|
By Mikaylie Kartchner
September 17, 2006 | The Aggies went down hard
to the Utes on Saturday in their second shut-out
defeat of the season. The University of Utah beat
the Utah State 48-0, making the Aggies 0-3 and
yet to score an offensive touchdown.
It was all over after the second snap from scrimmage
when Aggie quarterback Leon Jackson threw an interception
to Utah defensive back Eric Shyne, who ran it
21 yards for a touchdown only seconds into play.
Then after a quick four downs, the Aggies punted
and the Utes returned with a field goal. The first
quarter ended 17-0 in favor of Utah.
It was a steady climb for the University of
Utah after that, with the Aggies' only first-and-goal
count coming with 7:26 left in the half and ending
with a fumble by tailback Marcus Cross that was
recovered by Utah. The Utes scored again, and
ended the half up by 24 points.
In the third quarter, Jackson was replaced with
backup quarterback Bryan Black. But the change
did little to help the Aggies. Black completed
two of three passes, but fumbled once. Black was
replaced with Mike Affleck, who didn't complete
either of his two passes.
The Utes scored two more touchdowns in the third
and a touchdown and a field goal in the fourth,
rounding out the Aggie defeat at 48.
Utah State had six turnovers -- two interceptions
by Jackson and several fumbles -- and had only
98 offensive yards, 39 of which were attributed
to Jackson's four completed passes in 15 attempts.
The Utes had 401 yards offensively.
USU students and fans answered Coach Guy's pleas
from the previous weeks to support the team with
a nearly full student section at the game's start.
But the Aggie fight song was heard very little
from Romney Stadium, being nearly drowned out
by the concourses of Utah fans' cheering and singing
the Utah fight song.
Ute fans had their own cheering section in the
stadium; the northeastern corner was painted red
with University of Utah pride, and erupted with
every USU turnover and every U of U touchdown.
By the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Aggie
cheering section was in a state of evacuation,
leaving the student section of Romney Stadium
splotchy at best.
Utah State will play Saturday in Provo against
BYU. The Aggies' next home game is Sept. 30 at
1:05 pm. |
TAKING ON A RIVAL: Defensive
end Jon Overton runs with a fumbled pitch, above.
Below, from highest to lowest: The Aggie defense
slams a Utah running back; Utes running back Darrell
Mack breaks through the defense and run for a
TD; and Kevin Robinson gets clobbered as he catches
the ball. / Photos by Mikaylie Kartchner
|
