Homecoming? Ags just wanting win

For most students, Homecoming means a dance, True Aggie Night, Ag Day, Mr. USU and a plethora of other events.

But most students don’t have a Western Athletic Conference opener to win, a nine-game losing streak to end or a first win of the year to get.

That’s why Homecoming Week for Aggie football players seems a lot less like a celebration, and a lot more like work.

“For the players, every week’s a big week, especially in our situation,” senior defensive tackle Frank Maile said. “Unfortunately, we’re 0-3, which makes this week even bigger, and not really for Homecoming, but because our team is hungry for a win.”

In fact, Maile is almost oblivious to the Homecoming activities. He said he only has one class to graduate, so he’s only on campus Tuesdays and Thursdays. He spends the rest of his time on football or his wife and kids, Maile said.

“I really don’t even realize it’s Homecoming until they have the banners and stuff,” he said. “I think it’s more for the fans and those that used to play here. For us, it’s just another big game we’ve got to win.”

Senior quarterback Leon Jackson III also said he isn’t caught up in the festivities – which is quite a task, since his roommate, Mike Green, is the Homecoming king. Although he said Green has been running around all week in suits and ties to different events, this is another week preparing for a home game for Jackson.

“It’s the last (Homecoming game for me), but it’s just another game,” Jackson said. “It’s just one of nine left that I have. I’m just taking it one game at a time.”

For Jackson, Maile and 14 other Aggies, this will be their last Homecoming game.

Maybe it’s because this is the earliest Homecoming game in USU history, but like Jackson, some of the seniors aren’t focusing on this being their last Homecoming.

“I’m not going to get all teary-eyed or anything like that,” Jackson said. “I still have a few games left. It’s still early in the season – three games into it – so I’ve still got some time … If you look at the end of the road, you’ll lose focus on what’s at hand. If you’re looking too far down the line, you might run into a brick wall, so I want to focus on now.”

Maile has a little different take.

“I’ve been here so long I don’t even know what year I am,” he said. “Even though I’m a senior, to me everyone’s the same class. I don’t see anybody as younger or older. To me, everyone’s on the same level.”

Maybe there isn’t as much focus on Homecoming because it’s not as big of a deal in college as it is in high school, senior offensive guard Pace Jorgensen said. There is certainly less distraction than in high school, where seniors are often honored or part of Homecoming royalty.

“In high school it was for the seniors,” Jackson said. “They pulled football players during halftime for the Homecoming courtship, or knights, or whatever it was. It’s kind of different being in college. We’re more focused on the game. This is like a business now, it’s not as – not to say fun – but it’s not all about fun. It’s more of a business atmosphere. You’ve got to take it kind of serious.”

Part of this focus comes from the schedule the football players are on, Jorgensen said. All the activities on campus happen when the players are at practice or in meetings, which helps players keep their minds on football and off the buzz around them, he said.

Not all distractions can be avoided, though.

One thing Maile, a Salt Lake City native, admits he hasn’t been able to get away from are ticket requests from family who expect him to get tickets for them.

“I wish everyone could just come in for free and fill up the stands,” he said.

-da.bake@aggiemail.usu.edu