Week 4 Weekend Recap: Jaren Hall Amazes, Utes Lose A Key Piece

September 26, 2022 Eric Jensen CFB, Uncategorized 0

Each week Eric Jensen goes across all the FBS games played in the state of Utah and gives his takeaways on the matchups. Here is the week 4 weekend recap. Enjoy, week 4 weekend recap starts now!

Utah: Utes 34 Arizona State Sun Devils 13

The Utes held Arizona State to just six yards on the ground. That is not a mistake, Utah allowed all of just six yards on the ground. That is an absolutely bonkers stat.

The unfortunate headline of the game though is the loss of Brant Kuithe who is out for the season. A devastating loss for an NFL hopeful, and the type of development that decreases the likelihood he is drafted into the NFL.

What this offense looks like without Kuithe is a mystery, but an intriguing mystery. We know this Andy Ludwig system is a ball control offense first and foremost, so expect a heavy reliance on the run game in the coming weeks. That includes new runningback and former quarterback Ja’Quinden Jackson.

Tavion Thomas sat out a large portion of the first half due to a disciplinary issue it would seem. The team will need Thomas to figure out whatever is going on as they enter conference play next week against an Oregon State team that nearly eliminated the entirety of USC’s passing game.

Mysteries lie ahead for this Utah offense but the defense has come around, this looks like the best unit in the Pac-12 on either side of the ball. As long as the defense remains sound, Utah will remain in the national conversation. They need to keep winning ahead of a big week seven matchup with the USC Trojans at Rice Eccles stadium.

BYU: Cougars 38 Wyoming Cowboys 24

Jaren Hall is the best football player in the state of Utah right now. No question about it, the throws he’s making right now are NFL level. Draft nerds will point to Zach Wilson and wonder, but Hall is worth a shot from an NFL QB needy team.

Once again Hall put up a 300-yard day and tossed four touchdowns in the process. It helps that BYU has recruited wide receivers extremely well. Puka Nacua, injured. Gunner Romney, injured. Chase Roberts, nowhere to be found, does not matter. Keanu Hill steps up and looks like a star wideout, Brayden Cosper emerges, Kody Epps contributes, just so many players stepping up to make plays.

Kalani Sitake said on Monday that the thing he’s most surprised about is just how inconsistent this team has been. It’s really hard not to agree with that assessment. On their best day, this team can hang with anyone in the country. They don’t have their best days often though.

The lack of pass rush is one note of real concern for the program. Utah State, the Coug’s next opponent doesn’t have a dominant offensive line, but they aren’t far from the quality of the Cowboys. The numbers would say the Cowboys dominated up front with their line. The Cougars keep getting failing grades on PFF in terms of getting even QB pressure. If you play the Cougs you will have time to throw. Luckily the secondary has played very well this year.

A big in state matchup waits against Utah State.

The Week 4 Weekend Recap continues.

USU: UNLV 34 Utah State 24

An absolutely brutal loss for the Aggies. No other way to put it. Utah State outgained UNLV 421-320, they outgained the Rebels in first downs by one, held an explosive running attack to 103 yards, and had more tackles for loss than the Rebels. Yet the Aggies turned the ball over six times, UNLV turned the ball over no times and that was the difference.

Logan Bonner threw five interceptions on the day, two were desperations heaves at the last second into the endzone. The other three were all into double coverage. It’s hard to be critical of college kids, but in the times of NIL and these kids basically being semi-pro athletes it’s fair to hold them accountable.

So, here is what I have to say about Logan Bonner: He is tough as nails, which I think would be my first descriptor for the passer. The hits he takes are like car crashes and he just keeps getting up afterwards. Logan Bonner has taken accountability, in almost every interview I have heard with him he takes responsibility for how he is playing. He will go down as putting together one of the greatest seasons in Aggie history. These are all defining characteristics of Logan Bonner.

Football is a meritocracy though, as the late great Chris Wesseling once wrote, and Bonner is not the best man currently suited for the job of Aggie starting QB.

The past month has been a consistent drumbeat of mistake after mistake from Bonner. I respect Blake Anderson’s loyalty to his starter but at some point enough is enough. Bonner has 8 interceptions over 4 starts, in comparison he has 6 touchdowns. He has a QBR of 23.5. The numbers, the tape, and the eye test all point to the fact that Bonner is just not the guy to lead this offense.

Ultimately, the media, and I a 23 year old nobody typing a blog from my parent’s basement don’t make the decisions, but Utah States’ best course of action is to keep Bonner on a short leash. This is a program that bragged about being three deep at QB all offseason, ok show us.

The Aggie defense on the other hand was gutted by the injury of Seni Tuiaki. Likely done for the season with a dislocated ankle, Tuiaki was a key piece of this defense. Suddenly defensive depth up front becomes a real question for the Aggies, the next two weeks the team faces top-class offensive lines and rushing attacks. Attrition is taking its toll on what has been a decent defense.

The Aggie’s season is not over, but it feels like the next two weeks become crucial. This team will have to perform almost flawlessly after Air Force if they even want to be considered a bowl team. Going to LaVell Edwards stadium for a Thursday night primetime clash does not feel like a good spot for this team. This team needs a genuinely impressive effort, if they don’t get it, things could get very ugly.

Week 4 Weekend Recap.