Washington Huskies football lookahead: What to know about Utah State

No. 17 Washington (1-0) vs. Utah State (0-1)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Husky Stadium

What to know: No. 17 Washington welcomes Utah State, its second Pac-12 nonconference opponent, to Husky Stadium on Saturday after its mixed performance against Washington State in the Apple Cup. 

The Aggies (0-1) were projected to finish seventh in the reformed Pac-12 by the conference’s preseason media poll, behind the Cougars who were expected to come in fifth. Coach Bronco Mendenhall led Utah State to a 6-7 overall record in 2025 — his first season in Logan, Utah, and the program’s final campaign in the Mountain West — capped by a 34-21 defeat against Washington State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. 

Utah State had to replace a decent amount of its production entering Mendenhall’s second season. Quarterback Bryson Barnes, a 2025 second-team All-Mountain West selection, exhausted his eligibility after two productive seasons with the Aggies. Linebacker John Miller and cornerback Noah Avinger, both first-team All-conference selections, also departed after utilizing their final seasons of eligibility. 

Barnes wasn’t the only critical part of Utah State’s offense to exit before 2026. Offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven departed after one season for the same position at Utah, and took first-team All-Mountain West wide receiver Braden Pegan with him to Salt Lake City. Mendenhall hired Robert Anae, who hadn’t worked in football since being fired as NC State’s offensive coordinator in 2024, as McGiven’s replacement, and anointed junior McCae Hillstead as Barnes’ successor. 

Utah State welcomed 67 newcomers, including 35 transfers during the offseason. One of the new arrivals, wide receiver Rex Haynes, walked on for coach Jedd Fisch and wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings at Arizona from 2022-23. Additionally, former UW running back Wayne Taulapapa’s brother, redshirt freshman tailback Clyde Taulapapa, currently plays for the Aggies. 

The Aggies’ defense, however, maintained some continuity. Linebacker Bronson Olevao Jr. and safety Brevin Hamblin, All-Mountain West honorable mentions in 2025, returned in 2026 along with three other starters: defensive tackles Tyree Morris and Carson Tujague and linebacker Chris Joe. Defensive coordinator Nick Howell, who has spent 14 seasons with Mendenhall, also remained. 

Utah State opened the season against FCS Idaho State on Saturday. But any thoughts of easing into the season before facing UW dissolved when the Aggies were upset 29-17 at Maverik Stadium in Logan. It was one of three FCS wins against the FBS during college football’s opening weekend. 

The Aggies outgained the Bengals 407-241 but were unable to overcome four interceptions: three from Hillstead and one from second-string quarterback Grady Brosterhous.