What Is 2020 Utah State Aggies football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2020 Utah State Aggies football team represented Utah State University in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 2-2 record under head coach Gary Andersen.

Key Facts

2-2 record during the 2020 shortened season due to COVID-19
Played in the Mountain West Conference (Mountain Division)
Home games held at Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah
Head coach Gary Andersen returned for his second stint
Season shortened from 12 to 4 games due to pandemic disruptions

Overview

The 2020 Utah State Aggies football team represented Utah State University during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mountain West Conference significantly altered its schedule, resulting in a shortened season for all member teams, including Utah State.

Despite the disruptions, the Aggies managed to field a competitive team under head coach Gary Andersen, who was in his second season of his second stint leading the program. The team played only four games, finishing with a 2-2 record, and their season concluded early compared to typical schedules.

Season record: The Aggies finished the 2020 season with a 2-2 overall record, marking a slight improvement over their 2019 performance despite fewer games played.
Conference affiliation: Utah State competed in the Mountain West Conference (Mountain Division), facing regional rivals in a condensed conference-only format.
Home venue: All home games were held at Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah, which has a seating capacity of approximately 25,100.
Head coach:Gary Andersen returned as head coach in 2019 and continued into 2020, bringing stability after a series of coaching changes in prior years.
COVID-19 impact: The original 12-game schedule was reduced to four games due to pandemic-related cancellations and health protocols.

Performance & Season Structure

The 2020 season was defined by uncertainty and adaptation, as the Mountain West Conference initially postponed the season before reversing the decision and implementing strict health guidelines. Utah State’s limited schedule meant every game carried greater weight in determining their final standing.

Game count: The Aggies were scheduled to play four games in 2020, a drastic reduction from the typical 12-game season, due to pandemic constraints.
Opening game: Utah State opened the season with a 24-13 win over New Mexico on October 24, 2020, marking a strong start under challenging conditions.
Losses: The team suffered losses to San Diego State (38-20) and Wyoming (27-10), both conference opponents, highlighting defensive struggles.
Final win: Their last victory came against UNLV with a 38-24 score on December 12, 2020, showcasing offensive improvement late in the season.
Player performance: Quarterback Justin Blumfield started multiple games and threw for 684 yards and 5 touchdowns across the four games.
Injuries and roster: The team faced challenges with limited practice time and player availability, common across college football during the pandemic.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2020 season can be best understood by comparing it to previous years, particularly 2019, to assess the impact of the pandemic on performance and scheduling.

Season	Games Played	Record (W-L)	Conference Finish	Head Coach
2020	4	2-2	6th in Mountain Division	Gary Andersen
2019	13	7-6	4th in Mountain Division	Gary Andersen
2018	13	6-7	5th in Mountain Division	Alma Duff
2017	13	6-7	5th in Mountain Division	Alma Duff
2016	13	3-9	6th in Mountain Division	Matthew Wells

The table illustrates how the 2020 season was an outlier due to the pandemic. While the win percentage (50%) was respectable, the small sample size limits conclusions. Utah State’s performance showed flashes of improvement, particularly on offense, but consistency was hampered by disrupted preparation and roster instability.

Why It Matters

The 2020 Utah State Aggies season is significant not only for its on-field results but also as a reflection of how college sports adapted to unprecedented challenges. It highlighted the resilience of student-athletes and coaching staff amid global uncertainty.

Pandemic precedent: The shortened season set a new model for emergency scheduling that other conferences studied for future crisis planning.
Player development: Young players gained experience in high-pressure, limited-game scenarios, accelerating their growth despite fewer opportunities.
Health protocols: Utah State implemented daily testing and isolation policies that became standard across NCAA programs.
Recruiting impact: The visibility from playing during the pandemic helped maintain recruiting momentum despite travel restrictions.
Financial strain: Reduced ticket sales and sponsorship revenue created budget challenges for the athletic department.
Program trajectory: The season served as a bridge between rebuilding years and future competitiveness under Andersen’s leadership.

Ultimately, the 2020 season was more than a set of game results—it was a testament to adaptability in college athletics. As normalcy returned in 2021, the lessons from this season continued to influence Utah State’s football operations and strategic planning.