This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah State's win over Air Force was just what the Aggies needed to prove their victory at BYU wasn't a fluke. The Aggies easily handled a good Air Force team with a solid defensive effort and, most comforting, good offensive showing. If quarterback Darell Garretson had come into Saturday's game and struggled, it would have been fair for fans to get a little nervous, thinking perhaps his effort at BYU was more about that moment than his own improvement and understanding of the game. Instead Garretson was strong throughout Saturday's contest. I really liked the way he responded in the second quarter when the Falcons twice stopped the Aggies before they could get a first down. The Aggies abandoned their conservative attack, cut Garretson loose and he fired off 4-of-5 passing for 69 yards in a drive that ended in an 8-yard touchdown run by Nick Vigil. Speaking of Vigil, he wasn't as effective in the run game against the Falcons as he was at BYU, but he still had the touchdown and gave the Aggies enough of a threat the Falcons, and other teams in in the future, have to game plan for him. Defensively there can't be many complaints, the Aggies played well from start to finish. What stood out were the defensive stops in the fourth quarter when the Falcons started two drives inside USU territory. All they came away with was a field goal The only area the Aggies remain deficient in is special teams. Nick Diaz made field goals from 46, 27 and 35-yards, but the Aggies didn't succeed with a fake field goal turned punt and they had a punt blocked in the fourth quarter. Those issues must be resolved, but otherwise the Aggies are looking good.