Adding Injury To Insult, Utah State Loses Two Starters For Season

LOGAN, Utah – Quarterback Logan Bonner isn’t the only Aggie dealing with an injury as Utah State lost two starters for the year in the loss to Weber State.

Recovering from offseason knee surgery after tearing the ACL in his left knee in the Aggies bowl win over Oregon State, Bonner has acknowledged hesitation in trusting his surgically repaired joint, even with an intact receiving core.

A season ending knee injury to junior wide receiver Kyle Van Leeuwen leaves Bonner and the Aggies down a target.

VIA Kyle himself that he posted on Instagram 2 hours ago. pic.twitter.com/MPXSFW0Ca4

— Nathan Dunn (@NateDunnUSU) September 14, 2022

The wideout had 88 yards on eight catches this season. Van Leeuwen scored Utah State’s first touchdown of the year with an 11-yard scoring grab against UConn in the season opener.

Redshirt freshman NyNy Davis and junior Terrell Vaughn will be asked to step up in Van Leeuwen’s absence. Tight end Broc Lane also returns as a pass catcher. University of Utah transfer Kyrese Rowan is also expected to see playing time.

“We have to be more versatile with where they line up. How we utilize those until some of those other guys get experience and get comfortable in a game setting,” head coach Blake Anderson said.

On the defensive side of the ball, an already thin defensive line lost graduate senior Phillip Paea to a knee injury. Paea suffered the injury while trying to gain extra yards after the first interception of his Utah State career.

LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BIG MAN‼️

⚡️ @Phill_paea #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/qa7PPNbg1C

— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 11, 2022

Paea played in all 14 games last season, finishing with 14 tackles, two tackles for a loss. In 2022, Paea had four total tacklers and an interception.

Redshirt freshmen Seni Tuiaki and Bo Maile, along with sophomore Tavian Coleman will be asked to step up in Paea’s absence.

Despite the injuries, Anderson is looking for consistency out of his defensive line. “Finding consistency from guys that have been thrown in the fire really for the first time. It’s been a challenge. We can’t play like we did a week ago. If we do we won’t like the result.”

Up Next

GAME 4️⃣ | vs UNLV

🏟 Maverik Stadium
⌚️ Saturday | 5:00 PM MT
📺 @CBSSportsNet
Notes ➡️ https://t.co/mSVbtSKqn9

TICKETS ➡️ https://t.co/dtg7WqTGyy#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/3FMTykZdIv

— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 19, 2022

Riding a two game losing streak, the Aggies (1-2) welcome in the UNLV Rebels (2-1) to Maverik Stadium in the Mountain West Conference opener for each team on Saturday, September 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. (MST).

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.

Follow @bpreece24