What Is 2019 Utah State Aggies football team

Overview

The 2019 Utah State Aggies football team represented Utah State University during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Mountain West Conference's Mountain Division, the team was led by head coach Gary Andersen, who returned for his second stint after previously coaching the Aggies from 2009 to 2012.

The Aggies finished the regular season with a 6-6 record, becoming bowl-eligible for the second consecutive year. They earned a spot in the Arizona Bowl, where they defeated Liberty 17-13 in a tightly contested game on December 31, 2019, finishing the season with a 7-6 overall record.

• Record: The team finished with a 7-6 overall record, including a 4-4 mark in Mountain West Conference play during the regular season.
• Head coach: Gary Andersen returned as head coach in 2018, and the 2019 season marked his second year in his second stint with the program.
• Quarterback Jordan Love: A standout performer, Love threw for 3,402 yards and 32 touchdowns, finishing ninth in Heisman Trophy voting.
• Bowl game: The Aggies played in the 2019 Arizona Bowl on December 31, defeating Liberty 17-13 in a low-scoring, defensive battle.
• Defensive performance: The defense allowed 27.8 points per game, a slight improvement from the previous season’s 29.1 points allowed per game.

How It Works

The 2019 season showcased a blend of offensive firepower and defensive resilience, with quarterback Jordan Love leading one of the most dynamic passing attacks in the Group of Five conferences. The team's structure and game planning reflected Andersen’s disciplined coaching style.

• Offensive scheme: The Aggies utilized a spread offense emphasizing vertical passing, with Love averaging 8.3 yards per attempt and completing 60.5% of his passes.
• Defensive alignment: Utah State primarily ran a 3-4 base defense, led by linebacker David Woodward, who recorded 108 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss.
• Special teams: Punter Peter Avdoulos averaged 42.1 yards per punt, providing strong field position throughout the season.
• Home stadium: The Aggies played home games at Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah, which has a capacity of 25,100.
• Recruiting class: The 2019 signing class included 18 scholarship athletes, with several rated as three-star prospects by 247Sports.
• Strength of schedule: The Aggies faced a challenging non-conference slate, including a loss to Wake Forest (30-24) and a win over BYU (20-17).

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2019 Utah State Aggies compared to other Mountain West teams and key national metrics:

The Aggies ranked in the middle of the Mountain West standings, finishing behind powerhouses like Boise State and Fresno State but ahead of lower-performing teams. Their 28.9 points per game ranked fifth in the conference, showing offensive capability but not elite dominance.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was significant for Utah State as it continued the program’s resurgence under Andersen and highlighted the rising profile of quarterback Jordan Love, who entered the 2020 NFL Draft.

• NFL draft prospect: Jordan Love was selected 25th overall by the Green Bay Packers in the 2020 NFL Draft, boosting the program’s national visibility.
• Bowl consistency: The back-to-back bowl appearances in 2018 and 2019 signaled program stability after years of inconsistency.
• Recruiting momentum: Success on the field helped attract higher-rated recruits, including four-star athlete Jaylen Reed in the 2020 class.
• Conference competitiveness: The Aggies proved they could compete with top Mountain West teams despite lacking the resources of larger programs.
• Financial impact: Bowl game revenue and increased ticket sales contributed to athletic department funding and facility upgrades.
• Alumni engagement: The team’s success boosted fan engagement and attendance, with Maverik Stadium averaging over 75% capacity in 2019.

Overall, the 2019 Utah State Aggies football season was a pivotal chapter in the program’s modern history, combining on-field success with long-term developmental impact.