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Logan • Utah State has qualified to play in its fifth straight bowl game, no matter what happens against BYU on Saturday afternoon at Maverik Stadium.

USU is 6-5 after its 31-27 win over Nevada last week. The Aggies rallied from a 27-7 deficit in the third quarter to become bowl-eligible.

The problem?

Six other Mountain West teams have also reached the six-win requirement for bowl participation. Another — San Jose State — can join the group with a victory over Boise State on Friday night.

The Mountain West could end up with more eligible teams than available bowl berths, meaning it's possible a six-win team could be left out.

USU coach Matt Wells doesn't see it happening.

"I think seven wins guarantees you a bowl game," Wells said. "I'd like to think six wins — and what we've done — puts us in a bowl game. But, until you get the invite, you never know."

Nice recovery

Utah State senior linebacker Kyler Fackrell leads the country with five fumble recoveries.

Fackrell, of course, recovered a fumble in the Nevada end zone with 6:55 remaining in the Aggies' comeback victory over the Wolf Pack. The touchdown gave the Aggies their first lead in any game since Oct. 30 — a span of over 173 minutes.

"It's amazing," Wells said. "He's in the right spot at the right time. It's all about his effort and desire."

The Aggie coach plans on getting a framed photo of Fackrell's critical fumble recovery and displaying it in Utah State's football complex

"It was a huge play," Wells said. "... I'm just very happy for Kyler. He's played his tail off for us and he's a tremendous kid."

Could've been worse

Senior nose guard David Moala is fortunate his season hasn't already ended.

During Utah State's 52-26 win over Boise State on Oct. 16, he suffered a sprained knee that sidelined him for two games — a 48-14 loss at San Diego State and a 58-27 win over Wyoming.

It could have been worse.

"When the injury happened, I thought it was an ACL injury," Moala said. "I was just praying it wasn't. You don't want to get injured, especially as a senior. I don't wish an injury upon anybody.

"Going through it and sitting out was hard. Watching the San Diego State game and then the Wyoming game made me appreciate it more — to come back more hungry and give back to this defense."

Despite missing two games. Moala is the Aggies' ninth-leading tackle (37). His ability to occupy blockers at the line of scrimmage often frees linebackers Nick Vigil, LT Filiaga, Torrey Green and Fackrell to make plays.

Against Nevada, Moala's blocked extra point early in the third quarter kept the score at 27-7 and started Utah State's comeback.

luhm@sltrib.com Twitter: @sluhm —

BYU at Utah State

P Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

TV • CBS Sports Network