Instant Replay: Utah State Defensive Coordinator Surprised With ‘Kiss Cam’ Smooch

Jan 21, 2023, 6:22 PM | Updated: 6:27 pm

LOGAN, UT- OCTOBER 8: Defensive Coordinator Ephraim Banda carries Ajani Carter #12 of the Utah State Aggies after he intercepted a pass in the endzone by the Air Force Falcons during the second half of their game October 8, 2022 Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah.

BY BRIAN PREECE

KSL Sports

LOGAN, Utah – Utah State football defensive coordinator Ephraim Banda can vouch, you’re never safe from a camera in the Spectrum.

The Aggie men’s basketball team took on the San Jose State Spartans at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Saturday, January 21.

Play of the day!!! @USUFootball Defensive Coordinator @CoachBanda on the "Kiss Cam" at the Utah State basketball game vs SJSU.#AggiesAllTheWay l @KSLSports l #KissCam pic.twitter.com/q2zu2z0Opy

— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) January 22, 2023

Sitting on the first row at the Aggies vs. San Jose State men’s basketball game, the camera seemed to catch the defensive signal caller unaware. Fear not as Banda’s wife, Crystal, glanced at the scoreboard. After finding themselves on the famous ‘Kiss Cam’, Crystal grabbed her husband and laid a giant kiss on him, to the delight of the hometown crowd.

Banda just finished his second season as the Aggies defensive coordinator. Prior to joining Blake Anderson’s staff, Banda spent five season’s at the University of Miami as safeties coach before serving as co-defensive coordinator in his last two seasons with the Hurricanes.

Utah State Tops Spartans

It wasn’t pretty, but Utah State managed to pick up an important Mountain West win on San Jose State 75-74.

Utah State (16-4, 5-2) hosted the San Jose State Spartans (12-8, 3-4) at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Saturday, January 21.

Steven Ashworth made five threes, including four in the second half, on his way to a team-high 19 points. Max Shulga’s 15 points included the game winning free throw while Dan Akin added 13 points off the bench.

Tibet Gorener led the Spartans with 20 points. Alvaro Cardenas (17) and Omari Moore (16) also scored in double-figures in the losing effort.

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). Their meeting with James Madison will be the first game played between these programs.

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.

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.