If you were watching the highlights from Logan back in late August, you probably saw the clip. It was all over social media. Rob Carter Jr. essentially turned into a human highlight reel with a one-handed interception that looked like it belonged in a video game. Honestly, it was the kind of play that makes you jump off your couch. But if you only saw the viral video, you missed the real story of the Robert Morris vs Utah State matchup.
Most people think of these games as "guarantee games"—the big school pays the small school to come get beat up. Kinda harsh, right? But this season opener at Maverik Stadium on August 31, 2024, was actually a lot weirder than the 36-14 final score suggests. For a solid thirty minutes, the Utah State Aggies were sweating. Like, actually sweating.
The First Half Chaos Nobody Expected
Utah State came into this as massive favorites. They have the scholarship depth, the Mountain West resources, and the home-field advantage. But the Robert Morris Colonials didn't get the memo. After an early touchdown by the Aggies' Kyrese White (a 57-yard bomb from Spencer Petras), things got strange.
Robert Morris started punching back. Anthony Chiccitt found Cole Mitchell for a 40-yard score. Then, right before the half, Delvecchio Powell II ripped off a 31-yard run to put the Colonials up 14-10. You could hear the silence in the stadium. It was one of those "is this really happening?" moments.
Utah State was struggling. Their starting quarterback, Spencer Petras, went down with an injury after throwing two interceptions. The Aggie offense looked disjointed. If you’re a betting person, you were probably staring at your phone in disbelief.
That Catch (You Know the One)
We have to talk about the Rob Carter Jr. interception. It happened late in the second quarter. Utah State’s Bryson Barnes (who came in for the injured Petras) tried to air it out deep. Carter Jr. tracked the ball, leaped, and snatched it out of the air with one hand while falling backwards.
- It was the #1 play on SportsCenter.
- It racked up millions of views on X (formerly Twitter).
- It basically cemented Carter Jr. as a name to watch for the rest of the season.
But here’s the thing: highlights don’t win games.
Why the Second Half Was a Different World
The locker room talk at halftime for Utah State must have been intense. Whatever coach Nate Dreiling said, it worked. The Aggies came out and basically shut the door. They scored 26 unanswered points.
Basically, the depth of a FBS program vs an FCS program showed up in the third and fourth quarters. Robert Morris was gassed. Utah State’s Bryson Barnes settled in and started playing like the veteran he is. He ran for a 63-yard touchdown himself, which is a lot of running for a quarterback.
By the time Elliott Nimrod was kicking his third field goal of the night, the outcome wasn't in doubt anymore. Utah State finished with 646 yards of total offense. That is a massive number. Robert Morris, on the other hand, was held to just 115 yards in the entire second half.
Key Stats That Actually Mattered
| Stat | Robert Morris | Utah State |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 362 | 646 |
| Passing Yards | 225 | 343 |
| Rushing Yards | 137 | 303 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
Look at those turnovers. Utah State turned the ball over three times and still won by 22. That tells you everything you need to know about the talent gap once the initial adrenaline of the first half wore off for Robert Morris.
The Basketball Connection (Don't Get Confused)
Now, I've noticed a lot of people searching for Robert Morris vs Utah State and getting frustrated because they’re looking for basketball scores. Sorta makes sense—both schools have solid hoops programs.
But as of early 2026, these two haven't met on the hardwood recently. Robert Morris has been busy in the Horizon League, dealing with teams like Purdue Fort Wayne and Youngstown State. Meanwhile, Utah State has been a powerhouse in the Mountain West, even cracking the Top 25 at points during the 2024-25 season.
If you're looking for Robert Morris basketball info, you're likely seeing their 2025 run where players like Ryan Prather Jr. and Nikolaos Chitikoudis led the charge. They’ve become a tough out in the Northeast, but they haven't made the trek to Logan, Utah for a basketball game yet.
What This Game Taught Us About Both Programs
For Robert Morris, this game was a "moral victory" that actually felt like one. Usually, I hate that term. But when an FCS team leads an FBS team at halftime on the road, it proves the coaching is sound. Bernard Clark Jr. has built a culture of "anybody, anywhere" at RMU.
For Utah State, it was a wake-up call. You can't sleep on anyone. The injury to Petras could have derailed their season early, but Bryson Barnes proved he was more than a capable backup. It showed that the Aggies had the resilience to overcome a disastrous first half and a viral moment that went against them.
What to Watch for Next
If you're following these teams, keep an eye on:
- Rob Carter Jr.’s Draft Stock: That interception wasn't a fluke. Scouts love ball skills, and he’s got them in spades.
- Utah State’s Offensive Identity: They want to go fast. 646 yards doesn't happen by accident.
- Scheduling Trends: Don't be surprised if Robert Morris keeps scheduling these high-profile openers. They clearly aren't intimidated by the big stage.
The biggest takeaway? Never turn off a game at halftime, even if the "experts" say it's a blowout. Sometimes a single hand can change the entire conversation of a season.
👉 See also: Power Forwards in the NBA All Time: Why the Rankings Are Getting Weird
To stay updated on future matchups, track the official NCAA Football schedule releases for 2026 and 2027, as these non-conference "buy games" are often set years in advance. Checking the Mountain West and Northeast Conference portals will give you the most accurate kickoff times and broadcast details.