Utah State football secured a 31-14 victory over Colorado State on Halloween afternoon at Maverik Stadium, according to a report published October 31. The Aggie defense led the way by forcing two turnovers and holding the Rams to a season-low 263 yards of total offense.
Offensively, junior quarterback McCae Hillstead delivered a turnover-free performance, completing 17 of 22 passes for 173 yards and one touchdown, while adding 79 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. The Aggies established an early lead when redshirt freshman running back Nehemiah Washington scored on a 31-yard run during a 75-yard opening drive. Hillstead later added an 18-yard rushing touchdown to extend the lead to 17-0 before halftime.
In the third quarter, sophomore safety David Kabongo strip-sacked Colorado State quarterback Hauss Hejny, leading to a fumble recovered by sophomore defensive tackle Carson Tujague. This turnover set up a 70-yard drive finished by graduate running back Javen Jacobs on a 12-yard touchdown run. The Aggies later added a final touchdown through a seven-yard pass from Hillstead to freshman wide receiver Kaina Watson following another turnover forced by Tevita Tuha.
The Utah State defense recorded a season-high eight tackles-for-loss. David Kabongo and Carson Tujague both recorded a sack and 2.0 tackles-for-loss. Kabongo finished with a team-high seven tackles, while D'Angelo Mayes and Asher Cunningham both recorded six tackles. Additionally, graduate inside linebacker Bronson Olevao Jr. contributed a season-high 1.5 tackles-for-loss.
The Aggies finished the game with a season-high 464 yards of total offense and 247 rushing yards. The victory brings Utah State's record to 3-5 in the Pac-12.
Utah State is scheduled to face Fresno State on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. (MT) at Maverik Stadium. The game will be broadcast on USA Network.
