LOGAN — For the first time since 1997, Utah State could be going bowling. The Aggies held off Nevada 21-17 on senior day in Romney Stadium to clinch their sixth win of the season.
Bobby Wagner came up with a crucial fumble recovery when defensive lineman Quinn Garner stripped quarterback Tyler Lantrip on a fourth and inches play inside the red zone. On the ensuing drive, Utah State running backs Robert Turbin and Kerwynn Williams ground out a clock-killing drive, including a fourth and one conversion from their own 45-yard line.
Nevada dominated the line of scrimmage for most of the first half. The Wolf Pack finished the first half with 290 total yards of offense, with running back Lampford Mark collecting 106 yards on the ground and wide receiver Rishard Matthews catching eight passes for 82 yards. Despite outgaining the Aggies by 146 yards, the Wolf Pack had just 10 points to show for it. Utah State forced Nevada into a 19-yard field goal in the first quarter and Nevada kicker Jake Hurst missed a 31-yard field goal to end the second quarter.
The third quarter was full of fireworks for both teams. Utah State struck first with an incredible 21-yard Matt Austin touchdown reception in the back of the end zone. The lead was short lived as Nevada responded with a 76-yard touchdown reception from backup quarterback Tyler Lantrip to Matthews to take the lead back just 23 seconds later.
The scoring ended on a trick play on the double pass as quarterback Adam Kennedy tossed the ball back to Stanley Morrison, who then found a wide open Turbin in the end zone to give the Aggies a 21-17 lead they would not relinquish in the fourth quarter.
Kraig Williams is a 2010 Utah State University graduate and regular Deseret News sports blogger. He can be reached at DesNewsKraig@gmail.com or followed on Twitter at DesNewsKraig.