USU’S CROSS TABBED WAC NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR BY TSN

Utah State running back Marcus Cross has been tabbed as the WAC Offensive Newcomer of the Year by The Sporting News magazine it was announced this week.  The magazine will go on sale in June.

        Cross, a transfer from  Garden City (Kan.) Junior College, participated in spring practice at USU and emerged as the team’s starting running back.  The 5-11, 205-pounder rushed for 1,163 yards and 14 touchdowns in 10 games a year ago en route to first-team all-Jayhawk Conference and honorable mention JC Gridwire All-America honors.

        Last year’s starting running back, Ryan Bohm, has been moved to fullback, where he will compete with Jimmy Bohm, no relation, for playing time.  Cross is expected to vastly improve USU’s rushing game, which averaged just 117.0 yards per game a year ago.

   The magazine selected Hawai’I quarterback Colt Brennan as the league’s offensive player of the year and Boise State linebacker Korey Hall as the top defender.  Michael Stuart of Fresno State was picked as the defensive newcomer  of the year.

       Utah State will play five home games in 2006, with Utah, Fresno State and Hawai’I coming to Logan.  The Aggies will begin their season Sept. 2 at Wyoming.  Season tickets will go on sale beginning June 1 and can be obtained through www.UtahStateAggies.com, by calling the ticket office at 1-888-U-STATE-1 or (435) 797-0305, or in person at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.