Attrition Catches Up To Utah State In Loss To Memphis Tigers
Dec 27, 2022, 12:54 PM | Updated: 4:57 pm
LOGAN, UT- OCTOBER 8: Cooper Legas #5 of the Utah State Aggies is sacked by Trey Taylor #7 and Bo Richter #8 of the Air Force Falcons during the first half of their game October 8, 2022 Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah.
LOGAN, Utah – It appeared injury woes finally caught up with Utah State as they struggled to find any offensive momentum in a 38-10 loss to Memphis.
Utah State (6-7, 5-3) faced the Memphis Tigers (7-6, 3-5) in the SERVPRO First Responders Bowl on Tuesday, December 27.
FINAL 🏈@MemphisFB 3⃣8⃣@usufootball 🔟
Total: Utah State 261 | Memphis 430
Rushing: Utah State 126 | Memphis 146
Passing: Utah State 135 | Memphis 284 #AggiesAllTheWay #USU #USUAggies #AggieFootball #AtThePEAK #MWFB @kslsports pic.twitter.com/QyagCLl3wA— Brian Preece (@bpreece24) December 27, 2022
RELATED: Battle Tested Memphis Brings Talented Defense Into Bowl Matchup With Utah State
Bishop Davenport led Utah State with 100 yards passing on 7-of-9 and a touchdown in relief of injured Cooper Legas. Legas completed 7-of-12 passes for 34 yards before leaving in the third quarter. Calvin Tyler Jr. led USU with 79 rushing yards on 16 carries. Brian Cobbs caught six passes for 79 yards and a score.
Seth Henigan went 20-of29 passing for 284 yards and three touchdowns for Memphis. Jevyon Ducker led the Tigers with 83 yards on the ground and two scores. Eddie Lewis finished with five catches for 83 yards and two touchdowns.
RELATED: ‘All Hands On Deck’ As Utah State Prepares For First Responders Bowl
First Quarter
ICYMI: Our game will start on ESPN2 and the ESPN mobile app. pic.twitter.com/EGmKtbSVAy
— USU Football (@USUFootball) December 27, 2022
.@USUFootball kicks off to Memphis to open the @FRBowl#AggiesAllTheWay #USU #USUAggies #AggieFootball #USUfootball #AtThePEAK #MWFB #FRBowl pic.twitter.com/FbgaJibqrD
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 27, 2022
After giving a long 33-yard completion early, the Aggie defense stepped up. USU defensive end Daniel Grzesiak came up with the games first sack, forcing a huge third down loss for Memphis.
DG SACK!
⚡️ @DG_RunItUp#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/q87Kv2Irxm
— USU Football (@USUFootball) December 27, 2022
Utah State took over their first possession of the day after the ensuing Memphis punt.
@USUFootball punts after gaining one first down.
Legas took a shot but overthrew Vaughn on the pattern.#AggiesAllTheWay @FRBowl @kslsports pic.twitter.com/A0m1ePAfpU
— Brian Preece (@bpreece24) December 27, 2022
USU’s defensive front got home again on first down with Poukesi Vakuata picking up his first sack of the season. The Tigers wold go three and out on the drive.
POUKESI!!!!@kes1turnup with a 13-yard sack! pic.twitter.com/uCDVdr6wNT
— USU Football (@USUFootball) December 27, 2022
False start pushes @USUFootball back on 4️⃣th down.
Neither team generating much offense early in the @FRBowl #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/rbSbJAZeMG
— Brian Preece (@bpreece24) December 27, 2022
Gabriel Rogers got loose for his second big play of the day, taking a backwards pass 18 yards for the Tigers second first down of the game.
Big plays from Memphis get the Tigers in the red zone.@USUFootball defense being tested for the first time today#AggiesAllTheWay #USU #USUAggies #AggieFootball #USUfootball #AtThePEAK #MWFB @FRBowl #FRBowl
— Brian Preece (@bpreece24) December 27, 2022
A 28-yard pitch and catch took Memphis into the red zone and put the Aggie defense on their heels. A short pass completion on third down would give Memphis first and goal to goal late in the first quarter.
Two plays later, Michael Anyanwu overcame a broken hand to break up a third down pass in the back of the end zone and force a Memphis field goal attempt. Chris Howard would nail the 26-yard field goal for the first points of the game with 1:05 left in the opening quarter.
Memphis take an early 3-0 lead but @USUFootball can hang their hats on the defensive stop.
Despite a cast on his hand, Michael Anyanwu forced a third down pass break up to force the field goal.#AggiesAllTheWay #AggieFootball #USUfootball #AtThePEAK #MWFB @FRBowl pic.twitter.com/u4DsYi60Pt
— Brian Preece (@bpreece24) December 27, 2022
END OF 1ST Q 🏈@MemphisFB 3⃣@usufootball 0⃣
Total: Utah State 94 | Memphis 50
Rushing: Utah State 14 | Memphis 33
Passing: Utah State 80 | Memphis 17 #AggiesAllTheWay #USU #USUAggies #AggieFootball #AtThePEAK #MWFB @kslsports pic.twitter.com/G2XcP8SUTG— Brian Preece (@bpreece24) December 27, 2022
END 1️⃣ | After the first quarter, Memphis leads 3-0. #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/HDuhnXjRkJ
— USU Football (@USUFootball) December 27, 2022
Second Quarter
USU was able to mount a drive into Memphis’ side of the field to begin the second quarter. A 10-yard Calvin Tyler Jr. rush was followed by an 11-yarder run from Legas.
After consecutive sacks, the Aggies were forced to bring Connor Coles on for a 53-yard field goal attempt.
Das COWBOY BOOT! @ColesKicking
📺 ESPN#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/tiXIOYpdsw
— USU Football (@USUFootball) December 27, 2022
Utah State Kicker Connor Coles set a new career-long kick at 53-yards to tie the @FRBowl at 3-3!#AggiesAllTheWay #USU #USUAggies #AggieFootball #AtThePEAK #MWFBhttps://t.co/xDMstJk0tY
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 27, 2022
RELATED: Connor Coles Nails Career-Long Field Goal In First Responder Bowl
Memphis responded, gaining nearly thirty yards in three plays before a holding penalty slowed the drive down. On third-and-nine, the Tigers found a hole in the Aggie defense as Roc Taylor broke free for a 22-yard gain and a first down.
Two plays later, Seth Henigan found Eddie Lewis on a 15-yard crossing pattern for the games first touchdown with 7:24 left in the half.
Make it look 𝓮𝓪𝓼𝔂 @eddielou__
Memphis 10, USU 3 | 7:24 2Q#ALLIN | #GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/uL6b08xjxX
— Memphis Football (@MemphisFB) December 27, 2022
Utah State started to dip into their backfield depth on the next drive as Jordan Wilmore had a pair of carries. The Aggies picked up one first down on the drive before turned the ball over on downs after coming up short near midfield on 4th-&-one.
Jordan Wilmore and Terrell Vaughn each get a carry as @USUFootball trail Memphis 10-3 in the @FRBowl second quarter#AggiesAllTheWay #USU #USUAggies #AggieFootball #AtThePEAK #MWFB @kslsports pic.twitter.com/sFuwTP5IRx
— Brian Preece (@bpreece24) December 27, 2022
Vongphachanh has returned https://t.co/OsGKjDMada
— Brian Preece (@bpreece24) December 27, 2022
Memphis took advantage of the short field, needing only five plays before Lewis scored his second touchdown on a 22-yard catch.
The Tigers took a 17-3 lead with 2:56 left in the half.
That looked familiar! Henigan finds Lewis for the 22-yard touchdown, their second connection of the game to put @MemphisFB up by 14 with 2:56 to go in the half! pic.twitter.com/7Q2HR4ZukM
— First Responder Bowl (@FRBowl) December 27, 2022
USU would lose six yards on their next drive, punting after a three & out. The Aggie offensive line has allowed three sacks in the first half.
The Tigers defensive line is starting to cause problems for Cooper Legas.@USUFootball with just 95 first half yards as the ⏰ ticks down
3⃣ sacks now for the Tigers, their most since 2021#AggiesAllTheWay #USU #USUAggies #AggieFootball #AtThePEAK #MWFB
— Brian Preece (@bpreece24) December 27, 2022
Memphis continued moving the ball with ease as 10 straight Seth Henigan completions allowed the Tigers to set up a first & goal from the Aggie one-yard line with less than a minute remaining in the half.
After getting stuffed for a two yard loss on first down, Henigan’ s completion streak came to an end when John Hassell dropped a wide open pass in the end zone. On the next play, Henigan hit Caden Prieskorn for the Tigers third first half touchdown.
Henigan with his third TD toss of the 2nd quarter! He pulls out the option and tosses it to Prieskorn for the 3-yard score! Memphis up 24-3 with just 24 seconds to go in the first half! pic.twitter.com/mK468AHyyA
— First Responder Bowl (@FRBowl) December 27, 2022
.@USUFootball's 2⃣4⃣-3⃣ halftime deficit is the largest in @FRBowl since 2013 when Oklahoma State led Purdue 28-0.#AggiesAllTheWay #USU #USUAggies #AggieFootball #AtThePEAK #MWFB @kslsportspic.twitter.com/dzEuwEH5LR
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 27, 2022
HALFTIME 🏈@MemphisFB 2⃣4⃣@usufootball 3⃣
Total: Utah State 89 | Memphis 273
Rushing: Utah State 56 | Memphis 56
Passing: Utah State 33 | Memphis 217 #AggiesAllTheWay #USU #USUAggies #AggieFootball #AtThePEAK #MWFB @kslsports pic.twitter.com/LCZkca2Si1— Brian Preece (@bpreece24) December 27, 2022
Third Quarter
Cooper Legas came out of the halftime locker room looking to move the chains with his legs. A first down run from Legas gave USU some momentum but it would be short-lived.
On 3rd-&-five, Legas tried to hit Brian Cobbs in double coverage. After a review, Tiger defenive back Sylvonta Oliver came down with the games first turnover. It was Legas’ tenth interception of the season.
Our 🏈, @TooEasy_7
Memphis 24, USU 3 | 13:31 3Q#ALLIN | #GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/MigNj1Ys8S
— Memphis Football (@MemphisFB) December 27, 2022
On third down with Memphis near midfield, Grzesiak stepped up again. This time he batted down a would be first down pass to force a punt and keep USU in the game.
Much-needed stand for @USUFootball.
— First Responder Bowl (@FRBowl) December 27, 2022
Penalties bit Utah State on their next drive. A first down false start led to 1st-&-15. After Tyler Jr. got a few yards back with a rush, a hold set USU back again, setting up third down and long.
On third down, Legas was able to avoid the Tiger pass rush, weaving through traffic on his way to a 13-yard first down run.
On the next play, Legas was sacked by James Stewart and came up injured.
Sack No. 4 for @MemphisFB and Legas is down.
— First Responder Bowl (@FRBowl) December 27, 2022
True freshman QB Bishop Davenport entered in relief of Legas who was helped off of the field due to an apparent leg injury.
RELATED: Cooper Legas Leaves Game With Apparent Leg Injury
Bishop Davenport enters at QB after Legas is injured on a sack
Davenport was 20-of-35 for 145 yards in two games this season. He ran for 4⃣8⃣ yards and 2⃣ TD's for @USUFootball as a true freshman#AggiesAllTheWay #USU #USUAggies #AggieFootball #AtThePEAK #MWFB @kslsports
— Brian Preece (@bpreece24) December 27, 2022
Utah State QB Cooper Legas has left the game with an apparent leg injury early in the second half. He had to be helped off the field.#AggiesAllTheWay #USU #USUAggies #AggieFootball #AtThePEAK #MWFBhttps://t.co/tBndqQnv8K
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 27, 2022
Memphis nearly came up empty on their next drive after two deep balls fell incomplete but a defensive pass interference call gave the Tigers a fresh set of downs.
Following the pass interference, Hale Motu’apuaka sacked Henigan for a nine yard loss. The Tigers were whistled for a false start on the next play, setting up a 3rd-&-27 play.
On the snap, Patrick Joyner Jr. broke protection and forced a fumble while bringing Henigan down. Byron Vaughns recovered the fumble for the first Aggie turnover of the afternoon.
OUR BALL!#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/E15RZJiVUh
— USU Football (@USUFootball) December 27, 2022
That was sack No. 2 for Grzesiak. Gives him 8 1/2 on the season.
— First Responder Bowl (@FRBowl) December 27, 2022
USU went three & out, punting after losing four yards.
END OF 3ND Q 🏈@MemphisFB 2⃣4⃣@usufootball 3⃣
Total: Utah State 135 | Memphis 330
Rushing: Utah State 99 | Memphis 58
Passing: Utah State 36 | Memphis 272 #AggiesAllTheWay #USU #USUAggies #AggieFootball #AtThePEAK #MWFB @kslsports pic.twitter.com/hC8N1iwKvn— Brian Preece (@bpreece24) December 27, 2022
Fourth Quarter
Memphis crossed into USU territory on their drive but couldn’t get within scoring range as the Aggie defense held strong. The Tigers would pin Utah State inside their own 10-yard line with a great punt.
An eight yard Tyler Jr. gallop made him the 11th player in school history to run for 2,000 yards in a career.
RELATED: Calvin Tyler Jr. Reaches 2,000 Rushing Yards In Aggie Career
.@BlessedAthleteC is in the @USUFootball 2⃣0⃣0⃣0⃣-yard club.#AggiesAllTheWay https://t.co/8e3SgQHhrB
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 27, 2022
Davenport drove his team out of the shadow of their own goalposts, finding redshirt-freshman Otto Tia for a nine yard catch.
Northridge HS alum Otto Tia picks up his first reception of the season and first in his career for Utah State.
Two plays later, Bishop Davenport throws his first TD pass of his career.
Aggies trail 24-10 with 11:04 left in the 4th quarter.
— Scott Garrard (@ScottyGZone) December 27, 2022
After a Memphis pass interference, Davenport found Terrell Vaughn, via a tipped pass that probably should have been intercepted. Vaughn was able to gain 14 yards and pick up a first down on the play.
.@bcincoo ✈️ @cobbs_brian for 6️⃣‼️
📺 ESPN#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/Fq9HSRiyoo
— USU Football (@USUFootball) December 27, 2022
With momentum on their side, Davenport found Brian Cobbs on a crossing route for a 44-yard touchdown. The extra point made it 24-10 Memphis with 11:04 left. It was Davenport’s first passing touchdown of the season and the fifth touchdown through the air for Cobbs.
RELATED: Brian Cobbs Scores First Touchdown Of The Day For Utah State
Brian Cobbs scores the first touchdown of the day for the Aggies on a 44-yard catch-and-run! Now a two-score game with 10 minutes left in the final quarter.#AggiesAllTheWay #USU #USUAggies #AggieFootball #AtThePEAK #MWFBhttps://t.co/4cKw2aHCIV
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 27, 2022
Following the kickoff, Utah State’s defense looked gassed after spending more than 33 minutes of game time on the field. Memphis was able to gain positive yardage on seven straight run plays before Jevyon Ducker powered into the end zone from two yards out.
The touchdown gave Memphis a 31-10 lead with 7:22 left.
Jevyon Ducker walks it in from the 1 to respond right back to Utah State's score, this one puts Memphis on top by 21 with 7:22 to go in Dallas pic.twitter.com/TYDCUiQnZf
— First Responder Bowl (@FRBowl) December 27, 2022
Following the Tiger touchdown, USU drove 33 yards before Sylvonta Oliver picked off his second pass of the game with 5:10 left.
Five plays later, Ducker burst for a 48-yard, game-clinching touchdown to give Memphis a 38-10 lead.
And another one for @MemphisFB
— First Responder Bowl (@FRBowl) December 27, 2022
Levi Williams came in for Davenport on the final Aggie drive but the result didn’t change.
Williams’ second pass ended in the Tigers’ third INT of the afternoon. Joel Williams picked off the pass.
Memphis would kneel on the ball to run the clock out for a 38-10 victory.
FINAL 🏈@MemphisFB 3⃣8⃣@usufootball 🔟
Total: Utah State 261 | Memphis 430
Rushing: Utah State 126 | Memphis 146
Passing: Utah State 135 | Memphis 284 #AggiesAllTheWay #USU #USUAggies #AggieFootball #AtThePEAK #MWFB @kslsports pic.twitter.com/QyagCLl3wA— Brian Preece (@bpreece24) December 27, 2022
Utah State Aggies 2023 Football Schedule
The Aggies non-conference slate includes at Iowa (9/2), where USU will open the 2023 campaign. That game is followed by home games against Idaho State (9/9) and JMU (9/23), and play at UConn (9/30).
RELATED: Utah State Football Completes 2023 Schedule
In Mountain West play, USU will host Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and Nevada. They will have road games at Air Force, New Mexico, San Diego State and San José State.
RELATED: Utah State Football In Heyday Of Unflattering Bowl History
For Aggie football ticket information, fans can contact the USU Athletics Ticket Office over the phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or 435-797-0305 during regular hours of operation. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.UtahStateAggies.com.
Coverage of Utah State University Athletics from KSL Sports can be found here.
