Inspired by the presence of injured linebacker Harrison Taggart, the Utah State football team beat Troy 21-10 on Saturday night in Logan for its first win of the season.

USU quarterback Grady Brosterhous threw for a career-high 242 yards, with two touchdowns, ran for a career-high 89 yards, and afterward said he and the entire team were inspired by Taggart’s attendance.

“It meant everything,” Brosterhous said in a televised postgame interview. “It’s something to play for. He’s one of our brothers.”

Taggart was injured during USU’s loss to Utah last week, and he was in a wheelchair on the sideline, though he has walked with a walker in rehabilitation.

Utah State coach Bronco Mendenball said he and his players did not know Taggart was going to attend the game.

“To be here that soon after the injury, he’s a special young man,” Mendenhall said.

On the Aggies’ first offensive play of the game, Brosterhous rolled to the right and threw a short pass to Javon Robinson, who broke loose for a 57-yard touchdown.

After trailing 10-7 at halftime, USU scored on its first two possessions of the second half, with the Trojans committing penalties to aid both drives.

Wide receiver Eli Wood capped the first drive of the half with a 5-yard TD reception, and running back Javen Jacobs scored on a 6-yard run to give USU a 21-10 lead.

Down two scores, Troy drove into USU territory midway through the fourth quarter before quarterback Goose Crowder’s pass was intercepted by USU safety Brevin Hamblin at the 1-yard line.

USU’s David Kabongo later had an interception to end the Trojans’ final drive and seal the victory.

The Aggies (1-3) have endured a difficult season. They were upset at home by FCS team Idaho State in their opener. They lost 16-14 on the road to Big Ten team Washington when their final-play Hail Mary went unanswered. And then standout linebacker Taggart was injured in a blowout loss to Utah.

The victory brought some relief.

“It’s so fun to see my players happy, and for kids and families you love, to see them smile, see them benefit from their work,” Mendenhall said.

Troy fell to 2-1 with the loss.

Next Saturday, the Aggies are scheduled to visit Boise State (5:30 p.m., CBSSN) to begin their inaugural campaign in the rebuilt Pac-12 Conference.