Bittersweet trip back to Logan worth it for Weatherbie, Robinson and Deml
Former Utah State Head Coach Charlie Weatherbie didn’t have the opportunity to attend reunion ceremonies held for the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl champions. He had another obligation – coaching Louisiana-Monroe.
“It was kind of bittersweet coming back,” Weatherbie said following the game. “I really enjoyed my time here and I loved the people. That is what makes any place, the people. The people in Cache Valley and the people who supported Utah State were just super to me and to the program.”
And it was easy to see that the love between Weatherbie and Cache Valley was still there as numerous fans and former players came up to the Indians’ coach. People waited about 45 minutes after the game to catch a glimpse of him.
Weatherbie was USU’s head coach from 1992 to 1994 and compiled a 15-9 record before taking a job at Navy. The 1993 squad finished with a 7-5 record and has the only bowl title in school history with a 42-33 win over Ball State.
He is currently in his first season with Louisiana-Monroe.
About 30 members of the 1993 team were in attendance for USU’s 28-10 victory over ULM. Almost half of the group still resides in Utah, including Douglas Griffin, Shawn Griswold and Tyre Tyndall who live in Cache Valley.
Other homecomings
The 1993 Vegas Bowl champions were not the only former Aggies at Saturday’s game. Louisiana-Monroe defensive line coach Danilo Robinson and former USU player Jason Deml were also on the field.
Robinson, who was a three-year defensive starter for Utah State from 1994 to 1996 and holds the school record for sacks in a game with five and shares the record for single-game tackles for lost yardage with six – both of which were set against San Jose State in 1995, said it was good to be back in Logan, but he was split emotionally on who he wanted to win.
“Never in my life did I think I would play against the Aggies,” he said. “It was a tough game for me emotionally, but it wasn’t about me today. I never root against the Ags. I wish them the best.”
Robinson ended up at Louisiana-Monroe after a position opened late last year and when Weatherbie found out he was interested in the job, he was hired.
Deml, who is playing his first year with the Indians after sitting out last year because of NCAA transfer rules, had a catch for four yards for the ULM in the first half before injuring his rotator cuff. He said he got a shot to relieve the pain during halftime, but definitely thought his playing time was limited after that.
Despite not playing as much as he would have liked, Deml said it was good to be back in Logan and to see the stadium.
“I feel comfortable here,” he said. “It’s like being back at home.”
Deml transferred because he said he needed a change in scenery and Louisiana was an ideal place because he had family there.
Weatherbie said he talked to Deml prior to the game and reminisced about USU a little.
“I’m sure he was excited about coming back and playing,” Weatherbie said. “Jason Deml is a fine wide receiver for us. He’s been plagued with some minor injuries this year. He started off the preseason with a pulled hamstring, but he’s got a chance to be a real fine player for us.”
An always-improving stadium
It may not be the new facility that many fans are calling for, but numerous improvements were made to Romney Stadium over the past year.
The additions and improvements include new aluminum bleachers above the student section on the east side, paint jobs on the walls, repainting of the goal posts, new yardage numbers on the sideline walls, advertising signs in the north end zone, a new roof on the press box and the biggest change of all – Sun Belt logos on the field.
“We’re always chipping away and doing some things to it,” said Utah State Athletics director Rance Pugmire. “We’re just always trying to add things. The next thing that has to go is the field.”
Pugmire said he would like to put in field turf like a lot of other schools across the country are doing. If this were to happen, he said other sports such as the lacrosse and men’s soccer clubs could use the stadium.
“This baby gets used about 35 hours a year and that is it,” Pugmire said of the field. “It’s a lot of maintenance, a lot of water and a lot of work for just 35 hours. I would love for [the clubs] to be able to use it, but it can’t take the wear and tear.”
Quotable
“We had a great run here for a while. It’s just one of those things that you don’t forget. I’ve got some things hanging up in my house right now with Utah State on it. It’s just been a special place.”
-Weatherbie on his time at Utah State and the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl.
By the numbers
19,215 – attendance at Saturday’s home opener. Last season, Utah State averaged 21,112 fans per game, the third best in school history.
200 – passing yards by Louisiana Monroe’s Steven Jyles. It was the second time he has reached the mark this season and the seventh over the last two years.
10 – points allowed by Utah State. It is the fewest since defeating North Texas 34-7 in the 1999 season finale (37 games ago). The 18-point victory is the largest of the Head Coach Mick Dennehy era since the Aggies knocked off Idaho 31-14 in 2000.
3 – interceptions this season by freshman safety Terrance Washington. It marks the most pickoffs in a year by an Aggie freshman since Tony Walker had two in 1998.
1 – Sun Belt Conference victory for Utah State.
-juag@cc.usu.edu