Robert Briggs 23-Yard Rushing Touchdown Ties Game For Aggies
Aug 27, 2022, 3:41 PM
Utah State defensive tackle Hale Motu’apuaka (Courtesy of USU Athletics)
(Courtesy of USU Athletics)
LOGAN, UT – Utah State shook off a slow start as Briggs capped a seven-play, 86-yard drive with a 23-yard score to even the game up at 14.
The Aggies hosted UConn at Maverik Stadium in Logan, UT in the 2022 season opener for both teams.
With the Aggies trailing 14-7, Logan Bonner completed a 31-yard pass in the middle of the field to Kyle Van Leeuwen that set up Briggs’ touchdown.
.@robertbriggs55 had 6 on his mind the whole way‼️
📺 @fs1#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/yH1zKkPx30
— USU Football (@USUFootball) August 27, 2022
Briggs took the handoff from Bonner, cut left and immediately found himself in open space for an untouched score.
Briggs has six carries for 55 yards and a score.
Van Leeuwen has been a favorite target of Bonner, making three catches for 54 yards and a touchdown.
Bonner is 11-for-14 for 158 yards and a touchdown.
The Aggies are currently driving with 2:01 left in the first half.
125th Season of Aggie Football
Saturday’s game marks the first time since 2016 that the Aggies have opened the season at home and the 15th time since 1959. Utah State has won their past three home openers and are 9-5 overall in home openers. USU is riding a 12-game winning streak against non-conference opponents at Maverik Stadium.
Coming off of an 11-3 2021, Utah State picked up votes in two national preseason polls. The Aggies received 12 votes in the Coaches’ Poll, tied for 38th; and two votes is the Associated Press poll. This is the first time since 2019 that the Aggies have received preseason recognition in the polls.
Back like we never left⚡️🤘#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/lNYBS7Mhq6
— USU Football (@USUFootball) August 27, 2022
Quarterback Logan Bonner, offensive lineman Alfred Williams, linebacker AJ Vongphachanh, cornerback Jamie Nance and safety Hunter Reynolds were named captains for the game.
About UConn
Former Atlanta Falcons and UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora leads the Huskies in his first season with the program.
The Huskies return 12 starters, six on each side of the ball, and 57 letter-winners from last season’s 1-11 team. Last season UConn averaged 15.6 points and 265.1 yards of total offense per game (163.8 passing, 101.3 rushing) and allowed 38.5 points and 451.8 yards of total offense (258.0 passing, 193.8 rushing).
Connecticut’s roster includes four players on award watch lists this fall. Junior LB Jackson Mitchell (Butkus Award Watch List), sophomore RB Nate Carter (Doak Walker Award Watch List), graduate RB Robert Burns (The Wuerffel Trophy Watch List) and graduate LS Tommy Zozus (Patrick Mannelly Award Watch List).
RELATED STORIES
This is just the second time USU & UConn have faced each other. Utah State won the first meeting, 38-31, on Nov. 10, 2001, in Storrs, Connecticut.
Week Zero
The Aggies opened their 125th season of football at home against the Connecticut Huskies.
Every Utah State football game can be heard on the KSL Sports Zone with Scott Garrard and former Aggie quarterback Kevin White on the call.
