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USU’s Jordan Love teams up with Jalen Greene and Aaren Vaughns to scorch North Texas through the air in New Mexico Bowl win

  | Dec. 16, 2018, 1:02 a.m.
Utah State wide receiver Aaren Vaughns catches a pass before scoring a touchdown against North Texas during the first half of the New Mexico Bowl NCAA college football game in Albuquerque, N.M., Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Utah State wide receiver Aaren Vaughns catches a pass before scoring a touchdown against North Texas during the first half of the New Mexico Bowl NCAA college football game in Albuquerque, N.M., Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Albuquerque, N.M. • The Utah State Aggies scored swiftly and often in Saturday’s 52-13 win over the North Texas Mean Green. Of Utah State’s seven touchdowns, four came on pass plays.

Senior receivers Jalen Greene and Aaren Vaughns provided the bulk of the receptions for the Aggies, who complied 359 receiving yards as a team. Greene and Vaughns had 260 of those by themselves.

Greene caught six passes for 151 yards, his longest being a 67-yard catch in the second quarter. That play resulted in his only touchdown of the game, but gave the Aggies a 35-7 lead and complete control of the game.

Vaughns caught two passes — both for touchdowns — and finished the game with 109 receiving yards. His biggest play was a 72-yard reception in the first quarter, setting the tone for how prolific the Aggies were Saturday.

“They just made plays today,” said sophomore quarterback Jordan Love, the New Mexico Bowl’s offensive MVP. “They got open in windows, found some space and then had a lot of yards after catch.”

With his two touchdown receptions, it marked the first time in Vaughns’ career that he caught multiple touchdown passes.

Love says he has good connections with all of this receivers, and that’s been true for the entire season. But he did make a point to describe what his two main targets — for Saturday, at least — did well

Greene finished the season with 44 total receptions and 689 yards, while Vaughns ended up with 581 yards on 33 catches.

Interim head coach Frank Maile credited the offensive philosophy of outgoing offensive coordinator David Yost for creating a system that showcases the players’ talents and abilities.

Senior receiver Ron’quavion Tarver, Utah State’s most prolific player at that position, had a quiet day, probably because the Mean Green were focusing their efforts on him. He tallied four catches and just 33 yards, but did come down with a touchdown.