To be able to go out our senior year with 10 wins is pretty special,” USU senior linebacker Zach Vigil declared. “And to be able to play with the guys we did, resilient through everything, I’m just very proud and honored to be a part of that and to be associated with this program. – USU senior linebacker Zach Vigil
ALBUQUERQUE — Extremely anxious to get the “bad taste” out of their mouths following their regular-season-ending loss at Boise State, the Aggies found a little Southwestern flavor to be just the thing.
Utah State capped its second double-digit-win season in school history with a 21-6 win over UTEP in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl Saturday afternoon at University Stadium.
“To be able to go out our senior year with 10 wins is pretty special,” USU senior linebacker Zach Vigil said. “And to be able to play with the guys we did, resilient through everything, I’m just very proud and honored to be a part of that and to be associated with this program.”
The Aggies (10-4) finished the 2014 season with more wins than every other USU team but the 2012 squad that went 11-2. Utah State capped off that historic season with a win over Toledo in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, the first of three straight bowl wins for a program that only had one prior to the Gary Andersen/Matt Wells era.
“I always talk about opportunities,” said Wells, who replaced Andersen as head coach two years ago. “When they’re presented in front of you, you’ve got to take advantage of them. You’ve got to use them and take advantage. … In 100-something years of Utah State football, this is the second double-digit-win team and now we’ve won three straight bowl games.
“They’ll never take it away from this bunch. And I’m just proud to coach them.”
Utah State managed to best UTEP (7-6) despite completing just five passes. A strong running game (279 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 40 carries), and a stalwart defense that answered the call again and again in key moments helped keep the Miners in a hole they could never dig their way out of.
Much of the attention heading into the game was given to the clash between USU’s run defense and UTEP’s rushing attack, and the Aggies were the clear winner in that battle. Although standout running back Aaron Jones managed to run for 88 yards, it took 25 carries to get there, and the Miners were held to a total of 149 yards rushing — more than 60 below their season average — and zero touchdowns.
“We shot ourselves in the foot because we didn’t execute this game at all in the run game,” said UTEP quarterback Jameill Showers, who completed 13 of 24 passes for 126 yards and one interception. “They had too much penetration up front. That was pretty much the tale of the game.”
Vigil, who totaled nine tackles, was named defensive MVP of the game, while senior safety Brian Suite finished with 10 tackles and sophomore linebacker Nick Vigil added seven. The younger Vigil brother contributed offensively, as well, carrying the ball eight times for 34 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
The USU defense kept the Miners’ offense in check all afternoon despite not having the services of safety Devin Centers (illness) and cornerback Jalen Davis (turf toe) and losing linebacker Torrey Green to an injury during the game.
“I don’t where to start except to talk about our seniors,” Wells said of the winningest senior class in USU history with 37 victories. “The leadership has been tremendous all year. It’s something I’m very, very proud of is the culture in the locker room. It’s at a very, very high level right now with senior leadership all the way down to the freshmen.
“These kids today, they showed it. We had four or five kids out with a virus who didn’t even suit up. We were making changes in the pregame with all the specials teams stuff, but we just rise up. We find a way.”
Utah State’s Kent Myers was named the offensive MVP despite completing just 5 of 21 pass attempts for 68 yards and one interception. The freshman quarterback did most of his damage with his legs, netting 70 yards on 15 carries, and Myers’ 46-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter ended up providing all the points USU needed.
“It was a zone read,” Myers said of his score. “Our offensive line did a great job blocking, freed me up, and I just took it to the house.”
UTEP was limited to a 32-yard field goal by Jay Mattox in the first quarter, and a 34-yarder from Mattox with 3:02 left in the game. That kick pulled the Miners to within 14-6, but the Aggies responded with a four-play, 65-yard drive highlighted by a 32-yard run by Joe Hill that was immediately followed by an 11-yard touchdown run by Hill that solidified the victory for Utah State.
Afterward, the Aggies and their fans gathered on the field at University Stadium for the trophy presentation and autographs and photographs.
“It’s always cool to be a part of history because they always remember you,” USU senior wide receiver Ronald Butler said of reaching the 10-win plateau.