Utah State wide receiver Siaosi Mariner, left, is pulled down after catching a pass by Air Force defensive back Milton Bugg III in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7.  David Zalubowski, AP
Trent Wood
By Trent Wood
Trent Wood is a sports writer for the Deseret News.

LOGAN — The Utah State Aggies were not at their best Saturday night in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Not by a long shot.

The result was a 31-7 beatdown at the hands of Air Force.

“Tonight man, they just got the best of us,” junior safety Shaq Bond told 1280 the Zone postgame.

Did they ever.

Air Force dominated in all three phases of the game.

“It is time to answer back and fight. This team battled and they are hurting. It is hard to deal with a loss like this, but they’ll fight back.” — Utah State coach Gary Andersen

On offense, the Falcons racked up 472 total yards, 448 on the ground. 

Three different Falcons rushed for at least 88 yards and a score, led by Timothy Jackson who finished with a game-high 148 yards and a touchdown.

They dominated possession of the ball, holding onto the pigskin for over 45 minutes of the game, 45 minutes and 43 seconds to be exact.

Defensively, Air Force held Utah State to a mere 128 yards of total offense, all but 14 of which came in the passing game. 

The Aggies recorded only seven first downs and went just one of nine on third down.

The only place Utah State could be considered the better team was in the turnover battle, where USU was plus-two, with two fumble recoveries and no turnovers.

“We got beat by the better team, no question about it,” Utah State coach Gary Andersen said. “Air Force pretty much dominated both sides of the football and the game. When Air Force is a quality football team, which they are this year, you have to be firing on all cylinders to have a chance. Obviously we were not and we got beaten badly.”

Even with the loss, Utah State’s goals for the season, particularly a Mountain West Conference championship, remain within reach.

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Air Force running back Kadin Remsberg, top front, jumps over Utah State cornerback Andre Grayson, bottom front, but is stopped by safety Troy Lefeged Jr., back, after a short gain in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force quarterback Isaiah Sanders, center, is stripped of the ball for a fumble by Utah State cornerback DJ Williams, right, as cornerback Cameron Haney makes the stop after a short gain in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Utah State recovered the ball. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force fullback Timothy Jackson, front right, tumbles in for a touchdown past Utah State defensive end Dalton Baker, front, left, and safety Braxton Gunther in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force wide receiver Daniel Morris, left, congratulates fullback Timothy Jackson (34) after his run for a touchdown against Utah State in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State wide receiver Siaosi Mariner celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown against Air Force in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force quarterback Donald Hammond III, second from left, is tackled by Utah State safety Shaq Bond, left, and linebackers David Woodward, third from left, and Kevin Meitzenheimer in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Hammond was hurt on the play and left the field but returned in the first half. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force quarterback Donald Hammond III, left, is tended to after being injured while carrying the ball for a short gain against Utah State in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Hammond left the game but returned in the first quarter. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force quarterback Isaiah Sanders, right, is run out of play after a long gain by Utah State cornerback DJ Williams in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State head coach Gary Andersen looks on in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Air Force Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State quarterback Jordan Love looks to pass the ball in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Air Force Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State quarterback Jordan Love warms up before the first half of an NCAA college football game against Air Force Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force quarterback Donald Hammond III warms up before the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force running back Kadin Remsberg, left, runs around the corner for a short gain as Utah State safety Troy Lefeged Jr. pursues in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force fullback Timothy Jackson, center, runs for a short gain as Utah State safety Troy Lefeged Jr., left, and defensive tackle Caden Andersen come in to make the stop in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force fullback Taven Birdow, center, is stopped short of the end zone by Utah State defensive end Dalton Baker, left, and linebacker Kevin Meitzenheimer in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force running back Kadin Remsberg, left, outruns Utah State safety Shaq Bond to score a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force running back Kadin Remsberg celebrates after rushing for a touchdown against Utah State in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force fullback Taven Birdow, left, falls into the end zone to score a touchdown as Utah State cornerback Cameron Haney covers in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State quarterback Jordan Love throws a pass against Air Force in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force fullback Taven Birdow, center, is stopped by Utah State safety Shaq Bond, left, and linebacker Kevin Meitzenheimer in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State cornerback DJ Williams, left, comes in to stop Air Force quarterback Donald Hammond III after a short gain in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State wide receiver Siaosi Mariner, left, is pulled down after catching a pass by Air Force defensive back Milton Bugg III in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State safety Shaq Bond, right, stops Air Force quarterback Donald Hammond III in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State quarterback Cooper Legas, left, and wide receiver Sean Carter struggle to keep warm as temperatures fall as an autumn storm settles into the region during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Air Force Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State running back Riley Burt looks for room to run against Air Force in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State quarterback Jordan Love heads off the field after failing to move the ball late in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Air Force Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State wide receiver Siaosi Mariner, front, pulls in a pass for a touchdown in front of Air Force defensive back Milton Bugg III in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force quarterback Donald Hammond III, left, and wide receiver Benjamin Waters lead teammates in a celebration after singing the school song after the second half of an NCAA college football game against Utah State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP

That was one of Andersen’s messages to his team following the shellacking.

“Coach A just reminded us of that, and told us to keep our heads up,” Bond said. “Every goal that we set at the beginning of the season is still out there and within reach.”

“That is part of it,” said Andersen. “You have to mention that there is an opportunity to move forward and the goals that they’ve made for themselves (are within reach). They’ve positioned themselves to still be in it with five games left. The margin for error is much less now, but we have a rivalry game next week, followed by four conference games. If you win them all you win your (division). That is the bottom line.”

There was another bottom line for Utah State, though, with a less optimistic slant.

What Utah State did Saturday night was unacceptable.

It wasn’t Aggie football.

“This was not acceptable, not for the staff or anyone on this football team,” Andersen said.

He placed much of the blame on himself and his coaching staff.

“Any time it goes that way in a football game, I look at myself, so put this on me,” he said. “We have to look at ourselves as coaches. We can’t blame it on the kids. You have to put it on us and say we have to do a better job of coaching and adjusting, whatever it might be.”

That is not to say that improvement on the field isn’t a necessity. 

“We have to find a way to get things going offensively and that is not just tonight, that is the last month,” said Andersen. “We have to find a way to get something going. Until we do that, it is going to be awful tough to win football games.”

The Aggies’ defense wasn’t without blame either.

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“Defensively, they did not play well tonight,” Andersen said. “Defense has had its nights. Tonight was not the night.”

With Utah State set to host rival BYU on Saturday, Nov. 2, one thing is certain — the Aggies must be better.

If Andersen has his way, they will be.

“It is time to answer back and fight,” he said. “This team battled and they are hurting. It is hard to deal with a loss like this, but they’ll fight back.”

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