The Gunslinger
Born in Portland, Ore., Sean Setzer grew up a fan of Oregon football.
The Oregon native, however, was not a fan of the Oregon Ducks. Breaking from the mold of most of his family and friends, Setzer sided with the Beavers of Oregon State.
“I was the guy who went against everybody else,” Setzer said. “The Beavers weren’t as good when I was growing up and the Ducks were the powerhouse, so I just went with the Beavers.”
Now in his senior year at Utah State, Setzer will have an opportunity to return home and silence his old nemesis when the Aggies travel to Eugene, Ore., to take on the 18th-ranked Ducks.
“It’s a great feeling. I’m really excited and it’s going to be a real fun game,” Setzer said. “It’s a great atmosphere out there, and any good football player gets excited to play in a situation like that.”
The situation Setzer and the Aggies face is a formidable one. Despite losing their starting quarterback to a preseason ankle injury, Oregon dismantled PAC-10 foe Washington last week, 44-10.
On the other side of the coin, the Aggies are coming off a disappointing season-opening road loss to UNLV, and now must travel to one of the loudest stadiums in the country in Autzen Stadium.
Don’t tell any of that to Setzer. The senior quarterback said he’s looking forward to quieting down the usually raucous crowd—along with his friends and family—and keeping Autzen Stadium below it’s usual roar.
These are the kind of games that can really help turn a program around, and Setzer said he came to Utah State because of the opportunity to do just that.
“I’ve been on winning teams before,” Setzer said. “I just hope to bring some leadership and a little swagger to the offense.”
After sitting out most of last season with a shoulder injury, Setzer finally has his chance to bring that swagger to USU’s offense. Having been anointed the “gunslinger” by Aggie head coach Brent Guy, USU fans should have a lot to look forward to.
“Sean’s got a little gunslinger in him,” Guy said. “He wants to make a play every single time. He has a tendency to take some risks and chances.”
Setzer agreed with his coach’s assessment.
“I like to throw the ball and stretch the field out,” Setzer said. “I like to make the smart plays and everything, but I am looking for the big play first. That’s kind of my style. I don’t hold anything back. I feel like I’ve got a strong arm and I’m confident, and I try to stick it in where I can.”
The gunslinger mentality should fit well this week as Setzer leads the Aggies back to his home state on a Duck hunt this weekend.
Also, taking some risks and chances could be just what the doctor ordered for the Aggie offense as they try to improve their stats in every facet of the game this season.
Though he wouldn’t say it, Setzer may have developed his gunslinger mentality from many years of practice playing Madden football. Setzer did admit he was an expert of the game, and said it didn’t matter whether he was playing on an X-Box or a Playstation.
“I am probably the best Madden player this side of the Mississippi,” Setzer declared boldly.
Anyone who enjoys playing sports games like Madden football knows it is possible to take a favorite team and make them champions. Opponents can be picked, teams controlled and games won. As USU takes the field Saturday against a highly favored opponent, Setzer will need that video game precision to give the Aggies an opportunity to win.
“Everybody is really excited,” Setzer said. “Last week was a tough one, and everybody is looking to turn things around this weekend. We’re all working real hard to make things happen.”
Whether that hard work will pay off for the former Wilson High School standout as he returns home remains to be seen. If it does, things may be a little quieter when he leaves Eugene.
After all, Oregon is known as the “Beaver” state.
—t.olsen@aggiemail.usu.edu