Special team unit responds well
After a couple of botched punts gave North Texas two touchdowns last week, the Utah State special teams unit has been under heavy criticism all week. They responded to that pressure by using two different punt formations and blocking a punt from Arkansas State. USU defeated the Indians 49-0 Saturday at Romney Stadium. “Last week was probably about as low as we could have got on the special teams side of things in terms of not being able to get the ball back and allowing some long returns,” said special teams coordinator Jeff Choate. “That was an emphasis, not just for myself but to the entire staff. We have some deficiencies right in terms of being able to snap the ball deep. Fortunately it came together in the right way and we really needed that.” Choate said the blocked punt was huge because it gave the team so much momentum. “That’s a 70-yard turn in field position right there,” he said. He said 95 percent of teams who block a punt go on to win the game. Your team is wearing the white jerseys, not the blue ones Arkansas State quarterbacks Nick Noce and Elliot Jacobs combined to throw six interceptions. Terrance Washington ran the first of those back 26 yards for a touchdown That marked the first interception return for a touchdown for USU since Jerome Dennis returned a pickoff 75 yards on the last play of the first half last year against BYU. It also marked the second time in as many weeks that the Aggies scored a defensive touchdown. John Chick ran a fumble back 37 yards for a touchdown last week against North Texas. Quotables “[Getting into the Western Athletic Conference] made me nervous. Today is an example of why the Sun Belt is a great deal for us in terms of still having some things to play for.” -Utah State Head Coach Mick Dennehy “A lot of us seniors and juniors, we’re not going to be able to play in [the WAC] anyway. We worked hard before we even knew [that USU was invited to join the WAC].” -Utah State quarterback Travis CoxBy the Numbers 12,516 – Attendance at Saturday’s contest. 35 – First-half points by Utah State. It was the most USU has scored in the first half since Nov. 17, 2001 against Weber State. 8 – Years since the last time USU shut out its opponent.6 – Interceptions by USU, all from different players.5 – Sacks by USU.5 – Aggies who scored a touchdown. 4 – Plays of 40 yards or more.1 – Fan in Section 21 in the first half.0 – Fans in Section 21 in the second half.-bhhinton@cc.usu.edu