Love Throws Game-Sealing Third Interception In Heartbreaking Shootout
Aug 30, 2019, 10:27 PM | Updated: Aug 31, 2019, 5:08 pm
Jordan Love #10 of the Utah State Aggies rolls out against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half of their game at BB&T Field on August 30, 2019 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Wake Forest won 38-35. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina – Utah State quarterback Jordan Love threw a game-sealing interception against Wake Forest at the end of Friday night’s game against Wake Forest.
The Aggies QB was leading Utah State on a potentially game-winning drive when he floated the throw short of his intended receiver and into the hands of a Demon Deacons defender.
Love’s fatal turnover came with 17 seconds left in the game. Wake Forest was able to kneel the ball following the interception and send the Aggies back to Logan with a 38-35 loss.
Ouch! What a heart breaker for the Aggies. Utah State has a lot of talent this year, but that defense has got to do a better job. Love played well, but those three picks…. killers!#AggiesAllTheWay #KSLSports pic.twitter.com/3yJMIbz8g3
— Sam Farnsworth (@SFarnsworthKSL) August 31, 2019
Heartbreaking Shootout
The Aggies and Demon Deacons traded scores back-and-forth all evening. Neither team had consecutive scores.
Wake Forest trailed the Aggies for much of the final quarter after a USU touchdown with 13:51 left in the game. The Demon Deacons converted on fourth down with 1:08 left in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard pass to take a one-score. Prior to the final Wake Forest score, Utah State had a win probability of 95.1% according to ESPN.
Wake Forest takes a late lead, 38-35, 1:08 to play.
— USU Football (@USUFootball) August 31, 2019
Wake Forest had a potent offensive in their Friday night victory. Demon Deacons QB Jamie Newman completed 34 of his 47 attempts for 401 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The two schools combined for 1,175 yards of total offense on the night. Utah State had 23 first downs while the Demon Deacons had 30.
Love also had an impressive stat line in the road loss completing 33 passes on 48 attempts for 416 yards. Three of his throws resulted in USU touchdowns.
The surprise of the night was the impressive running attack from junior running back, Jaylen Warren. Warren carried the ball 19 times for 141 yards and a score. He had a long run of 59 yards.
.@NunLess2 now with 116 yards on the night. #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/3sC6hWaAUI
— USU Football (@USUFootball) August 31, 2019
The Aggies new receiver and Utah transfer Siaosi Mariner hauled in eight receptions on the night for 118 yards and a TD. The Aggies air attack was also highlighted by receivers, Jordan Nathan and Deven Thompkins who each had a receiving TD. Thompkins also reeled in a 56 pass from Love.
First @USUFootball TD of the season and the Aggie fans here in NC love it! pic.twitter.com/hiupOyzodU
— Mountain West (@MountainWest) August 31, 2019
Killer Turnovers
The Aggies’ downfall came from their three turnovers compared to Wake Forest’s single giveaway.
All three Utah State turnovers came from the arm of Love including his third pick in the final minute of the game.
1⃣-0⃣
Strnad's interception with just seconds remaining seals the dub! #GoDeacs pic.twitter.com/vcD0YzQIfG
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) August 31, 2019
Aside from Wake Forest’s fumble lost, their only major error of the game came on the Aggies final drive of the game when a targeting penalty gave Utah State a first down and a chance to overtake the lead.
Career High Night
The Aggies linebacker David Woodward had a career game against the Demon Deacons. Woodward had 24 tackles on the night.
Woodward also had a sack and 3.5 tackles for loss.
The Aggies will host Stony Brook next week on Saturday, September 7 at 5:30 p.m. (MDT).
