Oct. 13, 2018 USU Football vs UNLV-33

Underapprecieated All-Stars: Utah State vs. UNLV

The Second Stringers

As the adage goes, necessity is the mother of invention. A bridge was invented as soon as crossing the river was necessary. That mentality can easily be applied to sports. If I talk about a player who became complacent with their situation and, even if the player had progressed miraculously up to that point, suddenly stops improving, you probably have the name of a player pop into your head. Whoever that complacent player may be, think of the player who would have served as the player’s replacement. In most cases, this replacement pales in potential or overall ability compared to the complacent player. In short, the complacent player knows their starting position on the team is safe and thus has no real reason to improve or hone their craft.

But a player can’t maintain that mentality if his replacement is breathing down his neck.

Now, I’m not saying that Henry Colombi is close to upending Jordan Love as USU’s starting quarterback. Colombi has mounds of arm talent, but still needs a lot of polish to became a good college quarterback, much like Love in previous seasons. What I am saying, though, is that Colombi’s presence on the roster has a lot to do with Love’s progression over the past season. As soon as Colombi arrived on campus it seemed, talk began on whether he could take over the starting position and when that could be. It’s naive to think Love didn’t hear at least some of those rumors. Now, faced with rumors like that, a player can either fold under the pressure or battle back against it and improve. Obviously, Love executed the latter choice.

The vast majority of the credit for Love’s progression goes to him and the coaching staff. But do not downplay the effectiveness of how a deep team naturally improves the starting lineup through competition.

That same story can be told throughout the Utah State roster. Think how much better the slot receiver position is now with Jordan Nathan, Aaren Vaughns, and DJ Nelson all competing against each other in practice. Or how much the offensive line has improved (and will continue to improve) with the amount of depth and talent among their ranks. Competition is the mother of improvement.

Deven Thompkin’s blocked punt

If you want to learn how it is that coaches create schemes to block kicks, click here (https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2018/10/17/17871554/blocking-kicks-punts-field-goals-special-teams-coaches). Otherwise, take a look at Deven Thompkins almost stealing a the snap from UNLV’s punter.

Special teams was a worry for Utah State coming into the season. With the departure of special teams coach Mark Tommerdahl, it was possible for the Aggies to slip in that area. It’s been a coach-by-committee operation according to head coach Matt Wells, with multiple coaches involved in the special teams unit. Wells also points out that USU differs from a number of other teams in that even the best players play on special teams. From promising young players like Thompkins and Baron Gajkowski, who picked up the blocked punt to return it for the score, to proven veterans like Jalen Greene and Deante Fortenberry.

The special teams unit has had several issues this season, especially concerning ball security, but the Aggies still rank 17th in Special Teams S&P+ from Football Outsiders. Last season, USU finished 56th in that same category. That’s a development no one saw coming after Tommerdahl left late in the offseason, but it’s been crucial to Utah State’s dominant start to the season. With one of the nation’s best offenses, any advantage the defense and special teams can give them can turn lethal for an opponent.

Jalen Greene’s 80-yard touchdown reception

If a receiver gets this open, someone made a mistake.

Mistakes are mistakes, but the best teams find ways to force them from opponents.

Was that interior lineman on UNLV’s defensive front drawn offsides by a hard count or did he jump on his own? I’m not sure, but when the ball’s snapped, that point’s moot. It’s a free play for Utah State. Any outcome of this play could be completely wiped out by the offsides call, meaning this play carries zero repercussions for the Aggies. In terms of strategy, that means you take a deep shot. Even if a receiver is double- or triple-teamed, there’s no risk of a turnover. Even if it is picked, you take the offsides penalty and keep the ball. But if the receiver comes down with it, you picked up a huge chunk of yardage without risking a thing.

The problem is that many quarterbacks never make that throw. It’s difficult to repress all the instincts a quarterback has developed that tell him not to throw into coverage, meaning a lot of quarterbacks settle for a shallower route. Love never even looks underneath. When the snap comes and the flag flies, Love’s eyes immediately turn deep downfield. A little confusion from the secondary and Greene flies down the left sideline completely uncovered. At that point, the only barrier is throwing at least a semi-accurate ball. Love has the arm talent to hit Greene in stride and really get the ball rolling for the Aggies.

Quarterback awareness doesn’t usually show up in a highlight reel. It usually shows up in smart decisions and, as the cliche goes, taking what the defense gives you. Having awareness means you take advantage of those opportunities when they’re presented. That is the difference we’ve seen in Love this year.

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