Back-up quarterback Bryson Barnes threw for two touchdowns and ran for another on Saturday night, while Kyrese White caught three passes for 131 yards, including touchdown catches of 57 and 53 yards. Utah State defeated Robert Morris 36-14 in the season opener for both teams.
Nate Dreiling, who became Utah State’s interim coach after Blake Anderson was fired in July, earned his first win as a head coach. At 33 years old, Dreiling, who was previously the defensive coordinator, is the youngest head coach in the FBS.
Barnes stepped in for Spencer Petras, who left the game with an injury and did not return, midway through the second quarter. The Aggies went three-and-out on Barnes’ first possession and he threw an interception to end the half, as Robert Morris took a 14-10 lead into halftime.
Utah State stopped the Colonials on their first possession of the third quarter. White then caught a swing pass and ran 53 yards for a touchdown with 10:33 left, giving Utah State a 17-14 lead.
Elliott Nimrod kicked a 50-yard field goal about 8 minutes later to make it 20-14 heading into the fourth quarter. Barnes added a 63-yard touchdown run, making it a two-possession game with 13 minutes left.
Robert Morris went three-and-out again, and after Robert Briggs Jr. had a 55-yard run, Jalen Royals caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Barnes, capping a two-play, 76-yard drive that made it 33-10. Nimrod added a 42-yard field goal with less than 2 minutes remaining.
Earlier, Anthony Chiccitt faked a handoff and connected with tight end Cole Mitchell for a 40-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. Delvecchio Powell II also had a 31-yard touchdown run, giving Robert Morris a 14-10 lead at halftime. Powell ran through several defenders for the final 5 yards into the end zone with 41 seconds left in the second quarter.
