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Kyle Van Leeuwen (9) of the Utah Aggies runs the ball downfield during the game against the UConn Huskies on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, at Maverick Stadium in Logan. (Ben B. Braun, Deseret News)
Estimated reading time: 2-3 minutes
LOGAN – Weber State head coach Jay Hill won the signing, and it went in signature fashion for the Wildcats.
With the help of its strong defense and rushing attack, Weber State dominated Utah State on Saturday afternoon at Maverick Stadium. The Wildcats outgained the Aggies 402-278 yards, kept their offense from scoring and won 35-7.
The Aggies faithful of 17,781 booed the offense throughout the game, the stands thinned late in the third quarter, and Hill picked up its first win against an in-state FBS opponent — and the Wildcats’ first win over Utah State since 1978.
Entering its third game of the season, the Aggies’ offense was largely unproven and looked helpless throughout the game. Quarterback Logan Bonner was 12-of-31 passing for 120 yards and 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 Baron had three interceptions himself, but had 202 passing yards and two touchdowns in the win. Josh Davis rushed for 94 yards on 18 carries, and Damond Bankston had 18 carries for 54 yards.
Despite the offensive sloppiness, the Aggies kept the game close and took a 13-7 lead into the third quarter. Then Weber State’s 18-play, 86-yard drive was capped by a touchdown pass from Barron to TY MacPherson to give the Wildcats a two-point lead.
On the Aggies’ next possession, Wildcats safety Desmond Williams made a read over the middle, picked off Bonner and then ran into the end zone to give the visitors from Ogden a 28-7 lead. The student section booed when Bonner returned to the field and the Aggies turned the ball over on downs to end the drive.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the upset victory was Weber State’s ability to dominate the line of scrimmage. With the Aggies’ defensive front missing defensive end Hale Motupuaka, the Wildcats ran directly in front of Utah State, converting first downs in short-yardage situations and totaling 200 rushing yards.
The Wildcats’ defense has been able to pressure Bonner as he continues to recover from a knee injury that has kept him from playing his 2021 self. The Wildcats put Utah State in several third-and-long situations, some of which the Aggies chose to just pick up the ball and then punt – much to the chagrin of the Blues’ home fans.
The Aggies enter a week with a lot to do as the Wildcats pick up a win over Logan in Northern Utah with bragging rights and a win to remember.
This story will be updated.
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