Utah State Football Prepares for McNeese State Showdown

LOGAN, Utah – After a crucial win to start Mountain West play, Utah State (2-1) is set to face McNeese State (1-2), a team that poses a significant ranking challenge, yet on paper appears to be their easiest opponent of the season.

The Aggies, led by head coach Bronco Mendenhall, are determined to prove they are on the comeback trail following three consecutive losing seasons. Mendenhall understands the importance of remaining vigilant, especially against an FCS team. “Our team will not have that issue,” Mendenhall said. “We’re hungry. There’s so much to work on and it’s so early in the process.”

McNeese, coming off a heart-wrenching loss to Weber State, is known for its high-scoring offense. In their first game of the season, they put up an impressive 54 points against Louisiana Christian and nearly made a comeback against Weber State, scoring 41 points.

Leading the Cowboys is quarterback Jake Strong, who has impressed with an average of 266 yards per game and a completion percentage of 62.9. In his last outing, he threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to create offensive opportunities, even in challenging situations.

Utah State’s defense will face its toughest challenge yet against McNeese’s dual-threat offense, which ranks fifth in FCS for yards per game. Defensive tackle Carson Tujague expressed eagerness to face the run-heavy attack, stating, “I’m excited to be able to play another team that runs the ball.”

Preparation for the altitude change is critical as McNeese travels from roughly 15 feet elevation in Louisiana to approximately 4,500 feet in Logan. Mendenhall noted, “What we have to do defensively is going to be different,” indicating the adjustments necessary for his team.

Utah State aims to capitalize on McNeese’s defensive struggles, having allowed a total of 76 points in their last two games. This opportunity presents a potential for a high-scoring game, given Utah State’s offensive capabilities and McNeese’s challenges with defense. The teams will kick off at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Merlin Olsen Field.