Aggies prepare for the big stage against USC
By the numbers
6 — The number of points the Trojans scored against Alabama in their season opener. USC was held without a touchdown in a game for the first time since 1997, and for the first time in a season opener since 1960. It was the fewest points since a 10-6 loss to Utah in the 2001 Las Vegas Bowl. If the Aggies can repeat Alabama’s success, under Matt Wells, USU is 19-3 when allowing less than 20 points and 9-0 when allowing less than 10 points.
208 — The yardage that Devante Mays put up in a total of 15 minutes against Weber State on Thursday. Mays also tacked on three touchdowns in just one half of play for the Aggies. In total, USC allowed for the ‘Bama rushers to accumulate 242 yards and three touchdowns enroute to the blowout 52-6 loss.
0 — The number of turnovers that Utah State committed against Weber State. It was the first time since Oct. 3, 2015, against Colorado State, a span of 11 games, that the Aggies have gone mistake free. In comparison, ‘Bama had two turnovers but was able to overcome and limit the Trojans to 194 yards of total offense. If Matt Wells and company can keep a zero hanging in the turnover column, the Aggies will build on their 6-1 record in games without a turnover.
100 — The Trojans allowed for two different Alabama quarterbacks to eclipse the 100-yard passing yard mark. Jalen Hurts had 118 yards with two touchdowns while Blake Barnett accumulated 100 yards and one touchdown. Against Weber State, Utah State quarterback Kent Myers accumulated 100 yards, going 11-17 with a total QBR of 71.0. The junior signal caller can be called upon to produce more than 200 yards through the air, which in his career, Myers has done five times.
Key players to watch
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Junior WR, USC —
Coming off a preference in which he only caught one of his five targets for nine yards, Schuster will be looking for a bounce back day. The junior is coming off a season in which he caught 89 catches for 1,454 yards and 10 touchdowns. Matching up against Jalen Davis, the USC wideout has the size and length advantage and will use that to his benefit.
Adoree’ Jackson, Junior DB, USC —
The athletic defensive back was one of the lone bright spots in the Trojan secondary against Alabama. Two of his fourth tackles against the Tide saved a couple would-be touchdowns. The Aggies will put a couple different players in front of him, but whether it’s Rayshad Lewis or Zach Van Leeuwen, Jackson will be able to match up and go step-for-step down field.
Kent Myers, Junior QB, USU —
After accumulating 100 yards on 17 attempts, Myers will have a more prominent role in the offense come Saturday. Head coach Matt Wells vowed the Aggies will put the ball into the air more against USC. The longest attempt for Utah State was 24 yards, but against the Trojans Myers will attempt to take the top off the defense, at least a couple times and hopefully with some success.
Devante Mays, Senior RB, USU —
In only 15 minutes, Mays racked up Madden like numbers with 208 yards and three touchdowns. Against USC, Mays will more than likely see a full game in the backfield. After heading a nation-leading 428 yardage day, the senior running back will look to do what ‘Bama did and expose a young Trojan front seven. If he can repeat the day he had against Weber State, Mays may have more than 300 yards and at least two more touchdowns.
Game Preview
We’ve been here before. We’ve been in the spotlight, in front of the national audience with all eyes on us.
In recent memory it’s been Oklahoma, Auburn, Wisconsin, BYU, Tennessee, Washington and Utah — all of which have been met with nothing short of heartbreak, disappointment and regret. It’s been close, but never quite close enough.
It’s that time once again. Utah State will have the chance to have a program defining win on the national scale — this time, it will be against USC.
It will be difficult stepping into the Coliseum and trying to take away a victory in the Trojan’s home-opener, but the Aggies have come close before. In 2013, a Chuckie Keeton led team lost a nail-biter 17-14 to the Trojans.
This time however, the Aggies have a real shot against a reeling USC squad for the upset, and more importantly, a win against a power-five conference opponent on the road.
The Trojans are coming off a 52-6 loss at the hands of Nick Saban and Alabama. The Southern California team was held to just 194 yards of total offense and allowed the Crimson Tide to cruise to 465 yards on the day. USC’s defense was stout against the defending national champions for a half until the wheels fell off in the third quarter, leading to 38 unanswered points.
One key area that the Crimson Tide exploited was USC’s weakened front-seven. Much like USU, the Trojans lost a lot of experience on defense to the NFL — returning just one starter from last year. That depleted group allowed for ‘Bama’s running back group to torch them for 242 yards and three touchdowns.
That stat bodes well for the Aggies, who are coming off a nation-leading 428 rushing yardage outing against Weber State. Leading the charge was Devante Mays, who had 208 yards and three touchdowns in only one half of play.
Despite success on the ground, head coach Matt Wells vowed that his Aggie team will throw the ball more against the PAC-12 opponent. Quarterback Kent Myers was only called upon 17 times, completing 11 of those passes for 100 yards. None Utah State’s receivers eclipsed more than 50 yards against the Wildcats.
If the Aggies do fulfill their promise to increase their passing plays, Utah State may replicate Alabama’s success. The SEC powerhouse collected three more touchdowns on the arms of quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Blake Barnett, who both eclipsed the 100-yard mark. The duo did so while also accounting for an average of more than 10 yards per pass.
Myers is more than capable of creating offense with his arm. The junior signal caller has five 200-yard days under his belt, along with 11 multi-touchdown games.
In order for USU to contain the Trojans offensively, it all begins with the defensive line and the linebackers. Against Weber State, the unit had 44 tackles and two sacks. The biggest key for the youthful group will be containing and pressuring junior quarterback Max Browne. Alabama pressured Browne on 14 of his 33 dropbacks, tallying three sacks and an interception in the process.
Game time
Sept. 10, 12 p.m. MST
Location
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Televised on PAC-12N