Logan » Two weeks ago, Utah State had a lead over New Mexico State and let it slip away.

Last week, the Aggies were up by 10 on Nevada only to watch the Wolfpack rally for the win.

On Saturday afternoon, a battered and injured USU team again dominated for long stretches against Louisiana Tech, and again saw a lead dwindle to almost nothing. Instead of completely folding, however, the Aggies made the plays needed to hold on for a 23-21 win at Romney Stadium.

"We were confident," sophomore running back Robert Turbin said. "We kept fighting, kept pushing, kept battling. We were confident in each other."

The victory is first-year coach Gary Andersen's first over a football bowl subdivision opponent, with Utah State's other win coming over Southern Utah. It's also the first Western Athletic Conference win for USU. And the Gatorade dousing that Andersen received from his players once the game was over speaks volumes to how desperate the Aggie program had been for a win over a good team.

It's a victory that didn't come easy. Utah State led 23-7 early in the fourth quarter, only to let Louisiana Tech launch a rally that ended up with the Bulldogs nearly stealing a victory that would've been a back-breaker for the Aggies.

First, Bulldogs quarterback Ross Jenkins hit R.P. Stuart for a touchdown. Louisiana Tech converted the two-point conversion to pull within 23-15. On the Bulldogs' next possession, Jenkins hit tight end Dennis Morris for a 20-yard score on third and goal. Louisiana Tech failed to convert the two-point conversion.

"You have to give our defense a lot of credit there," Andersen said. "They stepped up and made a play in that situation. They kept fighting."

Utah State built the lead behind the running of Turbin, who carried the ball 22 times for 94 yards a week after receiving only seven carries against Nevada. The Aggies dominated defensively through the first three quarters, despite losing star safety James Brindley early to a hamstring injury. Utah State jumped to a 23-7 advantage behind three field goals from Chris Ulinski.

In Brindley's place, sophomore safety Walter McClenton achieved a career high with 13 tackles. He also had a pass break-up. Sophomore linebacker Bobby Wagner came up with a one-handed interception that set up a field goal, and the defense forced two turnovers while the offense didn't turn the ball over for the first time this season.

"I'm proud of Walter," Turbin said. "He worked out with me over the summer. He could've gone home, but chose to stay on campus and work out. He was ready when his time came. It all paid off for him."

The defense, on this day, was special in the first three quarters.

The Bulldogs didn't cross midfield until the fourth quarter. Utah State, which has had problems pressuring opposing quarterbacks, recorded four sacks and forced a pair of fumbles.

Indeed, for one day, the defense flew all over the field like Andersen envisioned it when he took the job.

"I thought all three phases were a factor," Andersen said. "I thought this was a football team that grew up today. I thought we stopped the run well and the defensive line is really becoming more physical. They're playing hard with every single snap."

tjones@sltrib.com