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HONOLULU -- With all of the problems that have plagues the Aggies this season, losing Chuckie Keeton to a potentially serious head/neck injury could have been the nail in the coffin for the 2011 season.
Utah State trailed 28-7 at the end of the first half and looked demoralized entering the locker room, especially with Keeton's injury on everyone's mind.
The second half we saw from the Aggies was unlike any other this season as they sealed the comeback victory on a one yard Robert Turbin rush, beating Hawaii 35-31.
Despite all of the struggles this season for Utah State and the problems encountered during this game, the Aggies kept going and came out victorious in one of the more memorable games this season.
Since this game truly was a tale of two halves, this week's grades will reflect both halves:
Quarterbacks:
Chuckie Keeton: B-
Keeton played average, completing five of 12 passes for 53 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He started out quickly in the first quarter, finishing five for six passing but then went zero for his next six passes before going down with that scary head/neck injury. Keeton did rush three times for 54 yards and fumbled the ball once. He was pressured continuously throughout the first half and was constantly on the run, which was not entirely his fault.
Adam Kennedy: A+
Running Backs/Full Backs:
First Half: D
The running game was virtually non-existent in the first half with the exception of his 48-yard scamper in the first quarter. The backs couldn't break through the line well and on runs outside the ends, Hawaii picked up on it quickly.
Second half: B
It was mostly the passing game that shined in the second half after the injury to Keeton. However, Turbin and Michael Smith turned on the jets and made some big plays down the stretch, including Turbin's one-yard touchdown run with 14 seconds left to finish off Hawaii. The rushing attack finished with 194 yards, well below their season average. Turbin finished with two touchdowns and 94 yards gained.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:
First Half: B-
Matt Austin provided a nice highlight early on in the first quarter with a touchdown reception from Keeton. That was about the only highlight for the remainder of the first half as the offense went nowhere in the second quarter.
Second Half: A+
The receivers came out to play in the second half and made some spectacular catches and plays that really kept the Aggies in the game. Chuck Jacobs, Matt Austin, and Stanley Morrison made some clutch plays in the second half, as the receivers finished with 14 catches total for 239 yards and three touchdowns.
Offensive Line:
First Half: D
The line couldn't seem to get the holes open in the line for the running backs and couldn't protect Chuckie Keeton. Keeton seemingly was running for his life constantly throughout the first half and the offense sputtered in the second quarter as a result.
Second Half: A
It was a difference of night and day from the first half to the second half. Granted, a new quarterback was in the pocket that played with a different dynamic in comparison to Chuckie Keeton. The line seemed much more motivated, seemingly out of respect for Keeton's injury, and Utah State's running game and passing attack flourished. When you have more time in the pocket or larger holes in the line, the defense is forced to defend your receivers and cover the running backs for a longer time period, giving yourself more options to move the chains.
Overall Offense:
First Half: C-
The first half couldn't finish fast enough for the Aggies as they trailed 28-7. Keeton went out with the injury and it felt like the season just went down the drain. Austin picked up the lone score for USU in the first quarter, but outside of that, there wasn't much going for the Aggies.
Second Half: A
The second half was completely different as Adam Kennedy came in and took control. He connected with his receivers, while the line did their job holding off the Hawaii defenders and creating gaping holes for the running backs. If the offense plays like this the rest of the way, Utah State has a good shot at making it to a bowl game.
Defensive Line:
First Half: D
Outside of the first defensive stop of the game in the first quarter, Hawaii had their way with the Utah State defensive line. Joseph Iosefa ran all over the Aggies while Bryant Moniz also used his dynamic play-making to create havoc for the line.
Second Half: B+
It was quite the turnaround for the line as they began to dominate Hawaii in the same fashion that the Warriors dominated them in the first half. They were able to get the stops they needed at the most critical junctures of the game.
Linebackers:
First Half: C
With the struggles of the defensive line, the linebackers had to play double duty in trying to stop the run game along with the mid-range passing game of Hawaii. They did the best they could under the circumstances, but Hawaii's offense was just too powerful.
Second Half: A
A stellar performance by the linebackers kept Hawaii at bay and kept the Utah State offense on the field. Bobby Wagner and company kept Moniz and Iosefa in check for most of the second half and helped the defense only allow a field goal.
Defensive Backs:
First Half: D-
This was a game that Utah State could have lost solely on the performance of the secondary in the first half. There were numerous pass interference penalties and blown coverage assignments as Hawaii jumped out to the 21-point lead by halftime. The Warriors knew the Aggies struggled in the secondary and they attacked them head on in the first half.
Second Half: A-
Just like the rest of the team, the second half was a completely different story for the USU secondary. Nevin Lawson and his teammates really made it difficult on the Hawaii receivers. Bryant Moniz couldn't seem to find anyone in the second half, mainly because of the Aggies' defense. If the secondary could play like this every week, who knows what Utah State's record would be.
Overall Defense:
First Half: D
The Aggies weren't able to stop Hawaii at all early on. They were run over on the ground and through the air and unable to stop the Warriors dynamic offensive attack. Moniz had his way with the USU defense in the first half.
Second Half: A
When you can limit a team like Hawaii to a mere three points in the second half, it is quite the accomplishment. The Warriors ranked highly in passing offense and scoring offense coming into the game and Utah State stuffed their every attempt to get back into the game. All cylinders were clicking at the same time for the USU defense on Saturday night.
Special Teams:
First Half: C
The special teams didn't really do anything to hurt their grade in the first half, but they also didn't do anything to improve it. The exception in this case being Tyler Bennett's punt from the end zone that ended up at Utah State's 18-yard line after the return was definitely not a highlight of the night.
Second Half: B+
Kerwynn Williams had an off night as he really didn't get too involved in the special teams game or on offense. Williams finished with five returns for 74 yards, while Chuck Jacobs had one return for 19 yards. Josh Thompson connected on all of his extra-point attempts on the night as well.
Overall Team:
First Half: D+
After the first initial drive by the Aggies, the team went nowhere and looked to be completely out of the game after Hawaii jumped on top 28-7. There was no emotion, no fight, and no aggression. The Aggies were just taking it from the Warriors. The Keeton injury late in the first half put a damper on the game as well.
Second Half: A+
Utah State needed to play a perfect game in the second half on both sides of the football while being led by their backup quarterback. That wasn't too tall of an order for Adam Kennedy and the rest of the Aggies.
USU seemed to rally behind Keeton's injury in a positive way and seemingly decided to win the game for him. With that one decision, all of the emotion, fight, and aggression that was lacking in the first half was doubled upon in the second half.
Some may argue that Hawaii wanted to coast to victory in the second half. But from what we saw and heard from Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, the Aggies just flat out wanted this game more. They knew what was at stake for their season and who they were playing this game for.
It's interesting to think about the motivation Utah State gained when Chuckie Keeton went down with the serious injury. It makes you wonder where that emotion has been this whole season. If the Aggies could have played the style of football they did in the second half throughout this entire season, we may be looking at a 7-1 or even 8-0 team.
With the victory, Utah State improves to 3-5 on the season, including 1-2 in WAC conference play. The Aggies will now return home to face San Jose State on Saturday, Nov. 12th at 1 p.m. at Romney Stadium.
Email: onlinesports@ksl.com
