This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Seattle • The first take-away of the season by Utah State's defense was a well-timed beauty — one that seemed to give the Aggies all the momentum just moments into the second half of Saturday's game at Washington.

When Utah State free safety Devin Centers made a circus catch on a poorly thrown pass by Husky freshman quarterback Jake Browning, the Aggies owned the ball at their own 42-yard line.

They trailed by a touchdown.

They were one drive away from heaping pressure on one of the youngest teams on the Pac 12 — a favored team unable to shake Utah State in the first half.

Instead, the Aggies' critical possession went nowhere, as did the game.

Quarterback Chuckie Keeton threw an interception on third and 12; Browning led Washington on back-to-back scoring drives; and the Huskies cruised to a 31-17 victory.

Asked about the pivotal sequence, Utah State coach Matt Wells said, "Maybe a little deflating. It was third and long and we ended up taking a shot against a coverage we liked. It was just as good as a punt. That's how you justify it. But, again, we got ourselves in a third-and-10."

Centers, a junior from Chandler, Ariz., made the play that could have turned the game in the Aggies' favor.

"It was interesting," he said. "We were having a little trouble getting the call in. But, when we did, they ran right and that quarterback took a chance and we made him pay for it. …

"We had a lot of momentum at that point. We thought the offense would come out and get some points on the board and we'd be back in the game. But it didn't happen."

Later in the third quarter, Browning regained his touch. He threw a 33-yarder to Dwayne Washington and a 3-yarder to Drew Sample as the Huskies built a 31-10 lead.

In all, Washington finished with 442 yards of total offense. Browning, the California high school Player of the Year in 2014, completed 22 of 31 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns.

"When you get a team that scores 31 points," Wells said, "it's a mixed bag. There were times when we were too soft in coverage. We've got to be tighter … and we have to be able to get pressure on the quarterback. At times we did that but, again, you have to be a lot more consistent to compete against a good team like that on the road."

With 4:20 left in the first half, the Huskies owned a 17-3 lead and seemed in control. But Hunter Sharp caught a 49-yard pass from Keeton, giving the Aggies a first down at the Washington one.

From there, 300-pound nose guard David Moala got to play offense. He bulled over the goal line on second down to make it a one-possession game just 45 seconds before halftime, giving the Aggies a life they squandered.

Twitter: @sluhm —

Storylines

R Freshman Jake Browning throws for three touchdowns, leading Washington to victory over Utah State.

• The Aggies trail 17-10 in the third quarter, but they fail to capitalize on an interception and the Huskies take charge. —

Washington 31, Utah State 17

Utah St. 0 10 0 7 — 17

Wash. 3 14 14 0 — 31

First Quarter

Wash • FG Van Winkle 48, 2:21.

Second Quarter

Wash • Washington 81 pass from Browning (Van Winkle kick), 13:51.

USU • FG Warren 22, 10:31.

Wash • Vizcaino 2 run (Vizcaino kick), 4:20.

USU • Moala 1 run (Warren kick), :45.

Third Quarter

Wash • Washington 33 pass from Browning (Van Winkle kick), 9:49.

Wash • Sample 3 pass from Browning (Van Winkle kick), 4:56.

Fourth Quarter

USU • Rocquemore 97 fumble return (Warren kick), 9:47.

Attendance • 59,464

USU Wash

First downs 13 20

Rushes-yards 30-83 35-74

Passing 171 368

Comp-Att-Int 17-33-2 22-31-1

Return Yards (-1) 96

Punts-Avg. 4-34.8 2-52.5

Fumbles-Lost 1-0 2-2

Penalties-yards 5-25 3-38

Time of Possession 27:12 32:48

Individual Statistics

Rushing • Utah St., Hunt 13-40, Keeton 5-22, Mays 6-22, Hobbs 2-3, Moala 1-1, Team 1-0, Robinson 1-(minus 2), Sharp 1-(minus 3). Washington, Gaskin 15-42, Lindquist 7-16, McClatcher 1-9, Mickens 2-4, Vizcaino 1-2, Washington 5-2, Coleman 1-0, Browning 3-(minus 1).

Passing • Utah St., Keeton 17-33-2-171. Washington, Browning 22-31-1-368.

Receiving • Utah St., Sharp 6-74, Rodriguez 4-22, Hunt 3-29, Raymond 1-19, Van Leeuwen 1-14, K.Williams 1-9, Robinson 1-4. Washington, Washington 5-131, Daniels 4-75, Lenius 4-54, Mickens 4-54, Pettis 2-19, Perkins 1-17, Renfro 1-15, Sample 1-3.