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Logan • Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton is back in fine form.

Keeton completed 22 of 35 passes for two touchdowns against Utah. He also rushed 12 times for 46 yards.

Impressively, Keeton persevered after a roughing-the-passer penalty in the first quarter that left him looking a little gimpy the rest of the right.

On Utah State's second possession, Keeton's pass to Braelon Roberts was incomplete. But after he released the ball, Utah's Sunia Tauteoli rolled into Keeton's knee.

Considering he was playing in his only 11th game since 2012 because of injuries, it was a hold-your-breath moment for Aggie Nation.

Keeton kept playing, though.

"We checked him after every series and he was cleared to go back in," USU coach Matt Wells said. "And he said he wasn't coming out."

Keeton ended up going the distance against the Utes and putting up nice numbers.

"It was one of the guttier performances that I've seen out of him," Wells said. "Just a warrior to the end. He gave us a chance to win."

Presumably, Keeton will play against Washington. Wells does not comment on injuries unless they are season-ending and, after the loss to Utah, Keeton said, "I'm fine."

Turnover drought

When Utah State plays Washington on Saturday afternoon at Husky Stadium, the Aggie defense will seek its first turnover this season.

In a 12-9 win over Southern Utah and a 24-14 loss to Utah, the USU defense has not recovered a fumble or intercepted a pass.

Normally, the absence of turnovers through two games would be distressing to a head coach. At his weekly news conference Monday, however, Wells downplayed any misgivings about the situation.

"As long as we continue to play with effort — as long as you keep seeing nine hats or 10 hats or 11 hats in the video — those things will come," Wells said.

Against Utah, the Aggies defense allowed 327 total yards, including only 49 in the fourth quarter.

Wells' biggest concern was the Utes' ability to score once they reached the red zone. They finished with three touchdowns and a field goal on four trips inside the Utah State 20.

"We have to do better," Wells said.

No happy returns

In Utah State's season-opening win over Southern Utah, junior Andrew Rodriguez's 88-yard punt return for a touchdown with 4:54 remaining was the difference in the game.

Utah punted six times against the Aggies. Jalen Davis returned three of them for 19 yards. Rodriguez did not have a return, but not because he wasn't being used.

According to Wells, Utah State went with a two-deep return game because of Ute punter Tom Hackett's ability to "spray the ball around the field."

Still, the Utes kicked away from Rodriquez and prevented him from fielding the ball. —

Utah State at Washington

P Saturday, 3 p.m. TV • Pac-12 Network