The future of Utah State football was on display for nearly three quarters in the Aggies' 50-23 loss to Hawaii Saturday at Aloha Stadium.
True freshman quarterback Jerod Walker, playing for injured starter Leon Jackson III who left midway through the second quarter, led the Aggies (2-7, 1-5) to 20 second-half points with his effective rushing and passing.
"Jerod is the type of player who was recruited for this type of offense," Utah State coach Brent Guy told KVNU radio following the game. "As he gets more and more reps he'll get more and more productive."
Jackson, a sophomore who has started every game this year, was lifted with three minutes remaining in the half with the Aggies trailing 27-3 after being hit on the left shoulder on a previous drive that resulted in a fumble.
Jackson, however, could have been pulled for unproductive play. He completed 4 of 7 passes for 30 yards and he had rushed for 16 before being hurt. After being pulled after a fumble, the Aggies had just 73 yards total offense under his watch.
In his most significant action of the season, Walker completed 13 of 17 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. He also rushed for 88 yards, which included a 46-yard run on the Aggies' first possession of the second half.
"He didn't get the majority of snaps in practice so I was proud of how he came in and played," Guy said.
Guy also mentioned Walker's youth and inexperience showed at times.
"Jerod made some freshman mistakes," Guy said. "He's a competitor and he tries really hard. He runs the ball well and takes hits. He likes to run the football but takes it down to quick sometimes in the passing game."
Walker had a career-high 21 carries and his 46-yard run was his first touchdown of the year. He also connected with Kevin Robinson with a 3-yard pass for Walker's second touchdown catch of the season.
With the possibility of Jackson being out with the injury, Walker will prepare as if he's going to start next week's home finale with Nevada.
"Hopefully, I can keep practicing like I have been and maybe I'll get the start for the next two games," he said.
The Aggies tallied 371 yards total offense. When Walker entered, the Aggies had just three first downs, and they finished with 16.
MR. DE-PENN-DABLE: DT Donald Penn made his 41st career start Saturday, tying him with Ronald Tupea for the most consecutive starts since 1993, but the senior was not around for the finish.
Penn was called for his second unsportsmanlike penalty of the game midway through the fourth quarter and was ejected from the game.
SPEAKING OF PENALTIES: Hawaii was called for six penalties in the first quarter and a half, while Utah State was flagged for just two. By the end of the game, however, Utah State was penalized a total of nine times for 136 yards, while Hawaii was penalized eight times for 65 yards.
CAREER FIRSTS: Freshman cornerback Josh Taylor and freshman linebacker Devon Hall recorded their first career interceptions in the loss to Hawaii.
Taylor's came midway through the first half, and it was the Aggies' first interception since recording two against Fresno State on Oct. 15.
Also, running back Lynwood Johnson scored his first career touchdown with a 5-yard run late in the third quarter.
In the game, Johnson rushed for 24 yards on five carries.
CAREER LONG: Aggie place kicker Justin Hamblin drilled a career-long 50-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3 early in Saturday's game. His previous career long was 35 yards set last week against La. Tech.
"We watched him in warm-ups and he was kicking the ball really well so we decided to give him a shot at it and he hit it," Guy said. "Unfortunately he missed the next one. We've got to be more consistent."
Moments after drilling the 50-yarder he missed a 36-yard attempt that would have tied the game at 6-6.
He is now 4 of 8 in field-goal attempts this season.
THE STREAK CONTINUES: Robinson tallied three catches for 30 yards giving him at least two catches for 15 consecutive games.
Tony Pennyman led the team with six catches for 80 yards, while Dionte Holloway recorded four grabs for 77 yards.
CALDERWOOD OUT: DT Ben Calderwood missed Saturday's game due to a broken arm he suffered in practice earlier in the week. Calderwood is the second defensive tackle who is out for the season. Frank Maile suffered a broke foot at Alabama two weeks ago.
E-mail: jhinton@desnews.com