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Seattle • Utah State senior receiver Hunter Sharp returned from a two-game suspension Saturday at Washington.
He made an immediate impact.
Sharp, the Aggies' leader in receptions last year, did not play against Southern Utah or the University of Utah in the first two weeks of this season for violating team rules.
Against the Huskies, however, Sharp caught six passes for 74 yards.
"I think he came out and played well," Utah State coach Matt Wells said.
"We have to continue to get the ball to him in different ways. He's a good receiver. He's a strong runner after the catch. He's a guy who has to make plays for us when we get into Mountain West [Conference] play."
Early in the second quarter, Sharp's 60-yard kickoff return sparked the Aggies' first scoring drive. It ended in a field goal, narrowing Washington's lead 10-3.
Just before halftime, quarterback Chuckie Keeton hit Sharp for a 49-yard gain to the Huskies' 1-yard line. Two plays later, David Moala scored to make it 17-10.
Sharp's biggest play wasn't a kick return or a pass reception, however.
With 11 minutes remaining, Utah State drove to the Washington 16. On third down, Brandon Beaver stepped in front of Keeton's pass at the goal line.
Beaver raced down the sideline and looked like he was going to score. But Sharp caught him from behind and tackled him on the Aggies' 3-yard line.
Considering Washington owned a 31-10 lead at the time, Sharp's play didn't seem too important. But on second down, the Huskies fumbled. Utah State's Jontrell Rocquemore returned it 97 yards for a touchdown.
Instead of Washington taking a 38-10 lead, the Aggies closed within two touchdowns, 31-17.
"It's something you show on tape," Wells said. "It's a really unselfish play is what it is. And you have to have more of it. That stuff has to permeate a team and a program.
"It just shows that heart and will can sometimes lead to a big play, even when you don't know the big play is coming. At that point, you don't know it's going to be that big of a swing."