COLUMN: Thank you, Dave Baldwin
Last week I mentioned the need for offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin to make better use of his extremely talented offense. I stated my feeling that the Aggies shouldn’t have ever been in close situations at the end of games. I think the only exception to that statement would be the heart-breaking game against Auburn.
I mentioned that Baldwin had made some great calls and made some great decisions here and there throughout the season, and he should consider going with the things that worked best.
I noticed Baldwin made some of those exact changes on Saturday against Wyoming.
I couldn’t — and wouldn’t in my wildest dreams — ever take credit for something I had no direct influence over. When I say “influence,” I mean being a decision maker or making the crucial play.
No, I am not taking credit for the win. That would be downright pompous and rather ridiculous. I only want to thank Baldwin for making those changes.
What changes am I referring to?
First and perhaps most important, the coaching staff allowed its freshman phenom quarterback Chuckie Keeton to pass more. He amassed more than 200 yards against the Cowboys and threw for five touchdowns.
Head coach Gary Andersen mentioned during post interviews Saturday that he and his coaching staff had decided it was an opportune moment to open up the playbook more for Keeton.
I could always complain and ask why these changes didn’t happen sooner, however, I just hope the playbook remains open for Keeton.
The successful passing game really opened up the already-dominating rushing game of Utah State, but let’s not leave the pass game just yet.
The passing game was incredibly diverse. We didn’t see a bubble screen every time a pass play was drawn up. Keeton was able to throw down field often and use an array of receivers — including running backs and tight ends who haven’t been used much in USU’s passing attack yet this season.
The play calling of Baldwin was creative and junior running back Robert Turbin carried the ball twice as many times as he did against BYU. The junior rushed for more than 100 yards on 20 carries against Wyoming, while only carrying the ball nine times against BYU.
I also noticed Baldwin felt comfortable enough to run the no-huddle offense with Keeton. The quick-hitting offense kept Wyoming on it’s heels for at least a couple of USU’s drives.
All those factors resulted in USU scoring touchdowns on eight straight possessions, beating Wyoming by a landslide. The Aggies didn’t even punt until late into the third quarter.
Simply put: USU is capable of running away with football games.
I can only hope Baldwin will stick to he what he did against Wyoming for any number of reasons.
Andersen is trying to change the mindset of a team and a program, which is accustomed to losing, in any way possible.
Against Colorado State and BYU the Aggies were trying to gain confidence that they could beat a quality opponent, while being forced to learn how to win a close game.
The Aggies need confidence they can beat quality opponents before finding the confidence to win a close game.
With their ability to run up the score on opposing defenses, there is no reason for the Aggies to need to win close games for the remainder of the season.
Parity is king in the Western Athletic Conference this season, and a championship is well within reach.
– Tyler Huskinson is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. He is also a sports writer for The Herald Journal. You can follow him on Twitter @TDHuskiSports or send comments to ty.d.hus@aggiemail.usu.edu.