Utah State (2-0) at Air Force (2-0)
- Kickoff: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. MDT
- Venue: Falcon Stadium (46,692 capacity)
- TV: FS2
- Livestream: FoxSports.com
- Radio: KZNS 1280 AM/97.5 FM
- Series: Air Force leads the series 6-3, and the Falcons have won the past two games against the Aggies. Utah State’s last win in the series came in 2018.
- Weather: Party cloudy with temperatures in the high 70s at kickoff.
THE TRENDS
For Utah State: The last time the Aggies started a season 3-0 was 1978. Utah State is also looking to get an early jump in the Mountain West Conference Mountain Division race — the Aggies and Falcons are the only two Mountain Division teams playing a league game this weekend.
For Air Force: The Falcons are 9-1 in their last 10 home games dating back to 2019. Air Force, though, has also lost its last four conference openers. The Falcons are also seeking their sixth win in seven meetings in the series and, like the Aggies, hoping to jump-start a run to the top of the MW standings.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
The Aggies have one of the country’s best offenses through two weeks of college football, ranking No. 15 nationally in total offense (531.0 yards per game), No. 21 in passing offense (311.5 ypg), No. 33 in rushing offense (219.5 ypg) and No. 36 in scoring offense (37.0 points per game).
The Falcons, meanwhile, have one of the nation’s best defenses. Air Force, which held the Aggies to just one touchdown in each of their past two meetings, is No. 2 nationally in total defense (177.5 ypg), No. 5 in rush defense (39.5 ypg) and No. 5 in scoring defense (8.5 ppg).
Utah State defensive end Patrick Joyner Jr., left, and linebacker Justin Rice, right, tackle Washington State quarterback Jarrett Guarantano for a safety during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash.
Young Kwak, Associated Press
KEY PLAYER
Justin Rice, LB, Utah State: Rice will be tasked with helping to stop the Falcons’ flexbone triple-option rushing attack. The transfer linebacker has been a big part of the defense in his first two games as an Aggie, with 16 tackles, two tackles for loss and two interceptions. The key for Rice and the entire defense against Air Force will be to stay disciplined against the Falcons’ offense.
QUOTABLE
“(They’re a) physical football team that’s used to winning, very well-coached. It’s a different challenge. Conference play just (brings) a heightened sense of awareness. We need to get off to a good start and this will be a huge game to win if we can find a way to do that.” — Utah State coach Blake Anderson on Air Force.
“I don’t know if anybody in college football has done more to add via the free agency route than they have.” — Air Force coach Troy Calhoun on Utah State, according to The Gazette.
NEXT UP
The Aggies continue Mountain West play by hosting Boise State on Sept. 25. The Falcons host Florida Atlantic on Sept. 25.
UTAH STATE SCHEDULE
Sept. 4 — Utah State 26, Washington State 23
Sept. 10 — Utah State 48, North Dakota 24
Sept. 18 — at Air Force (5:30 p.m., FS2)
Sept. 25 — Boise State (10 a.m., CBS)
Oct. 1 — BYU (7 p.m., CBS Sports Network)
Oct. 9 — BYE
Oct. 16 — at UNLV (5 p.m., CBS Sports Network)
Oct. 22 — Colorado State (7:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network)
Oct. 30 — Hawaii (1 p.m., Spectrum Sports)
Nov. 6 — at New Mexico State
Nov. 13 — at San Jose State (TBD, Fox Sports)
Nov. 20 — Wyoming (6 p.m., CBS Sports Network)
Nov. 26 — at New Mexico (11 a.m., FS1)
All times MT