What Is 2018 Utah State Aggies football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 Utah State Aggies football team represented Utah State University during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 6-7 record under head coach Matt Wells. They played their home games at Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah, and competed in the Mountain West Conference.

Key Facts

Finished the 2018 season with a 6-7 overall record
Played in the Arizona Bowl against New Mexico State on December 29, 2018
Head coach Matt Wells led the team in his sixth and final season
Averaged 29.5 points per game on offense
Lost the Arizona Bowl 38-35 in overtime

Overview

The 2018 Utah State Aggies football team represented Utah State University in the 2018 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season. Competing as members of the Mountain West Conference, the Aggies were led by head coach Matt Wells in what would be his final season before departing for Texas Tech.

The team played its home games at Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah, and finished the regular season with a 6-6 record, qualifying them for a bowl game. They were invited to the 2018 Arizona Bowl, where they faced New Mexico State in a high-scoring contest that ended in a narrow overtime loss.

Record: The Aggies finished the season with a 6-7 overall record, including a 3-5 mark in Mountain West Conference play during the regular season.
Head Coach:Matt Wells served as head coach for his sixth and final year, compiling a 6-7 record before accepting the head coaching position at Texas Tech.
Bowl Appearance: The team played in the Arizona Bowl on December 29, 2018, marking their first bowl game since 2015 and their 15th in program history.
Offensive Output: Averaged 29.5 points per game and 403.8 yards of total offense, led by quarterback Jordan Love and a dynamic passing attack.
Defensive Challenges: Allowed 33.8 points per game, ranking 120th out of 130 FBS teams in scoring defense, a key factor in their inconsistent season.

Season Performance

The 2018 campaign was marked by offensive promise but defensive shortcomings, as the Aggies struggled to contain high-powered opponents despite strong individual performances.

Quarterback Jordan Love: Threw for 3,567 yards and 32 touchdowns with only 12 interceptions, emerging as one of the top young quarterbacks in the Mountain West.
Running Game:Utah State averaged 149.3 rushing yards per game, with Darwin Thompson leading the way with 1,087 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Key Win: A 40-37 overtime victory over New Mexico on October 13 helped keep bowl eligibility within reach despite a tough conference schedule.
Defensive Struggles: Allowed 40+ points in five games, including a 52-10 loss to San Diego State and a 55-10 defeat to BYU.
Arizona Bowl: Lost 38-35 in overtime to New Mexico State, despite Jordan Love throwing for 337 yards and three touchdowns.
Final AP Ranking: Did not finish in the final AP Top 25, but received votes in earlier polls during a 4-1 start to the season.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 2018 Utah State Aggies compared to other Mountain West teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points Per Game	Points Allowed
Utah State	6-7	3-5	29.5	33.8
Boise State	10-3	6-2	34.6	20.7
Fresno State	12-2	8-0	37.1	22.1
San Diego State	7-6	4-4	25.8	22.5
New Mexico	3-9	1-7	27.6	35.1

The table illustrates that while Utah State's offense ranked solidly within the conference, their defense was among the weakest in the Mountain West. Only New Mexico allowed more points per game, highlighting a major area for improvement in future seasons. Despite offensive firepower, the Aggies struggled with consistency against ranked and division rivals.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season was a transitional year for Utah State football, marking the end of the Matt Wells era and setting the stage for a rebuild under new leadership. It showcased emerging talent like Jordan Love while exposing critical weaknesses on defense.

Coaching Transition: Matt Wells' departure to Texas Tech created an opening for Blake Anderson, who was hired in December 2020 but the 2018 season signaled the end of an era.
Player Development: Quarterback Jordan Love improved significantly, boosting his NFL Draft stock and eventually being selected in the first round in 2020.
Bowl Appearance: Qualified for a bowl game after a 6-6 regular season, maintaining program momentum despite a losing record.
Recruiting Impact: Strong individual performances helped maintain recruiting interest in the program during a period of transition.
Fan Engagement: High-scoring games and a bowl appearance helped sustain fan interest despite defensive struggles.
Conference Context: The season reflected the competitive balance in the Mountain West, where strong offenses could carry teams even with defensive liabilities.

The 2018 Utah State Aggies season served as a bridge between coaching regimes and highlighted both the potential and the challenges of rebuilding a mid-major football program. While the record was modest, the development of key players ensured long-term impact beyond the final standings.