Aggies prepare for Idaho
Utah State will have its Senior Day at the final home football game of the 2010 season when they take on the Vandals of the University of Idaho this Saturday, Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. Both teams will be lacking in the defensive back position due to suspensions and dismissals.
Idaho will be without defensive Shileo Keo (suspension), while Utah State will not have linebacker inebacker Junior Keiaho, who was dismissed from the team.
Idaho will also be without senior linebacker JoJo Dickson and tight end Daniel Hardy, who are both injured. Hardy is a Mackey award semifinalist and leads the team in receptions and receiving yards.
Without Dickson and Keo in the Idaho secondary for at least the first half, Aggie senior running back Derrvin Speight should be able to continue his impressive rushing game. Speight has rushed for career highs in each of the last two games, and scored three touchdowns against San Jose State last week. Idaho has allowed opponents to rush for just under an average of 200 yards per game.
Although Idaho’s Hardy will not be playing, USU junior linebacker and team tackles leader Bobby Wagner will still have his hands full with Idaho senior Nathan Enderle at quarterback. Enderle is No. 7 on the NCAA FBS active career total offense list with 9,394 yards passing and -310 rushing. Sophomore receiver Justin Veltung has a team high of eight receiving touchdowns.
Utah State will be looking to take advantage of the momentum earned in the last two games, with wins coming over New Mexico State and San Jose State. USU has not won three games in a row since 2001, and has never had three consecutive wins in WAC play. If they gain a victory over Idaho, Utah State will have earned its first five-win season since 2000 when they were 5-6.
The game will be broadcast live on television on CW30. It can be heard on the radio on KVNU 102.1 FM or 610 AM.
– tavin.stucki@aggiemail.usu.edu