The USU men’s rugby defeated the Boise State Broncos Saturday, 33-21.

The Broncos struck first on offense and put USU back on its heels by taking the opening kick methodically down the field for a score and two-point conversion.

“I think we were gun shy,” said USU senior Josh Hanks.

The Ags responded with a try and conversion of their own. The Broncos, however, were relentless and broke the tie with a scrum on a long goal line stand that led to a try and conversion. At the half, the teams were knotted up at 14.

In the second half, the Aggies jumped out to a large lead, and it was a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

The Broncos pounded through a scrum and struck again, but it was too little too late as the Ags held off the comeback.

Outside center Jacob “Gunny” Gunter led USU in all scores with two tries. Fullback Kade Roberson and flanker Jeremy Hanks also added tries of their own. Roberson sustained a concussion during the game and team president Teddy Smith said Roberson played his last game on Saturday.

Saturday’s play of the game went to fly half Nate Anderson. Anderson picked up a loose ball, broke through the Broncos forward pack and six other tackles on his way to pay dirt.

USU also added a penalty kick to account for its 33 points.

“Our backline stepped it up,” Hanks said.

Smith said the defensive players of the game were inside center Porter Macey, outside center Gunter and Brandon Griggs at wing.

Smith said the team chemistry is good and the team sticks together.

At the beginning of the season it’s a team goal to learn every players name, and nicknames are usually a result of this goal.

“It helps so we’re not just calling for the ball during practice,” Smith said.

This week in practice the team is working on getting the forwards and backs on the same page.

“We can always count on our backs to perform well,” said Smith.

USU will take the long ride to Ephraim next Saturday and will play the Snow College Badgers at 1 p.m.

– ty.d.hus@aggiemail.usu.edu