LOGAN, Utah, Sept. 26 - Big plays by Utah State's offense and an inspired second half effort by the Aggie defense prevented Southern Utah from ruining Utah State's Homecoming Saturday night as the Aggies got former SUU Coach Gary Andersen his first win at USU, 53-34. The loss, USU's first of the season, sent the Thunderbirds (1-3) to their third straight loss, all on the road, while Utah State improved to 1-2 with the Homecoming win.

            The Aggies scored on three plays of 40 yards or more, including a 59-yard pass from receiver Stanley Morrison to Robert Turbin, a 40-yard Michael Smith run and a 69-yard pass from Diondre Borel to Morrison.

            The last score was the back-breaker for the Thunderbirds, who battled back time and again but could never take another lead after going up 3-0 early in the game.

            The 69-yarder staked the Aggies to a 51-34 lead with 11:38 to go in the game. From that point on USU's defense stifled every Thunderbird offensive drive.

            Big plays by Utah State's offense and an inspired second half effort by the Aggie defense added up to a 53-34 loss for Southern Utah Saturday night. The loss, USU's first of the season, sent the Thunderbirds (1-3) to their third straight loss, all on the road, while Utah State improved to 1-2 with the Homecoming win.

            The Aggies scored on three plays of 40 yards or more, including a 59-yard pass from receiver Stanley Morrison to Robert Turbin, a 40-yard Michael Smith run and a 69-yard pass from Diondre Borel to Morrison.

            The last score was the back-breaker for the Thunderbirds, who battled back time and again but could never take another lead after going up 3-0 early in the game.

            The 69-yarder staked the Aggies to a 51-34 lead with 11:38 to go in the game. From that point on USU's defense stifled every Thunderbird offensive drive.

            "Those plays they busted, most teams we play don't bust those plays," SUU Coach Ed Lamb said. "The big plays in a lot of games turn into 15 or yarders and against these guys they were able to outrun the secondary and turn them into touchdowns."

            Southern Utah drew first blood with a 48-yard Ryan Griffith field goal, but, as has been their custom this season, the Thunderbirds struggled through the early going.  After the field goal Utah State scored on its first two possessions to take a 14-3 lead at the end of the first period.

            SUU lost the ball on a fumble early in the second quarter and the Aggies were quick to cash in, going 25 yards on three plays as Robert Turbin went 16 yards around the left end for his second score of the night and a 21-3 USU lead.

            Southern Utah answered, however, driving 80 yards on five plays with the score coming on a 19-yard Cade Cooper to Tysson Poots pass. Utah State's Jacob Acktinson fumbled on the ensuing kickoff and after Colin Pretlow recovered the ball at the USU 29 yard line the Thunderbirds were able to take advantage four plays later when Cooper found Sitake over the middle for a 7-yard touchdown pass.

            Utah State scored the next 10 points, on a 34-yard Chris Ulinski field goal and a 77-yard catch and run by Turbin, but again the Thunderbirds answered, driving 80 yards in 14 plays, and again scoring on a Cooper-to-Sitake pass, this one of six yards. The last Sitake score pulled SUU within31-24 at the half.

            SUU had just 34 total yards at the end of the first period, to 160 by Utah State, but by halftime had narrowed that margin to 302-232, thanks to 162 yards passing by Cooper.

            Utah State had a different look in the second half, however, and although the Thunderbirds were able to gain yardage in spurts they were able to put together just one extended drive, a 10-play, 80-yard march early in the third period that pulled SUU within 37-31 after Gray ran five yards for the score.

            After Smith scored again on a 20-yard run SUU added a 27-yard Griffith field goal late in the third period to pull the Thunderbirds within 44-34 but Morrison's 69-yard score ended the scoring until reserve quarterback Ammon Olsen was sacked in the end zone by Junior Keiaho with 1:28 to play.

Game Notes:

Griffith is now 10-for-10 on field goals this season.

SUU is now 1-and-13 all-time against FCS teams.

Utah State's 53 points were the most scored against SUU since Cal Poly scored 69 in week seven last season.