USU Failed Comeback Loss To UNLV Does Make 2 Records

USU graduate Quarterback Spencer Petras had a fantastic night, but it wasn’t enough against UNLV’s pass rush that spelled doom for the Aggies 50-34. Despite the loss, USU managed to set two new school records during their homecoming night. Even with the scoreboard counting against the Aggies, they had more yards, 584 to the Rebels 546, and also got 32 first downs to UNLV’s 25.

With those figures, it seemed that USU should have won, but it was USU’s four turnovers that gave UNLV 20 points, whereas UNLV never turned over the ball. Even with those turnovers, UNLV started the game strong and finished each play solid, winning on Aggie's field.

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UNLV Opens Strong

On their game's opening drive, UNLV went 75 yards in only four plays, ending in a five-yard rush touchdown. USU’s defense forced a miraculous stop on UNLV’s next possession, but the Rebels instantly battled the Aggies in the air. UNLV threw an 18-yard touchdown pass, giving UNLV a 14-0 lead.

The Aggie offense answered with an 11-play, 79-yard drive as senior Running Back Rahsul Faison capped the series with a 20-yard touchdown run. UNLV broke the game open in the second quarter, outscoring the Aggies 27-0. USU turned the ball over twice in the quarter and failed on a fourth-down conversion, and the Rebels took advantage to build a 41-7 halftime lead.

USU Strikes Back

Utah State took the second half's opening drive 66 yards in eight plays and scored on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Petras to junior WR Jack Hestera. UNLV responded on their next possession with a 29-yard touchdown run, which was the final time the Rebels found the end zone in the contest. Hestera finished the game with a career-high 10 receptions for a career-best 152 yards and one touchdown.

USU continued their offensive rhythm on the next drive, with Petras throwing a 13-yard scoring strike to senior Wide Receiver Jalen Royals. Royals moved to fifth in school history with 20 career touchdown receptions. He tied his career-high with 10 receptions for 155 yards in the game.

The Aggies Struggle To Come Back

The Aggies continued to eat into the deficit into the fourth quarter as Petras orchestrated another touchdown drive, this time going 67 yards in eight plays as he found graduate Tight End Broc Lane for the six-yard touchdown to make the score 47-28. After forcing another stop, USU quickly moved deep within Rebel territory and looked to cut the lead further before a tipped pass led to an interception, which led to a 36-yard UNLV field goal.

Utah State's final touchdown of the game came on a three-yard run from freshman Running Back Herschel Turner Jr. to bring the game back within two possessions at 50-34. However, Utah State's two-point conversion was unsuccessful, as was the ensuing onside kick, allowing UNLV to kneel out in the final seconds.

Faison led USU with 83 yards on 15 carries and one touchdown. Defensively, the Aggies recorded a season-high four sacks, with senior DE Cian Slone leading the way with a career-high 2 sacks. USU also tied its season-high with 8 tackles for loss.

Despite The Loss, Records Were Set

Junior S Ike Larsen tied career highs with 11 tackles and two pass breakups. Redshirt senior S Omari Okeke had a career-high seven tackles, while junior Defensive End Lawrence Falatea had a career-high six stops. Slone also tied his career-high with six tackles.

Against the Rebels, Utah State set school records by having two players with 10-plus receptions and two players with 150+ receiving yards in the same game. Senior Wide Receiver Jalen Royals had 10 catches for 155 yards and one touchdown, and junior Wide Receiver Jack Hestera had 10 catches for 152 yards and one touchdown. The last time USU had a pair of 100-yard receivers was against Fresno State in 2023 with Royals and Terrell Vaughn.

For his career, Royals has now caught 115 passes for 1,726 yards and 20 touchdowns and ranks fifth in school history in touchdown catches, 17th all-time in receiving yards, 20th all-time in receptions, and tied for ninth all-time in 100-yard receiving games with seven. USU played unbelievably, doing well despite the four turnovers that turned out to be their undoing. The Aggies stay home to host New Mexico to play them on the 19 at 2 p.m.

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Article originally written by RJ Parker