Superstars in the making, not replacements
The 2009 football season didn’t just see a remarkable improvement in Utah State’s offensive production; it saw a full-scale turnaround in fortune that witnessed the fall of numerous school records. Guided by first-year offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin, USU’s offense soared to new heights in 2009, finishing 12th in the nation in total offense.
USU’s three-headed monster at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver was a prime reason for the Aggies’ unprecedented success. Running back Robert Turbin proved to be one of the conference’s most dynamic players, becoming the school’s first 1000-yard rusher since 2001 en route to earning All-Western Athletic Conference honors as a sophomore. Wide receiver Stanley Morrison – also a sophomore in 2009 – led the team in receptions and receiving yards while also providing game-changing athleticism in the return game. And who can forget quarterback Diondre Borel, who set a USU record for total offense in a season while leading the charge for an Aggie offense that gained more yards than any other Utah State team in history.
That was year one under Baldwin, so one can only imagine just how far the Aggie offense would fly in year two, especially considering that the dynamic, three-headed beast of Turbin, Morrison, and Borel would be coming backing 2010 to do it all again.
Two freak injuries later, that beast has been momentarily subdued. Two freak injuries later, that excitement is clouded with uncertainty. Two freak injuries later, the Aggies – so potent on offense a season ago – will be without Turbin and Morrison, and will have to rely on a new group of offensive players to rebuild Baldwin’s offensive behemoth.
There will be a new top rusher and a new top receiver for Utah State in 2010, and two of the prime candidates to fill those roles are looking to step up in more ways than just show up on a stat-sheet.
Senior running back Michael Smith and junior wideout Matt Austin both bring their own skills and talents to the already stellar offense, but given the scenario of stepping up for injured superstars, each has welcomed the load of increased leadership duties and expectations.
“I felt like I was a leader once I stepped on the field,” Smith said. “It’s an opportunity for me to step up even bigger. Right now I’ve got shoes to fill.”
While Smith says he’s always felt like he was in a leadership role on the team, Austin’s case isn’t as similar. A promising prospect for the Aggies last preseason, the former Mt. San Antonio junior college star never saw the field thanks to a preseason foot injury. He worked his way back this spring, however, and steadily rose up the depth chart by displaying soft hands and elite athleticism.
Austin may have looked to be among the offense’s primary contributors this season with or without a healthy Morrison, but he never anticipated being the unquestioned No. 1 receiver going into the season.
Yet as training camp got underway in August, that’s exactly the role Austin embraced. Aside from being asked to catch passes and score touchdowns for USU, Austin will also be called upon to be a leader on the offense. It’s an unfamiliar role he’s had to adjust to given Morrison’s injury..
“I’m not really a vocal leader, but I think I have to be,” Austin said. “Now I’ve gotten better with it and really I’m just being a leader on the field and off the field and making plays to be a leader too.”
Baldwin voiced his own excitement for Austin’s ability to make plays and to be a leader, saying, “I expect a big impact from Matt. He’s got great hands. He goes up and gets it. He’s definitely our go-to receiver.”
Baldwin and the rest of the coaching staff aren’t the only ones fueling the hype for Austin. The 2010 Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook named Austin as its pick for the WAC’s Newcomer of the Year award.
Austin appears to have the same type of confidence in both himself and in the receiving corps in which he has assumed the leadership role of, and feels that USU’s receiving corps – while inexperienced – is capable of picking up any slack left by the offseason loss of Turbin.
“I think we have enough talent in the receiving corps to step up and take that load off the running backs,” Austin said.
Smith, on the other-hand, isn’t as concerned with filling the void left by Turbin as much as he is with performing at his best and bringing the rest of the tailbacks up to a high level of performance. Smith said that USU’s backs aren’t going to try to imitate Turbin’s punishing style of play on the field, and will instead bring their own unique talents to the position.
“We don’t try to be like him,” Smith said of Turbin. “I know how to break plays. We can all catch. We can all run. Going into the summer we had so much confidence and such a positive mind-set. I feel we can do anything.”
Smith’s 2009 campaign left plenty of reason for excitement despite his limited role in the offense. He rushed for 290 yards and four touchdowns on the year while averaging 6.3 yards-per-carry, the same average as Turbin. Smith also showed he could be just as dangerous of a receiving threat as Turbin, catching 19 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns.
USU has other options at running back besides Smith. Two other players Aggie fans should be on the lookout for are senior Dervin Speight and sophomore Kerwynn Williams. Both Speight and Williams figure to see plenty of reps at running back this season, much like Smith and Speight each did a year ago behind Turbin. Baldwin expects the three back rotation to be a valuable addition to the USU offense, but said that Smith will take on the leading role in the trio.
“He’s got to be a go-to running back, but we have horses behind him,” Baldwin said of Smith.
As the 2010 season draws closer and the Aggie opener in Norman, Oklahoma looms, USU is down two superstars. In their place, however, are two players who have all the tools to step up and fill the void left on the offense. And, according to Austin, the players’ hard work and relentless attention to detail will pay off come September.
“We’re all hungry. We all want to win, and we’re going to prove ourselves this year.”
– matt.sonn@aggiemail.usu.edu