Utah State Aggies lead Southern Utah Thunderbirds 21-3 at halftime

LOGAN — It’s opening night of the college football season, but Chuckie Keeton and the rest of the Utah State Aggies appear to be in midseason form, as the Aggies lead Southern Utah 21-3 at halftime.

Keeton got the nod at starting quarterback for Utah State and quickly showed why he is the man for the job. The sophomore finished the half 11 of 13 for 165 yards and two long touchdown strikes.

On the Aggies' first drive Keeton found Chuck Jacobs behind the secondary for a 48-yard touchdown and on the following possession hooked up with Matt Austin for a 35-yard score to put the Aggies up 14-0.

Sophomore running back Joe Hill accounted for Utah State’s other score, breaking off a 27-yard scamper to camp off a nine-play, 98-yard scoring drive for Utah State and put the Aggies up 21-0 at the end of the first quarter. Starting Aggie running back Kerwynn Williams has 14 carries for 62 yards at the half.

Southern Utah struggled against the Aggie defense failing to complete a pass or pick up a first down in the first quarter. The second quarter proved more successful for the Thunderbirds, who collected five first downs and got on the board with a 22-yard field goal from Colton Cook. Southern Utah quarterback Brad Sorensen finished the half 6 for 16 for 53 yards.

Kraig is a 2010 Utah State University graduate and regular Deseret News sports blogger. He can be reached at DesNewsKraig@gmail.com or followed on Twitter at DesNewsKraig.