Utah State delivered a commanding performance against Nevada in a Mountain West matchup on November 4, 2023, securing a decisive 51-14 victory. The Aggies quickly established dominance, scoring on their first three offensive drives and taking a 24-0 lead before the first quarter concluded. This win marks a significant rebound for Utah State following a disappointing loss two weeks prior.
Head coach Bronco Mendenhall expressed his surprise at the extent of the victory, noting Nevada’s strong defensive track record throughout the season. “Nevada’s been really good on defense. They’ve played one-score games regardless of who they’ve played all year long,” he remarked. Mendenhall attributed the team’s success to exceptional preparation and a newfound energy that translated into a tangible result on the field.
Utah State’s performance was a stark contrast to their previous game, where they suffered a 33-14 defeat to New Mexico, struggling in all three phases of the game. On Saturday, the Aggies excelled across the board, scoring on seven of their first eight drives and maintaining offensive momentum throughout the match. The offensive line, previously criticized after the New Mexico game, demonstrated significant improvement.
Quarterback Bryson Barnes showcased his skills, completing 74% of his passes for a total of 288 yards and three touchdowns. His ability to evade pressure was evident when he turned a potential sack into an 11-yard gain. Wide receiver Brady Boyd also had a standout performance, achieving a career-high 117 receiving yards and two touchdowns. “We’ve kind of started slow the past couple of weeks, so it was a big emphasis to come out and start fast,” Boyd said, reflecting on the team’s strategy.
Kicker Tanner Rinker contributed to the scoring with three successful field goals, maintaining a perfect record of 10 for 10 for the season, including five from beyond 40 yards.
The Aggies’ defense was equally impressive, as they recorded four sacks, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery. Defensive standout Brevin Hamblin was instrumental, finishing with eight total tackles, a sack, and a pick-six. “I feel like with everyone around me making plays together, it was natural for everyone,” Hamblin stated, highlighting the team’s collective effort.
Throughout the first half, Utah State dominated, leading 41-0 at halftime, outgaining Nevada 335 yards to 47 and holding the Wolf Pack to negative passing yards. While Nevada managed to score twice in the second half, their total of 14 points matched their season average and fell short of challenging the Aggies.
Despite a nearly flawless performance, Utah State faced minor setbacks, including four kickoffs that went out of bounds, allowing Nevada to start drives at the 35-yard line. Nonetheless, the victory was essential for the Aggies, improving their record to 5-4 and bringing them within one win of bowl eligibility.
Looking ahead, Utah State’s path to a bowl game includes challenging matchups against UNLV, Fresno State, and Boise State. If the Aggies hope to achieve bowl eligibility in Mendenhall’s first season, they will need to maintain their current momentum and deliver strong performances in these upcoming games.