Sun Belt competition begins now
The Sun Belt Conference.
It has been a much talked about subject as of late concerning Utah State athletics, especially Aggie football.
Even though Utah State will not start competing in the Sun Belt until next season, mental preparation began Saturday.
The Aggies gained much needed confidence as they defeated the University of New Mexico 45-44 in overtime at Romney Stadium.
The true test will come in the next four games as the Aggies take on three members of the Sun Belt Conference.
“Louisiana-Monroe, New Mexico State and Middle Tennessee are all schools we are going to have a history with,” said Utah State Head Coach Mick Dennehy. “[Playing them this season] will help us.”
Utah State safety Jerome Dennis said the Aggies need to set the tone against their Sun Belt opponents this season and look at the games as if they counted toward a conference record now.
He said being in a conference next season will give USU an opportunity to go to a bowl game, giving the team something to fight for.
No matter what the conference, Dennis is just happy to be playing football.
“I really like the Sun Belt Conference, but I like to play football. Every time I line up, I’m fighting to win,” he said. “Whether the season is over or we’re going to New Orleans for a week [for a bowl game] that’s just a bonus. Being out there and able to play football – I’m loving it.”
Happy Homecoming
If alumni were only able to come to one game per year, it would be Homecoming, at least that is how Dennehy feels.
He said although the acceptance into the Sun Belt Conference may have boosted the confidence of the players Saturday, Homecoming may have been a bigger factor.
“I know they feel good about it. You can see when the announcement was made,” Dennehy said of the SBC. “I think being in a homecoming game and having people from all over the country come back … has as much to do with the way we played as anything.”
Dennis said he thought having alumni at the game might have added a little extra pressure if the team had produced a better record than its 2-5 standing.
He said he was not thinking about the pressure but simply going out on the field and looking for a win. Dennis also said he feels like the team put together a good showing, playing with more heart than in previous games this season.
While you were out
As New Mexico’s Terrell Golden intercepted a USU quarterback Jose Fuentes pass at the UNM 41-yard line and ran in for a 59-yard touchdown with 25 seconds remaining, hundreds of fans made their way toward the exits.
They had no idea what was to come.
When it looked like all hope was gone for Utah State to pull off a victory, Fuentes completed a 32-yard pass to Chris Stallworth in the endzone to send the game into overtime.
“They missed out,” Dennehy said. “They missed a good finish. It was well worth the price of admission. You pay for your ticket and that is your right to go though.”
Dennehy said he thought luck played a part in the Aggie victory Saturday.
Fuentes, who redeemed himself after the interception, said he knew the game was on TV and he hoped the people who left early were recording it.
“They missed a great ending,” he said. “Our team didn’t give up and our coaches didn’t give up. We knew we had a chance. It’s a little disappointing [to see the stands clear out] but they’re fans and that’s how fans are going to be.”
The Aggies, who had averaged 25,776 in its first three home games this year, need to average 15,797 fans in their remaining home games to move up on the all-time attendance record.
There were 15,942 fans who came out to see the New Mexico game. The final Utah State home football game of the year will be Nov. 9 against Sun Belt opponent New Mexico State.
Dennis had a simple message to the fans that left early.
“Never do it,” he said. “Never do it. Never do it. Never give up on the Aggies.”
Quotables
“This one is going to take us to 6-5 and we are going to have a winning season.”
– Utah State wide receiver Chris Stallworth on the importance of the win against New Mexico.
“I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say I was sure as hell happy we didn’t stop playing at that point in time. It’s an unbelievable feeling winning a game like this.”
-Utah State Head Coach Mick Dennehy said of the final 25 seconds of the game.
By the numbers
60 – Wins during the Mick Dennehy
coaching era.
25 – Seconds remaining on the clock
after UNM’s Terrell Golden ran a
59-yard interception in for a touch-
down to pull the Lobos ahead 38-31.
7 – Largest margin by either team.
4 – Ties during the game.
3 – Fans in the upper part of section 21.
3-1 – New Mexico’s record when scoring
first.
2 – Byes remaining on the Utah State
schedule (Nov. 2 and Nov. 23).
1 – Lobo from Utah. Defensive end Zach
Rupp hails from Pleasant Grove.
0 – Betty Blue sightings.
-11 – Jose Fuentes rushing yards in the
first quarter.
-juag@cc.usu.edu