2015 Utah State Aggies football team

2015 Utah State Aggies football
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, L 21–23 vs. Akron
Conference	Mountain West Conference
Division	Mountain Division
Record	6–7 (5–3 MW)
Head coach	Matt Wells (3rd season)
Offensive coordinator	Josh Heupel (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Kevin Clune (1st season)
Base defense	3–4
Home stadium	Maverik Stadium
Seasons ←  2014 2016  →

2015 Mountain West Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Mountain Division
Air Force x		6	–	2					8	–	6
New Mexico		5	–	3					7	–	6
Utah State		5	–	3					6	–	7
Boise State		5	–	3					9	–	4
Colorado State		5	–	3					7	–	6
Wyoming		2	–	6					2	–	10
West Division
San Diego State x$		8	–	0					11	–	3
Nevada		4	–	4					7	–	6
San Jose State		4	–	4					6	–	7
Fresno State		2	–	6					3	–	9
UNLV		2	–	6					3	–	9
Hawaii		0	–	8					3	–	10
Championship: San Diego State 27, Air Force 24
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

The 2015 Utah State Aggies football team represented Utah State University in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Aggies were led by third-year head coach Matt Wells and played their home games at Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium. This was Utah State's third season as members of the Mountain West Conference in the Mountain Division. They finished the season 6–7, 5–3 in Mountain West play to finish in a four-way tie for second place in the Mountain Division. They were invited to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl where they lost to Akron.

Before the season

2015 recruits

College recruiting information (2015)
Name	Hometown	School	Height	Weight	Commit date
Chad Artist WR	Logan, Utah	Logan HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Jun 30, 2014
	Recruit ratings: Scout:      Rivals:      247Sports:      ESPN:     (72)
Viliamu Auwae OL	Kapolei, Hawaii	Kapolei HS	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	265 lb (120 kg)	Feb 9, 2015
	Recruit ratings: Scout:      247Sports:
Wesley Bailey DB	Huntsville, Ala	J.O. Johnson HS/Eastern Arizona CC	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Feb 9, 2015
	Recruit ratings: Scout:      247Sports:
Dalton Baker TE	Payson, Utah	Payson HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	Jan 30, 2015
	Recruit ratings: Scout:      247Sports:
Gerold Bright WR	Pensacola, Florida	Escambia HS	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	Jan 30, 2015
	Recruit ratings: Scout:      Rivals:      247Sports:
Preston Brooskby OL	Peoria, Ariz.	Sunrise Mountain HS/Glendale CC	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	290 lb (130 kg)	Dec 16, 2014
	Recruit ratings: Scout:      Rivals:      247Sports:
Chris Copier TE	South Jordan, Utah	Bingham HS/Snow College	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	250 lb (110 kg)	Dec 13, 2014
	Recruit ratings: Scout:      Rivals:      247Sports:
Cameron Haney CB	Los Angeles	Cathedral HS	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	Feb 9, 2015
	Recruit ratings: Scout:      Rivals:      247Sports:      ESPN:     (71)
Jude Hockel OL	Walnut Creek, California	Northgate HS/Diablo Valley JC	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	295 lb (134 kg)	Jan 30, 2015
	Recruit ratings: Scout:      247Sports:
Harris LaChance DE	Herriman, Utah	Herriman HS	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	Jan 30, 2015
	Recruit ratings: Scout:      247Sports:
Daniel Langi LB	South Jordan, Utah	Bingham HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	Jan 30, 2015
	Recruit ratings: Scout:      Rivals:      247Sports:
Dallin Leavitt S	Portland, Ore.	Central Catholic HS/BYU	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	200 lb (91 kg)
	Recruit ratings: No ratings found
Devante Mays RB	Livingston, Texas	Livingston HS/Blinn JC	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	Jan 30, 2015
	Recruit ratings: Scout:      247Sports:
Wade Meacham OL	Layton, Utah	Layton HS	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	260 lb (120 kg)	Feb 9, 2015
	Recruit ratings: Scout:      247Sports:      ESPN:     (73)
Joe Riggins LB	Fort Lauderdale, Florida	Cardinal Gibbons HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	Feb 9, 2015
	Recruit ratings: Scout:      Rivals:      247Sports:
Cade Smith QB	Salem, Ore.	West Salem HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	Dec 5, 2014
	Recruit ratings: Scout:      Rivals:      247Sports:
Mason Tobek LB	Puyallup, Washington	Cascade Christian HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	Oct 6, 2014
	Recruit ratings: Scout:      Rivals:      247Sports:
Ben Wysocki OL	Seal Beach, California	Los Alamitos HS/UCLA	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	285 lb (129 kg)
	Recruit ratings: No ratings found
Overall recruit ranking:    ESPN: Not Ranked Top 25
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Utah State 2015 Football Commitments". Rivals. Retrieved February 1, 2015. "2015 Utah State Football Commits". Scout. Retrieved February 1, 2015. "2015 Player Commits". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2015. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout. Retrieved February 1, 2015. "2015 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 1, 2015.

Departures

The Aggies lost both their Defensive and offensive coordinators (DC Todd Orlando to Houston and OC Kevin McGiven to Oregon State)

Among notable player losses to graduation were S Brian Suite, LB Zach Vigil, DE B.J. Larsen, WR Ronald Butler, and OL Kevin Whimpey. Another notable loss was QB Darrel Garretson announcing that he would be transferring to Oregon State University.

On June 29, it was announced that Bruce "JoJo" Natson was released from the team for violation of unspecified team rules. ^[1]

Maverik Stadium upgrades

On May 18, 2015, demolition began on the west side of Maverik Stadium to make way for a new concourse, press box, and luxury box complex. Construction lasted throughout the season, and as a result, the stadium's capacity was temporarily reduced.

Roster

2015 Utah State Aggies football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class QB 2 Kent Myers So WR 3 Devonte Robinson Sr WR 4 Hunter Sharp Sr QB 5 Cade Smith  Fr QB 6 DJ Nelson Fr RB 7 Tonny Lindsey So QB 8 Damion Hobbs So WR 9 Jaren Colston-Green So WR 10 David Senior (Transfer) So WR 11 Brandon Swindall Sr WR 14 Chad Artist  Fr WR 15 Hudson Conrad  Fr QB 16 Chuckie Keeton   Sr WR 19 Brandon O'Donnell  Fr RB 21 LaJuan Hunt So WR 25 Gerold Bright  Fr RB 26 Kennedy Williams Jr RB 29 Aarron Franklin  Fr RB 32 Devante Mays Jr TE 33 Joe Palange Jr RB 34 Justen Hervey Fr TE 44 Landon Horne Jr TE 47 Paul Pauni Fr OL 54 Ben Wysocki Sr OL 55 Andrew Chen So OC 59 Austin Stephens Jr OL 60 Andrew Markosian  Fr OL 61 Tyler Saltmarsh  Fr OL 64 Jarom Ioane So OL 65 Austin Albrecht Jr OL 66 KJ Uluave  Fr OL 67 Brandon Taukeiaho So OL 68 Dalton Forsythe Jr OL 69 Roderick Smith  Fr OL 72 Tyshon Mosley So OL 73 Preston Brooksby Jr OL 74 Jude Hockel Jr OL 75 Taani Fisilau Sr OL 76 Jake Simonich Jr OL 78 Cody Boyer Fr WR 80 Tyler Fox Fr WR 81 Zach Van Leeuwen Fr WR 82 Andrew Rodriguez Jr TE 83 Wyatt Houston Jr WR 84 Ethan Cortazzo  Jr TE 85 Chris Copier Jr TE 86 Dalton Baker  Fr TE 87 Dax Raymond Fr WR 88 Braelon Roberts So	Defense Pos. # Name Class CB 1 Daniel Gray Jr CB 2 Marquan Ellison Jr SS 2 Dallin Leavitt  (Transfer) Jr LB 5 LT Filiaga Sr CB 6 Cameron Haney  Fr LB 9 Kyler Fackrell Sr SS 10 Kelvin Lee Sr LB 12 Alex Huerta So CB 13 Jalen Davis So LB 14 Joe Riggins  Fr CB 15 Tyler Floyd Sr LB 16 Anthony Williams Sr CB 17 Deshane Hines Sr LB 18 Chasen Andersen Fr LB 19 Ian Togiai So LB 20 Brock Carmen Jr CB 22 Bryant Hayes Sr LB 23 Michael Okonkwo Sr SS 24 Marwin Evans Sr CB 26 Kevin Ogwu  So FS 27 Jontrell Rocquemore Fr SS 28 Aaron Wade Fr FS 29 Myron Turner So CB 30 Promise Amadi Sr S 30 Gage Ferguson  So CB 31 Jentz Painter Jr FS 37 Devin Centers Jr S 38 Cole Casper  Fr LB 39 Torrey Green Sr CB 40 Austin Cheney Jr LB 41 Nick Vigil Jr LB 42 La'Bradford Harold Sr LB 45 Jarom Baldomero Sr LB 46 Mason Tobeck  Fr LB 48 Chase Christiansen Fr LB 49 Derek Larsen Fr DE 50 Ryan Garrett  Fr NG 51 David Moala Sr DE 52 John Taylor  Sr LB 53 Braden Harris  Fr NG 56 Gasetoto Schuster Fr DE 90 Clark Jeppesen So DE 91 Siua Taufa Jr DL 93 Jacoby Wildman  Fr DE 94 Eric Berntson Jr DE 95 Ricky Ali'ifua Jr DE 96 Christopher 'Unga  Fr DE 97 Jordan Nielsen Sr DE 98 Edmund Faimalo  Jr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K 36 Jake Thompson Jr LS 47 Mark Hutchinson Sr LS 58 Salanoa Galea'i Sr PK 62 Dominik Eberle  Fr PK 63 Brock Warren Jr P 89 Aaron Dalton Fr P 92 Zach Lee  Fr	Head coach Matt Wells (Utah State) Coordinators/assistant coaches Mark Weber (Idaho State) Associate head coach/offensive line Josh Heupel (Oklahoma) Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator/QB Kevin Clune (Cal State Fullerton) Defensive coordinator/linebackers Dave Ungerer (Southern Connecticut) Special teams coordinator/running backs Luke Wells (Oklahoma) Co-offensive coordinator/TE's/recruiting coordinator Jovon Bouknight (Wyoming) Passing game coordinator/wide receivers Joe Lorig (Western Oregon) Safeties Ikaika Malloe (Washington) Defensive line Kendrick Shaver (Missouri State) Defensive passing game coordinator/cornerbacks [2] Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 3	7:00 pm	Southern Utah *	Maverik Stadium Logan, UT		W 12–9	21,209
September 11	7:00 pm	at No. 24 Utah *	Rice-Eccles Stadium Salt Lake City, UT (Beehive Boot & Battle of the Brothers)	ESPN2	L 14–24	46,011
September 19	3:00 pm	at Washington *	Husky Stadium Seattle, WA	P12N	L 17–31	59,464
October 3	5:00 pm	Colorado State†	Maverik Stadium Logan, UT	ESPN3	W 33–18	22,059
October 10	8:30 pm	at Fresno State	Bulldog Stadium Fresno, CA	CBSSN	W 56–14	30,540
October 16	7:00 pm	No. 21 Boise State	Maverik Stadium Logan, UT	CBSSN	W 52–26	22,509
October 23	8:30 pm	at San Diego State	Qualcomm Stadium San Diego, CA	ESPN2	L 14–48	25,898
October 30	8:15 pm	Wyoming	Maverik Stadium Logan, UT (Bridger's Battle)	ESPN2	W 58–27	20,964
November 7	1:30 pm	at New Mexico	University Stadium Albuquerque, NM	CBSSN	L 13–14	19,886
November 14	12:00 pm	at Air Force	Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO	ESPN3	L 28–35	20,083
November 21	1:30 pm	Nevada	Maverik Stadium Logan, UT	ESPN3	W 31–27	18,922
November 28	1:30 pm	BYU *	Maverik Stadium Logan, UT (Beehive Boot & The Old Wagon Wheel)	CBSSN	L 28–51	22,509
December 22	1:30 pm	vs. Akron *	Albertsons Stadium Boise, ID (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)	ESPN	L 21–23	18,876
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game All times are in Mountain time

Schedule source: ^[3]

Game summaries

Southern Utah

Utah State v Southern Utah

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Thunderbirds	6	3	0	0	9
•Aggies	5	0	0	7	12

• Date: September 3
• Location: Maverik Stadium
• Game start: 7:00 pm MST
• Elapsed time: 3:22
• Game attendance: 21,209
• Referee: Brad Van Vark

See also: 2015 Southern Utah Thunderbirds football team

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At Utah

Battle of the Brothers

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Aggies	0	14	0	0	14
•Utes	7	7	7	3	24

• Date: September 11
• Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium
• Game start: 7:00 pm MST
• Game attendance: 46,011

See also: 2015 Utah Utes football team, Beehive Boot, and Battle of the Brothers

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At Washington

Utah State at Washington

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Aggies	0	10	0	7	17
•Huskies	3	14	14	0	31

• Date: September 19
• Location: Husky Stadium
• Game start: 3:00 p.m. MST
• Game attendance: 59,464

See also: 2015 Washington Huskies football team

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Colorado State

Utah State v Colorado State

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	3	7	0	8	18
•Aggies	3	14	6	10	33

• Date: October 3
• Location: Maverik Stadium
• Game start: 5:00 p.m. MST
• Game attendance: 22,059

See also: 2015 Colorado State Rams football team

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At Fresno State

Utah State at Fresno State

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
•Aggies	7	22	14	13	56
Bulldogs	7	0	0	7	14

• Date: October 10
• Location: Bulldog Stadium
• Game start: 8:30 p.m. MST
• Game attendance: 30,540

See also: 2015 Fresno State Bulldogs football team

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Boise State

Utah State v Boise State

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
#21 Broncos	3	7	7	9	26
•Aggies	17	28	7	0	52

• Date: October 16
• Location: Maverik Stadium
• Game start: 7:00 p.m. MST
• Game attendance: 22,509

See also: 2015 Boise State Broncos football team

The Aggies' victory over the Broncos marked not only the first win over Boise State since 1997, but also the first home victory over a ranked opponent since defeating Fresno State in 1991. ^[4]

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At San Diego State

Utah State at San Diego State

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Aggies	0	7	7	0	14
•Aztecs	17	17	0	14	48

• Date: October 23
• Location: Qualcomm Stadium
• Game attendance: 25,898

See also: 2015 San Diego State Aztecs football team

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Wyoming

Bridger's Battle

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	7	7	7	6	27
•Aggies	14	16	7	21	58

• Date: October 30
• Location: Maverik Stadium
• Game attendance: 20,964

See also: 2015 Wyoming Cowboys football team and Utah State–Wyoming football rivalry

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At New Mexico

Utah State at New Mexico

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Aggies	0	3	7	3	13
•Lobos	0	7	7	0	14

• Date: November 7
• Location: University Stadium
• Game attendance: 19,886

See also: 2015 New Mexico Lobos football team

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At Air Force

Utah State at Air Force

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Aggies	14	0	14	0	28
•Falcons	14	7	14	0	35

• Date: November 14
• Location: Falcon Stadium
• Game attendance: 20,083

See also: 2015 Air Force Falcons football team

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Nevada

Utah State v Nevada

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Wolf Pack	7	14	6	0	27
•Aggies	0	7	14	10	31

• Date: November 21
• Location: Maverik Stadium
• Game attendance: 18,922

See also: 2015 Nevada Wolf Pack football team

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BYU

The Old Wagon Wheel

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
•Cougars	10	14	14	13	51
Aggies	7	14	0	7	28

• Date: November 28
• Location: Maverik Stadium
• Game attendance: 22,509

See also: 2015 BYU Cougars football team, Beehive Boot, and The Old Wagon Wheel

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Akron–Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
•Zips	7	6	7	3	23
Aggies	0	7	7	7	21

• Date: December 22
• Location: Albertson Stadium
• Game attendance: 18,876

See also: 2015 Akron Zips football team and 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

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References

1. Taylor, John (June 29, 2015). "Utah State Dismisses Top WR/Returner JoJo Natson". NBC Sports . Retrieved September 21, 2015.
2. "Utah State Men's Football Staff". Utah State University Department of Athletics. Archived from the original on May 14, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2015. "2013 Utah State Aggie Spring Football Roster". Utah State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
3. "2014 Utah State Aggies Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
4. "Boise State vs. Utah State - Game Recap - October 16, 2015 - ESPN".