Utah State cruised to a resounding victory over Tennessee Tech last weekend, winning handily 73-12. Below are the major takeaways from that beatdown as well items to note about the upcoming date with Air Force and the Mountain West Conference.

Three things from the past: USU vs. Tennessee Tech

1. Just keep running

As Daniel Hansen of the Utah Statesman put it, “Summer may almost be over, but Utah State’s offense still had some fireworks to set off.”

The ground game was grooving last Thursday night as the Aggies rushed for seven touchdowns. Morian Walker Jr. only had five carries, but two were touchdowns. Darwin Thompson broke free for a 65-yard scamper and Gerold Bright led the team in carries with 13 touches from the backfield. All told, the run game raced to 320 yards on 42 carries, which is an average of 7.6 yards a carry. News flash: that’s not bad.

2. Defense does it

Through the first three weeks of the season, Utah State ranks among the best in the nation when it comes to defense. To be more specific, it is in the top 40 nationally in 18 different statistical categories.

Some of the numbers are impressive — 9.0 tackles for loss per game, 3.0 sacks per game, 177.8 passing yards allowed a game, 142 rushing yards allowed a game. Oh, and nine turnovers with two returned for TDs. News flash: that’s not bad, either.

3. As Oprah would say: you get a touchdown! And you get a touchdown …