‘Resilient’ football team in uncharted territory

The 2014 season brought a third straight bowl win for Utah State football and delivered the program’s second-ever 10-win season, which made the senior class the winningest group of Aggies ever.

Throughout the season coach Matt Wells repeatedly used the word “resilient” to describe his team — and for good reason.

The season started with Heisman hopes for QB Chuckie Keeton, and thoughts of going undefeated and making the first-ever College Football Playoffs. That simply didn’t happen.

Utah State was dominated 38-7 in its season-opener at Tennessee, Keeton was injured two games later, and yet the ever-resilient Aggies still went on to have success. So, join with me in thinking back on the highs, the lows and the unknown future of Aggie football.

The Highs

This one just wasn’t hard to choose.

Going to Provo and knocking off a No. 18 ranked BYU team and doing it with your second string quarterback? That sounds great, but throw in that it was the first USU victory in Provo since 1977, and that is your season high.

Sophomore quarterback Darell Garrettson was 19 of 25 passing for three touchdowns and no interceptions. Oh how Aggie fans would grow to miss the second string quarterback. Linebacker Nick Vigil saw extensive action at running back for the first time and played most of the game on both sides of the ball. He was reported to be seen puking on the sideline but refused to leave the game.

Although the season had already brought two tough road losses, this game brought the fight back into Utah State and created a culture for the team.

A runner-up to the BYU game would have to be the bowl victory over UTEP. Fourth string quarterback Kent Myers stepped up and helped guide USU to its third straight bowl win. Oh yeah, he’s a freshman. Myers rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown in the game.

The Lows

There were two noticeably low points to the year. No surprise they both came on losses.

The worst was the loss to Boise State. If Utah State had won, it would have likely played in the bowl game BSU played in, resulting in a lot of national attention for the program. Unfortunately for USU, it wasn’t even close. Jay Ajayi scored five touchdowns and the Broncos beat the Aggies in blow-out fashion, 50-19.

Next up on the list, a heartbreaking loss to Colorado State. This game was bad for two reasons. First, the Aggies lost on a late field goal by the Rams, and that isn’t a fun way to go. Second, Utah State lost its second quarterback of the year when Garrettson broke his wrist. Coming in for the injured Keeton, Garrettson had rallied the team for big wins in the weeks before. The disappointment on his teammates’ faces was clearly visible as he stood on the sidelines with his arm in a sling.

With as much good as the backup players did, the fact of the matter is there were still way too many injuries for Utah State. It was without three quarterbacks, multiple linebackers, some receivers and the list goes on and on. The team had nine starters that suffered season-ending injuries. While the Aggies may have been good, these injuries kept them from being truly elite.

The Unknown

There is already talk among the Aggie faithful about who will start at the quarterback position in 2015.

Assuming he receives a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA, Keeton will be back under center at Utah State for his final season. What nobody knows is whether or not he can stay healthy.

The good news for Utah State is if he can’t, Garrettson looked great last season. He passed for more than 1,100 yards, and threw eight touchdowns and only three interceptions in about four games. Myers now has experience, and Oregon Ducks transfer Damion Hobbs is eligible to play after sitting last year.

Utah State should be set at quarterback, even if it has to use four again.

For the rest of the team, there are 18 graduating seniors, and more than half of them started. Seeing who steps up or comes in to replace them will be something to watch in the spring.

The biggest loss so far this offseason has been at the coaching level. USU lost offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Kevin McGiven (Oregon State) as well as defensive coordinator Todd Orlando (Houston). No word yet on new hires for the team, but replacing two quality assistants in the same season is a tough task.

— Kalen Taylor is a sophomore double-majoring in journalism and Spanish. He’s all about football, basketball, tennis, hockey and anything to do with sports … except for baseball; that’s just not his thing. Watch for him living the dream on ESPN one day. Contact him at kalen.s.taylor@gmail.com or on Twitter @kalen_taylor.