Aggies looking to make a competitive game with BSU
Though last Saturday’s 30-14 win over Hawaii was one of the best the USU football team has played in the Brent Guy era, Guy spoke with cautious tones Monday about the future.
“One game doesn’t make you or break you,” Guy said. “Losing the Fresno game didn’t break us and beating Hawaii hasn’t made us.”
But one more reason for Guy and his Aggies (2-3 in Western Athletic Conference play, 2-7 overall) to be careful is Saturday’s 12 p.m. road opponent: the ninth-ranked, 8-0 Boise State Broncos.
“The feeling is we won a breakthrough game (against Hawaii), but to make sure it is a breakthrough game we have to play well against Boise State, and that is a challenge,” Guy said.
The Broncos have proved again to be the juggernaut of the WAC this season. Last week they rolled over the New Mexico State Aggies, 49-0. Another key victory they had was Sept. 20 at the Oregon Ducks (then ranked No. 17), 37-32.
Pretty good resume, right?
Bronco head coach Chris Petersen wasn’t totally satisfied after the win over the southern Aggies. That’s because the Broncos are at a higher level than USU – namely in being within reach of another BCS bowl.
“I think there’s improvement. I definitely feel that,” Petersen said. “We’re still not there but we are getting better.”
In his Monday press conference, Petersen was asked what worries him about the Aggies besides the quick legs of USU sophomore quarterback Diondre Borel.
“How hard (the Aggies) play,” Petersen said. “They showed they can beat anybody in our league. I think that’s a good thing. Our guys won’t be overlooking them at all. They’ll see what they’ve done. They’ll see how hard they play. The tape doesn’t lie. Maybe I’d be more concerned if (the Aggies) weren’t playing like they are right now.”
The Broncos have won seven straight games against the Aggies – including a 52-0 thumping on USU’s Senior Day last year. In the last four meetings in Boise, the Broncos have outscored the Aggies 208-102.
To wage a defeat – or at least a competitive game – Guy said the first thing USU needs to do is duplicate the week of practice it had leading up to the Hawaii game.
He said another key is keeping Borel safe in the pocket.
“We can’t get tackled for a loss,” Guy said. “(The Broncos have) a very solid group of four defensive linemen.”
Guy also said the Aggies need to be mentally sound and not be intimidated by a the Top-10 ranking the Broncos carry with them.
“You have to play them one snap at a time and not worry about the big picture things, such as how no one beats them there or where they are rated,” Guy said. “It will be like the Hawaii game and Fresno game. It will be a challenge to see if we can be a better football team.”
Junior linebacker Paul Igboeli honored
Igboeli was named WAC defensive player of the week for his defensive performance against Hawaii.
Igboeli blocked a field goal, recovered a fumble and recorded six tackles.
“He has played more snaps than anybody on our football team,” Guy said. “He doesn’t come out very much on defense. He has played a lot of football and played very well.”
The honor was the first for a USU defender since 2006.
–samuel.hislop@aggiemail.usu.edu