Bonner's 3 TD passes lead Utah State past UConn 31-20 in season opener at home

LOGAN, Utah (AP) — Logan Bonner threw three touchdown passes, Calvin Tyler Jr. added 161 yards rushing and Utah State defeated Connecticut 31-20 in a season-opener on Saturday.

Trailing 14-7 late in the second quarter, Utah State scored 17 points in the final 3:42 to take a 24-14 halftime lead. Robert Briggs scored on a 23-yard run, Bonner connected with Justin McGriff for a 14-yard score and Connor Coles hit a 45-yard field goal.

Noe Ruelas kicked field goals of 47 and 54 yards to draw UConn within 24-20 early in the fourth quarter before Bonner led a 75-yard scoring drive, capped by his 11-yard TD pass to Brian Cobbs. A diving interception by Ike Larsen on UConn's next possession helped seal the win.

Connecticut, playing its first game under coach Jim Mora after going 1-11 last season, took a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter. Nathan Carter rushed for 110 yards on six carries in the period but his fumble in the second quarter led to Utah State's first touchdown. He finished the half with nine carries for 130 yards and 20 for 190 for the game.

Bonner finished 20-of-29 passing for 281 yards. Tyler's 161 yards came on 33 carries for Utah State.

The Aggies, favored by 23 1/2 points, improved to 13-1 in their last 14 home openers.

"It's a win. That's the best thing I can say. Definitely not a polished win by any means. We have a lot of things to work on," Utah State Head Coach Blake Anderson said. "We found a way to start from behind yet again. I guess that's just going to be my tenure as we find a way to dig a hole and then fight our way back. I am proud that the guys didn't panic. Very similar to last season. We found our way behind 14 and guys kept working and playing."

The Aggies' next game is Saturday, Sep. 3, an away game against the 2021 #1-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.

"We got better as the game went on as we got a better idea of what to expect," Anderson added. "Good adjustments. Found a way to win. 1-0. Now, figure out a way to get better and get better quick because it's exponentially harder in a very, very short period of time."

USU's win kicked off the start of college football season in Utah. Other college football programs across the state begin their seasons next week:

• Utah Utes at Florida Gators; Saturday, Sep. 3 at 5 p.m.
• BYU Cougars at South Florida Bulls; Saturday, Sep. 3 at 2 p.m.
• Weber State Wildcats vs. Western Oregon Wolves; Thursday, Sep. 1 at 6 p.m.
• Utah Tech Trailblazers at Sacramento State Hornets; Saturday, Sep. 3 at 7 p.m.
• Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs. St. Thomas Tommies; Thursday, Sep. 1 at 6 p.m.