Utah State graduate quarterback Bryson Barnes willed his team to a 28-17 victory over Fresno State last week that featured 21 unanswered points by the Aggies. After the game, and earlier this week, coaches around the Mountain West have taken notice of Barnes’ talent and especially toughness. Some are on the verge of declaring him to be the deserving candidate for the conference’s offensive player of the year award. Some are outright saying it. In the post-game press conference directly following USU’s win, during which Barnes amassed 266 all-purpose yards (151 passing, 113 rushing and two receiving) with one touchdown, Aggies’ head coach Bronco Mendenhall was asked about whether his quarterback deserved to win the offensive player of the year award. Mendenhall’s answer was quick, direct and bold. “It’s Bryson Barnes every day, all day, every vote.” Just a few days later, two more head coaches within the league were voicing their support for Barnes’ OPOY candidacy. One of those being Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson, the Aggies’ upcoming opponent, and Fresno State head coach Matt Entz, who had the pleasure of watching Barnes slowly dismantle his defense in the second half on Saturday. The case for Bryson Barnes