In a decisive Mountain West matchup on November 4, 2023, the Utah State Aggies delivered a commanding performance against the Nevada Wolf Pack, securing a 51-14 victory. This win puts Utah State just one game away from bowl eligibility, as they improved their season record to 5-4.
Utah State’s offense was unstoppable from the outset, scoring on all three of their initial drives. A crucial defensive play by Brevin Hamblin, who intercepted a pass for a touchdown, contributed to a swift 24-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. Head coach Bronco Mendenhall praised the team’s preparation and execution, stating, “Our offensive plan, defensive plan, but really how our team prepared was exceptional.”
The Aggies’ performance starkly contrasted with their previous game, a disappointing 33-14 loss to New Mexico. In that match, they struggled in all aspects. However, against Nevada, they excelled offensively, scoring on seven of their first eight drives and not punting until late in the second quarter. Quarterback Bryson Barnes showcased his skills, amassing 288 yards and three touchdowns, completing 74% of his passes.
Wide receiver Brady Boyd also had a standout game, recording a career-high 117 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Boyd emphasized the team’s focus on starting strong, saying, “We were really intentional this week about staying ahead of the chains and being good on third down.”
Kicker Tanner Rinker contributed significantly as well, successfully converting three field goals. He remains perfect for the season, hitting all 10 attempts, including five from over 40 yards.
Defensively, Utah State was equally formidable, registering four sacks, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions, and recovering a fumble. Hamblin was the standout performer on defense, finishing with eight tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery, and the aforementioned pick-six. He noted the team’s unity in making plays, stating, “Everyone was making plays. We were all hyped for each other.”
Nevada struggled to find their rhythm, with starting quarterback Carter Jones managing to complete only one pass throughout the game. By halftime, Utah State had built a substantial lead of 41-0, outgaining Nevada 335 yards to 47 and holding them to negative one passing yard.
As the game progressed, Mendenhall opted to rest most of his starters, allowing reserves to gain valuable experience. Nevada finally managed to score twice, but those points merely matched their season average.
Despite a near-flawless performance, Utah State faced some minor setbacks, including four kickoffs from Rinker going out of bounds, giving Nevada advantageous field positions. Nevertheless, the victory was crucial for the Aggies, who now face a challenging schedule ahead against UNLV, Fresno State, and Boise State.
With bowl eligibility within reach, Utah State will need to continue this momentum if they hope to secure a postseason berth in Mendenhall’s inaugural season as head coach.
