What Is 2015 Utah State Aggies football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 Utah State Aggies football team represented Utah State University in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 6–7 record under head coach Matt Wells. They played their home games at Merlin Olsen Field at Aggie Stadium in Logan, Utah, and competed in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference.

Key Facts

The 2015 Utah State Aggies finished the season with a 6–7 overall record
Head coach Matt Wells led the team in his third season at the helm
They played in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference
Utah State lost to Washington in the 2015 Apple Cup, 31–28
Quarterback Darell Garretson started most games after taking over mid-season

Overview

The 2015 Utah State Aggies football team represented Utah State University during the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference, the Aggies were led by head coach Matt Wells, who was in his third year as head coach. The team played its home games at Merlin Olsen Field at Aggie Stadium in Logan, Utah, a venue known for its strong home-field advantage.

The Aggies finished the regular season with a 6–6 record, qualifying for a bowl game despite challenges on both offense and defense. They accepted a bid to the 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, where they faced the University of Eastern Michigan. The season marked a transitional year, with quarterback changes and defensive adjustments shaping the team’s performance.

Record: The Aggies ended the 2015 season with a 6–7 overall record, including a 4–4 mark in Mountain West Conference play.
Head Coach: Matt Wells entered his third season as head coach, overseeing offensive strategy and program development throughout the year.
Stadium: All home games were played at Merlin Olsen Field at Aggie Stadium, a 25,100-seat venue in Logan, Utah.
Division: Utah State competed in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference, facing teams like Boise State and Colorado State.
Bowl Game: The team participated in the 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on December 22, losing 52–35 to Eastern Michigan.

How It Works

The structure of college football seasons determines team schedules, conference standings, and postseason eligibility. For the 2015 Utah State Aggies, this meant navigating a 12-game regular season followed by potential bowl participation.

Regular Season: The Aggies played a 12-game schedule, including eight conference matchups and four non-conference games, culminating in a 6–6 record.
Conference Play: As members of the Mountain West Conference, Utah State competed for a division title and potential conference championship berth.
Quarterback Rotation: Darell Garretson started nine games, while Kent Myers also saw significant action due to injuries and performance shifts.
Bowl Eligibility: A minimum of six wins was required for bowl eligibility; Utah State reached this threshold with a win over UNLV in November.
Defensive Performance: The defense allowed 30.5 points per game, ranking them near the bottom of FBS teams in defensive efficiency.
Offensive Output: The team averaged 27.2 points per game, relying heavily on a balanced rushing attack led by Devante Mays.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2015 Utah State Aggies compared to key conference rivals in key statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	Points Per Game	Points Allowed	Bowl Result
Utah State	6–7	27.2	30.5	Lost, 52–35 (vs. EMU)
Boise State	10–3	36.8	21.4	Won, 33–17 (Cactus Bowl)
Colorado State	7–6	31.2	28.9	Lost, 38–35 (Arizona Bowl)
San Diego State	9–4	29.5	18.7	Won, 42–7 (Poinsettia Bowl)
Fresno State	6–8	26.1	31.6	Lost, 28–21 (New Mexico Bowl)

This comparison highlights Utah State’s mid-tier performance within the Mountain West. While they matched Fresno State in wins, their defensive struggles were more pronounced. Boise State and San Diego State stood out with stronger records and better defensive metrics, illustrating the competitive gap within the conference.

Why It Matters

The 2015 season was a pivotal year in the trajectory of Utah State’s football program, reflecting both resilience and areas needing improvement. Despite missing a winning record, the team maintained bowl eligibility and developed young talent for future seasons.

The season demonstrated the importance of quarterback stability, as injuries disrupted offensive consistency.
Defensive lapses, especially in late-game situations, underscored the need for improved depth and discipline.
Competing in a tough conference like the Mountain West prepared players for high-pressure environments.
The bowl appearance maintained Utah State’s streak of consecutive bowl bids, enhancing recruiting appeal.
Player development during 2015 laid the foundation for improved performance in subsequent seasons.
The season provided valuable experience for Matt Wells, who continued to shape the program’s culture and strategy.

Overall, the 2015 Utah State Aggies football season served as a transitional chapter, balancing competitive challenges with long-term growth opportunities for the program.