What Is 2013 Utah State Aggies football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Utah State Aggies football team represented Utah State University in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with an 8-6 record under head coach Matt Wells. They played in the Mountain West Conference and won the Poinsettia Bowl 21-14 over Northern Illinois.

Key Facts

Finished the 2013 season with an 8-6 overall record
Won the Poinsettia Bowl 21-14 against Northern Illinois on December 27, 2013
Played in the Mountain West Conference's Mountain Division
Head coach Matt Wells in his first full season
Quarterback Darell Garretson started most games

Overview

The 2013 Utah State Aggies football team represented Utah State University during the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Mountain West Conference's Mountain Division, the team was led by head coach Matt Wells, who took over as head coach after the departure of Gary Andersen following the 2012 season.

The Aggies finished the regular season with a solid 8-5 record and earned a berth in the Poinsettia Bowl, where they secured a decisive victory. The team demonstrated resilience on both offense and defense, showcasing a balanced attack and disciplined play throughout the year.

Record: The Aggies finished the 2013 season with an 8-6 overall record, including a 5-3 mark in Mountain West Conference play.
Bowl Game: Utah State defeated Northern Illinois 21-14 in the 2013 Poinsettia Bowl on December 27, marking their second consecutive bowl win.
Division: They competed in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference, facing teams like Colorado State and Boise State.
Head Coach: Matt Wells served as head coach for his first full season, having previously been the offensive coordinator.
Quarterback: Darell Garretson started the majority of games at quarterback, throwing for 1,836 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season.

How It Works

The 2013 Utah State Aggies football season operated under standard NCAA Division I FBS rules, with a structured schedule, conference alignment, and postseason eligibility criteria. The team’s performance was shaped by coaching decisions, player development, and conference dynamics.

Season Structure: The Aggies played a 12-game regular season schedule, followed by a bowl game, adhering to NCAA FBS regulations for postseason qualification.
Conference Play: As a member of the Mountain West Conference, Utah State played eight conference games, including home-and-away matchups against division rivals.
Offensive Scheme: The team ran a pro-style offense under coordinator Dave Schramm, emphasizing balanced run-pass distribution and time of possession.
Defensive Strategy: The defense utilized a 4-2-5 alignment, focusing on speed and versatility to counter spread offenses common in the conference.
Recruiting Impact: The 2013 roster included key recruits from previous classes, particularly in the defensive backfield and offensive line.
Bowl Eligibility: Teams must win at least six regular-season games to qualify for a bowl; Utah State achieved this with a 6-6 regular-season record before the bowl game.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2013 Utah State Aggies with the previous season and conference peers highlights performance trends and competitive positioning.

Team	Year	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Result
Utah State Aggies	2013	8-6	5-3	Won Poinsettia Bowl 21-14
Utah State Aggies	2012	7-6	4-4	Won Poinsettia Bowl 24-13
Colorado State Rams	2013	7-6	4-4	Lost New Mexico Bowl
Boise State Broncos	2013	24-25	7-1	Lost Fiesta Bowl
Fresno State Bulldogs	2013	11-2	7-1	Won Mountain West Championship

The 2013 Aggies improved slightly over their 2012 performance and remained competitive in the Mountain West, though they fell short of the division title. Their consistent bowl appearances reflected program stability under new leadership.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was significant for Utah State as it marked the first full year under head coach Matt Wells and demonstrated the program’s ability to remain competitive after a coaching transition. The Aggies maintained national relevance and continued building momentum from their successful 2012 campaign.

Program Stability: Successfully transitioning from Gary Andersen to Matt Wells ensured continuity in culture and performance.
Bowl Consistency: Winning their second straight Poinsettia Bowl reinforced Utah State as a consistent mid-major program.
Player Development: Quarterback Darell Garretson and linebacker Kyler Fackrell emerged as key leaders for future seasons.
Conference Standing: The 5-3 conference record kept Utah State in contention for division honors and boosted their national profile.
Recruiting Boost: Continued success helped attract higher-caliber recruits to Logan, Utah, in subsequent years.
National Exposure: Playing in a nationally televised bowl game increased visibility for the university and athletic department.

The 2013 season laid the foundation for future success, proving Utah State could sustain competitiveness despite coaching changes and a challenging conference schedule.