Unlocking the keys to success
All injuries aside, Utah State football players Trevor Hutton, Chris Cooley and Travis Cox have a lot in common. They are key contributors to the success of the program.
Hutton suffered from turf toe earlier in the season and Cooley has spent the last two games on the bench with a fractured right foot.
Cox, although he has not missed any games this season, gave USU a scare in the first half of the Aggies’ game at New Mexico.
He was hit hard and had the wind knocked out of him, forcing Utah State to put Mat Crivello in his place for the rest of the drive. Cox returned on the next drive and looked as if he was back to normal.
Hutton hunting for trophy
An offensive guard, Hutton transferred to Utah State after his 2001 season at Hancock Junior College where he was a second-team All-American.
In his first season as an Aggie, the Santa Maria, Calif. native started 10 games and was named the team’s top offensive lineman and the most improved player.
Going into his senior season, Hutton was named an Outland Trophy candidate.
“It’s a huge honor just to be nominated,” he said. “[The nominees] are the greatest players in their position across the country. Obviously, I want to win the award and strive for that.”
In order to do that, Hutton said he has to play hard, stand out and not make mistakes – especially coming from a lesser-known program.
Simply put, Hutton said he needs to continue doing what he has been doing this year, just better.
And a key to success on the field has possibly come through his success in the weight room.
In August, Hutton set the school squat record at 802 pounds.
“I like that squat record,” he said. “It’s a big deal to me. I worked hard to get it and I hope it stays here for a while.”
Hutton originally broke the record when he first came to Utah State at 655 pounds and then moved the recorded to 705 pounds.
He said he contributes a lot of his success to the support of the strength staff because they let him train at a higher and heavier weight.
After recruiting trips to a couple of other schools, Hutton decided Utah State was the perfect place for him because of the environment and the fact that he would definitely have the opportunity to make an impact.
“I’m a pretty simple guy,” he said. “I like the mountains and I like to go four wheeling in my truck.”
After graduation Hutton said he would like to see football in his future.
Although he thinks playing professionally might be out of the question because he is not tall enough, Hutton said he might work toward furthering his education and eventually go into teaching or becoming a strength coach.
Having someone with Hutton’s desire and expertise would be a plus for any program.
“Trevor brings a lot of nastiness,” Cox said. “He is strong. He is a tough, aggressive player and you need someone like that on every team.”
Cooley said, “He is someone that everyone on the team can look to because he will do what he is suppose to do. I know a lot of guys look up to him and try to be like him.”
Cooley chasing award
There are some things in life that no one can control. Being injured is one of them. The tight end from Logan hurt his right foot during practice prior to the game at Nebraska on Sept. 6, but played the following week at Arizona State.
Following the 26-16 loss to the Sun Devils, Cooley had his foot X-rayed and has been on the bench ever since.
If he continues to sit out this week against Wyoming, which is a good possibility, it will be the third contest he has missed this season.
Not being on the field could hurt the senior’s chance at the Mackey Award, something he was nominated for before the season.
“My stats are going to be key for me coming from a small school to win an award like that,” Cooley said. “[Being out] will play a role. I don’t worry about it too much, though.”
Before going down, Cooley led the Sun Belt Conference and was ranked 35th in the nation, including being second among tight ends, in receptions with 6.0 per game.
He said that as much as he hates not being on the field, he is confident the team will succeed without him.
And it did, picking up a 28-10 victory over Louisiana-Monroe in its first game without Cooley. The contest also marked the school’s first Sun Belt Conference win.
“Chris has evolved into a real legitimate pass-receiving threat in our offense based on his physical talents,” said Utah State Head Coach Mick Dennehy. “The thing that we are going to miss more than that is his ability to block. It’s just a matter of staying off [his foot] and letting it grow back.”
Cooley is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 252 pounds.
Hutton said it has definitely been difficult not having Cooley, but it has forced the rest of the team to bring its game to another level.
“We can still achieve the goals we want to achieve without him being there, but it would certainly be easier with him,” Hutton said. “He’s not going to be out the entire season, though. And when he does come back I’m sure nothing will change from how he was playing before.”
Cox is someone who knows Cooley especially well. The two were team leaders for valley rivals Mountain Crest and Logan, respectively.
Cooley said he remembers that Cox ran the ball every other time he was going to throw the ball in high school.
“He is an incredible runner, so for us in high school that is what we were worried about when we played him,” Cooley said.
And because the Logan High School grad was able to see Cox’s leadership and ability prior to coming to USU, he as all the confidence in the world in his quarterback.
Being from Cache Valley made becoming an Aggie an easy choice for Cooley.
He was originally thinking about wrestling after high school, but began to see more action on the football field as a senior.
“When I had the opportunity to come up here and play, that is what I wanted to do more than anything,” he said. “I was really excited about that. [Playing in front of my family is nice because] it is comforting to know that there are people here cheering for me no matter what happens.”
The Cooley tradition at USU will continue even after Chris leaves because his younger brother, Tanner, has committed to play for the Aggies.
Chris said he told his brother what a great place Logan was to play
football.
“He has a good chance of playing in the first year he is up here,” Chris said of Tanner. “That is really nice.”
But even after Chris leaves Utah State, football will likely still be in his life.
He said he has talked to friends and people associated with the NFL and they think he has a good shot at playing professionally.
“I need to keep doing what I’m doing and I should be successful,” he said.
Cox happy to be an Aggie
The junior from Hyrum sat back and watched quarterback Jose Fuentes break records last season and connect with wide receiver Kevin Curtis for play after play.
“I’ve waited a long time and I’ve been up here a long time,” Cox said. “All of the hard work is paying off and it is fun to be out there and be playing.”
Early on, Cox said he lost some confidence, but was able to hold on to his dream because he knew Fuentes was coming close to the end of his career.
Prior to spring play, Cox had attempted just 16 passes in his career. Last season he backed Fuentes up in five contests.
When he wasn’t getting much playing time, Cox concentrated on lifting weights, studying game film and playing as hard as he could during practice.
He acted like he was the starting quarterback in every situation.
Becoming an Aggie was an easy decision for Cox.
“I’ve been going to Utah State games since I was a little kid, so I’ve seen a lot of people come and go,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to come up here and do well.”
Cox has had a strong family football history at USU. His father, Dan, played for USU in the 1970s and went on to be the head coach at Mountain Crest.
He also had a brother who was an all-state linebacker at MCHS.
While a Mustang, Travis was named first-team all-state quarterback and the Region Four Most Valuable Player as a senior. He finished his career fifth in Utah history with 5,190 yards and was eighth in state history with 47 career touchdown passes.
In last week’s collegiate game at New Mexico, Travis completed 13 passes on 27 attempts for 162 yards.
“I think Travis is doing really well,” Chris said. “It’s really exciting to see him out on the field playing. He’s probably the toughest guy on the field. He takes more hits than anyone I’ve ever seen. He does a great job.”
-juag@cc.usu.edu