This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Logan • With 7:28 remaining in a game it dominated early, Utah State's plight seemed perilous Friday night at Maverik Stadium.
The Aggies took possession of the football at their own 9-yard line. Their 24-0 lead had melted away. Arkansas State trailed 27-20 and owned more momentum than a runaway truck.
Utah State's offense had gained only 243 yards overall, 82 coming in the second half. On their previous three possessions, the Aggies had picked up one first down.
"Adversity hit," quarterback Kent Myers said, "but we came back and drove the ball down the field."
Indeed.
With the game's outcome still in doubt, Utah State's sputtering offense responded. The Aggies marched 91 yards, scored the clinching touchdown with 29 seconds left and defeated Arkansas State, 34-20.
Myers directed the drive, which included a handful of critical plays:
• Running back Tonny Lindsey Jr., gained 9 yards on the first play of the drive.
• Myers completed a 12-yard pass to tight end Wyatt Houston on second-and-10 from the USU 21.
• With the Aggies facing third-and-8 in their own territory, Myers ran 30 yards to the Arkansas State 35.
• On third-and-11 from the Red Wolves' 36, Myers gained 20 yards to set up Lindsey's clinching 1-yard touchdown run.
"It was a big drive," Utah State coach Matt Wells said. "I think it says a lot about the offensive line … and Kent made some nice reads. He did a tremendous job on the perimeter."
Myers finished with 63 yards on 11 carries. He gained 50 yards on the final possession.
"Coach Wells just trusted the ball in my hands in that situation and I wanted to make a big play for my team," said Myers, who is 12-5 as the Aggies' starting quarterback.
"I felt like I hadn't done enough this game — as much as I thought I would. That put a bit of a chip on my shoulder. So I just went out there and got the first downs, getting what they gave me."
Another key to the win, which bumped Utah State's record to 2-1, was the defense.
Arkansas State managed only 92 yards and four first downs in the first half.
In the final 13 1/2 minutes, the Red Wolves moved to first-and-goal at the 10 and first-and-goal at the 6. They ended up with field goals both times.
"I think the defense played really well tonight, especially in the first half," said senior linebacker Brock Carmen, who finished with a career-high 12 tackles.
"… In the first half, we did exactly what we wanted to do and shut them out. They got their pass game going a little bit in the second half and we have some stuff to clean up. But overall, I thought the defense had a good showing."
Said Wells: "Those defensive stops late in the red zone — causing them to kick field goals — were huge. I'm very proud of our men for finding a way to win. We should be able to build off that and find some confidence going into Mountain West play next week," against Air Force.
Twitter: @sluhm —
Storylines
• After a 34-20 win over Arkansas State, Utah State opens Mountain West Conference play Saturday night against Air Force.
• The Aggies clinched Friday's win when quarterback Kent Myers led a 91-yard drive in the final 7:28.
• Utah State's Tonny Lindsey Jr. rushed for a career-high 98 yards on 19 carries. He scored two touchdowns.