LOGAN, Utah: Utah State erased a 16-3 halftime deficit to beat Washington State 17-16 on Friday, Oct. 9, at Maverik Stadium, securing its first-ever Pac-12 conference victory in the Aggies’ league home opener. Junior linebacker Asher Cunningham forced two second-half fumbles, and both turnovers led to Utah State touchdowns in a comeback completed with 14 unanswered points.
By Laura Strother
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Early miscues put Utah State behind
Washington State capitalized on a Utah State mistake from the opening kickoff. Carsten Reynolds recovered a muff at the Aggies’ 25-yard line, setting up Jack Stevens’ 40-yard field goal and an early 3-0 lead.
The Cougars added another field goal after a 15-play, 54-yard drive. Quarterback Caden Pinnick converted fourth-and-2 at the Utah State 39, and Stevens connected from 43 yards to make it 6-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Utah State’s defense kept Washington State out of the end zone through much of the opening half, but the Cougars continued to add points with Stevens’ third field goal: a 50-yarder in the second quarter. The Aggies answered with Kian Afrookhteh’s career-long 48-yard kick, their only points before halftime.
Washington State also stifled Utah State’s offense in key situations. The Cougars stopped the Aggies on fourth-and-3 at the WSU 49 and held them without a third-down conversion in the second quarter, limiting them to 0-for-5 in that period.
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Jason Strother – JTS Media
With 3:32 left in the half, Leo Pulalasi broke free for a 54-yard touchdown run. The score extended Washington State’s lead to 16-3, where it stood at the break. Utah State’s earlier defensive resistance had kept the margin within reach, but the Aggies needed a substantial second-half response.
Cunningham sparks the comeback
The teams opened the third quarter with three-and-outs. On Washington State’s second possession of the half, the Cougars moved for one first down before Cunningham forced a fumble. Graduate linebacker Bronson Olevao Jr. recovered at the WSU 39, giving the Aggies an opportunity to cut into the deficit.
Utah State converted the takeaway several plays later. Graduate quarterback Grady Brosterhous found graduate receiver Eli Wood for a 27-yard touchdown. Wood dragged one foot while falling out of bounds to complete the catch, bringing the score to 16-10 with 7:08 remaining in the third quarter.
Washington State tried to respond, advancing near midfield, but Cunningham and senior defensive tackle Tyree Morris combined for a sack to force a punt. Utah State’s defense continued to keep the Cougars from building momentum as the teams traded punts.
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Jason Strother – JTS Media
The field-position battle turned when junior punter Landon Rehkow pinned Washington State inside its own 15. The Aggies forced the Cougars into third-and-long, and Cunningham struck again, forcing and recovering his second fumble of the half. The recovery at the WSU 19 gave Utah State the ball in the red zone.
On the first play after the turnover, Brosterhous connected with senior receiver Javon Robinson for 17 yards down to the 2. Graduate running back Javen Jacobs finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown run, putting Utah State ahead 17-16 with 6:22 remaining. The Aggies had scored 14 unanswered points, and Jacobs’ plunge proved to be the winning score.
Defense protects the one-point lead
Utah State’s defense had to hold the narrow advantage through the closing minutes. On Washington State’s next possession, Cunningham made another tackle for loss to help force a punt.
The Aggies gave the ball back after a punt of their own, leaving the defense with one more stop to secure the result. Senior linebacker Jordan Pendleton recorded a sack, and a holding penalty on Washington State further disrupted the Cougars’ attempt to move downfield. WSU punted with less than two minutes remaining.
Jacobs then supplied the decisive first down, rushing for 12 yards and allowing Utah State to run out the clock. The defense finished the second half with a shutout, forcing five Washington State punts after the break, including three-and-outs on each of the Cougars’ final two possessions.
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Jason Strother – JTS Media
The Aggies recorded season highs of eight tackles for loss and three sacks. Cunningham led the team with 17 tackles, two tackles for loss, half a sack, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Pendleton had a team-best 1.5 sacks and tied for the team lead with 2.0 tackles for loss. Morris added eight tackles and a sack, while sophomore safety David Kabongo also finished with eight tackles.
Brosterhous, Wood and Jacobs deliver the scoring
Brosterhous completed 11 of 26 passes for 150 yards and one touchdown, and added 34 rushing yards on 12 carries. Wood led Utah State with six receptions for 84 yards and the 27-yard score. Robinson had three catches for 14 yards, while graduate receiver Demick Starling contributed two catches for 52 yards and one rush for five yards.
Jacobs carried 15 times for 62 yards and the go-ahead touchdown. Sophomore Noah White added two carries for eight yards. Afrookhteh’s 48-yard field goal accounted for Utah State’s other first-half points.
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Washington State quarterback Pinnick completed 23 of 36 passes for 156 yards and rushed for 16 yards on 11 carries. Pulalasi finished with 60 yards on eight carries, including his 54-yard touchdown. Stevens made all three of his field-goal attempts, from 40, 43 and 50 yards.
Jason Strother – JTS Media
Jason Strother – JTS Media
The win moved Utah State to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in Pac-12 play. Washington State fell to 1-5 and 0-2 in conference action.
The 13-point comeback was Utah State’s largest since rallying from 17 points down against Colorado State in 2023. It was also the Aggies’ largest second-half comeback since overcoming a 14-point deficit against Nevada in 2015. The result gives the program its first Pac-12 conference win after its 37-18 loss at No. 22 Boise State in the league opener on Oct. 3.
Utah State now enters its lone bye of Pac-12 play before returning to the road against Texas State on Saturday, Oct. 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. MT on CBS Sports Network. Washington State’s next game is at Oregon State on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 3 p.m.
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