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Logan • Not even Mother Nature could stop Utah State sophomore quarterback Kent Myers on a cold and rainy Saturday night at Maverik Stadium.
Myers ran for 191 yards and a touchdown, leading the Aggies to a 33-18 victory over Colorado State in a Mountain West Conference game that was delayed 32 minutes at the start of the second half by lightning.
In his first start of the season, Myers stepped in for injured senior Chuckie Keeton and set a school record for rushing yards by a quarterback. He averaged 11.9 yards per carry.
Asked about Myers' season debut, coach Matt Wells said, "I think there's some room for improvement. Kent will tell you that. … [But] I thought he played very well."
Said Myers: "The offense played well. We had a few penalties that cost us a few yards. But the offense, with me getting back at quarterback, I thought we played well."
Utah State's defense was also outstanding.
The Aggies forced three turnovers and limited Colorado State, which was ranked 36th nationally in total offense, to 361 yards. The Rams scored once in the final 42 minutes.
"You hold an offense with those running backs and that offensive line to right around 100 yards rushing is a pretty solid night," Wells said. "… It was a tremendous job by our young men. I thought they were ready to play."
Said linebacker Kyler Fackrell: "Definitely, against an offense like that, our defense ... made plays."
Utah State overcame an early seven-point deficit and took a 17-10 lead at halftime.
It was 10-3 early in the second quarter when the Aggies needed three plays to go 84 yards and tie the score. Myers' 34-yard run moved the ball to the CSU 42. On the next play, he passed to Hunter Sharp in the end zone.
Late in the half, Utah State used a couple of breaks to thwart Colorado State and grab the lead.
On third-and-nine from the CSU 46, Rams quarterback Nick Stevens avoided a fierce rush, stepped up into the pocket and threw long to Olabis Johnson, who was open at the Aggie 10. But Johnson dropped the ball.
Forced to punt, CSU's Hayden Hunter shanked his kick, which took a backward bounce and ended up being downed at the Utah State 39.
The Aggies quickly used the excellent field position to drive for the go-ahead score. Myers' 34-yard run moved the ball to the Rams' 21 and, after a false start penalty, the Aggie quarterback raced 26 yards for a touchdown.
Myers finished with half with 124 yards on seven carries. By comparison, Utah State rushed for 83 yards total two weeks ago at Washington.
After the lightening delay, Colorado State got the football first. But Stevens fumbled after a hit by nose guard David Moala. Fackrell recovered, setting up 23-yard field goal by Brock Warren that made it 20-10.
Utah State eventually built a 26-10 lead after two more field goals and clinched the victory on LaJuan Hunt's 33-yard touchdown run with 2:18 remaining.
"I don't think we've hit our peak yet," Myers said. "… I'm excited to see what we can do."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Storylines
R Kent Myers rushes for 191 yards and a touchdown to lead Utah State to a 33-18 win over Colorado State.
• Myers, a sophomore, makes his first start of the season in place of injured senior quarterback Chuckie Keeton.
• The Aggies force three turnovers as USU improves to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the Mountain West Conference.