Utah State football: Linebacker Jake Doughty gets first-ever touchdown

Fresno, Calif. • In the fastest Aggie competition, linebacker Jake Doughty doesn't really have much of a bid.

But the senior chugged along as fast as his legs could carry him down the sideline right before the end of the first half to give Utah State a chance in the Mountain West championship game. His 86-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown with three seconds left was the team's first score of the day, closing the halftime gap to 17-7 when Fresno State was on the cusp of scoring again.

The touchdown was Doughty's first in his career and only his second-ever fumble recovery. It was the team's third defensive touchdown this year, but the first fumble recovery for a touchdown for the Aggies since 2008, when Ben Calderwood did it.

Utah State goes with familiar uniform combination

Fresno State announced early in the week that it would wear all-black uniforms for the Mountain West championship in its final home game of the year. Utah State countered with a pewter jersey and pants combo to go with its standard "U-logo" blue helmet.

The Aggies may have had more in mind than simple contrast to the blackout. It was the same combination Utah State wore on last year's trip to Ruston, La. The Aggies ended up beating the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in overtime for the WAC championship in that game.

Utah State sacks Fresno State QB

Before the first quarter was out, Utah State's defense had done something none of Fresno State's opponents had done this year.

The Aggies sacked senior quarterback Derek Carr three times in the first quarter, more than any other team had in any game this year. B.J. Larsen sacked Carr on the first Fresno State offensive play, while Kyler Fackrell and A.J. Pataiali'i added backfield takedowns later in the quarter. The Aggies held the Bulldogs without a touchdown in the first quarter before allowing two in the rest of the first half.

kgoon@sltrib.com