Utah State football coach Blake Anderson had said he viewed Saturday’s bowl appearance as the first game of next season.
After how things went Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Anderson and the Aggies will certainly prefer to leave this one in the past.
Georgia State cruised to a 45-22 victory over Utah State, leaving the Aggies to finish 6-7 on the year.
The Panthers scored 21 points in the first quarter, tying a Famous Idaho Potato Bowl record. They would continue to run through the USU defense most of the day. Quarterback Darren Grainger finished with 257 yards passing and three touchdowns. And Georgia State running back Freddie Brock rushed for 276 yards, helping the Panthers average 7.9 per carry Saturday.
Utah State quarterback McCae Hillstead (10) pitches the ball to running back Robert Briggs Jr. (2) during the second half of the team's Famous Idaho Potato Bowl NCAA college football game against Georgia State, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Utah State quarterback Levi Williams couldn’t recreate the magic he enjoyed when he won Potato Bowl MVP honors with the Wyoming Cowboys two years ago. The transfer threw 12 for 21 for 131 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
USU’s Davon Booth had four carries for 71 yards and a score, and Terrell Vaughn caught eight passes for 86 yards and a touchdown.
Utah State fell to 6-11 in bowl games all time and 1-4 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Utah State head coach Blake Anderson looks up a the videoboard late in second half of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl NCAA college football game against Georgia State, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
