The Triple Option: Lack of energy, execution cost Aggies in home loss to Colorado State


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LOGAN — Coming off a big win over BYU the previous weekend, there was a certain fear among the Utah State faithful that the Aggies would still be hung over going into Saturday afternoon's game against Colorado State at Maverik Stadium.

That fear was proven accurate.

Utah State (3-3) came out lifeless, especially offensively, and Colorado State took full advantage of it, racking up 295 total yards offensively and jumping out to a 24-0 lead before Utah State finally got on the board.

The lone offensive points prior to late in the fourth quarter came when backup quarterback DJ Nelson blocked a Colorado State punt and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown right before halftime.

LaJuan Hunt Jr. scored on a 22-yard reception with 1:37 to play to put the final score at 27-14, but it was too little, too late.

Here is the triple option of takes from the Aggies' first conference loss of the season.

Hangovers are for real

Don't ever let anyone tell you any different. After a come-from-behind win over BYU the previous week, the hangover was real for the Utah State football team on Saturday afternoon.

The Aggie offense had just 46 yards of total offense in the first half compared to 295 for Colorado State. USU had as many pass yards as points (7) in the first half. Kent Myers was sacked three times as the USU offensive line was dominated by the Rams' defensive line.

Although the hangover didn't last the entire game for the USU defense, it was prevalent to start the game. Colorado State scored on its first four possessions to jump out to a 24-0 lead, but the USU defense finally woke up and forced four punts and a missed field goal on the next five Colorado State possessions.

Utah State leads the nation in turnovers forced with 17, but the Rams took care of the ball on Saturday. USU also didn't record a sack as Colorado State quarterback Nick Stevens got the ball out quick.

Although it was a career-high 13 tackles for USU safety Gaje Ferguson, the fact that the safety had 13 tackles tells you exactly what you need to know about this game.

Offensive woes

Through three quarters, the USU offense had 128 total yards. Colorado State gives up an average of 426 yards per game. USU quarterback Kent Myers had no time to throw the ball for the majority of the game. However, when he did have time, wide receivers struggled to get open or Myers seemed hesitant to let go of the ball. Most quarterbacks would too if they had been sacked seven times.

The Colorado State defensive line was continuously in the back field, and USU head coach Matt Wells said "their defensive line dominated our offensive line."

Leading receiver Ron'quavion Tarver was held to two catches for just 6 yards and was the only USU wide receiver to catch a pass on the day. Tight ends Dax Raymond and Carson Terrell recorded seven catches combined, and running backs Eltoro Allen and LaJuan Hunt Jr. combined for the other nine receptions.

USU finished with 212 total yards and was 5 of 16 on third downs. However, the receiving touchdown by Hunt with 1:37 left in the game salvaged a rough day offensively.

DJ Nelson is a special teams gem

DJ Nelson is the third-string quarterback, but the former Logan High star is making a name for himself on the Utah State special teams.

Nelson blocked a Colorado State punt with 6:08 to play in the first half, calmly scooped it up and ran 30 yards to score his first touchdown of the season. It is the second blocked punt of the season for Nelson, his other coming at San Jose State.

Nelson isn't playing much on offense, with his only appearance at quarterback against Idaho State on Sept. 7, when he rushed one time for -3 yards. However, it doesn't mean he isn't impacting the Aggies in other ways.

USU hosts Wyoming next Saturday at Maverik Stadium. With six games left, there is still a lot of football to play. Colorado State executed better and was the better team this Saturday. The Aggies haven't lost back-to-back games all season and are hoping to continue that trend against Wyoming.


Kyle McDonald is sports fan who loves the Chicago Cubs. Follow him on Twitter at @kylesportsbias

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