Isaac Wilson steps in as starter, leads No. 12 Utah over Utah State

Field Level Media|published: Sat 14th September, 20:57 2024

Sep 14, 2024; Logan, Utah, USA; Utah State Aggies quarterback Spencer Petras (7) warms up before a game against the Utah Utes at Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

Isaac Wilson threw for 239 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start to lead No. 12 Utah to a 38-21 victory over Utah State on Saturday in Logan, Utah.

Wilson, who was picked off once, filled in for Cameron Rising, who sat out after suffering an injury to his right (throwing) hand against Baylor last week. Wilson had his first career 200-yard game and helped Utah (3-0) beat Utah State for the 12th time in 13 games in the teams' rivalry series.

Micah Bernard rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries for the Utes.

Utah State's Bryson Barnes threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns in his first game against his former team. Barnes also had a pair of interceptions. The Aggies (1-2) got 115 rushing yards on 19 touches from Rahsul Faison.

Barnes connected on a pair of big passes to give Utah State its first lead of the game late in the first quarter. He hit Otto Tia for a 39-yard completion along the sideline to get into the red zone. Then, Barnes found a wide-open Broc Lane over the middle for a 20-yard TD to put Utah State up 7-3 with 46 seconds to go in the frame.

The Aggies extended their lead to 14-3 less than a minute into the second quarter on a 12-yard scoring pass from Barnes to Jack Hestera. Jalen Royals reeled in a 35-yard pass with one hand on the previous play to set up the touchdown.

Utah's offense sprang to life during the second quarter. Wilson hit Money Parks for an 11-yard strike for the Utes' first touchdown. Then, Utah took a 17-14 lead just before halftime when Caleb Lohner climbed the ladder for an 11-yard TD catch of his own.

The Utes started pulling away in the third quarter.

They extended their lead to 28-14 when Bernard barreled into the end zone from 3 yards out and Wilson completed a two-point conversion pass with 4:04 to go in the frame. Utah State cut its deficit to seven, 28-21, on a 1-yard keeper by Barnes, but Bernard raced 64 yards to set up a 2-yard scoring catch by Carsen Ryan that made it 35-21 with 11:50 left in the game.

--Field Level Media

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