In a highly anticipated matchup, the Utah State Aggies defeated the Weber State Wildcats 83-73 on March 6, 2024. This contest marked the first significant clash between the two long-standing rivals in three years. Despite the victory, Utah State’s head coach, Jerrod Calhoun, expressed concerns about his team’s performance, suggesting they were outmatched physically and lacked motivation.
Calhoun remarked, “I thought we got physically manhandled. It takes a lot to motivate 10 new players, and to get them to understand how good these teams are and how hard winning is.” The Aggies, now 3-0 this season, managed to secure the win despite a dismal shooting performance from three-point range, making only 3 of 23 attempts.
Weber State, currently with a 1-2 record, made a strong showing but struggled with turnovers and shooting accuracy, finishing with a field goal percentage of 38.6%. They were led by sophomore guard Trevor Henning, who scored a game-high 19 points, and former Aggie Nigel Burris, who grabbed 12 rebounds.
Utah State’s success came primarily from their ability to dominate inside the paint, outscoring Weber State 46-28 in that area. Despite their shooting woes, the Aggies shot 45.3% from the floor overall and converted 22 of 29 free throws. Calhoun noted the importance of improving their outside shooting, stating, “We’re a work in progress; we’re not there yet offensively.”
The game began with Weber State taking an early lead, thanks to a three-pointer from Viljami Vartainen. However, Utah State responded with a 13-4 run to regain control. The first half ended tied at 41-41 after a competitive back-and-forth battle. One notable moment was when Aggies’ point guard Drake Allen suffered a high ankle sprain just before halftime, preventing him from returning to the game. Calhoun indicated that Allen is likely to miss the upcoming game against UTEP.
In Allen’s absence, freshman Elijah Perryman stepped up, contributing six points, three rebounds, and three assists, along with a memorable breakaway dunk that energized the home crowd of 9,124 fans. As the second half progressed, the Aggies managed to pull away, igniting a 14-3 run that solidified their lead.
Wildcats’ head coach Eric Duft acknowledged his team’s effort despite the loss. He stated, “We just didn’t hit many shots, especially from three. Credit to them; they’re a very difficult team to play against, especially early in the season.” Weber State’s struggles were compounded by their inability to capitalize on opportunities, with 13 turnovers that proved costly throughout the game.
While Utah State celebrated the win, Calhoun emphasized the need for improvement, particularly in their shooting and offensive execution. The Aggies will look to refine their game as they prepare for their next challenge, striving to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
This match served as a reminder of the intense rivalry between Utah State and Weber State, showcasing the competitive spirit and resilience of both teams.
