This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Provo • As expected, the Cougars and Aggies are staging a defensive battle at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
BYU scored just before halftime, however, and has a 6-3 lead in the instate matchup.
The Aggies led 3-0 before BYU took over with 28 seconds remaining in the half and drove 60 yards for a touchdown, a 3-yard pass from Taysom Hill to JD Falslev. But Riley Stephenson's PAT was wide left.
Hill started at quarterback for BYU in place of the injured Riley Nelson, but he could not generate any points until the last minute of the half.
Neither team scored on its first possession; the Cougars drove to the Aggies 30-yard line but were stopped on fourth-and-1.
However, USU put together its second-longest drive of the season, 13 plays, on its next possession and drove to the BYU 1-yard line before settling for Josh Thompson's 26-yard field goal.
USU still has not allowed an opponent to score in the first quarter this season. BYU has not allowed an offensive touchdown in 11 quarters.
The Cougars drove to the Utah State 17 midway through the second quarter, but Justin Sorensen's 34-yard field goal attempt was blocked. It was the third time in four games that the Cougars have had a kick blocked.
Twitter: @drewjay