SALT LAKE CITY – Utah rallied back from a nine-point deficit to beat Utah State 30-26 in the season opener for both teams.
The Utes jumped out to a 7-0 lead on a touchdown pass from Travis Wilson to Dres Anderson on their first drive of the game. Utah extended their lead to 14-3 when Wilson connected with Jake Murphy on a 30-yard touchdown pass later in the first quarter.
But then Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton and the Aggies got things rolling. Keeton hooked up with Brandon Swindall for two touchdowns in the second quarter to give the Aggies a 17-14 lead at halftime. Keeton added a 15 yard touchdown run in the third quarter to put Utah State up 23-14.
That’s when the Utes rallied back. They cut the lead to four on a 45-yard field goal from Andy Phillips, and then the Utes recovered an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff to keep the football and the momentum on their side.
The Utes drove it down the field and took a 24-23 lead after two-yard touchdown run from Karl Williams.
The Aggies went back on top on a field goal from Nick Diaz, but Phillips kicked two more field goals for the Utes in the fourth quarter to help the Utes pull out the win.
