Aggies Host Mountain West-Foe Fresno State in Homecoming Game Saturday

Game will be televised live on Fox Sports 2 on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

FRESNO STATE (2-1, 2-1 MW) vs. UTAH STATE (0-3, 0-3 MW)

Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 • 12:30 p.m. (MT) • Logan, Utah • Maverik Stadium (25,100)

GAME 4 INFORMATIONTV: FOX SPORTS 2

Play-by-Play: Kevin Fitzgerald• Analyst: Evan Moore• Xfinity (Utah): Ch. 264/HD722• DirecTV: Ch. 618• DISH: Ch. 149

RADIO: AGGIE SPORTS NETWORK

Play-by-Play: Scott Garrard• Analyst: Kevin White• Online: 1280thezone.com / Tunein.com

SOCIAL MEDIA: #AGGIESALLTHEWAY

Twitter/Instagram: @USUFootball• Facebook: USUFootball• YouTube: UtahStateFootball• Live Stats: UtahState.Statbroadcast.com

AGGIE RADIO NETWORK

Every Utah State football game can be heard live on the Aggie Radio Network. Scott Garrard serves as the play-by-play announcer, while former USU quarterback Kevin White (1988-89) will provide color analysis. Games can also be heard on the Internet (www.UtahStateAggies.com) by clicking on the 'Listen Live' link, as well as on the TuneIn App.• Salt Lake City: KZNS (1280 AM/97.5 FM)• Logan: KBLU-LP (92.3 FM)• Green River: KRPX (102.7 FM)• Moab: KRPX (100.3 FM)• Montpelier: KVSI (1450 AM/101.7 FM)• Orangeville: KRPX (95.9 FM)• Price: KRPX (95.3 FM)

KICKOFF COVERAGE

Utah State's Frank Maile has been named the Aggies interim head coach after USU Vice President and Director of Athletics John Hartwell announced the head coaching change on Saturday, Nov. 7. Maile, who is in his 10th year at USU and 12th year as a collegiate coach, also served as the Aggies interim head coach in the 2018 New Mexico Bowl as USU posted a 52-13 win against North Texas. Maile was a four-year letterwinner along the defensive line for the Aggies from 2004-07.
Utah State is 36-23 (.610) all-time in the Mountain West, including a 20-9 (.690) home record, and has won 47 of its last 70 (.671) league games dating back to 2011. In fact, USU is 15-7 (.682) in its last 22 MW games and 18-11 (.621) in its last 29 games against all opponents.
Utah State is 8-2 in its last 10 Mountain West home games and is 39-12 (.765) in its last 51 home games overall. All-time, Utah State is 151-108 (.583) in Maverik Stadium.
Utah State is 18-6 (.750) against teams from the West Division of the Mountain West, which is the second-best record by any school in the league behind Boise State (20-5). Overall, USU has won nine of its last 11 games against MW West Division opponents, including a 3-1 record against Fresno State.
Utah State (36-24) has the third-best record against Mountain West opponents (including championship games) since USU joined the league in 2013. Boise State (51-11) has the best record in the league during that time, while San Diego State (45-16) has the second-best record and Fresno State (34-29) has the fourth-best record.
Dating back to the 2017 season, Utah State is 10-5 following a loss, including a 1-0 record under Maile.
Utah State is the 13th-youngest team in the nation as 65.4 percent of its roster is made up of freshmen and sophomores. Overall, USU has 45 freshmen and 23 sophomores on its 2020 roster, to go along with 11 juniors and 25 seniors.

UTAH STATE MAKES CHANGE IN HEAD COACHING POSITION

Utah State University Vice President and Director of Athletics John Hartwellannounced Saturday, Nov. 7, that Gary Andersen is no longer the head football coach, effective immediately, and assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator Frank Mailewill serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Andersen, who was in his second stint as the Aggies' head coach, ranks fifth all-time in school history with his 33 wins, while his .500 winning percentage (33-33) ranks as the eighth-best all-time in school history. Andersen was one of just two head coaches to lead the Aggies to three-plus bowl games.
Initially hired on Dec. 4, 2008, Andersen led the Aggies to a 26-24 record from 2009-12, including the 2012 WAC Championship. Andersen was then rehired on Dec. 9, 2018, and was the first of 27 head coaches to serve in the role twice.

UTAH STATE HOSTS FRESNO STATE IN HOMECOMING GAME

Utah State (0-3, 0-3 MW) hosts Mountain West-foe Fresno State (2-1, 2-1 MW) in its annual Homecoming game on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 12:30 p.m. The game will be televised nationally on Fox Sports 2 (Xfinity Ch. 264/HD722, DirecTV Ch. 618, DISH Ch. 149) with Kevin Fitzgerald (play-by-play) and Evan Moore (analyst) on the call. Live audio of the game is available on www.UtahStateAggies.com. USU is 558-551-31 (.502) in its 123rd season of Aggie football.
USU is 55-32-2 (.629) all-time in Homecoming games, including a 2-3 record against FS.
Utah State is 28-14 (.667) in its last 42 games played during the month of November and is 8-7-1 all-time in known games played on Nov. 14.

SLOW START NOT THE NORM FOR UTAH STATE

Utah State's 0-3 start to the 2020 season is its first since 2008. The last time USU began Mountain West play with an 0-3 record was during the 2016 season, which was the only year USU has had a losing record in MW play.

UTAH STATE HAS HAD 11 FIRST-TIME STARTERS THIS SEASON

Utah State has had 11 players make their first-career start this season. Against Boise State, senior OLB Nick Heninger, senior DL Marcus Moore, senior TE Mosese Manu, senior RB Jaylen Warren, junior CB Jarrod Green, junior QB Jason Shelleyand sophomore WR Justin McGriffall made their first-career starts. Against San Diego State, senior RB Devonta'e Henry-Cole made his first-career start. And against Nevada, senior WR Derek Wright, sophomore DL Hale Motu'apuaka and freshman OL Falepule Alo all made their first-career start.

UTAH STATE HAS HAD 21 PLAYERS MAKE THEIR AGGIE DEBUT THIS FALL

Utah State has had 21 players make their Aggie debut during the first three weeks of the 2020 season. Senior PK Nels Haltom, senior RB Devonta'e Henry-Cole, senior DL Marcus Moore, junior QB Jason Shelley, junior CB Xavion Steele, sophomore S Patrick Maddox, sophomore RB Pailate Makakona, sophomore WR Justin McGriff, sophomore TE Bryce Mortenson, freshman RB John Gentry, freshman P Stephen Kotsanlee, freshman TE Broc Lane, freshman RB Elelyon Noa, freshman CB Jakob Robinsonand freshman K Joey Roulyall saw their first action against Boise State. Junior S Jared Reed, sophomore DL James Hansen and freshman OL Falepule Alo all made their Aggie debut against San Diego State. And, freshman ILB Kina Maile, freshman OLB Izzy Vaifo'ou and freshman DL Poukesi Vakauta all made their Aggie debut against Nevada.

UTAH STATE MILESTONES THAT EQUAL SUCCESS

Utah State has won 34 of its last 40 games when it has a 100-yard rusher and 38 of its last 43 contests when rushing at least 40 times in a game. USU has also won 54 of its last 59 games when scoring at least 30 points.

AGGIES RETURN SIX PLAYERS THAT STARTED EVERY GAME IN 2019

Utah State returns six players that started every game last season in senior OL Demytrick Ali'ifua, senior S Shaq Bond, senior S Troy Lefeged Jr., senior LB Kevin Meitzenheimer, sophomore OL Karter Shawand senior DL Justus Te'i.

SEVEN FORMER AGGIE PLAYERS ON STAFF

Utah State interim head coach Frank Mailehas six former USU players on his coaching staff in outside linebackers coach Bojay Filimoeatu, strength and conditioning graduate assistant Al Lapuaho, director of player personnel Keegan Andersen, offensive graduate assistants Austin Stephensand D.J. Tialavea, and defensive graduate assistant Jumanne Robertson. Maile also played at USU from 2004-07.

AGGIES IN OVERTIME

Utah State is 6-6 all-time in overtime, winning three of its last five. All-time, USU is 4-3 in single-overtime games, 2-2 in double-overtime games, and 0-1 in triple-overtime games. USU's last overtime game was a 26-20 loss against New Mexico State in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl on Dec. 29, 2017.

DID YOU KNOW?

Utah State's defense posted season highs in both sacks (4.0) and tackles for loss (10.0) in its last game at Nevada.

SCOUTING FRESNO STATE

Fresno State is 2-1 on the season and 2-1 in Mountain West play following its 40-27 conference road win at UNLV last weekend. The Bulldogs are led by junior QB Jake Haener, who is 54-of-86 (.628) passing for 764 yards (254.7 ypg) with five touchdowns and three interceptions. Senior RB Ronnie Rivers leads the team in rushing with 307 yards on 60 carries (5.1 ypc/102.3 ypg) with six touchdowns, and senior WR Keric Wheatfall has caught 13 passes for 225 yards (17.3 ypr/75.0 ypg). Defensively, redshirt freshman DB Bralyn Lux has a team-best 23 tackles, which includes 1.0 tackles for loss, while sophomore S Evan Williams has 20 tackles. As a team, Fresno State is averaging 32.3 points and 442.7 yards of total offense per game (293.7 passing, 149.0 rushing) and allowing 26.0 points and 442.0 yards of total offense (204.0 passing, 238.0 rushing). Fresno State returns 14 starters (O-8, D-6) and 37 lettermen (O-18, D-16, S-3) from last year's team that finished the season with a 4-8 record and tied for fourth place in the West Division of the Mountain West with a 2-6 league mark. Kalen DeBoer is in his first season as a collegiate head coach with the Bulldogs.AGGIES AND BULLDOGS SERIES HISTORY
Utah State is 13-17-1 all-time against Fresno State, which includes a 9-4 home record. USU has won three straight games in the series, which is its longest winning streak against FS since winning five-straight from 1955 to 1981. Prior to USU's current three-game winning streak, FS won six-straight games in the series. Last year, the Aggies posted a 37-35 road win. USU also posted a 38-20 home win the last time the two teams played one another in Logan in 2016. Fresno State's last win in the series was a 24-17 victory in the inaugural Mountain West Championship game in 2013. The first game played between the two teams was on Oct. 18, 1952, in Fresno, with the Bulldogs winning 27-21.

AGGIES vs. BULLDOGS SERIES 10TH-MOST PLAYED IN SCHOOL HISTORY

Utah State and Fresno State will be meeting for the 32nd time this weekend, which is the 10th-most played series in USU history.UTAH STATE VERSUS THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Utah State is 62-72-2 (.463) all-time against teams from California, including a 41-26 (.612) home record. Overall, USU is 21-7 versus Pacific, 18-20-1 against San José State, 13-17-1 versus Fresno State, 8-6 against Cal State Fullerton, 2-13 versus San Diego State, 1-0 against Cal State Northridge, 0-6 versus USC, and 0-1 against Stanford, St. Vincent's and UCLA.

CURRENT AGGIES FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Utah State has 26 players in its program from the state of California, which is the second-most on the team behind the 35 players from the state of Utah. Those players from the Golden State currently in USU's program include senior OL Demytrick Ali'ifua(San Leandro, Calif./San Leandro HS), sophomore CB Michael Anyanwu(Covina, Calif./Charter Oak HS), senior P Christopher Bartolic (Newport Beach, Calif./Corona Del Mar HS/Orange Coast CC), redshirt freshman QB Josh Calvin (Bellflower, Calif./Mayfair HS), senior WR Sean Carter (Westlake Village, Calif./Westlake HS/Fullerton JC), redshirt freshman TE Jack Drews (Ramona, Calif./Ramona HS), junior OL Alfred Edwards (Redlands, Calif./Redlands Senior HS), senior DL Ritisoni Fata (Redlands, Calif./East Valley HS), freshman LS Jacob Garcia (Anaheim, Calif./Servite HS), junior CB Andre Grayson (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Etiwanda HS), junior CB Jarrod Green (Elk Grove, Calif./Cosumnes Oaks HS), freshman WR Quinton Hadnot (San Marcos, Calif./Mission Hills HS), sophomore DL James Hansen (Fontana, Calif./Kaiser HS/Riverside CC), redshirt freshman S Keith Harris (Lawndale, Calif./Leuzinger HS), sophomore OL Andy Koch (Eastvale, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt HS), senior ILB Kevin Meitzenheimer (Moreno Valley, Calif./Moreno Valley HS), senior DL Marcus Moore (Pasadena, Calif./Crespi HS/UCLA), senior WR Jordan Nathan (Monrovia, Calif./Monrovia HS), freshman RB Elelyon Noa (La Mesa, Calif./Helix HS), sophomore WR Tim Patrick Jr. (San Diego, Calif./Morse HS), redshirt freshman DL Dean Rice (Yuba City, Calif./River Valley HS), freshman PK Joey Rouly (Anaheim, Calif./Canyon HS), junior CB Xavion Steele (Hemet, Calif./Orange Lutheran HS/Fullerton JC), sophomore S Dominic Tatum (Culver City, Calif./Culver City HS), senior DL Justus Te'i (Oceanside, Calif./Mission Hills HS) and redshirt freshman LS Jesse Vasquez (Thousand Oaks, Calif./Oaks Christian School).

COACHING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND FRESNO STATE

Utah State running backs coach Dave Schrammspent four seasons (2012-15) as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Fresno State. Schramm and Fresno State cornerbacks coach J.D. Williams were on staff together at Utah in 2009. Fresno State secondary coach Julius Brown spent three seasons at Utah State as its cornerbacks coach. Former Utah State head coach Phil Krueger (1973-75), who recorded a 21-12 record with the Aggies, was also the head coach at Fresno State (1964-65), producing a 10-10 record. Former Utah State DT (1977-78) and assistant coach (1982-84) Mike Waufle was an assistant coach at Fresno State under Jim Sweeney.

DID YOU KNOW?

Utah State has 35 players in its program from the Beehive State, while Fresno State has 94 players on its roster from the Golden State.
Utah State and Fresno State have spent 30 years as league foes, including eight seasons in the Mountain West as Fresno State joined the league in 2012 and Utah State joined in 2013. Both schools were also members of the Big West Conference from 1978 to 2003 and members of the Western Athletic Conference from 2005 to 2011.

SERIES NOTABLES BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND FRESNO STATE

Utah State had held Fresno State to 24 points or less in three of its last four meetings. Before that, Fresno State scored at least 30 points in five straight games.
Utah State has scored at least 37 points in its last three meetings with Fresno State. Prior to that, USU was held under 30 points in each of its previous 22 games with the Bulldogs.
Five of the last 10 games played in the series has been decided by seven or less points.
Utah State has held Fresno State to less than 400 yards of total offense in six of the last 11 meetings, while the Bulldogs have held the Aggies to less than 400 yards of total offense in seven of the last 11 meetings. During the last 12 meetings, USU has had over 500 yards of total offense twice and FS once.
Utah State has rushed for more yards in four of the previous eight meetings, while Fresno State has passed for more yards in nine of the last 12 meetings. Fresno State has also had more total yards in seven of the previous 12 meetings.
Utah State has not committed a turnover in each of the last two games in the series and has had zero turnovers in seven of the last 10 games played against Fresno State.
Utah State has committed just four total turnovers in the last 10 meetings as compared to 14 Bulldog turnovers during that time. There has also been five games (2006, 2008, 2011, 2016, 2019) in the last 10 meetings where neither team committed a turnover. In fact, USU has committed zero or fewer turnovers than Fresno State in each of the past 10 meetings.
Fresno State has controlled the time of possession in nine of the previous 12 meetings and is 6-3 in those games.
The team that leads at the half has won each of the last four games in the series and the team that scores first has won three of the last four. In the past 12 meetings, USU has scored first eight times, but is just 3-5 in those games. USU has also led at the half seven times in the last 12 meetings, but is just 4-3 in those games.
Fresno State has had two 300-yard passers, five 100-yard receivers and seven 100-yard rushers in the past 14 meetings, while Utah State has had five 100-yard rushers, three 100-yard receivers and one 300-yard passer.
In 31 previous meetings with Fresno State, Utah State has had 10 100-yard rushers, six 100-yard receivers and four 300-yard passers.
There has only been two shutouts in series history, both by Utah State, with a 14-0 road win in 1980 and a 20-0 home win in 1981.

PLAYER CONNECTIONS BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND FRESNO STATE

There are nine connections between Utah State and Fresno State players. USU senior TE Mosese Manuattended Mt. San Antonio JC in Walnut, Calif., as did FS senior RB Zion Echols. USU junior CB Xavion Steeleattended Orange Luthern HS in Orange, Calif., as did FS redshirt freshman DB Reggie Strong. USU senior DL Marcus Moore began his collegiate career at UCLA, as did FS senior OL Alex Akingbulu. USU sophomore CB Michael Anyanwu attended Charter Oak HS in Covina, Calif., as did Echols. USU sophomore RB Cooper Jones began his collegiate career at Butte (Mont.) CC, as did FS senior TE Juan Rodriguez and sophomore DL Dario Pizzuti. USU sophomore OL Andy Koch attended Eleanor Roosevelt HS in Eastvale, Calif., as did FS junior LB Richard Cage. USU sophomore CB Dominic Tatum attended Culver City (Calif.) HS, as did FS sophomore WR Jamal Glaspie. And, USU redshirt freshman QB Josh Calvin attended Mayfair HS is Bellflower, Calif., as did FS freshman WR Jordan Brown.

FROM THE RECORD BOOKS

Here is a look at some of the top Utah State team and individual statistical performances against Fresno State over the years.

Rick Parros' 252 rushing yards against Fresno State in 1978 are the fifth-most all-time in school history.
Jack Hill's 90-yard kickoff return against Fresno State in 1955 is tied for the 18th-longest in school history.
Marvin Jackson's 88-yard run against Fresno State in 1980 is tied for the fifth-longest in school history, while Richard Gwynn's 80-yard run in 1984 is tied for the 12th-longest.
Peter Caldwell's 50-yard field goal against Fresno State in 2010 is tied for the 23rd-longest in USU history.
Roger Fernandez had a school-record nine kickoff returns against Fresno State in 2001.
Jordan Love's388 passing yards against Fresno State in 2019 are the 19th-most in school history and the most-ever by an Aggie quarterback against the Bulldogs.
Brett Stevens' 340 passing yards against Fresno State in 1985 are the second-most in school history by a freshman.
Utah State had a school-record 10 kickoff returns against Fresno State in 2001.
Utah State's 388 passing yards against Fresno State in 2019 are the 23rd-most in school history.

DID YOU KNOW?

Utah State forced four turnovers and recovered an on-side kick in an attempt to win the inaugural Mountain West Football Championship game, but fell at 24th-ranked Fresno State, 24-17, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, snapping its five-game winning streak.

UTAH STATE IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST

Utah State is 163-185-8 (.469) all-time against current members of the Mountain West with a 40-26-4 record vs. Wyoming, a 35-39-2 record vs. Colorado State, a 17-7 record vs. UNLV, an 18-20-1 record vs. San José State, a 13-17-1 record vs. Fresno State, a 13-13 record vs. New Mexico, a 10-6 record vs. Hawai`i, a 7-19 record vs. Nevada, a 5-20 record vs. Boise State, a 3-5 record vs. Air Force, and a 2-13 record vs. San Diego State.

AGGIES START SEASON WITH NEW COORDINATORS FOR THIRD-STRAIGHT YEAR

Utah State has new offensive, defensive and special teams coordinators this season as Bodie Reederreplaces Mike Sanford as the offensive coordinator, while Stacy Collinsand Frank Maile replace Justin Ena as the defensive coordinator, and Roc Bellantoni replaces Collins as the special teams coordinator. In fact, it will be the third-straight year that USU has new coordinators on offense, defense and special teams.
Utah State has had a different defensive coordinator in each of its last four seasons and a different special teams coordinator in each of its last six season. The last time USU had the same defensive coordinator for multiple years was Todd Orlando (2013-14), while its last special teams coordinator to coach multiple seasons was Dave Ungerer (2013-15). Ironically, USU has had the same offensive coordinator for multiple seasons twice during the past eight seasons with David Yost (2017-18) and Kevin McGiven (2013-14).
Overall, Utah State is one of three FBS schools to have new coordinators on offense, defense and special teams in each of the past three seasons, along with Appalachian State and West Virginia.

COVID-19 IMPACT ON 2020 SCHEDULE

Due to COVID-19, Utah State began the 2020 season with a league game for the first time since 1995 and for just the sixth time since 1938. Furthermore, its eight-game schedule is its fewest since it played seven games in 1945.
Utah State's Oct. 24 opener was its latest start to a season since 1906, when that team's first game was on Nov. 3. In fact, the last time USU started a season in October prior to this year was in 1944, when its first game was on Oct. 14.
Utah State's Oct. 31 date for its home opener was its latest in 91 years as the last time USU had a later home opener was in 1929, when that team played its first home game on Nov. 9. Overall, USU's home opener this year is its fourth-latest start dating back to 1900 (11/9/1929, 11/26/1904, 11/17/1900).
The last time Utah State's first home game was in October was in 1986, when it began its home season with a 42-9 win against New Mexico State on Oct. 4. Dating back to World War II and the 1944 season, USU has started its home schedule in October nine times (1944, 1954, 1960, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1974, 1986, 2020).
Utah State's non-conference game with BYU, which was scheduled for Oct. 2, was canceled. The last time USU did not play the Cougars was during the 2007 season. In fact, BYU and USU played one another for 55 straight years between 1946 and 2002 before the series had a three-year hiatus.
Utah State is not playing a Power 5 opponent for the first time since 1995. USU was scheduled to host Washington State on Sept. 3 and play at Washington on Sept. 19 this fall.

DID YOU KNOW?

Utah State has five players on its current roster who transferred from Power 5 programs in senior PK Nels Haltom(Utah), senior OLB Nick Heninger(Utah), senior RB Devonta'e Henry-Cole (Utah), senior DL Marcus Moore (UCLA) and junior QB Jason Shelley (Utah). USU has three more players on its roster that began their careers at Power 5 programs as senior ILB Cash Gilliam and senior DL Jaylin Bannerman both began their collegiate careers at Kentucky, while sophomore WR Justin McGriff began his collegiate career at Nebraska.
Utah State has seven players on its current roster that began their careers as walk-ons and went on to earn scholarships in senior WR Taylor Compton, senior graduate transfer OLB Nick Heninger, senior LB Eric Munoz, senior LS Brandon Pada, senior DL Jake Pitcher, senior WR Derek Wright and sophomore OL Karter Shaw. Furthermore, senior P Christopher Bartolic is currently a walk-on.