This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Logan • Utah State safety Dallin Leavitt heard the question, leaned back in his chair, looked at the ceiling and took a deep breath late Saturday night.
BYU had just beaten the Aggies, 28-10, at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The loss was their eighth in the last nine games, including five in a row. They finished 3-9 — Utah State's worst record since 2008.
Leavitt was asked how he will remember a cruelly disappointing year that included four Mountain West Conference losses by a combined 18 points and ended with a closer-than-it-looks defeat to BYU.
"I would say this season was probably a couple of plays away from being something very different," Leavitt said. "You know, a [pass interference] call there, a dropped pass here, a blown coverage — whatever. Just a couple plays away from being totally different."
Leavitt started his career at BYU, before transferring to Utah State. He had four tackles and an interception against the Cougars. Despite missing four games and playing with an injured ankle in four others, he finished fourth on the Aggies in tackles (57) and tied for first with two interceptions.
Asked about returning to Provo and facing some former teammates, Leavitt said, "I'd be lying if I said it was a little bit weird at first. This senior class is the one I came in with, so I know a lot of those guys … great football players. It was a unique experience to come back here. I enjoyed it."
After the game, Leavitt had a long talk on the field with BYU quarterback Taysom Hill, who suffered an elbow injury in the second half.
"I just told him to get healthy," Leavitt said. "You know, when I was at BYU, Taysom was somebody who looked out for me and helped me a lot. He's as good of a person as he is a player. I respect Taysom a ton."
In many ways, the loss to BYU mirrored Utah State's season. Two critical plays turned the game in the Cougars' favor.
BYU owned a 7-3 lead with 2:50 left in the first half. Facing fourth-and-1 from the 50, Utah State backup quarterback Damion Hobbs gained 2 yards before being stopped and thrown back. At the end of the play, BYU pulled the ball loose. The fumble was returned for a touchdown.
"It's an unreviewable call, unfortunately," coach Matt Wells said. "I was going to review it. I thought his momentum was stopped. … Big play. Hope they got it right."
With 9:42 left in the game, Utah State trailed, 28-10. Linebacker Brock Carmen appeared to intercept a pass and return it 53 yards for a touchdown. But the Aggies were called for pass interference. BYU kept the ball, ran four more minutes off the clock and sealed its victory.
"I'm proud of those kids," Wells said. "It's a disappointing season. It's frustrating to lose as many close games in the Mountain West as we did. But those kids fought and we will absolutely build off that. There are things that have to be addressed and corrected. We'll certainly go through that in the offseason. But they fought. That's half the battle."
Next year, Utah State plays eight games against opponents headed for bowl games, including the opener at Wisconsin on Sept. 1. In the six-team Mountain Division of the MWC, the Aggies are the only team that finished with fewer than seven wins.
Still, Wells said, "I don't see any reason why we can't compete next year. We were competitive this year. We have to find a way to win close games. I have to find that — I don't know the word — magic. That competitive touch."
Wells promised a close examination of his program "from 'A' to 'Z'" — and it starts with me."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Storylines
R Utah State finishes with a 3-9 record, its worst since the 2008 season.
• Going back to last season, the Aggies have lost 14 of their last 19 games.
• Utah State has dropped nine straight road games after Saturday's 28-10 loss at BYU.