The Triple Option: Turnovers, lack of consistency hurt Utah State in loss to Wyoming


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LOGAN — The Utah State football team knows all about how turnovers can impact a game. Seven of them helped the Aggies beat BYU back on Sept. 29.

However, on Saturday afternoon, Wyoming gave the Aggies a taste of their own medicine. The Cowboys forced five USU turnovers (two fumbles, three interceptions) in a 28-23 win at Maverik Stadium in front of over 22,000 fans.

It wasn't just the turnovers that hurt the Aggies. A lack of consistency at the quarterback position and on offense led to stalled drives.

In fact, the two touchdowns that were scored came on trick plays. The first was a double reverse, 29-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Aaren Vaughns to Braelon Roberts in the second quarter.

Then, on fourth down of a 15-play, 81-yard, seven-minute drive, reigning Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of the Week DJ Nelson put USU ahead 23-16 on a fake field goal with 12:40 to play in the game.

But it wasn't enough. Wyoming, led by star quarterback Josh Allen, made plays down the stretch. The Cowboys forced and recovered a fumble by LaJuan Hunt Jr. with 2:31 to play in the game and then sacked USU quarterback Kent Myers for a safety with 37 seconds left to seal the win.

Here is the triple option of takes from the second straight loss for USU.

Turnover after turnover after turnover

Yes, it is true. You turn the ball over, you are most likely going to lose. Wyoming forced five turnovers on the day and scored 10 points off those turnovers, which led to the come-from-behind win over the Aggies.

Since forcing 12 turnovers against San Jose State and BYU combined, USU has coughed up the ball six times while only forcing two turnovers over the past two losses.

Wyoming is the leader of the Mountain West Conference in turnover margin, and it showed why on Saturday night. Two defensive ends for Wyoming recorded interceptions, and the Cowboys forced a fumble with just under three minutes to play and USU driving for a game-tying field goal or potentially game-winning touchdown.

The biggest turnover of the game came in the third quarter when Wyoming defensive end Kevin Prosser returned a Jordan Love interception 28 yards for a touchdown that tied the game at 16.

Wyoming cornerback Tyler Hall (9) tackles Utah State wide receiver Savon Scarver (81) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP)
Wyoming cornerback Tyler Hall (9) tackles Utah State wide receiver Savon Scarver (81) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP)

Offensive consistency

It is almost a broken record, but over the last three games, including the win over BYU, the USU offense has struggled. Although the Aggies had 363 total yards of offense, 70 more than Wyoming, they had to settle for three Dominik Eberle field goals and trick plays to put the ball in the end zone.

Yes, Eberle is almost automatic when it comes to making a field goal. But in the Mountain West Conference, you have to score touchdowns, and that is something the Aggies offense lacked. Yes, one touchdown came through the offense, but on a gimmick play.

However, the Aggies are having issues sustaining and finishing drives. The drive that led to the fake field goal touchdown run by Nelson was 15 plays and lasted seven minutes. USU had one other drive that lasted longer than two minutes — a 12-play drive that culminated in a field goal.

The Aggies have to find a way to score touchdowns or else three wins might be a repeat of the 2016 season.

Aggies found a new playmaker

Coming into Saturday's contest, USU wide receiver Aaren Vaughns had 86 total yards and a touchdown.

Despite being on the wrong side of the scoreboard, Vaughns had himself a day against Wyoming. The junior college transfer from Altadena, California, had 89 yards (14 rush, 46 receiving, 29 passing) and a touchdown pass in the most action he has seen all season. This was all on four touches.

It might be wise for USU head coach Matt Wells and offensive coordinator David Yost to get Vaughns some more touches as he showed flashes of brilliance when the ball was in his hands.

The Aggies have lost back-to-back games for the first time all season and travel to Las Vegas for a Saturday matchup at UNLV. According to Wells, "that's a hurt locker room," in reference to USU right now. Sitting at 3-4, the Aggies have five chances to win three games and get bowl eligible, something they failed to do in 2016. It all starts with consistency, not putting the ball on the turf and finding playmakers as well as making use of the ones who are currently on the roster.


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

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