Utah State reaches Week 9 with its season hanging in the balance, and Colorado State brings back Hauss Hejny just in time for a game that could tilt both teams’ November plans. The Aggies are 2-5 and still need five wins in their final five games to get to bowl eligibility, while the Rams are trying to build on a 56-49 win over San Diego State after Hejny returned from a hamstring injury.
That is why Co State Vs Utah State is drawing attention now. Utah State has been fighting to stay alive despite ranking 128th in yards per game and 137th in points per game, but its defense has kept it competitive enough to stay in games. In its latest outing, the Aggies lost 20-17 at Texas State even while holding the home team to 250 total yards, a reminder that their problems have been on offense more than effort or resistance.
Colorado State offers the kind of matchup that can either expose that weakness or give Utah State a chance to break through. The Rams average 460 yards per game on offense, but they have also allowed 535 yards and 44 points per game on defense, one of the poorest marks in the FBS. That imbalance has defined their season as much as their results, with losses to BYU, UTSA, Oregon State and Texas State during a four-game skid before last week’s win.
Hejny’s return changes the feel of the game. He missed a month after the 41-23 loss to BYU, then came back against San Diego State and produced 333 passing yards, 24 completions on 31 attempts, 85 rushing yards on 11 carries, three passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. In four games, he has thrown 13 touchdowns and two interceptions, which gives Colorado State a clear edge at quarterback if he is anywhere near that level again.
For Utah State, the harder question is whether the offense can do enough to match a defense that has repeatedly kept the Aggies within reach. Anthony Garcia had eight catches for 87 yards against Texas State and threw the team’s only touchdown, but the offense still finished short. Eli Wood had one reception before leaving much of that game with an injury, another reminder that Utah State has had to search for answers while relying heavily on a limited attack.
Colorado State’s side of the story is less complicated. Tyson Summers was fired at halftime of the Week 5 game against Oregon State, and Kenny McClendon took over the defense after that change. Since then, the Rams have at least found enough offense to survive their worst stretch and then beat San Diego State. If Hejny sustains that production, Colorado State has enough firepower to make this a game Utah State cannot win by simply hanging around. The Aggies need something cleaner than survival now; they need points, and they need them Saturday.
