LOGAN – Utah State lost its third straight game of the season with its 34-24 loss to UNLV on Saturday. With that loss there’s a lot to break down that even a 900-word recap isn’t going to be able to include. Previously, “From the Notebook” appeared as a subsection of recaps, but this one is long enough to be its own entry (and it may stay this way going forward). Here are the extra observations from the most recent loss by the Aggies.
Rare bad start to year for USU
The Aggies are now 1-3 on the season, fairly rare territory for the program lately. In the last decade, 2020 is the only other time USU has lost at least three of its first four games (were 0-4 to start 2020). From 2006 to 2011 Utah State invariably lost at least three of its first four games, but that trend ended abruptly with the 2012 WAC championship season.
The Aggies this year have a -83 point differential. Though not the worst, it ranks among some of the worst this century, only beat by the -137 of 2006, -104 of 2020 and -87 of 2002. Overall, it’s the 12th-worst point differential through four games in program history.
Turnovers (and penalties) erase offensive improvement
After being shut out on offense for two straight games, Utah State performed rather well on offense with the major exception of the six turnovers in the game. USU outgained UNLV 421-320 and had a 22-21 advantage in first downs gained. But those turnovers cut Utah State’s chances of scoring way down. And if you count turnovers-on-downs as additional giveaways, nine of the Aggies’ 14 drives ended with a turnover.
Bonner an interception machine lately
In his first 40 career appearances at QB, Bonner had never thrown more than two interceptions in a single game and had a career INT% of just 2.2. Against Weber State and UNLV – Bonner’s 41st and 42nd career games – he threw three picks and then five. His INT% the last two games is a stunningly high 11.1%. Anderson didn’t move to place the blame for Saturday’s pick-fest on Bonner (much as he didn’t for the Weber State performance).
“Some of (the interceptions), the numbers are a little skewed,” Anderson said. “Throwing the ball up deep in the last second of the half. Pushing the ball downfield in a one-on-one situation, hoping that we can make a play and their corner makes a better play than we do.”
One can argue just how many of Bonner’s interceptions are truly his fault — and likely be right in saying so — but plenty of them are bad throws. And even if none of them were Bonner’s fault, it doesn’t change how back-breaking they are. Things need to change, and quickly too.
Another DL goes down
Late in the bye week, Anderson broke the news in an interview on the Full Court Press that defensive tackle Phillip Paea would be out the rest of the season with a knee injury. With Hale Motu’apuaka and Poukesi Vakauta both limited this year with injuries the depth at defensive tackle was already reaching a critical point.
Then it got worse.
At the bottom of the pile formed during UNLV’s second touchdown of the game, Seni Tuiaki lay with an ankle injury and would be carted off the field along with a big sendoff by his teammates who all gathered around the cart as he was loaded on.
“It was heartbreaking,” Motu’apuaka said. “Anytime somebody on your team, especially a brother in our room, gets an injury like that you’re worried for them and you care for them a lot. As soon as we could we ran up over there to see how he was doing. And he was real positive like he is. He’s always a really positive guy. I’m glad that he’s OK and I pray for a fast recovery for him.”
Though a redshirt freshman, Tuiaki had the most snaps among interior defensive linemen on the Aggies. After the game, Anderson said Tuiaki dislocated his ankle and said the injury was likely to need season-ending surgery. His loss only adds to USU’s troubles.
Vaughn filling the Van Leeuwen void well
With starting slot receiver Kyle Van Leeuwen out for the year, the Aggies looked to transfer Terrell Vaughn to fill that gap. Vaughn performed admirably in that task with six receptions for 74 yards and two touchdowns.
“I felt pretty good stepping up. I worked hard all week,” Vaughn said. “So I felt prepared.”
Vaughn made some of the most difficult catches of the night, including a 19-yard contested toss and later the 10-yard touchdown which he head to leap high into the air to nab. On his 39-yard TD, Vaughn had to make a difficult adjustment to track the ball over his shoulder and reel the ball in. His speed and good hands will likely be a big thing to watch going forward in the Aggie offense.
