Utah State graduate quarterback Bryson Barnes willed his team to a 28-17 victory over Fresno State last week that featured 21 unanswered points by the Aggies. After the game, and earlier this week, coaches around the Mountain West have taken notice of Barnes' talent and especially toughness. Some are on the verge of declaring him to be the deserving candidate for the conference's offensive player of the year award. Some are outright saying it.

In the post-game press conference directly following USU's win, during which Barnes amassed 266 all-purpose yards (151 passing, 113 rushing and two receiving) with one touchdown, Aggies' head coach Bronco Mendenhall was asked about whether his quarterback deserved to win the offensive player of the year award. Mendenhall's answer was quick, direct a

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