Seniors say goodbye in big way
It may not have been the biggest college football game in Utah Saturday, but Utah State University and Weber State University resumed a rivalry that had been in hiatus for 19 years.
Overshadowed by the Brigham Young University and University of Utah rivalry, the Aggies came out running, defeating Weber 56-43 in front of 16,434 fans at Romney Stadium.
USU not only extended their winning streak to four games, Aggies fans set an attendance record of 21,784 fans per game this year, passing the 1996 record of 21,534 fans.
The Aggies racked up 684 yards Saturday, tying for the best total in Utah State history. USU also finished with 684 yards in 1992 against the University of Nevada.
“That’s as well as we’ve played all year offensively,” Utah State Head Coach Mick Dennehy said. “We controlled the ball, got a lot of first downs, ran the ball pretty well, passed pretty well and made some big plays.”
What was expected to be a fairly simple victory turned into a battle of who could make the bigger plays, the Wildcats hung on and forced USU to leave their starters in the game until the final three minutes.
“They [the Weber State offense] kind of made us look silly,” Dennehy said.
The deciding factor?
“We didn’t do a very good job against their top guns,” Weber State Head Coach Jerry Graybeal said.
Running back Emmett White rushed for 238 yards and three touchdowns.
“I can’t imagine life without Emmett White,” Dennehy said. “He’s meant more to the program from a leadership standpoint and a character standpoint. He’s done so much, on and off the field.”
White said, “Before the game, since this was my last game at home, I said I was willing to do whatever to help the team get a win.”
Stealing the show on senior day, junior wide receiver Kevin Curtis added 10 receptions for 252 yards and three more touchdowns.
“My man Kevin makes life a whole lot easier,” White said. “He’s just a great asset to the team.”
Junior Jose Fuentes also shinned as he completed 23-of-34 passes for 437 yards and four touchdown passes.
“We were all pumped up,” USU senior defensive end Nick Onaindia said. “Everyone was excited and we just wanted to come out and put on a good show.”
Fuentes first found receiver Gary Coleman in the end zone for a 70-yard touchdown pass with 5:42 left in the first quarter.
Coleman’s 70-yard touchdown reception marked the longest play from scrimmage for USU this year. It was also Coleman’s second touchdown.
Scoring his first touchdown of the day, White made a 4-yard run with 22 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
It was all Weber State through most of the second quarter though as Scott Dillard scored on a 4-yard pass from Tyler Gladwell at the 13:16 mark. Gladwell then went on to score himself on a 1-yard run five minutes later.
The only second quarter Aggie points came off a 10-yard pass from Fuentes to Curtis with two minutes remaining.
Finishing the first half of play leading 21-14, the Aggies were not finished. The team scored 35 more points in the second half compared to the 29 Wildcat points.
Fuentes and Curtis teamed up twice more in the third quarter, including a 51-yard pass.
“I throw him [Curtis] the ball and he’s off for 60, 70 yards,” Fuentes said. “He makes me look like a great quarterback.”
The Aggies will continue action during Thanksgiving break as they travel to Tampa, Fla. on Saturday to take on the University of South Florida Bulls.
South Florida defeated the University of Western Illinois 48-17 on Nov. 10 at home.
The Bulls have a 7-2 record, leading the independents.
“We want to win the last two games and finish out over .500,” Onaindia said. “That’s all the motivation you really need. To finish with a winning record is huge. These next games mean a lot to us.”