Highlights, key plays and photos from Utah State’s 36-10 win over Nevada

Published: Oct 19, 2019, 7:37 p.m. MDT

Utah State running back Jaylen Warren (20) carries the ball as Nevada defensive back Tyson Williams (6) defends during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) AP

Ryan McDonald is a writer and editor on the Sports Express team covering a variety of teams and topics.

LOGAN — It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but the Utah State Aggies turned in a fantastic defensive performance and were good on offense late en route to a 36-10 win over the Nevada Wolf Pack at home on Saturday night.

Here are three things that defined the game.

Shutdown defense

Playing against Nevada quarterback Malik Henry in just his second FBS start, the Aggies gave him and the rest of the Wolf Pack offense fits after the first drive in which the road team scored a field goal.

Most notably, Nevada finished with just 15 first downs on the night and was just 4-of-18 on third down. Additionally, Henry threw two interceptions as he was pressured all night, and Utah State got a safety in the first quarter.

Excellent special teams

The Aggies got a huge lift from kick returner Savon Scarver and kicker Dominik Eberle. With the offense struggling to finish drives in the first half, Eberle’s two field goals were big, as was Scarver’s 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown immediately after the Wolf Pack scored the first points of the game.

Offense made just enough plays

It definitely wasn’t the Utah State offense’s best night, as quarterback Jordan Love went just 13-of-31 (which included some drops by wide receivers) for 169 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but the Aggies did just enough to give Eberle some field goal opportunities and then turned it on late with 14 points in the fourth quarter.