Utah Aggies’ Kyle Van Leeuwen (9) runs the ball downfield while playing the UConn Huskies at Maverik Stadium in Logan on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. The Aggies won 31-20. (Ben B. Braun, Deseret News)
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LOGAN — Weber State coach Jay Hill won with his signing, and it came Wildcats’ fashion.
Backed by its strong defense and consistent rushing attack, Weber State dominated Utah State at Maverik Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats outgained the Aggies 402-278 yards, held their offense to a touchdown and won 35-7.
17,781 Aggies fans booed the offense throughout the game, the stands thinned out by the end of the third quarter, and Hill earned his first-ever win against an in-state FBS opponent — and the Wildcats’ first win over Utah State since time. 1978.
The Aggies offense, which entered its third game of the season largely untested, looked helpless throughout the game. Quarterback Logan Bonner completed 12 of 31 passes for 120 yards and threw three interceptions. The running game wasn’t much better as Utah State’s three running backs combined for 126 yards on 35 carries.
Weber State quarterback Bronson Barron had three tackles himself, but also had 202 passing yards and two touchdowns in the win. Josh Davis ran for 94 yards on 18 carries, and Damond Bankston had 18 carries for 54 yards.
Despite its offensive ineptitude, the Aggies kept the game close and trailed 13-7 in the third quarter. Weber State then put together an 18-play, 86-yard drive that was capped by a Barron to TY MacPherson touchdown to give the Wildcats a two-score lead.
On the Aggies’ next possession, Wildcats safety Desmond Williams jumped on a read up the middle and picked off Bonner, then ran it into the end zone to give the visitors from Ogden a 28-7 lead. When Bonner returned to the field, the student section booed and the Aggies finished the drive by turning the ball over on downs.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the upset win was Weber State’s ability to control the line of scrimmage. Against an Aggies defensive front that was missing defensive tackle Hale Motuapuaka, the Wildcats ran right up Utah State’s front end, converted first downs in short yardage situations and totaled 200 yards rushing.
The Wildcats’ defense managed to pressure Bonner, who hasn’t looked like his 2021 self as he continues to rehabilitate from a knee injury. The Wildcats put Utah State in several third-and-long situations, some of which the Aggies chose to simply give the ball away and then punt it — much to the chagrin of the blue-clad home fans.
The Aggies head into a bye week with plenty to work on, while the Wildcats leave Logan with Northern Utah bragging rights and a win to remember.
This story will be updated.
