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Utah State Aggies receiver Jalen Royals (1) grabs a one-handed pass against Utah Utes cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn (5) in Logan on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
There is a lot on the line for Utah State on Saturday, in the Aggies’ Mountain West Conference opener against No. 21 Boise State.
Another loss would have USU 1-4 to start the year, leaving the team with little room for error going forward if it wants to become bowl eligible, let alone compete for the conference crown. Failing to get to a bowl game certainly wouldn’t be good for Nate Dreiling’s chances of getting the Utah State head coaching gig long term. He would be the first USU head coach since Gary Andersen — in his first stint in Logan — to fail to get to a bowl game in his first year leading the Aggies.
Another loss to Boise State would be the eighth straight for Utah State and the 21st in the last 22 meetings between the teams. It is worse than just a long run of losses, though. The Aggies have been completely uncompetitive in the series and have lost the last eight meetings by an average of 24 points. Considering the Aggies and Broncos are supposed to be conference equals, with both heading to the Pac-12 in a couple of years, continued ineptitude by USU against BSU is a bad look at best.
Job security and program prestige isn’t all that hangs in the balance in Boise this weekend, though. Utah State fans can thank Jalen Royals for that.
The senior wideout made a little bit of history a couple of weeks ago in USU’s loss at Temple. With a single touchdown reception — his second this season — he now has 17 TD receptions in his career, which has him tied for eighth all-time in school history in a career, with James Murphy (1978-80) and Pet Newman (1986-89).
Against Boise, he has a chance to leap up the record books…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/look-jalen-royals-run-utah-202437956.html
Author : Deseret News
Publish date : 2024-10-02 20:24:37
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