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Logan • Down to their fourth-string quarterback, the Utah State Aggies were challenged to play "championship defense" to help beat UNLV on Saturday.

Consider the challenge accepted and delivered. The Aggies held UNLV to a season-low 15 yards rushing on 27 carries, sacked UNLV quarterback Blake Decker six times, and earned three turnovers, with Brian Suite and Deshane Hines getting interceptions and Travis Seefeldt recovering a fumble.

The Aggies have forced 22 turnovers in their last seven games.

"The defense did a good job of coming back from a loss down in Colorado State," said linebacker LT Filiaga, who led the team with nine tackles. "We got turnovers tonight and that says a lot of big things about our defense. I believe that's what we're known for."

The Rebels finished with 267 passing yards, one more than the Aggies, but save for a few big plays, had trouble moving the ball. Out of their 17 drives, the Rebels went three-and-out eight times, had three drives end in turnovers and had a field goal blocked on another one.

"It was a big win. I am really proud of the way our kids played," Utah State coach Matt Wells said. "I told them we needed to be an elite defense, and we did a good job of that. We have to do that going forward, too."

One for the record books

The win made Utah State's senior class the winningest one in school history, with a 32-16 mark. The previous best was the 31 wins the 2013 class had.

"This class perseveres," Wells said. "They were a big part of last year's success facing adversity, and they are going to be going forward too."

Of note

Saturday marked the first start for freshman LaJuan Hunt. … Punter Jaron Bentrude had a season-long 56-yard punt. … JoJo Natson's 124 receiving yards were a career high, as was his reception of 71 yards. … The Aggies' 178 yards rushing were the second-most of the season. … USU has led at the half in 28 of its last 36 games, and is 24-4 in those games.

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