USU takes step backward with loss to New Mexico St.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — If Utah State wants to take the next step in becoming a contender for a bowl game, it might want to avoid taking steps backward.

The Aggies (1-4, 0-1 WAC) had a solid offensive night at New Mexico State but fell 20-17 when Kyle Hughes hit a 28-yard field goal as time expired.

"To say this is a disappointment," Utah State coach Gary Andersen said on the post-game radio show, "is probably the biggest understatement in my career."

Aside from the final score, the statistics indicated Utah State dominated the game against NMSU (3-3, 1-1).

Utah State piled up 429 yards of offense but could not get anything done after a touchdown early in the third quarter gave the Aggies a 17-10 lead.

New Mexico State, on the other hand, had only 230 yards of total offense and completed just 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards.

The two numbers Utah State won't like at all, though, at the 128 yards of penalties and the breakdowns on special teams that allowed New Mexico State to return a punt 56 yards with less than two minutes to play and set up the game-winning score.

Problems on special teams play was something Andersen said the team had addressed in practice the last few weeks and he didn't expect at all.

"Obviously didn't address it enough," USU's first-year coach said. "Bottom line is it's a play we needed to make but didn't make and it cost us the ball game."

Another problem: Utah State converted on zero third-down plays in the second half on seven attempts.

"Penalties cost us the football game," Andersen said. "Special teams cost us the football game and not being able to convert on third and one cost us the game."

The Aggies looked sharp from the opening kick — forcing a 3-and-out punt from NMSU and then driving all the way to the end zone on their first drive. But a touchdown was called back when USU receiver Stanley Morrison was ruled to have stepped out of bounds at the 10. A penalty pushed the Aggies farther back and Utah State got no points from the situation after a missed field goal.

NMSU took a 10-0 lead thanks to a fumbled punt return by USU and another long punt return set up short-field situations.

Utah State finally got going in the second quarter as Chris Ulinski booted a 34-yard field goal with 7:09 left in the half.