BOISE, Idaho – Utah State scored at least 30 points for the first time since Aug. 31, but the Aggies were once again unable to match their defense with their offense in Saturday night’s loss to Boise State.

The Aggies (1-4) dropped their fourth straight game in a 62-30 loss to the No. 21 Broncos (4-1) in their first Mountain West Conference game of the season. Utah State gave up 49 points in the first half alone.

“We’ve had some good offense, but we’re not performing the way we should,” Aggies interim coach Nate Dreiling said. “We have to perform better. It’s a pretty embarrassing performance… especially after a bye week.”

When asked why the defense could still be so far behind after five games, safety Ike Larsen seemed confused that Dreiling used those words.

“That’s what Coach Dreiling said, right?” Larsen asked. When the question was repeated, he said, “I’m not going to answer that question, sorry.”

Aggies quarterback Spencer Petras threw for 372 yards and three touchdowns on 27 of 40 passing. Wide receiver Jalen Royals had 211 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and running back Rahsul Faison had one touchdown and 112 yards.

Boise State running back and Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty played only the first half, but destroyed the Aggies in that time. He rushed for 186 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries, including rushing touchdowns of 75 and 63 yards, the latter of which came on the first Broncos play of the game.

“I don’t have a vote because I didn’t win the Heisman,” Dreiling said. “If I won the Heisman, I would vote for him.”

Royals was responsible for the biggest plays of the game for the Aggies when he caught a 59-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, and later a 75-yard scoring pass.

But even though Utah State scored better than in previous weeks, there were signs that the offense may have taken a step back. The offense turned the ball over twice, just outside the red zone.

Petras said football is never a 50-50 split when it comes to offensive and defensive production; but as the defensive team improves, he said it’s up to the offense to pick up some slack.

“We have to give it our all and pick it up on defense, especially when we play the best running back in the country and one of the best offenses in the country,” Petras said. “We have to execute every piece that is feasible.”

The Aggies gave up just one touchdown and two field goals to the Broncos in the second half, but by then the game was out of reach. However, Larsen was convinced that the defense played much better than it seemed.

“I feel like we played well once we settled down,” Larsen said. “I’m not that sad. I’m not too condescending to anyone because once we settle down, it’s a different game.”

Larsen also emphasized that a Mountain West title is still well within reach for Utah State, as the loss to Boise State marks just one loss in the conference.

“All of our goals are still ahead of us,” Larsen said.

Utah State hosts UNLV for its home game on Friday.