Highlights and key plays from Utah State’s double overtime win over San Diego State

Utah State coach Blake Anderson hugs wide receiver Jalen Royals (1) after the team’s win over Colorado State in NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Logan, Utah.
Utah State coach Blake Anderson hugs wide receiver Jalen Royals (1) after the team’s win over Colorado State in NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Logan, Utah. | Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP

Final

Utah State 32, San Diego State 24

The Aggies prevail in a hotly contested double-overtime contest again the Aztecs. The Aggies came through on offense and defense in the second overtime period, first with a touchdown run by Robert Briggs, then an interception by safety Ike Larsen.

2nd Overtime

Utah State 32, San Diego State 24

  • USU safety Ike Larsen ends things with a interception of SDSU quarterback Jalen Mayden.

  • The Aggies come out in the second overtime period and score quickly, with a 20-yard touchdown run by running back Robert Briggs. USU then converted the second point try with a reverse pass to tight end Broc Lane.

Overtime

San Diego State 24, Utah State 24

  • The Aggies answer with their own touchdown, an 18-yard bomb by Cooper Legas to wide receiver Terrell Vaughn. Legas was sacked to start the possession, but scrambled for a big game before finding Vaughn for the game-tying touchdown.

  • The Aztecs make good on their first possession of overtime, with a 27-yard touchdown reception by Brionne Penny. Back-to-back holding penalties on SDSU had the Aztecs reeling, but Penny emerged wide open on third down and strolled untouched into the endzone.

4th Quarter

Utah State 17, San Diego State 17

0:33 – SDSU ties things up at 17 points all with a 23-yard field goal. The Aztecs drove deep into USU territory and had a shot at a touchdown, before having to settle for a game-tying field goal.

7:10 — The Aztecs cut into Utah State’s lead with a 10-yard touchdown reception by Kenan Christon. SDSU drove 79 yards in nine plays, using up just over four minutes of game clock.

13:40 — The Aggies break through again with a 19-yard touchdown run by running back Davon Booth. Big plays spurred Utah State, from wide receiver Terrell Vaughn specifically as the Aggies drove 92 yards in seven plays. The drive was the longest of the season for Utah State, and the third 90-yard scoring drive of the season.

3rd Quarter

Utah State 10, San Diego State 7

8:43 — USU quarterback Cooper Legas finds wide receiver Jalen Royals for a 50-yard touchdown to give the Aggies their first lead of the game. The Aggies offense had struggled before the big strike, moving just 23 yards in eight plays.

2nd Quarter

San Diego State 7, Utah State 3

At halftime, the Aggies and Aztecs are separated by only four points, with both teams lamenting missed opportunities. Both teams tallied 140-plus yards of offense but were undone by either penalties (USU had 3 for 30 yards) or ineffective play calls.

Utah State quarterback McCae Hillstead left the game due to an undisclosed injury just before the end of the half.

3:59 — Deep inside Utah State territory, a the 15-yard line, the Aztecs faked a field goal but were stopped short by the USU defense.

10:14 — Utah State gets on the board with a 24-yard field goal by placekicker William Testa. In for Elliott Nimrod, who didn’t make the trip to San Diego, Testa’s kick capped off a 14-play, 68 yard drive for USU.

14:10 — The Aztecs strike first with a 9-yard touchdown pass from QB Jalen Mayden to Mark Redman. SDSU drove 88 yards in only six plays.

1st Quarter

Utah State 0, San Diego State 0

Neither team was able to find the end zone during the opening period, though the Aztecs are within striking distance at the end thanks to a 62-yard rush up the middle of the USU defense by Lucky Sutton. Utah State totaled only 54 yards in the first quarter, and went just 1 for 4 on third down.

The scoreless first quarter was the sixth of the season for the Aggies offense, while USU’s defense held its first opponent this season to a scoreless first quarter.

6:10 — SDSU had a chance to get on the board first, with a 42-yard field goal from Jack Browning, but the try went wide left. Both teams have struggled offensively to start the game.

Pregame Prep

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