Football squad hope to avenge last year’s loss to Utes
When Utah State players strap on the helmets for their annual football game against the University of Utah, the desire to win for both teams is heightened.
While this year is no different, a road victory at Rice-Eccles stadium is essential for the Aggies if they want a momentum boost going into next week’s encounter with Louisiana State University – a team ranked No. 14 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll.
First things first for the Aggies as they travel to Salt Lake City for Saturday’s game against the Utes. The 101st meeting between the two schools will start at 6 p.m. and will be televised on KJAZZ.
USU head coach Mick Dennehy feels his troops are ready.
“I really think that we’ve had the best offseason that I could imagine us having,” Dennehy said. “Almost everybody that we have lined up to play for us has played a significant amount.”
One thing is for certain, Saturday will be a huge game for both programs.
For the Utes, they are looking to put the disappointment of last season behind them. Picked by most preseason publications to win the Mountain West Conference, the Utes lost their first four games of the year and never recovered. They finished with a 4-7 record. To make matters worse, the team suffered from lack of unity and internal strife, said Lance Rice, U of U quarterback.
The Utes spoiled USU’s homecoming game last season with a 35-14 victory at Romney Stadium. Deadlocked at 14-14 early in the second half, the Utes overpowered the Aggies, scoring the game’s final 21 points.
“The Utah game is a huge game for both schools,” Dennehy said.
“Utah State is always a tough game for Utah because of the rivalry,” said Ron McBride, U of U coach. “It doesn’t matter if we play them in the first game or the third game. It is a very important game for both teams.”
In order for the Aggies to be successful on Saturday, they will have to do a better job running the ball, Dennehy said. In that game, Utah kept Emmett White in check, holding him to 43 yards rushing.
“I think we’re a better running team [this year],” Dennehy said. “And with the kids we have back, [this] will allow us to be a little more effective.”
Another key to last year’s game was the Utes ability to control the clock. Playing smash-mouth football, the Ute ground attack was overpowering, racking up 278 yards rushing compared to 52 yards by the Aggies. Utah controlled the clock for 36:24 and the Aggies for 23:36.
“When they seized control of the game last year, they just pounded it at us,” Dennehy said.
Junior tailback Adam Tate – a second-team all-MWC selection in 2000 – enjoyed a breakout game against the Aggies, rushing for 133 yards on 32 carries. USU will have to contend with Tate, but won’t have to contend with graduated quarterback Darnell Arceneaux. It was Arceneaux’s ability to escape the pass rush and make plays that changed the complexion of the game, said Aggie cornerback Ade Jimoh.
Another player the Aggies will need to keep an eye on is senior wide receiver Cliff Russell. The fastest player in the history of the school – Russell runs the 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds and has a 41-inch vertical leap. He leads all-returning wideouts with 37 catches from last season.
“He’s not just fast, but he can also catch the ball and make plays,” Jimoh said.
The Aggies appear to have the advantage at quarterback. USU will start junior Jose Fuentes. The Utes will call upon relatively-untested sophomore Lance Rice.
The Utes also have a new offensive scheme. They hired Craig Ver Steeg as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. The former University of Illinois assistant will implement a quick-strike passing game.
“It’s going to be a great game,” Jimoh said. “Last year, a lot of us were nervous. We hadn’t been to war with this coaching staff. Now, we know how to prepare. I feel a lot more prepared going into this game.”
Saturday’s contest will be the first of three consecutive road games for the Aggies. The USU home games begin September 22 against the University of Wyoming.
Over the past five seasons, the Aggies have gone 14-13 at Romney Stadium.