Croyle, who underwent surgery on his non-throwing shoulder in December, had scoring passes of 57 yards to Keith Brown and 19 yards to Clint Johnson. He completed 16 of 22 attempts for 205 yards with no interceptions.
Alabama was 4-9 in coach Mike Shula's first season in 2003 and lost five of its last six games. Hungry for something to cheer, fans chanted ``Roll Tide'' across nearly full Bryant-Denny Stadium as the score mounted against the outmanned Sun Belt Conference opponent.
The Aggies, meanwhile, are coming off a 3-9 season and have lost 14 of their last 15 road games, including eight straight dating back to 2002.
Utah State played Alabama close for two quarters, trailing only 17-10 at the half after a 35-yard touchdown pass from Travis Cox to Kevin Robinson and a 44-yard field goal by Ben Chaet.
But the Tide killed any idea of an upset on the Aggies' first possession of the second half. A Utah State receiver deflected a Cox pass into the hands of Simeon Castille, who returned the interception 31 yards for a score.
The Tide defense held on the next possession, and Croyle hit Brown in stride for the 57-yard score on Alabama's first play after the punt.
Brown and Castille were two of several freshmen who got significant playing time for the Tide, which is thin after NCAA penalties that included scholarship reductions, probation and a two-year ban from postseason play.
Brian Bostick kicked field goals of 32 and 28 yards from Alabama, and Kenneth Darby added a 29-yard scoring run. Tim Castille scored on a 1-yard run, and Ray Hudson added a late TD on a 7-yard run.
Utah State's other points came on a 21-yard pass from Cox to Chris Forbes.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/9/152952