What Is 2014 Utah State Aggies football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 Utah State Aggies football team represented Utah State University in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 7-6 record under head coach Matt Wells. They played in the Mountain West Conference and participated in the Las Vegas Bowl, losing to No. 12 Colorado State 45-7.

Key Facts

The 2014 Utah State Aggies finished the season with a 7-6 overall record
Head coach Matt Wells led the team in his second season at the helm
They competed in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference
Utah State played in the 2014 Las Vegas Bowl against Colorado State
The Aggies lost the bowl game 45-7, ending their season on a three-game losing streak

Overview

The 2014 Utah State Aggies football team represented Utah State University during the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by head coach Matt Wells in his second year, the team competed in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference (MWC), aiming to build on their 2013 success.

Utah State finished the regular season with a 7-5 record, securing a bowl berth for the third consecutive year. Despite strong offensive performances early in the year, the team struggled in key conference matchups and ended the season with a loss in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Record: The Aggies posted a final record of 7-6, including a 5-3 mark in conference play, placing them in the middle of the Mountain Division standings.
Head Coach:Matt Wells was in his second season as head coach, taking over after the departure of Gary Andersen following the 2012 season.
Home Stadium: The team played its home games at Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah, which has a seating capacity of approximately 27,000.
Offensive Leader: Quarterback Darrel Garretson started most games, throwing for 2,158 yards and 11 touchdowns with 10 interceptions on the season.
Bowl Appearance: Utah State played in the 2014 Las Vegas Bowl on December 20, losing 45-7 to Colorado State, a team ranked No. 12 in the final AP Poll.

Season Performance

The 2014 campaign saw the Aggies show flashes of potential but ultimately fall short of divisional contention. They opened the season with a 3-1 record, including a notable win over in-state rival BYU, but struggled in conference play against top-tier Mountain West teams.

Early Momentum: A 34-14 victory over BYU in September gave the Aggies early national attention and showcased their balanced offensive attack.
Defensive Struggles: The defense allowed 30.5 points per game, among the highest averages in the conference, undermining several close contests.
Key Loss: A 45-10 defeat to Colorado State in October effectively ended their division title hopes and exposed gaps in depth and execution.
Running Game: Running back Joe Hill led the team with 598 rushing yards and five touchdowns, providing consistency in the ground game.
Special Teams: Punter Sam King averaged 43.1 yards per punt, earning All-Mountain West honorable mention honors.
Injuries: Starting quarterback Chuckie Keeton missed the entire season due to a knee injury, forcing Darrel Garretson into a larger role.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the 2014 Utah State Aggies' key statistics to their 2013 season and the Mountain West Conference average:

Category	2014 Aggies	2013 Aggies	Mountain West Avg (2014)
Overall Record	7-6	7-6	N/A
Conference Record	5-3	4-4	3.8-4.2
Points Per Game	28.4	31.9	27.1
Points Allowed Per Game	30.5	22.3	26.7
Passing Yards Per Game	198.6	234.1	215.3

While Utah State improved slightly in conference play compared to 2013, their defensive performance declined significantly. The team allowed nearly 8 more points per game than the previous season, which contributed to their inability to secure a winning record or a higher bowl placement.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season was a transitional year for Utah State football, highlighting both resilience and the challenges of maintaining success after key player departures and injuries. It underscored the importance of quarterback stability and defensive depth at the FBS level.

Program Stability: Despite setbacks, the Aggies maintained three straight bowl appearances, a milestone for the modern era of the program.
Recruiting Impact: The visibility from consistent bowl games helped Utah State attract higher-rated recruits in subsequent classes.
Coaching Development: Matt Wells gained valuable experience managing a rebuilding roster, later leading the team to greater success in 2018.
Injury Management: Losing Chuckie Keeton again in 2014 emphasized the need for stronger quarterback development and depth.
Conference Standing: Their 5-3 conference record kept them competitive, but losses to top teams like Colorado State revealed performance gaps.
Bowl Relevance: Appearing in the Las Vegas Bowl maintained Utah State’s presence in national postseason conversations.

The 2014 season ultimately served as a learning experience, setting the foundation for future improvements under Wells’ leadership and reinforcing the Aggies as a consistent mid-major program.