When the Aggies from Logan traveled to the New Mexico desert, it seemed to have an easy win before the game even began.
Instead, in typical 2021 Utah State fashion, falling behind early happened first. Trailing 10-0 after the opening quarter, USU answered with a touchdown early in the second quarter. Senior quarterback Logan Bonner tossed a 26-yard pass to Deven Thompkins, cutting the deficit to 10-7.
New Mexico State added a field goal before the half, making the score 13-7. The Aggies from Cache Valley struggled throughout the first half on offense, while the defense continually gave up large chunks of yards.
After an uninspiring first half, Utah State came out fired up in the second half. Just one minute and four plays into the third quarter, Bonner found Thompkins for a 54-yard strike, giving the Aggies in blue their first lead of the game.
THERE. GOES. THAT. MAN.
¯_(ツ)_/¯ @GrandmasterDT #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/bY0AVI7htj
— USU Football (@USUFootball) November 6, 2021
USU then scored on each of their next three offensive possessions, turning a close game into a blowout 35-13 win.
Logan Bonner led the way on offense for Utah State, completing 23-of-32 passes for 359 yards, adding four touchdowns and one interception. Deven Thompkins racked up 215 receiving yards and two touchdowns on nine catches.
The Aggies defense was a force throughout, registering 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks while allowing just 13 points.
Deven Thompkins
Tallying 215 receiving yards against New Mexico State, senior receiver Deven Thompkins moved into the NCAA lead in receiving yards for the season (1,314 yards).
With the big game, Thompkins also moved past 2,000 receiving yards for his career, becoming just the 11th Aggie to reach the mark.
Mountain West title hopes
By picking up the non-conference win on the road, Utah State improves to 7-2 overall.
Sitting 4-1 in Mountain West play, the Aggies currently sit atop the Mountain Division and control its own destiny to play for a conference title. Utah State faces San Jose State, Wyoming, and New Mexico to finish out the regular season, and are favored in all three.
Utah State returns to conference play, facing San Jose State on the road on Saturday, November 13 at 8:30 p.m. MT. The game can be seen on FS1.
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