Source: CVDaily Feed
$inline_image}
Things went from bad to worse for the Utah State football team Friday against BYU.
USU’s worst nightmare became a reality when junior quarterback Chuckie Keeton suffered a knee injury in the first quarter.
“It’s like seeing your brother go down,” quarterback Craig Harrison said. “It was very emotional, a flurry of emotions all at once.”
Harrison would step in and take Keeton’s place, but the Aggies struggled without their star quarterback. Early prognosis is a torn ACL and MCL, but head coach Matt Wells said there is no official word yet.
Things looked bleak from the beginning for USU after BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy intercepted Keeton on the first play from scrimmage, returning it for a touchdown and a 7-0 Cougar lead.
The Aggies answered with a short touchdown drive following a Taysom Hill fumble deep inside BYU territory, but the worst was yet to come for the Aggies. While scrambling on a third down play, Keeton was tackled by behind and his left knee bent improperly.
Keeton fumbled the ball and went down clutching his knee and wouldn’t return.
The Cougars led 10-7 at that point, and added a touchdown for a 17-7 halftime. The Cougars added a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter as Hill found Mitch Mathews for a 31-7 lead. The duo connected on three touchdowns on the night.
Utah State fell to 3-3 with the loss, but Wells said the team still has its goals within reach.
“We’re 2-0 in the MWC, and we’ll find a way to compete for that championship,” Wells said.
The Aggies host Boise State at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12.