driving 80 yards in 15 plays with Dolph Camilli scoring from the 11. New Mexico State took the lead for the first time in the third quarter when Bob Gaiters ran for a 32-yard touchdown. Johnson led the offense by completing 18-of-26 passes, including two for touchdowns. NMSU News Clips (15 of 26) Marketing and Communications

16 Utah State's final effort for victory was denied in the fourth quarter when FB Doug Mayberry was stopped short of a first down on a fourth down play. New Mexico State then ran out the clock. NMSU quarterback Charley Johnson threw for 190 yards and was tabbed the Sun Bowl's MVP for the second straight year. The NMSU defense held the nation's top offense to just 268 total yards. Utah State's defense was equally as impressive. USU, led by future Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen, held the NMSU offense to only 224 yards, including just 44 rushing yards on 32 carries. Aggies who played in the game who went on to play in the NFL include: G Lionel Aldridge, DT Clyde Brock, RB Doug Mayberry, T Clark Miller, T Merlin Olsen and QB/K Jim Turner. UTAH STATE'S Emmett White SETS NCAA RECORD vs. NEW MEXICO STATE On Nov. 4, 2000, Utah State junior RB Emmett White produced one of the greatest single-game performances in NCAA history as he broke the NCAA single-game all-purpose yardage record of 435 yards set by Brian Pruitt of Central Michigan versus Toledo in White accumulated 578 total yards against New Mexico State as he rushed 34 times for a school-record 322 yards, added 134 yards on seven receptions, had one punt return for two yards and four kickoff returns for 120 yards. That added up to 578 yards on 46 touches. Not only did White amass all of those yards, he also scored four touchdowns, including the game-winner, a nine-yard run, with just 28 seconds left in the game as USU won the contest, White finished the 2000 season as the nation's all-purpose yardage leader averaging yards per game (39 yards more per game than NCAA runner-up LaDainian Tomlinson of TCU). That average is still the eighth-best average in NCAA history. White's yards per game rushing that year ranked 13th in the country and his 322 yards on the ground against NMSU were the second most in a game in Big West history, as well as the most in USU history by 30 yards. West Virginia's Tavon Austin came close to breaking White's record in 2012 as he had 572 all-purpose yards against Oklahoma. GAME 12 RECAP vs. AIR FORCE USAFA, Colo. - Utah State rallied twice in the fourth quarter against Air Force. Unfortunately for the Aggies (6-6, 4-4 MW), they needed a third, but didn't get it as the Falcons (5-7, 4-4 MW) scored with 1:38 remaining in the game to pull out a wild victory on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, at Falcon Stadium. Redshirt freshman QB Jordan Love completed 17-of-30 passes for 284 yards and a career-high-tying two touchdowns to lead Utah State. Air Force QB Isaiah Sanders rushed for 203 yards and three touchdowns on 44 carries. His final score of the night was from 10 yards out with 1:38 to go in the fourth quarter, giving the Falcons their final margin of victory. There was still enough time on the clock for Utah State to drive down the field for a potential game-winning touchdown or game-tying field goal. The Aggies took over on their own 25 with 1:38 to go and following a 33-yard pass to senior WR Braelon Roberts, they were across midfield at the Falcons' 42. Love's next four pass attempts fell incomplete, though, and Utah State turned the ball over on downs. NMSU News Clips (16 of 26) Marketing and Communications