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The Utah State Aggies football team is a college football team that competes in the Mountain West Conference (MWC) of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of NCAA Division I, representing Utah State University. The Utah State college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium since 1968. They have won thirteen conference championships in four different conferences during their history, most recently in 2021.

On July 2, 2024, Nate Dreiling was named Interim head coach after Blake Anderson was placed on leave and ultimately fired two weeks later for alleged reporting violations.

The Aggies have played in 16 bowl games in their history, winning six: the 2021 LA Bowl against the Oregon State Beavers, the 2018 New Mexico Bowl against the North Texas Mean Green, the 2014 New Mexico Bowl against the UTEP Miners, the 2013 Poinsettia Bowl against the Northern Illinois Huskies, the 2012 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl against the Toledo Rockets and the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl against the Ball State Cardinals.

History

Early history

The first intercollegiate athletic event in Utah State University's history took place on November 25, 1892, when the Agriculturalists defeated the football team from the University of Utah, 12–0. The game was played on what is now the quad, and it was the only game until 1896. The Aggies enjoyed early regional dominance, notching their first perfect season (7–0) in 1907. In 1911, under head coach Clayton Teetzel, the team again finished undefeated, even shutting out each of its five opponents by a collective score of 164–0. Hall of Fame. The makeshift field on the quad continued to serve the team until 1913, when football was moved to Adams Field, two blocks west of campus, where Adams Park now sits. The new field represented an improvement, but the facilities remained meager, which fact became more apparent with the success of Coach E. L. "Dick" Romney, who came to Logan in 1918. Romney, for whom the current football stadium is named, earned the team's first-ever conference championship in 1921, and compiled a 128–91–16 record in 29 seasons.

Recent history

The program continued a rich legacy throughout the early and mid-20th century, when the program produced a large number of athletes who went on to play in the NFL, including the legendary brothers and consensus All-Americans Merlin Olsen and Phil Olsen, who played for the Aggies. It was during this time that Utah State finished two seasons with year-end Top 25 rankings: No. 10 in 1961 and No. 19 in 1972.

Following the great heights of the 1960s and 70s, Aggie football fell upon hard times. Many longtime Aggie supporters attribute the decline to administrators at both Utah and BYU freezing then-superior USU out of the newly forming WAC. However, other factors cited as leading to the decline include a failure to upgrade facilities until recently, a lack of donors to athletics, complacency of past athletics directors, and instability in conferences.

Football game being played at USU's Romney Stadium (now Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium)

After continual failed attempts to join the WAC, the program played as an independent program from 1962 to 1977 (until joining the PCAA/Big West in 1978). The program again played as an independent from 2001 to 2002 before joining the geographically distant Sun Belt Conference after the Big West Conference, which had housed the Aggies since 1978, elected to stop sponsoring football in 2001. USU's other teams remained in that conference until the school was finally invited to join the WAC in 2005. Despite having lobbied to join its in-state rivals Utah and BYU in the WAC for many decades prior to 2005, the Aggies gained membership only after the two other schools had left to form the Mountain West Conference. Later on, Utah State joined the Mountain West Conference in July 2013, again following departures by Utah and BYU.

Gary Andersen era (2009–2012)

In December 2008, Gary Andersen became the head coach of the Aggies, replacing Brent Guy following the unsuccessful 2008 season. Andersen would led the team to new heights. In 2011, he led the team to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl and the team's first winning season since 1997. The 2012 team found far greater success, notching the school's first double-digit win season, the first outright conference championship since 1936, a return to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl for the first bowl win in 19 years, and a national Top 25 ranking in three major ranking systems: the AP poll, the ESPN/USA Today poll, and the BCS.

Andersen left the program following the 2012 season to become the new head coach for the University of Wisconsin.

Matt Wells era (2013–2018)

In December 2012, Matt Wells, Andersen's former offensive coordinator, was hired as the new head coach of the Utah State Aggies. Wells coached the Aggies in their inaugural year as members of the Mountain West Conference. Despite multiple injuries to offensive starters, the Aggies were able to gain a berth to the first Mountain West Conference Football Championship Game, which they lost to Fresno State by a score of 17–24. Coach Wells was awarded the Mountain West Coach of the Year award and the Aggies defeated Northern Illinois in the Poinsettia Bowl by a score of 21–14. At the conclusion of the 2018 regular season, Matt Wells left to accept the head coaching job at Texas Tech University.

Return of Gary Andersen (2019–2020)

Utah State players tackling a Louisiana State football player in 2019

After Matt Wells left for Texas Tech following the 2018 season, Gary Andersen returned as head coach of the Utah State Aggies, beginning his second stint as Utah State's head coach in 2019. On November 7, 2020, Andersen and Utah State agreed to part ways after starting 0–3 during the 2020 season. Defensive coordinator Frank Maile was named the interim head coach of the Utah State Aggies for the remainder of the season.

Blake Anderson era (2021–2024)

On December 12, 2020, Blake Anderson was hired as the head coach of the Utah State Aggies football team, replacing Gary Andersen following an unsuccessful 2020 season. In his first season at the helm, Anderson guided the team to a 9–3 regular season record, good for the Mountain Division championship, as well as the conference championship with a victory over San Diego State. On July 2, 2024, it was announced that Anderson was placed on administrative leave with an intent to fire and was unlikely to return due to an alleged non-compliance with Title IX policies. Nate Dreiling was named interim head coach.

Utah State Aggies football team is a collegiate football program representing Utah State University. The team competes in the Mountain West Conference of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. The Aggies have a rich history in college football, with a tradition of success and a passionate fan base.

The team plays their home games at Maverik Stadium, located on the university campus in Logan, Utah. The stadium has a seating capacity of over 25,000 and provides an electric atmosphere for fans to cheer on the Aggies.

Utah State has produced numerous NFL players over the years, showcasing the talent and skill of the players that come through the program. The team is known for their competitive spirit, strong work ethic, and dedication to excellence both on and off the field.

Overall, the Utah State Aggies football team is a respected and formidable opponent in college football, consistently striving for success and representing their university with pride.