Ags look to rebound vs. La. Tech
The Utah State Aggies will have an opportunity to get back on the winning track as they take on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Saturday at 1 p.m.
The Bulldogs are 4-3 on the season and have won all four of their games at home. In the Western Athletic Conference, Louisiana Tech has gone 3-1 after beating San Jose State 31-14 last week.
After the Aggies lost to Alabama last week, a return home will give the team a chance to show their improvement from the three-game gauntlet of Fresno State, Boise State and ‘Bama.
“[In the Alabama] loss, we had more things we could build on,” Utah State Head Coach Brent Guy said. “We certainly aren’t happy with a loss, but we definitely found some positives. We had our best rushing day we’ve had and the best offensive output even though we didn’t get points.”
Offensive linemen Malik Cin, Brent DeLadurantey and Ryan Tonnemacher saw more playing time against Alabama and did a pretty good job, Guy said. The bigger bodies helped the Ags put together their best rushing game against Alabama’s defense.
“The zone-running scheme gives you a chance against anything, against blitz or against regular. It’s like a moving wall and as the crease happens, the back can turn and find it.”
The zone-running scheme, which offensive coordinator Mike Santiago prefers to use, worked better with the bigger bodies in there, Guy said. The rotation of the first and second teams will continue since the Ags ran better and it kept the line fresher.
Louisiana Tech is third in the WAC in rush defense but the passing game won’t be an easy target, either as the Bulldogs are currently second in pass defense and lead the conference with 10 interceptions.
Those 10 interceptions help the Bulldogs lead the conference in turnover margin as they have six more turnovers than their opponents. Turnovers will be a big part of the game Saturday, Guy said.
The Ags could have tied the turnover battle against the Crimson Tide, but quarterback Leon Jackson III forced a pass near the end of the game, Guy said. The Ags could have had an interception earlier, but the ball was dropped, which is what Utah State will have to capitalize on the rest of the season.
“Those are the things we can’t give back these last four games,” Guy said. “We have to take every one of those opportunities we get and take advantage of it.”
The Ags’ little mistakes have irked Guy more than most other mistakes, Guy said.
“It’s time for everybody as a group to synergize and quit making the [the third-and-4 penalties],” he said. “Our team is focused and they know what they have to do.”
With the team focused on the last four games of the season, the Ags are set to try to finish with a winning record as they could finish 6-5 if they were to win out. That will have to be taken one game at a time, though, since everything starts Saturday.
“Our battle cry is ‘A November To Remember’ and that’s what we’re going to try to do one [game] at a time,” Guy said.
-krn@cc.usu.edu