Final: Utah State starts Blake Anderson era with thrilling 26-23 comeback win over Washington State
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Utah State wide receiver Deven Thompkins, left, celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Brandon Bowling during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. Utah State won 26-23. Young Kwak, Associated Press
The Deseret News is providing live coverage from tonight’s season opener between Utah State and Washington State. Follow along for updates throughout the night.
Final
Utah State 26, Washington State 23
Utah State got its own sweet taste of Pac-12 After Dark in the first game of the Blake Anderson era.
The Aggies rallied from a 12-point deficit to beat Washington State 26-23 on Saturday night at Martin Field in Pullman, Washington, as Deven Thompkins caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Arkansas State transfer Logan Bonner with 11 seconds to play for the go-ahead score.
Derek Wright caught a two-point conversion to make it a three-point game. Then the Aggie defense held on the final game for the win.
It was Utah State’s first win over a Power Five program since Utah in 2012, and the Aggies’ first road win over a Power Five program since 1971 against Kansas State.
Bonner completed his final 10 passes of the game, as he led the Aggies’ two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter. Utah State controlled the ball for 9:29 in the final period.
After Washington State started the fourth quarter with its third field goal of the night to push its lead to 23-11, the Aggies responded with a 14-play, 70-yard drive that ended with Utah State’s first touchdown of the season.
The Aggies took 6:38 off the clock with the drive, but USU made it a one-score game with a 2-yard Calvin Tyler Jr. touchdown run with 5:25 to play.
Utah State then forced a three-and-out, giving the Aggies offense one last chance to drive for a potential game-winner, and the Utah State offense delivered. The Aggies finished with 439 yards of total offense to 293 for Washington State.
The Aggies traded off using Bonner and Andrew Peasley at quarterback all night, until Bonner quarterbacked the final two drives of the game. Bonner completed 17 of 24 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Peasley, meanwhile, completed 6 of 12 for 76 yards.
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Utah State players celebrate with fans after winning 26-23 against Washington State in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Utah State wide receiver Deven Thompkins, left, celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Brandon Bowling during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. Utah State won 26-23. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Utah State players sing the school's song while celebrating with fans after winning 26-23 against Washington State in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Utah State quarterback Andrew Peasley throws a pass during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Washington State quarterback Jarrett Guarantano throws a pass during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Utah State, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Washington State coach Nick Rolovich, left, checks on defensive back Daniel Isom (3) as Isom is helped by team staff after being shaken up on a play during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Utah State, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Utah State coach Blake Anderson speaks to players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Utah State running back Calvin Tyler Jr., right, carries the ball while pressured by Washington State defensive back Tanner Moku, obscured, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Washington State wide receiver Calvin Jackson Jr., right, tries to get past Utah State safety Dominic Tatum during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Fans watch the first half of an NCAA college football game between Washington State and Utah State, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Fans watch the first half of an NCAA college football game between Washington State and Utah State, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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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. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Utah State quarterback Logan Bonner throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. Utah State won 26-23. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Utah State safety Dominic Tatum, left, and wide receiver Brandon Bowling celebrate the team's 26-23 win against Washington State in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Washington State running back Max Borghi runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Utah State, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. Utah State won 26-23. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Washington State wide receiver Donovan Ollie (6) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Konner Gomness (77) and offensive lineman Jarrett Kingston (52) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Utah State, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. Utah State won 26-23. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Utah State wide receiver Deven Thompkins carries the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. Utah State won 26-23. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Washington State head coach Nick Rolovich looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Utah State, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. Utah State won 26-23. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
End of 3rd quarter
Washington State 20, Utah State 11
Both teams scored twice in the third quarter. Unfortunately for Utah State, it notched a pair of field goals while Washington State had two touchdown drives. That gives the Cougars a nine-point lead going into the final quarter.
Utah State converted two 50-yard drives into short Connor Coles field goals from 39 and 28 yards, but Washington State had an answer, using its speed to take control.
Cougars running back Max Borghi scored on a 64-yard touchdown run, and later Washington State capped an eight-play, 69-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Donovan Ollie to make it a two-score game.
Halftime
Washington State 6, Utah State 5
The Aggies are in a tight one with the Cougars, though two Utah State turnovers slowed their momentum and led to Washington State taking the lead just before halftime.
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On the plus side, the Aggies have outgained the Cougars 185 yards to 137, and Patrick Joyner Jr.’s safety gave USU a 5-3 lead. Overall, the Aggie defense has looked good, while the offense has had its moments, though inconsistency has halted a USU attack utilizing both quarterbacks.
The Aggies have gone with two quarterbacks — Logan Bonner and Andrew Peasley — in the first quarter, and it was Peasley who led Utah State’s first scoring drive. After USU went three-and-out with Bonner on its first series, Peasley led a 77-yard drive that ended with a Connor Coles 23-yard field goal.
Peasley completed 2 of 4 passes for 50 yards, including a 45-yarder to Deven Thompkins, and rushed for 31 yards on two carries on the scoring drive.
