CLEMSON, S.C. — The 35-6 score won't be the sole reminder of Utah State's loss to Clemson Saturday. There are plenty of other lowlights.
Due, in large part, to Clemson's 11 quarterback sacks, the Aggies were minus 20 yards rushing and 139 yards total offense. It was the lowest total at least since 1992, and their lowest total since then was 141 yards against Colorado in 1998.
"We had our hands full up front," Utah State coach Mick Dennehy said. "The battle between our offensive line and Clemson's defensive line was the difference in the game. They were just the better team today."
The minus 20 total was nine yards shy of a Clemson school record, set in 1996 when the Tigers held Furman to minus 29 yards. The Tigers were allowing 223 rushing yards a game this season.
Entering the game, the Aggie offensive line had allowed just 13 sacks, and the Clemson defense had 16. The 11 sacks were one shy of a team record and the most against a Div. I-A opponent for the Tigers.
"We had (former players) Michael Dean Perry and Levon Kirkland speak to the team on Thursday, and the defense played like they talked, like the way they remembered the way things used to be here," Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said.
The Aggies had just 60 yards total offense before the Aggies capped a 88-yard drive with a touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN CORRECTION: Utah State freshman offensive tackle E.J. Reid was credited with the Aggies' lone touchdown at Clemson instead of back-up quarterback Leon Jackson III. The officials ruled Jackson fumbled the ball before crossing the goal line, but Reid recovered it for the score. It was Reid's first career collegiate touchdown.
GIVING THE BOOT: The Aggies punted 11 straight times, three shy of a school record when they punted 14 times against Air Force in 1969 and Wyoming in 1970.
ROBINSON MOVES UP: With 85 receiving yards Saturday, freshman Kevin Robinson moved into first place on the freshman yardage receiving list with 350 yards. He passed Chris Stallworth (289 yards) and David Fiefia (334 yards).
MORE ON ROBINSON: Entering Saturday's game, Robinson led the nation in punt-return average at 36 yards per return. He had just two returns for two yards against the Tigers.
PUNT COVERAGE WOES: The Aggies ranked seventh in the nation in fewest punt return yards allowed, but the Tigers tallied five returns for 100 yards with a long of 54 yards. The longest return for an Aggie opponent before Saturday was 17 yards.
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: For only the second time this season quarterback Travis Cox wasn't intercepted. The Aggies were intercepted once, however, when running back Peter Shields was intercepted attempting a halfback pass inside the Clemson 15-yard line.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: Antonio Taylor led the Aggies with nine tackles, while Nate Frederick and Kelly Poppinga had seven each.
Defensive back Cornelius Lamb recorded his second interception of the season, while Jerome Dennis added his first of the season and second of his career.
Defensive tackle Ronald Tupea had the Aggies' lone sack.
E-mail: jhinton@desnews.com