Highlights, key plays and photos from Utah State’s 26-21 win over Wyoming

Published: Nov 16, 2019, 1:00 p.m. MST

Utah State wide receiver Siaosi Mariner (80) runs down the field for an 80 yard touchdown reception as Wyoming cornerback Tyler Hall (9) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah. Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP

Brandon covers sports for the Deseret News, with an emphasis on the University of Utah and the NFL.

LOGAN — With its starting quarterback sitting on the bench, Utah State found a way to fend off Wyoming 26-21 Saturday evening at Maverik Stadium

The win keeps Utah State (6-4, 5-1 Mountain West) in contention for the MW’s Mountain Division title and also make the Aggies bowl eligible for the eighth time in the past nine years.

Here are three takeaways that defined this game.

Love misses final quarter

Utah State starting quarterback Jordan Love left the game late in the third quarter with what the school said was an undisclosed injury, and he was replaced by Henry Colombi.

Before his exit, Love completed 18 of 29 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns and had led the Aggies to 23 points, though his final drive ended up with no points after reaching inside the Wyoming 5.

In his place, Colombi completed 3 of 6 passes for 35 yards and led USU into Wyoming territory on his first drive, though Dominik Eberle missed a 50-yard field goal attempt to end the drive. Colombi led the Aggies to three points during his time at quarterback.

Big strikes

Utah State had just 30 yards of offense after one quarter, but a pair of big-strike touchdowns in the second quarter helped get the Aggie offense on track.

First, Love hit Siaosi Mariner for an 80-yard touchdown pass to make it a 7-7 game. On the ensuing possession, Love led Utah State on a 77-yard drive that was capped by a 35-yard touchdown pass to Gerold Bright.

In the second quarter, Utah State outgained Wyoming 272-68 in total yards while building a 20-14 halftime lead.

Utah State linebacker Eric Munoz, left, returns an interception as Wyoming quarterback Tyler Vander Waal (18) chases after him during the second half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) | Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP

Wyoming running back Xazavian Valladay (6) carries the ball as Utah State safety Troy Lefeged Jr. (3) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) | Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP

Wyoming tight end Josh Harshman (33) runs past Utah State cornerback Andre Grayson (21) during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) | Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP

Wyoming quarterback Tyler Vander Waal (18) runs past Utah State linebacker Kevin Meitzenheimer (33) during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) | Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP

Utah State tight end Caleb Repp (87) catches a pass as Wyoming safety Alijah Halliburton (3) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) | Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP

Wyoming tight end Josh Harshman (33) gets tackled by Utah State cornerback DJ Williams (7) and safety Troy Lefeged Jr. (3) during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) | Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP

Utah State wide receiver Savon Scarver (11) gets tackled by Wyoming cornerback Tyler Hall (9) during the second half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) | Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP

Utah State linebacker Kevin Meitzenheimer (33) celebrates with linebacker Eric Munoz (38) after he made a tackle on third down against Wyoming in the second half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) | Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP

Wyoming safety Alijah Halliburton (3) tries to tackle Utah State wide receiver Siaosi Mariner (80) as cornerback Tyler Hall (9) helps defend during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) | Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP

Utah State quarterback Henry Colombi (3) throws the ball against Wyoming during the second half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) | Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP

Wyoming defensive tackle Cole Godbout, left, tackles Utah State quarterback Henry Colombi (3) during the second half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) | Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP

Utah State head coach Gary Andersen cheers on his team as they play Wyoming during the second half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) | Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP

Utah State quarterback Jordan Love (10) looks to throw the ball as Wyoming linebacker Cassh Maluia (46) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) | Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP

Wyoming quarterback Tyler Vander Waal (18) throws the ball as Utah State defensive end Nick Heninger (42) defends during the second half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) | Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP

Utah State offensive lineman Heneli Avendano (64) holds the Bridger Rifle trophy after the Aggies defeated Wyoming 26-21 in an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) | Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP

Defense stands tall

Utah State’s defense had a good day, from a goal-line stand in the first quarter to two Eric Munoz interceptions in the fourth quarter while holding the Cowboys to 343 yards of total offense.

Munoz’s first interception led to a short Utah State field goal early in the fourth quarter, and his pick with 58 seconds to play — at the Utah State 25-yard line — ended Wyoming’s last chance to try and rally.

Munoz had a team-high 13 tackles in the game, and the Aggies picked off Wyoming’s Travis Vander Waal three times.

Scoring summary: Utah State 26, Wyoming 21

Second quarter

Wyoming, Logan Wilson 10-yard interception return (14:54), Cooper Rothe kick

Utah State, Siaosi Mariner 80-yard pass from Jordan Love (11:35), Dominik Eberle kick

Utah State, Gerold Bright 35-yard pass from Jordan Love (7:32), Dominik Eberle kick

Wyoming, Tyler Vander Waal 11-yard run (5:34), Cooper Rothe kick

Utah State, Dominik Eberle 47-yard field goal (2:04)

Utah State, Dominik Eberle 44-yard field goal (0:09)

Third quarter

Utah State, Dominik Eberle 26-yard field goal (4:44)

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Fourth quarter

Utah State, Dominik Eberle 23-yard field goal (11:11)

Wyoming, Tyler Vander Waal 6-yard run (5:34), Cooper Rothe kick

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