2015 Utah State Aggies football team

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.

2015 Utah State Aggies football
ConferenceMountain West Conference
DivisionMountain Division
Record6–7 (5–3 MW)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJosh Heupel (1st season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorKevin Clune (1st season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumMaverik Stadium
Seasons
← 2014
2016 →
2015 Mountain West Conference football standings
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

Before the season

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2015 recruits

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College recruiting information (2015)
Name Hometown High school / college 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 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN:    ESPN grade: 72
Viliamu Auwae
OL
Kapolei, Hawaii Kapolei HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 265 lb (120 kg) Feb 9, 2015  
Star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   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 
Star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports: 
Dalton Baker
TE
Payson, Utah Payson HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Jan 30, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports: 
Gerold Bright
WR
Pensacola, Florida Escambia HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Jan 30, 2015 
Star 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 
Star 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 
Star 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 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN:    ESPN grade: 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 
Star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports: 
Harris LaChance
DE
Herriman, Utah Herriman HS 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Jan 30, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports: 
Daniel Langi
LB
South Jordan, Utah Bingham HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Jan 30, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: 
Dallin Leavitt
S
Portland, Ore. Central Catholic HS/BYU 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 200 lb (91 kg)  
Star ratings: RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Devante Mays
RB
Livingston, Texas Livingston HS/Blinn JC 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Jan 30, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports: 
Wade Meacham
OL
Layton, Utah Layton HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 260 lb (120 kg) Feb 9, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN:    ESPN grade: 73
Joe Riggins
LB
Fort Lauderdale, Florida Cardinal Gibbons HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Feb 9, 2015 
Star 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  
Star 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 
Star 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)  
Star ratings: RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Overall recruiting rankings:   ESPN: Not Ranked Top 25
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, 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.com. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  • "2015 Utah State Football Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  • "2015 Player Commits". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  • "2015 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 1, 2015.

Departures

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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

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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

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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
Coordinators/assistant coaches

[2]


Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  •   Injured
  •   Redshirt

Roster

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 37:00 pmSouthern Utah*W 12–921,209
September 117:00 pmat No. 24 Utah*ESPN2L 14–2446,011
September 193:00 pmat Washington*P12NL 17–3159,464
October 35:00 pmColorado State
  • Maverik Stadium
  • Logan, UT
ESPN3W 33–1822,059
October 108:30 pmat Fresno StateCBSSNW 56–1430,540
October 167:00 pmNo. 21 Boise State
  • Maverik Stadium
  • Logan, UT
CBSSNW 52–2622,509
October 238:30 pmat San Diego StateESPN2L 14–4825,898
October 308:15 pmWyoming
ESPN2W 58–2720,964
November 71:30 pmat New MexicoCBSSNL 13–1419,886
November 1412:00 pmat Air ForceESPN3L 28–3520,083
November 211:30 pmNevada
  • Maverik Stadium
  • Logan, UT
ESPN3W 31–2718,922
November 281:30 pmBYU*
CBSSNL 28–5122,509
December 221:30 pmvs. Akron*ESPNL 21–2318,876
Schedule Source:[3]

Game summaries

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Southern Utah

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Utah State v Southern Utah
1 234Total
Thunderbirds 6 300 9
Aggies 5 007 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

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Battle of the Brothers
1 234Total
Aggies 0 1400 14
Utes 7 773 24
  • Date: September 11
  • Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium
  • Game start: 7:00 pm MST
  • Game attendance: 46,011

At Washington

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Utah State at Washington
1 234Total
Aggies 0 1007 17
Huskies 3 14140 31
  • Date: September 19
  • Location: Husky Stadium
  • Game start: 3:00 p.m. MST
  • Game attendance: 59,464

Colorado State

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Utah State v Colorado State
1 234Total
Rams 3 708 18
Aggies 3 14610 33
  • Date: October 3
  • Location: Maverik Stadium
  • Game start: 5:00 p.m. MST
  • Game attendance: 22,059

At Fresno State

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Utah State at Fresno State
1 234Total
Aggies 7 221413 56
Bulldogs 7 007 14
  • Date: October 10
  • Location: Bulldog Stadium
  • Game start: 8:30 p.m. MST
  • Game attendance: 30,540

Boise State

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Utah State v Boise State
1 234Total
#21 Broncos 3 779 26
Aggies 17 2870 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

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Utah State at San Diego State
1 234Total
Aggies 0 770 14
Aztecs 17 17014 48
  • Date: October 23
  • Location: Qualcomm Stadium
  • Game attendance: 25,898

Wyoming

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Bridger's Battle
1 234Total
Cowboys 7 776 27
Aggies 14 16721 58
  • Date: October 30
  • Location: Maverik Stadium
  • Game attendance: 20,964

At New Mexico

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Utah State at New Mexico
1 234Total
Aggies 0 373 13
Lobos 0 770 14
  • Date: November 7
  • Location: University Stadium
  • Game attendance: 19,886

At Air Force

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Utah State at Air Force
1 234Total
Aggies 14 0140 28
Falcons 14 7140 35
  • Date: November 14
  • Location: Falcon Stadium
  • Game attendance: 20,083

Nevada

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Utah State v Nevada
1 234Total
Wolf Pack 7 1460 27
Aggies 0 71410 31
  • Date: November 21
  • Location: Maverik Stadium
  • Game attendance: 18,922

The Old Wagon Wheel
1 234Total
Cougars 10 141413 51
Aggies 7 1407 28
  • Date: November 28
  • Location: Maverik Stadium
  • Game attendance: 22,509

Akron–Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

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Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
1 234Total
Zips 7 673 23
Aggies 0 777 21
  • Date: December 22
  • Location: Albertson Stadium
  • Game attendance: 18,876

References

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  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".