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Logan • It took awhile, but now that Utah State's defense is forcing turnovers, they're coming in bunches.

Heading into Friday night's Mountain West Conference showdown at San Diego State, the Aggies have forced 18 turnovers this season. They didn't have any in the first 21/2 games, but they tied a school record with eight in last week's 52-26 win over Boise State.

Utah State leads the Mountain West and ranks fourth in the country in turnover margin (+10). Its first was an interception just after halftime at Washington on Sept. 19, after games against Southern Utah and Utah.

During the turnover drought, coach Matt Wells remembers being asked — over and over again — about the lack of them.

"I said, 'Don't be alarmed. We are coaching it. We're practicing it. As long as we continue to do those things and as long as we continue to run to the football, they're going to come,'" said Wells.

Linebacker Kyler Fackrell has four of Utah State's 10 fumble recoveries. Free safety Devin Centers and cornerback Jalen Davis each have two of the Aggies' eight interceptions.

"I don't believe any of that is luck," Wells said. "Our defenders have prepared all spring, through training camp and during the season on a daily basis — ripping, stripping [and] how to force turnovers. Our corners do it. Our D-line does it. Our safeties do it. … They focus on it."

According to Wells, "You have to play relentless defense and put a lot of hats in the video. If you freeze the frame, there are a lot of Utah State helmets around the football. If you do that, it's a numbers game when the ball comes out."

Safeties shining

Strong safety Marwin Evans produced the most spectacular turnover against Boise State.

On the final play of the first half, he intercepted a pass by freshman quarterback Brett Rypien and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown, giving the Aggies a 45-10 lead.

"The ball just came to me, so I caught it and was like, 'I'm just going to try to score,'" Evans said. "I took it down the sideline and got some good blocks from Jalen, Jordan Nielsen and Torrey Green, which helped me return it. … It was tiring but it felt good. It felt unreal."

Along with Centers and redshirt freshman Jontrell Rocquemore, Evans is part of a three-player rotation at safety. Centers had Utah State's first interception of the season just after halftime in the 31-17 loss at Washington. Later in the game, Rocquemore returned a fumble 97 yards for a touchdown.

"The safety group has come a long way," Evans said. "… We are stepping up and helping the team."

Asked about using three players in the two positions, he said, "A lot of that has to do with the fact and me and Devin are on a lot of special teams, so we get tired. To keep us fresh, [the coaches] use a three-man rotation."

Boise loss will likely cost MW

Utah State's win over Boise State was a milestone for Wells' program, but it cost the Mountain West money.

The loss knocked Boise out of the New Years Six bowl picture and the $6 million paycheck such a bid would have meant to the conference.

If they had stayed on track, the Broncos would have likely been the Group of Five's qualifier to the New Years Six bowls. Now, undefeated Houston, Memphis, Toledo and Temple are the front-runners.

Utah State is 4-2. If the Aggies win out, including a victory in the Mountain West championship game, they would finish 11-2. Still, their most likely postseason destination would seem to be the Las Vegas, Hawaii or Poinsettia bowls. —

Utah State at San Diego State

O Saturday, 8:30 p.m. MDT

TV • ESPN2