FBS, WAC Football Statistics Continue to Include Utah State Among Leaders

Utah State [University] football continues to be among the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Western Athletic Conference (WAC) statistical leaders, as this week's statistics were released Sunday [Nov. 27].

USU continues to lead the league in four categories, including rushing offense, as for the eighth week in a row, the Aggies are ranked sixth with 267.1 yards per game. Utah State also has the top total defense in the WAC statistically, as the Aggies rank 48th in the FBS, allowing just 356.4 ypg. In scoring offense, USU is tops in the league and 19th in the country at 35.5 ppg. The Aggies' fourth conference-leading category is passing efficiency, as USU ranks 22nd in the nation at 152.38.

The Aggies are also second in total offense and 24th in the country (453.6 ypg).

Utah State's defense is second in the WAC and 30th in the FBS in rushing defense (126.5 ypg), in addition to ranking second in the league and 56th in the nation in tackles for loss (5.8 pg) and third in the conference and 50th in the country in sacks (2.0 pg). USU is also third in the league and 52nd in the nation in pass efficiency defense (125.95).

The Aggies' special teams unit ranks third in the WAC and 27th in the FBS in kickoff returns (23.7 ypr), as well as third in the league and 21st in the nation in net punting (38.6 ypp).

Individually, junior RB Robert Turbinis second in the WAC and 10th in FBS in rushing (119.8 ypg) while leading the conference and ranking fifth in the country in scoring (12.0 ppg). Turbin is also sixth in the league and 37th in the nation in all-purpose yards (132.8 ypg).

Junior RB/KR Kerwynn Williamsis eighth in the conference and 51st in the country in all-purpose yards (126.4 ypg), including ranking fifth in the league and 73rd in the nation in kick returns (22.7 ypr).
 

Defensively, senior LB Bobby Wagneris still tops in the WAC and ranks third in FBS in tackles at 12.2 per game. Fellow senior LB Kyle Gallagheris tied for 10th in the conference and tied for 89th in the country in tackles (7.8 pg). Senior DE/LB Levi Koskanis sixth in the league and tied for 54th in the nation in sacks with .6 pg, while also ranking eighth in the WAC and tied for 98th in the FBS in tackles for loss (1.0 pg).

Junior P Tyler Bennettis third in the WAC and 12th in the FBS in punting at 44.8 ypp. Sophomore PK Josh Thompsonis sixth in the league in field goals (.5 pg), while also ranking tied for 10th in the conference in scoring (6.0 ppg). Thompson has also connected on a league-leading 51 extra points this season.

The Aggies will put their four-game win streak on the line when they take their 6-5 record and 4-2 WAC mark on the road to Las Cruces, N.M., Saturday, Dec. 3, finishing out regular-season action against New Mexico State. The all-Aggie affair kicks off at 1:30 MT and will be televised on KCSG (Comcast Ch. 116/DirectTv Ch. 44/Dish Network Ch. 37).

USU will be going for its first seven-win season since 1993, and the navy Aggies will be going for their first five-game win streak since that same season, which is also the last time that Utah State won a bowl game, winning the Las Vegas Bowl, 42-33 over Ball State. USU's only other bowl appearance since that time was the 1997 Humanitarian Bowl, where the Aggies lost to Cincinnati, 35-19. Overall, USU has been to six bowls, as the Aggies played in the 1946 Raisin Bowl, the 1947 Grape Bowl, the 1960 Sun Bowl, the 1961 Gotham Bowl, the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl and the 1997 Humanitarian Bowl.

Fans can follow the Aggie football program at Twitter or on the USU football blog. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State Athletics program at Twitter or on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics.

Additional Aggie sports news is available at the Athletics website. http://utahstateaggies.cstv.com/