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Logan • If Utah State wanted to kick itself Saturday night, there's a good chance the Aggies missed.

During BYU's 51-28 victory at Maverik Stadium, Utah State tried and missed three field goals. Two were blocked and one bounced off the upright.

Since BYU turned one of the blocked kicks into a 65-yard return that set up an easy touchdown, the three unsuccessful attempts resulted in a 16-point swing and contributed to the outcome.

Coach Matt Wells called two of the field-goal attempts "atrocious."

"That should be six points," he said. "You can't have those issues and expect to win against a very good BYU team."

Going back to its 14-13 loss at New Mexico on Nov. 7, Utah State missed six of its last seven field-goal attempts, including kicks of 32, 34 and 49 yards against BYU.

"Hopefully," said senior quarterback Chuckie Keeton, "we'll get to a bowl game and learn from our mistakes."

Utah's State's field-goal problems started early against the Cougars.

On the Aggies' second possession, they drove from their own 22-yard line to the BYU 32. On fourth down, however, Jake Thompson's 49-yard field goal attempt was blocked by the Cougars' Bronson Kaufusi, preventing Utah State from snapping a 7-all tie.

Early in the second quarter, BYU owned a 10-7 lead when the Aggies marched to the 15. But Keeton's third-down pass to Hunter Sharp fell incomplete and Thompson's 32-yard field goal hit the upright.

Utah State did get a huge play from its field-goal team on its next possession, but it came on a fake, not a kick. Reserve quarterback DJ Nelson ran 13 yards for a first down, setting up LaJuan Hunt's 6-yard touchdown run, which gave the Aggies a 14-10 lead.

Late in the third quarter, however, Utah State lined up for another field goal. Trailing 31-21, the Aggies could have made it a one-score game. But Thompson's kick was low and easily blocked by Kaufusi.

BYU's Micah Hannemann picked up the bouncing ball and returned it 66 yards. On the next play, Francis Barnard's 10-yard touchdown run made it 38-21.

"It was a memorable Senior Day," Keeton said, "but not 100 percent for the right reasons."

luhm@sltrib.com Twitter: @sluhm —

Uptight uprights

R Utah State misses three field goals during Saturday's 51-28 loss to BYU at Maverik Stadium.

• The Cougars block two of the field-goal tries and return one 66 yards to set up a touchdown.

• Over their final four games of the regular season, the Aggies go 1 for 7 in field goal attempts.