This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Fort Collins, Colorado • Utah State's defensive players will lament how they let Colorado State quarterback Garrett Grayson escape three times, running for first downs in the Rams' 16-13 victory Saturday night at Hughes Stadium.
If they had lost, the Rams would have focused on the eight times the Aggies sacked Grayson, for 62 yards in losses.
"I think they took it to us, there's no doubt about it," said CSU coach Jim McElwain. "We knew we were going to have some matchups issues — not to that extent."
The Aggie pass rush was relentless, from varying sources. Eight players were responsible for the eight sacks.
The defense's remarkable effort was spoiled by CSU's 46-yard completion that led to the winning field goal as time expired. Until that last drive, when the Rams were seemingly content to reach overtime, CSU had gained only 259 total yards.
"We came with a game plan to get pressure on [Grayson] and just hit him as many times as we can," USU lineman Jordan Nielsen said.
That approach succeeded, although Grayson managed to pass for 243 yards with no interceptions.
With some poor tackling, the Aggies allowed a 69-yard completion on the game's first play, leading to a CSU touchdown. Other than that play and Rashard Williams' big catch in the last minute, the USU defense's biggest shortcomings were letting the Rams convert 8 of 18 third-down plays and failing to produce a turnover.
In the first half, USU safety Frankie Sutera missed a good chance for his fifth interception in five games. In the third quarter, Travis Seefeldt's hit forced Grayson to fumble, but a Rams lineman recovered the ball at the CSU 17-yard line after USU's John Taylor tried to scoop the ball on the run instead of falling on it.
Sack attack
Utah State's eight sacks vs. Colorado State came from eight players, totaling 62 yards in losses.
Player yds.
Bryant Hayes 10
B.J. Larsen 9
Nick Vigil 8
Jalen Davis 8
Nick Vigil 8
Siua Taufa 8
Zach Vigil 7
Jordan Nielsen 4