Utah State beats Oregon State 24-13 in inaugural Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl

Utah State Aggies in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl in California. Photo: Cameron Venti

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Sophomore quarterback Cooper Legas came off the bench to throw a pair of touchdown passes as Utah State University (USU) capped off an incredible season with a 24-13 win over Oregon State on Saturday night in the inaugural Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium.

Grad junior running back Calvin Tyler Jr. ran for 120 yards against his former team. He scored what ended up being the go-ahead touchdown on a 15-yard run with 4:24 remaining in the second quarter to give the Aggies (11-3) a 14-10 lead.

Legas came in when quarterback Logan Bonner suffered a knee injury during the first quarter. Junior Andrew Peasley was Bonner’s backup throughout the season but could not go on Saturday due to a shoulder injury he suffered at New Mexico on Nov. 26.

On Legas’ very first play, the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder connected with senior wide receiver Deven Thompkins on a 62-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-apiece.

Thompkins was named the game’s Offensive MVP, got a couple of steps on Beavers defensive back Jaydon Grant, hauled it in at the Oregon State 25, and was gone to the end zone. He finished with six receptions for 115 yards and set a single-season school record with 102 catches.

Legas, who was 11-of-20 for 171 yards, also threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to grad senior wide receiver Brandon Bowling to give the Aggies a 24-13 lead late in the third quarter. Legas also had a 34-yard reception on a double pass from senior wide receiver Derek Wright.

Nick Heninger was named the Defensive MVP as the grad senior defensive end had seven tackles, including 5.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. Grad senior inside linebacker Justin Rice led Utah State with nine tackles and a forced fumble in the fourth quarter.

Oregon State received the opening kickoff and scored 58 seconds into the game when Jesiah Irish went 20 yards up the left sideline on a jet sweep. That would prove to be the Beavers’ only touchdown, though, as their other points came on a pair of field goals by Everett Hayes.

The Beavers’ Chance Nolan was 21-of-30 for 263 yards and an interception, while B.J. Baylor, who led the Pac-12 in rushing, had 18 carries for 78 yards.

Grad senior placekicker Connor Coles kicked a 25-yard field goal to give Utah State a 17-10 lead in the third quarter.