Football heads to Fresno to take on Bulldogs
The Utah State Aggies take on Fresno State to open Western Athletic Conference play this weekend.
Last year, the Bulldogs beat the Aggies, 41-24, in Romney Stadium, but Fresno head coach Pat Hill said this year’s squad is better.
“It’s the best Utah State team I can remember back into the ‘70s,” said the 15-year Bulldog coach. “Their record does not indicate the type of team they have on both sides of the ball.”
Utah State comes into the game at just 2-3 but fresh off a 63-19 victory over the Mountain West Conference’s Wyoming Cowboys.
USU offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin said his team is confident.
“I think we showed our character in this last game,” Baldwin said. “This is a confident team. I don’t think the three losses destroyed us at all, I think it made us tougher.”
Fresno State was on the receiving end of such brutal treatment, falling to Boise State last week, 57-7.
“We need to get back to work this week,” Hill said. “This will be a great test for us here at Bulldog Stadium. We’ve had some very, very tough games the last few years with Utah State.”
Baldwin said he knows every game in Fresno is a fight.
“We’ve got a quality opponent here and it’s going to be a difficult task this week, because Fresno’s as good as they get,” Baldwin said. “They’re always a premier team, in this conference, to beat. Especially to try and beat them at home is going to be very difficult.”
The Bulldogs are led by quarterback Derek Carr. The 6-foot-3 sophomore has thrown 10 touchdowns and five interceptions on the season.
Running back Robbie Rouse will handle things from the backfield for Fresno State. Rouse averages 4.7 yards per carry and has four touchdowns.
Baldwin said the 5-foot-7 junior from San Diego is a good running back.
“He can take it to the house at any time,” Baldwin said. “Robbie Rouse is as good a running back as you’re going to find. He might not be size-wise, the biggest back in the country.”
Aggie linebacker Kyle Gallagher said he always likes playing Fresno.
“They’re the team I grew up watching,” said the 6-foot senior of Woodland, Calif. “They’re a big team up front, with a quick running back. That’s my main focus is stopping him. They’re going to pound hard then take you deep. It’s more of a nine on seven for us, and that’s where I feel like I play my best game.”
Hill said Aggie head coach Gary Andersen has done a good job of getting better from last season.
“They’ve got some three-year starters on that offensive line,” Hill said. “(They’ve) got some three-year players that have been playing Utah State football under Gary for three years. I think they’ve got a very veteran team and are playing at a very high level around a young quarterback, who is playing like a veteran.”
USU quarterback Chuckie Keeton has 12 touchdowns on the season, five coming in his record-tying five TD passes in the Wyoming game. The true-freshman from Cypress Creek High School in Houston was named WAC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.
Hill said stopping Keeton and the Aggie offense will be a challenge.
“They are very, very talented,” Hill said. “Their offense is functioning at a very high level. It hit it’s highest level this last weekend against Wyoming. They’ve found themselves an outstanding quarterback.”
Fresno’s Logan Harrell is arguably one of the best defensive linemen in the conference and will give the Aggies’ front seven a handful. The senior had 10.5 sacks last year and has tallied 3.5 this season.
USU offensive guard Philip Gapelu said he remembers playing against Harrell last season.
“I played well that game, and he didn’t have any sacks,” said the Lynwood, Calif., native. “I just have to keep that up this year as well. I need to keep working my technique throughout practice this week. He doesn’t have just one move. You have to keep on your toes as an offensive lineman, because you don’t know what to expect all the time from him.”
Baldwin shared insight on the key to victory.
“We’re going to have to be able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides,” Baldwin said. “Whoever wins the line of scrimmage will probably win this game.”
– tavin.stucki@aggiemail.usu.edu