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
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
Mountain Division
Air Force x 62  86 
New Mexico 53  76 
Utah State 53  67 
Boise State 53  94 
Colorado State 53  76 
Wyoming 26  210 
West Division
San Diego State x$ 80  113 
Nevada 44  76 
San Jose State 44  67 
Fresno State 26  39 
UNLV 26  39 
Hawaii 08  310 
Championship: San Diego State 27, Air Force 24
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

Before the season

2015 recruits

US college sports recruiting information for 2015 recruits
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Chad Artist
WR
Logan, UtahLogan HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)180 lb (82 kg)Jun 30, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 72
Viliamu Auwae
OL
Kapolei, HawaiiKapolei HS6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)265 lb (120 kg)Feb 9, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:
Wesley Bailey
DB
Huntsville, AlaJ.O. Johnson HS/Eastern Arizona CC6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg)Feb 9, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:
Dalton Baker
TE
Payson, UtahPayson HS6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)235 lb (107 kg)Jan 30, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:
Gerold Bright
WR
Pensacola, FloridaEscambia HS5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)175 lb (79 kg)Jan 30, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:
Preston Brooskby
OL
Peoria, Ariz.Sunrise Mountain HS/Glendale CC6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)290 lb (130 kg)Dec 16, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:
Chris Copier
TE
South Jordan, UtahBingham HS/Snow College6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)250 lb (110 kg)Dec 13, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:
Cameron Haney
CB
Los AngelesCathedral HS5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)175 lb (79 kg)Feb 9, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 71
Jude Hockel
OL
Walnut Creek, CaliforniaNorthgate HS/Diablo Valley JC6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)295 lb (134 kg)Jan 30, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:
Harris LaChance
DE
Herriman, UtahHerriman HS6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)235 lb (107 kg)Jan 30, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:
Daniel Langi
LB
South Jordan, UtahBingham HS6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)220 lb (100 kg)Jan 30, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:
Dallin Leavitt
S
Portland, Ore.Central Catholic HS/BYU5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)200 lb (91 kg) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Devante Mays
RB
Livingston, TexasLivingston HS/Blinn JC5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)225 lb (102 kg)Jan 30, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:
Wade Meacham
OL
Layton, UtahLayton HS6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)260 lb (120 kg)Feb 9, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 73
Joe Riggins
LB
Fort Lauderdale, FloridaCardinal Gibbons HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)205 lb (93 kg)Feb 9, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:
Cade Smith
QB
Salem, Ore.West Salem HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)205 lb (93 kg)Dec 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:
Mason Tobek
LB
Puyallup, WashingtonCascade Christian HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)225 lb (102 kg)Oct 6, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:
Ben Wysocki
OL
Seal Beach, CaliforniaLos Alamitos HS/UCLA6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)285 lb (129 kg) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   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

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
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
QB2Kent MyersSo
WR3Devonte RobinsonSr
WR4Hunter SharpSr
QB5Cade Smith  Fr
QB6DJ NelsonFr
RB7Tonny LindseySo
QB8Damion HobbsSo
WR9Jaren Colston-GreenSo
WR10David Senior (Transfer)So
WR11Brandon SwindallSr
WR14Chad Artist  Fr
WR15Hudson Conrad  Fr
QB16Chuckie Keeton  Sr
WR19Brandon O'Donnell  Fr
RB21LaJuan HuntSo
WR25Gerold Bright  Fr
RB26Kennedy WilliamsJr
RB29Aarron Franklin  Fr
RB32Devante MaysJr
TE33Joe PalangeJr
RB34Justen HerveyFr
TE44Landon HorneJr
TE47Paul PauniFr
OL54Ben WysockiSr
OL55Andrew ChenSo
OC59Austin StephensJr
OL60Andrew Markosian  Fr
OL61Tyler Saltmarsh  Fr
OL64Jarom IoaneSo
OL65Austin AlbrechtJr
OL66KJ Uluave  Fr
OL67Brandon TaukeiahoSo
OL68Dalton ForsytheJr
OL69Roderick Smith  Fr
OL72Tyshon MosleySo
OL73Preston BrooksbyJr
OL74Jude HockelJr
OL75Taani FisilauSr
OL76Jake SimonichJr
OL78Cody BoyerFr
WR80Tyler FoxFr
WR81Zach Van LeeuwenFr
WR82Andrew RodriguezJr
TE83Wyatt HoustonJr
WR84Ethan Cortazzo  Jr
TE85Chris CopierJr
TE86Dalton Baker  Fr
TE87Dax RaymondFr
WR88Braelon RobertsSo
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
CB1Daniel GrayJr
CB2Marquan EllisonJr
SS2Dallin Leavitt (Transfer)Jr
LB5LT FiliagaSr
CB6Cameron Haney  Fr
LB9Kyler FackrellSr
SS10Kelvin LeeSr
LB12Alex HuertaSo
CB13Jalen DavisSo
LB14Joe Riggins  Fr
CB15Tyler FloydSr
LB16Anthony WilliamsSr
CB17Deshane HinesSr
LB18Chasen AndersenFr
LB19Ian TogiaiSo
LB20Brock CarmenJr
CB22Bryant HayesSr
LB23Michael OkonkwoSr
SS24Marwin EvansSr
CB26Kevin Ogwu  So
FS27Jontrell RocquemoreFr
SS28Aaron WadeFr
FS29Myron TurnerSo
CB30Promise AmadiSr
S30Gage Ferguson  So
CB31Jentz PainterJr
FS37Devin CentersJr
S38Cole Casper  Fr
LB39Torrey GreenSr
CB40Austin CheneyJr
LB41Nick VigilJr
LB42La'Bradford HaroldSr
LB45Jarom BaldomeroSr
LB46Mason Tobeck  Fr
LB48Chase ChristiansenFr
LB49Derek LarsenFr
DE50Ryan Garrett  Fr
NG51David MoalaSr
DE52John Taylor  Sr
LB53Braden Harris  Fr
NG56Gasetoto SchusterFr
DE90Clark JeppesenSo
DE91Siua TaufaJr
DL93Jacoby Wildman  Fr
DE94Eric BerntsonJr
DE95Ricky Ali'ifuaJr
DE96Christopher 'Unga  Fr
DE97Jordan NielsenSr
DE98Edmund Faimalo  Jr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K36Jake ThompsonJr
LS47Mark HutchinsonSr
LS58Salanoa Galea'iSr
PK62Dominik Eberle  Fr
PK63Brock WarrenJr
P89Aaron DaltonFr
P92Zach Lee  Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

[2]


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

Roster

Schedule

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

Southern Utah

Utah State v Southern Utah
1234Total
Thunderbirds63009
Aggies500712
  • 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
1234Total
Aggies0140014
Utes777324
  • Date: September 11
  • Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium
  • Game start: 7:00 pm MST
  • Game attendance: 46,011

At Washington

Utah State at Washington
1234Total
Aggies0100717
Huskies31414031
  • Date: September 19
  • Location: Husky Stadium
  • Game start: 3:00 PM MST
  • Game attendance: 59,464

Colorado State

Utah State v Colorado State
1234Total
Rams370818
Aggies31461033
  • Date: October 3
  • Location: Maverik Stadium
  • Game start: 5:00 PM MST
  • Game attendance: 22,059

At Fresno State

Utah State at Fresno State
1234Total
Aggies722141356
Bulldogs700714
  • Date: October 10
  • Location: Bulldog Stadium
  • Game start: 8:30 PM MST
  • Game attendance: 30,540

Boise State

Utah State v Boise State
1234Total
#21 Broncos377926
Aggies17287052
  • Date: October 16
  • Location: Maverik Stadium
  • Game start: 7:00 PM 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
1234Total
Aggies077014
Aztecs171701448
  • Date: October 23
  • Location: Qualcomm Stadium
  • Game attendance: 25,898

Wyoming

Bridger's Battle
1234Total
Cowboys777627
Aggies141672158
  • Date: October 30
  • Location: Maverik Stadium
  • Game attendance: 20,964

At New Mexico

Utah State at New Mexico
1234Total
Aggies037313
Lobos077014
  • Date: November 7
  • Location: University Stadium
  • Game attendance: 19,886

At Air Force

Utah State at Air Force
1234Total
Aggies14014028
Falcons14714035
  • Date: November 14
  • Location: Falcon Stadium
  • Game attendance: 20,083

Nevada

Utah State v Nevada
1234Total
Wolf Pack7146027
Aggies07141031
  • Date: November 21
  • Location: Maverik Stadium
  • Game attendance: 18,922

BYU

The Old Wagon Wheel
1234Total
Cougars1014141351
Aggies7140728
  • Date: November 28
  • Location: Maverik Stadium
  • Game attendance: 22,509

Akron–Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
1234Total
Zips767323
Aggies077721
  • Date: December 22
  • Location: Albertson Stadium
  • Game attendance: 18,876

References