Aggies get run over by Air Force, 35-7

LOGAN – Utah State started Thursday’s game against Air Force with a fury.

Andrew Peasley drove the Aggies 65 yards for a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Nathan.

The Falcons scored 35 unanswered points, as Haaziq Daniels threw for 127 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 47 yards and another score, in a 35-7 blowout at Maverik Stadium.

Utah State was coming off its only victory of the year on Thanksgiving Night over New Mexico, but struggled against the Falcons and fell to 1-5 on the season.

Air Force came into the game averaging just 67 yards passing, but Daniels connected with Ben Peterson on a 49-yard touchdown in the second quarter to break a 7-7 tie. Daniels’ 127 yards passing were a career high.

The Falcons also did what they do best — run the ball. Air Force amassed 334 yards rushing, led by Kadim Remsberg, who had 107 yards rushing and a touchdown. Brad Roberts added 98 yards rushing and another score, as the Aggies defense failed to stop the Falcons option attack.

“It’s Air Force, so you have to be disciplined,” said Utah State linebacker Nick Heninger, who had a team-high 14 tackles. “You don’t win games if you’re 90 or 95 percent disciplined. If you give up a big play, they score. They capitalized on three of those in the first half. I thought we were doing a good job of shutting down for the most part, but we didn’t get off the field on those third downs and that fourth down at the beginning.”

Air Force led 21-7 at the half after a 37-yard touchdown run by Daniels. The Falcons outscored the Aggies in the second half, 14-0, on touchdown runs by Matthew Murla and Brad Roberts.

Peasley finished the game completing 17 of 32 passes for 127 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also led Utah State in rushing with 53 yards on eight carries. The Aggies offense generated just 232 total yards.

“That was the game plan, to be able to control the clock a little bit more and keep the ball away from Air Force,” Maile said. “I thought our defense put these guys in situations they weren’t used to and we allowed them to convert. Bottom line is we left the on the field too long. These guys will eat up the clock, that’s what they do for a living. It just wasn’t good enough tonight. Bottom line is that’s on me as the head coach, and I have to do a better job preparing these guys for the game.”

Utah State will wrap up the 2020 season Saturday, Dec. 12 at Colorado State.