‘He dusted these guys off’: Andrew Peasley ignites Utah state attack as Aggies earn first win

LOGAN – Andrew Peasley just wanted to get a first try. He ended up delivering the final blow.

Peasley pulled out of a collapsing pocket and pointed it at the first marker. He jumped on a tackle that reached just to the line to win the first down, and suddenly he was all alone – sprinting 62 yards into the end zone.

This fourth quarter round put an exclamation mark on Utah State’s 41-27 victory over New Mexico at Maverik Stadium on Thursday night.

“It was exactly how we played it this week – no, I’m kidding,” interim coach Frank Maile said of the pivotal play. “That’s the beauty of having a double-threat quarterback. He always finds a way. He’s competitive. He struggled to get out of what should have been a sack, but he didn’t give up.”

And as first-year linebacker Kina Maile, who had a fumble return for a touchdown and a blocked punt in the win, said, “He dusted those guys off. It was crazy.”

Peasley said the game was meant to be a quick takeout for the first try, but things are moving pretty quickly. He rigged as the New Mexico defensive line (0-5) converged around him and then rolled to his left.

“I slipped out of the pocket and I guess that’s really it. It was all open from there,” Peasley said.

It was the long-awaited first victory of the season for Utah State (1-4) and the Aggies came away with some hope for the future. Peasley’s decisive run wasn’t the only game he made on Thursday. In fact, it looks like the Aggies have found their quarterback.

Peasley, the second student from La Grande, Oregon, made his first college debut. And if Thursday’s performance is any indication, there will be a lot more to come.

Peasley finished 14 of 21 for 239 yards and three touchdowns; he added 118 rushing yards and another rushing score.

“I felt really confident going into the game. I felt like my teammates believed in me, and I just went out and played,” said Peasley, who had been with COVID-19 in the weeks leading up to it. the game.

Peasley said that after a few long drives that came to a standstill in the first half, including a practice that ended with Peasley groping through the end zone, the offense came out “with fire” and wanted to take hits. This is exactly what they did.

If you’ve managed to beat the post-party nap in the midst of what seemed like endless first-half reviews, Peasley and Utah State have rewarded you with their best performance of the year – by many.

In Utah State’s first possession of the half, Peasley found Justin McGriff in stride between two defensemen for a 36-yard touchdown. On the next possession, the second-year quarterback hit Savon Scarver as he crossed the field for 26 yards. And on the next, Peasley dumped it on Carson Terrell who scolded for a 35-yard touchdown.

The Aggies entered the end of Thursday’s Thanksgiving night after scoring just 45 points all season as they broke a 0-4 record and had just 6 points at halftime. So to say that the sudden offensive explosion was surprising would be to under-sell it.

“We took pictures and they pulled it off,” Peasley said. “It felt good.”

The explosion in the third quarter was also aided by the defense. Kina Maile recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. The Aggies scored 28 in the third quarter.

“It’s tough to win football games, man,” coach Maile said. “But anytime you can do it as a team with all three phases – attack, defense and special teams – it’s a great feeling.”

It’s a feeling the Aggies have been waiting for all season. And the one they will savor.

“Dude, it’s just a huge burden on our shoulders – just to get the first one and get us on the right track,” Kina Maile said. “We couldn’t wait to get that zero off our album and we finally got it. It’s wonderful and I know we’re going to be celebrating this all weekend and Thanksgiving. I love that feeling.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUXxJAPMqQ8

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