As Bronco Mendenhall walked away from the post-game press conference podium on Saturday following Utah State’s 21-10 win over Troy, he offered one last quip to the media he’d spent the last dozen minutes speaking to. “I like talking to you guys better like this.” Winning makes everything better, even down to conversations and press conferences. Three weeks prior to that moment, Mendenhall was having to explain a loss to Idaho State (with the raucous celebrations of the Bengals below audible through the floor). The mood was somber then, and just as much for the following two weeks in the wake of defeats against Washington and Utah. Instead of another week asking about the struggles of the run game, quarterback play, clock management, penalties, or failing to score any points against an in-state rival, Mendenhall gave honest, well-earned, and unforced praise to his team. “Really proud of my team. Gritty and tough and united,” Mendenhall said on Saturday. “They’ve remained hopeful, hardworking, optimistic, and yeah, I think steadily improving. And I think that’s the case each week, including last week, is my takeaway. I love their resolve. I love their determination. I like their unity. But most importantly, I just

It took a few weeks longer than expected, but Utah State finally knocked the zero from the win column of its overall record. The Aggies rallied from a halftime deficit, holding Troy scoreless in the second half, to end homecoming week by claiming a 21-10 victory, their first win in 2026. Righting the ship from the 0-3 start required belief and a shift in mentality, from an individual level up to the entire team. A boost to the former came from an unexpected source pregame. Unbeknownst to the football players and coaches, one of their own was making a surprise visit for homecoming. Harrison Taggart, the Aggie linebacker who suffered a serious injury last week against Utah that left him temporarily unable to walk, arrived on Merlin Olsen Field. He was wheeled onto the turf and rose from his wheelchair as the Aggies won the coin toss. Good to have you home @HarrisonTaggar4! 💙0️⃣ pic.twitter.com/qiYUUyZHqN — USU Football (@USUFootball) September 27, 2026 Although he would play no further part between the sidelines, Taggart came prepared to contribute in his own way. The leader of the linebacker unit, nicknamed “The Standard,” carried in tow the implements for celebrating a win Utah