What Is 2013 Utah State Aggies football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Utah State Aggies football team represented Utah State University in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 7–6 record under head coach Matt Wells. They played in the Mountain West Conference, earning a berth in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, where they lost to Minnesota 34–23 on December 27, 2013.

Key Facts

The 2013 Utah State Aggies finished the season with a 7–6 overall record and 5–3 in Mountain West Conference play.
Head coach Matt Wells led the team in his first season after taking over from Gary Andersen.
The Aggies played their home games at Merlin Olsen Field at Aggie Stadium in Logan, Utah.
They earned a spot in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl after a 5–3 conference record.
Utah State lost to Minnesota 34–23 in the bowl game on December 27, 2013, in Boise, Idaho.

Overview

The 2013 Utah State Aggies football team represented Utah State University during the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference, the team was led by first-year head coach Matt Wells, who took over following the departure of Gary Andersen to Wisconsin.

The Aggies played their home games at Merlin Olsen Field at Aggie Stadium in Logan, Utah, a venue with a capacity of approximately 27,000. The season marked a transitional year for the program, balancing new leadership with returning talent from the previous season’s 7–6 record.

Record: The team finished the season with a 7–6 overall record and a 5–3 mark in conference play, placing third in the Mountain Division.
Head Coach:Matt Wells made his debut as head coach after serving as offensive coordinator under Gary Andersen, becoming the 29th head coach in program history.
Stadium: All home games were held at Merlin Olsen Field at Aggie Stadium, a historic venue that has hosted Aggies football since 1968.
Bowl Appearance: The Aggies earned a bid to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on December 27, 2013, their second consecutive bowl appearance.
Bowl Result: Utah State lost to the Minnesota Golden Gophers 34–23 in Boise, ending their season on a disappointing note despite a strong offensive showing.

Season Performance

The 2013 campaign featured a mix of competitive conference games and non-conference challenges. The Aggies opened the season with a win over Utah Tech but faced setbacks against ranked opponents, including a 49–27 loss to No. 3 Ohio State.

Offensive Output: The team averaged 30.5 points per game, led by quarterback Darell Garretson and a balanced rushing attack.
Defensive Struggles: The defense allowed 29.8 points per game, struggling particularly in pass coverage against high-powered offenses.
Key Victory: A 45–10 win over New Mexico in November showcased the team’s potential, with 429 total yards and five touchdowns.
Conference Play: Wins over Colorado State, UNLV, and San Diego State helped secure a 5–3 conference record and bowl eligibility.
Season Opener: The Aggies defeated Utah Tech 49–6 in Week 1, setting a positive tone before facing tougher competition.
Final Game: In the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Utah State led at halftime but was outscored 21–3 in the second half, finishing 7–6.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 2013 season compared to recent years in key statistical categories:

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Result	Points Per Game
2011	7–6	4–4 (WAC)	Won 23–21 vs. Toledo (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)	28.2
2012	7–6	4–4 (WAC)	Lost 48–41 vs. Texas (Holiday Bowl)	35.1
2013	7–6	5–3 (Mountain West)	Lost 34–23 vs. Minnesota (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)	30.5
2014	7–6	5–3 (Mountain West)	Lost 21–20 vs. Washington State (Poinsettia Bowl)	26.4
2015	6–7	4–4 (Mountain West)	Lost 23–21 vs. UTEP (Arizona Bowl)	24.7

The 2013 season maintained Utah State’s trend of 7–6 records but marked their first year in the Mountain West Conference after the WAC disbanded as a football conference. While offensive production dipped slightly from 2012’s 35.1 points per game, the team remained competitive in conference play and continued its streak of bowl appearances.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was significant for Utah State as it represented continuity during a coaching transition and solidified the program’s presence in a stronger conference. The Aggies demonstrated resilience despite losing key players and adapting to new leadership.

Program Stability: Successfully transitioning from Gary Andersen to Matt Wells without a drop in win total showed organizational strength.
Conference Realignment: Competing in the Mountain West Conference elevated the team’s profile and schedule difficulty.
Bowl Consistency: Making their third consecutive bowl game reinforced Utah State as a competitive mid-major program.
Player Development: Quarterback Darell Garretson improved throughout the season, throwing for 1,873 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Recruiting Impact: Continued bowl appearances helped attract talent from Utah and surrounding regions.
Fan Engagement: Maintaining a winning record kept attendance strong at Aggie Stadium, averaging over 20,000 per home game.

Overall, the 2013 season was a bridge between eras for Utah State football, preserving momentum and setting the foundation for future competitiveness in the Mountain West.