2019 Utah State Aggies football team

2019 Utah State Aggies football
Frisco Bowl, L 41–51 vs. Kent State
Conference Mountain West Conference
Mountain Division
Record 7–6 (6–2 MW)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr. (1st season)
Defensive coordinator Justin Ena (1st season)
Base defense 4–2–5 Nickel defense
Home stadium Maverik Stadium
Uniform
2019 Mountain West Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Mountain Division
No. 23 Boise State xy$   8 0     12 2  
No. 22 Air Force   7 1     11 2  
Utah State   6 2     7 6  
Wyoming   4 4     8 5  
Colorado State   3 5     4 8  
New Mexico   0 8     2 10  
West Division
Hawaii xy   5 3     10 5  
San Diego State x   5 3     10 3  
Nevada   4 4     7 6  
San Jose State   2 6     5 7  
UNLV   2 6     4 8  
Fresno State   2 6     4 8  
Championship: Boise State 31, Hawaii 10
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2019 Utah State Aggies football team represented Utah State University in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Aggies were led by head coach Gary Andersen in his fifth overall season, although first season after taking over as the program's head coach for the second time. The team played their home games at Maverik Stadium, and competed as members of the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Utah State had five players placed on eleven different award watch lists heading into the 2019 season.

Award Player Position Year
Maxwell Award Jordan Love QB JR
Walter Camp Award Jordan Love QB JR
Davey O'Brien Award Jordan Love QB JR
Lou Groza Award Dominik Eberle PK SR
Wuerffel Trophy Dominik Eberle PK SR
Bednarik Award Tipa Galeai DL SR
Bednarik Award David Woodward LB JR
Butkus Award David Woodward LB JR
Nagurski Award David Woodward LB JR
Lott Trophy David Woodward LB JR
Thorpe Award DJ Williams CB SR

Preseason All-Americans

Utah State had three players named as preseason All-Americans by various publications.

Player Position Year Publication(s)
Savon Scarver KR JR Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Phil Steele
David Woodward LB JR Athlon Sports, Phil Steele
Dominik Eberle PK SR Athlon Sports

Mountain West media days

Mountain West Media Days were held on July 23–24 at the Green Valley Ranch resort in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson, Nevada.

In the preseason media poll, the Aggies were predicted to finish second in the Mountain Division.

Media poll

Mountain Division
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Boise State 120 (15)
2 Utah State 108 (6)
3 Air Force 73
4 Wyoming 66
5 Colorado State 52
6 New Mexico 22

Preseason All-Mountain West Team

Jordan Love was selected as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year at MWC Media Days. Utah State had four additional players selected to the preseason all-Mountain West team.

Player Position Year
Jordan Love QB JR
Tipa Galeai DL SR
David Woodward LB JR
DJ Williams CB SR
Savon Scarver KR JR

Personnel

Coaching staff

The 2019 Aggie coaching staff included ten new coaches as a result of Matt Wells' departure and the subsequent rehiring of Gary Andersen. Only Frank Maile and Stacy Collins remained from the previous staff. Of the ten new coaches, two had previous experience at Utah State (Gary Andersen and TJ Woods), and two were former Aggie football players (Keegan Andersen and Bojay Filimoeatu).

Name Position Alma mater Joined staff
Gary Andersen Head coach Utah (1986) 2019 (previously 2009–2012)
Frank Maile Assistant head coach / tight ends Utah State (2007) 2016 (previously 2009–2013)
Mike Sanford Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks Boise State (2004) 2019
Justin Ena Defensive coordinator / Inside Linebackers BYU (2001) 2019
TJ Woods Offensive line Azusa Pacific (2002) 2019 (previously 2009–2012)
Stacy Collins Special teams coordinator / running backs Western Oregon (1998) 2016
Jason Phillips Pass game coordinator / wide receivers Houston (2001) 2019
Bojay Filimoeatu Defensive ends Utah State (2012) 2019
Mike Caputo Safeties Wisconsin (2015) 2019
Mark Orphey Cornerbacks Texas Southern (2010) 2019
Jordan Hicks Strength and Conditioning Georgetown (KY) (2005) 2019
Keegan Andersen Director of player personnel Utah State (2013) 2019

Source:

Roster

Source: 2019 Fall Camp Football Roster

2019 Utah State Aggies football

Quarterback

  • 3 Henry ColombiRedshirt sophomore (6'2, 200)
  • 5 Cooper Legas – freshman (6'2, 210)
  • 6 Andrew PeasleyRedshirt freshman (6'2, 200)
  • 7 Josh Calvin – freshman (6'3, 190)
  • 10 Jordan Love (S)Redshirt junior (6'4, 220)

Running back

  • 1 Gerold Bright – Redshirt senior (5'10, 190)
  • 20 Jaylen Warrenjunior (5'7, 200)
  • 26 Chase Nelson – Redshirt junior (5'10, 200)
  • 27 Enoch Nawahine – freshman (5'11, 185)
  • 29 Pallate Makakona – sophomore (5'10, 200)
  • 32 Sione Fehoko – Redshirt sophomore (5'7, 195)
  • 34 Riley Burt – Redshirt senior (6'1, 210)

Wide receiver

  • 11 Savon Scarverjunior (5'11, 190)
  • 12 Ajani Carter – freshman (6'1, 185)
  • 13 Deven Thompkinssophomore (5'7, 160)
  • 14 Sean Carter – junior (6'4, 195)
  • 16 Jordan Nathan (S)Redshirt junior (5'8, 180)
  • 17 Taylor Compton – junior (5'8, 175)
  • 18 Cam Lampkin – freshman (5'11, 165)
  • 19 Kyle Van Leeuwen – freshman (5'9, 175)
  • 80 Siaosi Mariner – Redshirt senior (6'2, 190)
  • 81 Tim Patrick Jr. – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 190)
  • 82 Sawyer Merrill – freshman (6'1, 170)
  • 83 Derek Wright – junior (6'1, 195)
  • Kanen Eaton – freshman (6'4, 180)

Tight end

  • 43 Jack Drews – freshman (6'3, 230)
  • 47 Logan Lee – Redshirt junior (6'4, 250)
  • 85 Mosese Manu – junior (6'3, 260)
  • 86 Bryce Mortenson – Redshirt freshman (6'6, 245)
  • 87 Caleb Repp – Redshirt senior (6'5, 230)
  • 88 Carson Terrell – junior (6'5, 245)
  • 89 Travis Boman – Redshirt junior (6'4, 245)

Kicker/Punter

  • 49 Pierce Callister – P – freshman (6'0, 170)
  • 59 Connor Coles – K – Redshirt sophomore (6'0, 190)
  • 62 Dominik Eberle – K (S)Redshirt senior (6'2, 195)
  • 89 Aaron Dalton – P – Redshirt senior (6'4, 210)
  • 98 Christopher Bartolic – P – freshman (6'0, 190)
 

Offensive line

  • 58 Demytrick Ali'ifua – Redshirt junior (6'3, 315)
  • 59 Aric Davison – freshman (6'3, 295)
  • 60 Wyatt Bowles – Redshirt freshman (6'5, 300)
  • 63 Ashton Adams – freshman (6'4, 300)
  • 64 Heneli Avendano – Redshirt freshman (6'3, 300)
  • 65 Karter Shaw – Redshirt freshman (6'4, 300)
  • 66 Mohelia Uasike – Redshirt junior (6'1, 305)
  • 67 Sione Lasike – freshman (6'1, 285)
  • 68 Logan Wood – freshman (6'1, 280)
  • 70 Hunter Hill – freshman (6'5, 285)
  • 72 Alfred Edwards (S)Redshirt sophomore (6'7, 310)
  • 75 Kyler Hack – Redshirt sophomore (6'4, 300)
  • 74 Chandler Dolphin – Redshirt sophomore (6'3, 300)
  • 75 Ty Shaw – Redshirt junior (6'4, 300)
  • 76 Jackson Owens – freshman (6'5, 290)
  • 77 Andy Koch – Redshirt freshman (6'6, 275)
  • 78 Jacob South – Redshirt freshman (6'6, 295)
  • 79 Wade Meacham – Redshirt freshman (6'6, 305)

Defensive end

  • 10 Tipa Galeai (S)Redshirt senior (6'5, 230)
  • 24 Dalton Baker – Redshirt senior (6'5, 260)
  • 41 Elijah Shelton – Redshirt freshman (6'1, 230)
  • 44 Fua Leilua (S)Redshirt senior (6'3, 305)
  • 45 Jaylon Bannerman – Redshirt junior (6'5, 240)
  • 46 Addison Trupp – freshman (6'3, 215)
  • 47 Kaleo Neves – freshman (6'2, 215)
  • 51 Justus Te'i – Redshirt junior (6'3, 240)
  • 53 Braden Harris – Redshirt senior (6'2, 230)
  • 61 Aaron Bredsguard – freshman (6'3, 225)
  • 91 Devon Anderson (S)Redshirt senior (6'2, 290)
  • 92 Hale Motu'apuaka – Redshirt freshman (6'2, 295)
  • 93 Jacoby Wildman – Redshirt senior (6'2, 265)
  • 94 Caden Andersen – Redshirt junior (6'2, 285)
  • 97 Jake Pitcher – Redshirt junior (6'3, 260)
  • 98 AJ Vongphachanh – freshman (6'3, 230)

Defensive tackle

  • 54 Dean Rice – freshman (6'4, 280)
  • 55 Christian Lavalle – freshman (5'11, 225)
  • 90 Ritisoni Fata – Redshirt junior (6'1, 295)
  • 96 Christopher 'Unga (S)Redshirt senior (6'0, 300)
  • 98 Diamond Faamafoe – freshman (6'0, 295)
  • 99 Josh Bowcut – freshman (6'5, 280)
 

Linebacker

  • 9 David Woodward (S)Redshirt Junior (6'2, 230)
  • 15 Simon Thompson – freshman (6'3, 210)
  • 33 Kevin Meitzenheimer – Redshirt junior (6'0, 230)
  • 34 Daniel Langi – Redshirt sophomore (6'0, 230)
  • 38 Eric Munoz – Redshirt junior (6'0, 230)
  • 39 Maika Magalei – Redshirt sophomore (6'1, 230)
  • 40 Dustin Matthews – Redshirt freshman (6'1, 225)
  • 42 Jaymason Willingham – freshman (6'3, 215)
  • 52 Ethan Vowles – sophomore (6'2, 190)
  • 54 Noah Young – sophomore (6'3, 225)

Cornerback

  • 6 Cameron Haney – Redshirt senior (5'10, 185)
  • 7 DJ Williams (S)Redshirt senior (5'9, 180)
  • 14 Zahodri Jackson – Redshirt sophomore (5'10, 185)
  • 21 Andre Grayson – Redshirt sophomore (5'8, 165)
  • 22 Michael Anyanwu – Redshirt freshman (5'9, 180)
  • 23 Dominic Tatum – freshman (6'2, 180)
  • 25 Jarrod Green – Redshirt sophomore (5'11, 180)
  • 36 Jared Reed – Redshirt sophomore (6'0, 180)

Safety

  • 3 Troy Lefeged Jr. – junior (5'11, 190)
  • 4 Shaq Bond (S)junior (5'10, 190)
  • 5 Cash Gilliam – Redshirt junior (5'11, 195)
  • 8 Braxton Gunther – Redshirt junior (5'10, 185)
  • 20 Keith Harris – freshman (5'11, 170)
  • 28 Oakley Hussey – freshman (6'3, 200)
  • 30 Patrick Maddox – Redshirt sophomore (5'10, 205)
  • 32 Matthew Sterzer – freshman (6'2, 225)
  • 37 Sam Lockett – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 195)

Deep Snapper

  • 50 Jesse Vasquez – freshman (6'1, 225)
  • 57 Brandon Pada (S)Redshirt junior (5'10, 210)

Legend

  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) 2018 Starter
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Depth chart

Schedule

Date Time Opponent Site TV Result Attendance
August 30 6:00 p.m. at Wake Forest* ACCN L 35–38 29,027
September 7 5:30 p.m. Stony Brook* Stadium on Facebook W 62–7 22,247
September 21 8:30 p.m. at San Diego State CBSSN W 23–17 27,367
September 28 5:30 p.m. Colorado Statedagger
  • Maverik Stadium
  • Logan, UT
CBSSN W 34–24 20,017
October 5 10:00 a.m. at No. 5 LSU* SECN L 6–42 100,266
October 19 8:15 p.m. Nevada
  • Maverik Stadium
  • Logan, UT
ESPNU W 36–10 15,240
October 26 8:15 p.m. at Air Force ESPN2 L 7–31 19,248
November 2 8:00 p.m. BYU*
  • Maverik Stadium
  • Logan, UT
ESPN2 L 14–42 25,472
November 9 5:00 p.m. at Fresno State CBSSN W 37–35 32,037
November 16 2:00 p.m. Wyoming
  • Maverik Stadium
  • Logan, UT
ESPNU W 26–21 16,304
November 23 8:30 p.m. No. 20 Boise State
  • Maverik Stadium
  • Logan, UT
CBSSN L 21–56 18,315
November 30 2:00 p.m. at New Mexico Stadium on Facebook W 38–25 11,611
December 20 5:30 p.m. vs. Kent State* ESPN2 L 41–51 12,120
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Mountain time

Game summaries

At Wake Forest

Utah State Aggies at Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Aggies 7 14 7 7 35
Demon Deacons 10 7 14 7 38

at BB&T Field, Winston-Salem, NC

  • Date: August 30, 2019
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: 83 • Wind: 1 mph ESE • Weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 29,027
  • TV announcers (ACC Network): Kevin Brown, Andre Ware, and Jerry Punch
  • USU Game Notes
Game information

Stony Brook

Stony Brook Seawolves at Utah State Aggies
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Seawolves 0 0 7 0 7
Aggies 17 17 14 14 62

at Maverik Stadium, Logan, UT

  • Date: September 7, 2019
  • Game time: 5:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 79 • Wind: 5 mph W • Weather: Overcast
  • Game attendance: 22,247
  • Referee: Cal McNeill
  • TV announcers (Facebook Stadium): Ari Wolfe, Eddie Royal, and Dani Klupenger
  • USU Game Notes
Game information

At San Diego State

Utah State Aggies at San Diego State Aztecs
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Aggies 7 13 3 0 23
Aztecs 3 0 0 14 17

at SDCCU Stadium, San Diego, CA

  • Date: September 21, 2019
  • Game time: 8:30 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: 70 • Wind: 0 mph • Weather: Clear, mild skies
  • Game attendance: 27,376
  • Referee: Stephen Baron
  • TV announcers (CBS Sports Network): Rich Waltz, Aaron Taylor, and Jenny Dell
  • USU Game Notes
Game information

Colorado State

Colorado State Rams at Utah State Aggies
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Rams 7 14 3 0 24
Aggies 7 17 3 7 34

at Maverik Stadium, Logan, UT

  • Date: September 28, 2019
  • Game time: 5:30 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: 48 • Wind: 7 mph • Weather: Rain showers
  • Game attendance: 20,017
  • Referee: David Alvarez
  • TV announcers (CBS Sports Network): Carter Blackburn, Aaron Taylor, and Jenny Dell
  • USU Game Notes
Game information

At LSU

Utah State Aggies at LSU Tigers
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Aggies 6 0 0 0 6
No. 5 Tigers 7 14 14 7 42

at Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA

  • Date: October 5, 2019
  • Game time: 10:00 a.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: 84 • Wind: 4 mph E • Weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 100,266
  • Referee: Matt Loeffler
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal, D.J. Shockley, and Dawn Davenport
  • USU Game Notes
Game information

Nevada

Nevada Wolf Pack at Utah State Aggies
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Wolf Pack 3 0 0 7 10
Aggies 9 13 0 14 36

at Maverik Stadium, Logan, UT

  • Date: October 19, 2019
  • Game time: 8:15 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: 35 • Wind: 12 mph SSE • Weather: Cloudy
  • Game attendance: 15,240
  • Referee: Michael Vandervelde
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Mike Couzens and Kirk Morrison
  • USU Game Notes
Game information

At Air Force

Utah State Aggies at Air Force Falcons
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Aggies 0 0 7 0 7
Falcons 0 17 7 7 31

at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO

  • Date: October 26, 2019
  • Game time: 8:15 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: 52 • Wind: Windy • Weather: Clear
  • Game attendance: 19,248
  • Referee: Scott Campbell
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Mike Couzens, Kirk Morrison, and Taylor McGregor
  • USU Game Notes
Game information

BYU

BYU Cougars at Utah State Aggies
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Cougars 7 14 14 7 42
Aggies 7 7 0 0 14

at Maverik Stadium, Logan, UT

  • Date: November 2, 2019
  • Game time: TBD
Game information

At Fresno State

Utah State Aggies at Fresno State Bulldogs
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Aggies 7 14 10 6 37
Bulldogs 7 7 14 7 35

at Bulldog Stadium, Fresno, CA

  • Date: November 9, 2019
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m.
Game information

Wyoming

Wyoming Cowboys at Utah State Aggies
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Cowboys 0 14 0 7 21
Aggies 0 20 3 2 25

at Maverik Stadium, Logan, UT

  • Date: November 16, 2019
  • Game time: TBD
Game information

Boise State

Boise State Broncos at Utah State Aggies
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
No. 20 Broncos 21 21 14 0 56
Aggies 7 0 7 7 21

at Maverik Stadium, Logan, UT

  • Date: November 23, 2019
  • Game time: 8:30 p.m.
Game information

At New Mexico

Utah State Aggies at New Mexico Lobos
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Aggies 7 24 7 0 38
Lobos 0 6 12 7 25

at Dreamstyle Stadium, Albuquerque, NM

  • Date: November 30, 2019
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
Game information

vs Kent State (Frisco Bowl)

Utah State Aggies vs. Kent State Golden Flashes
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Aggies 10 7 10 14 41
Golden Flashes 17 6 3 25 51

at Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX

  • Date: December 20, 2019
  • Game time: 5:30 p.m. MDT
Game information

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Final
AP RV
Coaches RV RV RV RV
CFP Not released Not released

Players drafted into the NFL

Round Pick Player Position NFL Club
1 26 Jordan Love QB Green Bay Packers