Conference: MW
Coach Stats
Why should this nominee be considered for the Broyles Award?
Kyle Cefalo has the unique ability to relate to his players and get the very best out of them every play, both in practice and games. He is a great teacher and motivator, and understands young men in their late teens and early 20s. Kyle is a very genuine person that cares about each player in his room and wants the best for each of them. He is also a very good football coach and puts his players in the best possible position to be successful.
Coach's Past Performance
During the 2020 season at Arkansas State, Cefalo coached the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year in Jonathan Adams Jr., who was named an Associated Press Second-Team All-American. A Biletnikoff Award semifinalist, Adams was third in the nation in total receptions (79) and touchdown catches (12), and fifth in receiving yards (1,111).In 2019 at ASU, Cefalo coached Omar Bayless, who shattered the school records for both receiving yards (1,653) and receiving touchdowns (17), while also leading the nation in receiving yards per game (127.2). He was a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist and earned Walter Camp and Associated Press Second-Team All-America recognition.Cefalo also coached two-time first team all-Sun Belt selection Kirk Merritt in both 2018 and 2019. Merritt was also tabbed the league’s Newcomer of the Year in 2018 after recording 83 receptions for 1,005 yards and seven touchdowns.
Team Record and Standings
After going 1-5 in 2020 and losing all five games by at least 18 points, Utah State is 7-2 in 2021 and currently in first place in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West with a 4-1 league record. USU began the season by posting a 26-23 win at Washington State, which was USU’s first win against a Power 5 opponent since 1971.
Team/Unit Stats
Utah State currently ranks 12th in the nation in passing offense (321.0 ypg), 13th in the nation in total offense (473.3 ypg), 28th in the nation in passing efficiency (152.2) and 40th in the nation in scoring offense (31.8 ppg).
Individual Player Stats
USU senior WR Deven Thompkins currently leads the nation in receiving yards and all-purpose yards, is sixth in the nation in receptions and 11th in the nation in receiving touchdowns. He is tied for first nationally with seven 100-yard receiving games, and is the only player in the nation with five games with at least 170 receiving yards. USU has four players with at least four touchdown receptions this season and four player with at least 25 receptions and 300 receiving yards.
