2015 Utah State Aggies football team

2015 Utah State Aggies football
2015 Utah State Aggies football
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, L 21–23 vs. Akron
Conference	Mountain West Conference
	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

2015 Mountain West Conference football standings

Team	W		L	W		L
Mountain Division
Air Force x	6	–	2	8	–	6
New Mexico	5	–	3	7	–	6
	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
Chad Artist WR	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
Viliamu Auwae OL	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
Wesley Bailey DB	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
Dalton Baker TE	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
Gerold Bright WR	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
Preston Brooskby OL	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
Chris Copier TE	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
Cameron Haney CB	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
Jude Hockel OL	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
Harris LaChance DE	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
Daniel Langi LB	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)
Dallin Leavitt S	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
Devante Mays RB	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
Wade Meacham OL	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
Joe Riggins LB	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
Cade Smith QB	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
Mason Tobek LB	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)
Ben Wysocki OL	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. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

References

^ Taylor, John (June 29, 2015). "Utah State Dismisses Top WR/Returner JoJo Natson". NBC Sports. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
^ "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.
^ "2014 Utah State Aggies Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
^ "Boise State vs. Utah State - Game Recap - October 16, 2015 - ESPN".

[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".

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Utah State Aggies football
Venues	Romney Stadium (I) (1927–1967) Maverik Stadium (1968–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games BYU Utah: Battle of the Brothers Wyoming Beehive Boot (BYU, Utah)
Culture & lore	Big Blue "Hail the Utah Aggies" The Scotsman The Hurd Marching band
People	Head coaches NFL draftees Statistical leaders
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