LOGAN – With 2:36 left on the clock, Utah State’s offense made its way onto the field down 28-7 to Weber State. Quarterback Logan Bonner had just thrown a pick-six that just about sealed USU’s fate in the eventual 35-7 loss to the FCS side.
As Bonner trotted into position, boos rained down onto the field — presumably due to the presence of Bonner on the field. The senior finished the game with one of his worst statistical performances as a starter — 12-for-31 passing (38.7 percent), a mere 120 yards passing and three interceptions to zero touchdowns.
That context certainly gave off the appearance that Utah State fans were booing its own quarterback. It certainly didn’t help that a faint “We want Cooper” chant could be heard, nor the fact that Cooper Legas, the backup quarterback referred to in that chant, entered to cheers in the fourth when starters were pulled.
After the game, head coach Blake Anderson was asked about those boos. What followed was a more than minute-long response that included multiple shots at fans and a defense of Bonner. Anderson said that many fans “showed true colors today” and that the boos were “embarrassing.” He ended his comments by saying the team will “pull tighter together on the sideline…because apparently that’s what we’ve got.”
Anderson had a response to the boos Logan Bonner received during today's game — a lengthy 72-second response in all. Here's my transcription of what he said. pic.twitter.com/MOFxqjkeo7
— Jason Walker (@jwalker_sports) September 11, 2022
The comments quickly made their way to social media by way of reporters and fans were quick to respond, both on social media and on the radio during KVNU Aggie Call. The number one argument brought forward from the booing side was that the fans were not, in fact, booing Bonner, but rather coach Anderson, his coaching staff and their decision to keep an underperforming and injured Bonner in the game.
Incredibly arrogant for him to believe fabs were booing Bonner. They were booing him (Anderson)
— Bobbie “Bum” Boone 🕙 (@BalkansBob) September 11, 2022
Who wants to be the one to tell coach the boos were directed towards him and his performance. One that resulted in losing to a team for the first time in 44 YEARS and who also happens to be in the FCS. Don’t try and redirect it towards a player, it’s on him. https://t.co/1F4Ec7hBV5
— Tony R (@TonyRawbirds) September 11, 2022
Those boos for for your atrocious offensive game plan and unwillingness to not pull your obviously not fully healed quarterback from the game. The fans booing is not embarrassing. You coaching and responding the way you did is. @CHbanderson
— Craig Justin Hansen (@hansen_craig_) September 11, 2022
@CHbanderson they were booing you In two games this year the team wouldn’t beat a good high school team that’s 100% on you We don’t belong at Bama, this is their super bowl etc…. Booooo you
— robb louder (@rlouderaggies) September 11, 2022
Coach, fans were booing the lack of adjustments that needed to be made to win the game against a f*cking FCS team at home, and one of those adjustments was to give Coop a shot when Bonner had an off night. The product on the field tonight deserved some boos imo. https://t.co/POC9qaP5mB
— Brendo (@MrAnderson_93) September 11, 2022
The loss to Weber State — historically embarrassing as it may be — might not be the most damaging thing to come out of this game. Fans booing their own team risked alienating coaches and players and Anderson’s shots back certainly didn’t calm the situation. Some fans are now much less enthusiastic about going to games, and their opinion of Anderson certainly isn’t going up.
Bruh. I ain’t goin to a single game the rest of this season. https://t.co/zSuxcNe579
— yall look like ants (@Nutts__) September 11, 2022
In the midst of all the attacks on the coach, many supported Anderson and the work he’s done with the team while also calling out fans for booing.
I think more than anything this USU team needs to feel supported right now, they realize the gravity of this loss far more than us fans do, we can either critically analyze the faults of every athlete and coach or we can prepare for our conference defense. Let’s ride!!!
— McKay Murphy (@Bigmacmurph) September 11, 2022
If you are actually a real @USUFootball fan, THIS SHOULD STING! I was ashamed of our booing fans, if you booed your team tonight, you aren’t a fan, you are a dumbass! I still love the Aggies! I remember the 80’s and 90’s https://t.co/w8hMmT856L
— Michael Lemon, The Idaho Aggie (@MichaelLemon78) September 11, 2022
We could talk all night about who was booed and who was not. In the end, I don’t see how booing anyone is helpful or constructive. Players and coaches see the result on the field. It’s no secret to them that they sucked tonight. Boos don’t make Aggie football better.
— Ogden Aggie 🇺🇸 (@OgdenAggie) September 11, 2022
Bonner’s parents, who had to watch both the game and situation on social media deteriorate with their son right in the middle of the controversy, chose the option to support the team and not bring negativity into the discussion. Linda retweeted several posts that voiced support for the Aggies, its players and coaches but didn’t join the fray herself. Bane’s only comment was to reply to a fan who asked how Logan won the QB job (referencing a part of Anderson’s comment) while being injured the whole offseason. The simple reply being “I can. Please DM me.”
Blake Anderson’s wife, Brittany, also took to social media to defend her husband, the Aggie players, and highlight how the fan behavior could be damaging to the team.
I know, Blake knows, nearly everyone knows coaches were the ones booed. But booing players or coaches hurts our young men. We are a family, & you can’t not hurt when someone boos your family (fellow teammates or coaches). I hope that makes sense…I’m not the best with words.
— Brittany Anderson (@brittm_anderson) September 11, 2022
A lot of butthurt Aggie fans out there. Face it, we’re backing to sucking again.
It is a game, that is it. Someone wins someone loses every year. Go spend some quality time with you kids in the mountains.
I have free kool aid.
While not a fan of not pulling Bonner sooner(big Coop fan here) everyone needs to know that from our seats coach could hear more than an earfull of ugly downright trashy comments about Bonner by fans( I guess you could call them fans, I’ve never heard them actually cheer anything nice, let’s call them the unclassy clowns on row 3 that I’m certain never played a day of football themselves). At the end of the day, Bonner is a kid, as are the rest of the players. To have the grown men yelling such ugly things about Bonner and having coach hear, I’m sure he’s going to stand up for him. – just a little insight from the seats behind the team.
I think we can undoubtedly say that some USU fans don’t have a stellar reputation when it comes to being respectful. I have heard ugly stories that have emerged from basketball games. Sad that a few childish people can make a whole group look bad.
I think the fans trying change their stories after being called out by Coach Anderson are pathetic! I called out all the fans at the game surrounding me when were booing.
I told them it was ridiculous they were booing a kid, & they all stumbled with their words trying to justify their embarrassing & inappropriate behaviors! “Well he’s getting a scholarship” was one of multiple excuses I heard… if you don’t like what you see leave!!!
Where were all of you during the Brent Guy days, while I was in the stands cheering & supporting MY AGGIES! Who cares what BYU & Utah fans would do! We’re not them & I don’t want to be!
I was furious at the game & reading the above comments makes me sick to my stomach that any of these people consider themselves Aggie fans. Please do not come back to the games if you only cheer when we’re winning!!! Booing your own team? I can’t think of anything more disgraceful…until you demonstrated it trying to justify your actions.
News flash….hes not a kid. Hes an adult ya big baby
No, he is still a boy playing a game. A man his age is someone in the military or actually working and supporting a family.
I love the Aggies and we’ll just shoot it straight and say they absolutely, unequivocally, sucked against Weber. They should not have lost that game let alone take a savage beating…BUT, sometimes it’s embarrassing how childish our “fans” can be.
The university has lost money from donors in the past because they witnessed how childish and disrespectful, and unsportsmanlike USU fans are. The spectrum is loathed not because of the Basketball team but because of the fans. I’m All about being amped up during any USU game but let’s learn to have some class and grow up.
I love the Aggies and we’ll just shoot it straight and say they absolutely, unequivocally, sucked against Weber. They should not have lost that game let alone take a savage beating…BUT, sometimes it’s embarrassing how childish our “fans” can be.
The university has lost money from donors in the past because they witnessed how childish and disrespectful, and unsportsmanlike USU fans are. The spectrum is loathed not because of the Basketball team but because of the fans. Its bad enough how they treat other teams at times but to boo your team is very immature . Let’s learn some class and grow up shall we?.
News flash…theres zero kids on a college football field. Theyre adults. Stop being so soft
Well, we felt your pain during the last 4 years or so at Arkansas State. We didn’t do anything with him because his wife Wendy was dying from cancer, and I know his heart was with her. I don’t see how he managed to coach the team going through that terrible time. I really thought he was going to do well for you guys, and he still might. WolvesUP