Logan • Seeing Air Force on the schedule was something of a throwback for Bronco Mendenhall.
Utah State’s head coach shared a conference with the Falcons back when he led BYU. He schemed against Troy Calhoun, now in his 19th season in Colorado Springs, every year for a decade.
“Troy and I go back a long time from our original days in the Mountain West,” Mendenhall said. “They have a challenging system to go against.”
In the end, it was a happy reunion for Mendenhall.
His Aggies didn’t have much trouble with Air Force in a 49-30 win on Saturday night.
Utah State accounted for 473 yards as its passing attack was ruthlessly efficient. Quarterback Bryson Barnes finished 17-of-22 passing for 287 yards and two touchdowns. His quarterback rating was well over 220 late into the fourth quarter.
When he wasn’t throwing it, Barnes added three rushing touchdowns and 44 yards on the ground. His second score, an 11-yard scamper up the middle in the third quarter, was enough to break the game open to a three-score lead.
Defensively, USU kept Air Force’s triple option at bay.
The Falcons had 266 rushing yards and 186 through the air. They briefly threatened to be competitive after a 75-yard touchdown drive in the third, but the Aggies quickly answered with a one-handed touchdown grab by Braden Pegan.
Mendenhall hinted earlier in the week USU was “still in discovery mode” with who its playmakers were.
But it seems clearer who it will rely on now: Pegan, Brady Boyd and running back Miles Davis.
Pegan had seven catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Boyd had 72 yards on four receptions. Davis, a BYU transfer, had 54 rushing yards on eight carries.
“We are off to a good start, but that is just what it is: a start,” Mendenhall said. “We aren’t perfect, but we play hard.”
For now, though, USU is 2-1 going into a game against McNeese.
And for that, Mendenhall can be pleased that his reunion with Air Force went according to plan.