Utah State heads into Saturday’s game at San Diego State as five-point favorites, and it’ll be interesting to see how the Aggies respond to success.
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The Aztecs have started conference play with four straight wins for the first time since joining the Mountain West in 1998. The last time USU began league play with a 3-0 record was in 2012 when it went on to win the WAC with a 6-0 mark.
The Aggies, who have won 13 of their last 15 conference road games, have been a bit more balanced than the Aztecs on the offensive end.
San Diego State wide receiver Mikah Holder (85) makes a touchdown catch in front of the coverage of Utah State safety Jontrell Rocquemore (27) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, October 23, 2015 in San Diego. This still leaves Utah State in the driver’s seat for the Mountain. The Aggies are also riding a three-game win streak into Friday night’s game, and the only losses they have taken this season were against Pac-12 teams.
Will it be Utah State or San Diego State who finds victory in this one? Entering the 2015 season, USU received four votes in the coaches poll to rank tied for 43rd nationally.
Senior quarterback Maxwell Smith passed for one touchdown and rushed for another and senior running back Chase Price rushed for 97 yards and one touchdown as the Aztecs (5-3, 4-0) won their fourth consecutive game. Donnel Pumphrey is having an unbelievable season for the Aztecs, as he leads them in both rushing yards and receiving yards. He also leads the team with 50 tackles and 11 tackles for a loss. Pumphrey then capped a 77-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run that made it 24-0 midway through the second quarter.
During its current three-game winning streak, Utah State is averaging 47.0 points and 417.0 yards of total offense (225.3 – rushing, 191.7 – passing), while allowing just 19.3 points and 296.0 yards of total offense (221.3 – passing, 74.7 – rushing).
SDSU has competed in five straight bowl games, which is noteworthy when you consider the Aztecs only played in five bowl games from 1967-2009.
For the second week in a row, the game was decided by halftime.
Utah State’s offense has been doing a great job taking care of the football as of late as it has not committed a turnover in its last three games, which is a school record according to available records.
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SDSU players and coaches watched the Aggies produce eight turnovers last week in a lopsided upset win over Boise State. The lowly Cowboys have the misfortune of visiting an angry Boise State team that will be looking to post a big number after last week’s debacle.
