Three takeaways from Utah State’s spring game
Utah State Football hosted its annual spring game on Saturday afternoon at Maverik Stadium. The game capped a spring slate of 13 practices and one scrimmage, most of which were open to the public.
Coming off an 11-3 season including a Mountain West Championship and Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl victory, USU will enter their 2022 season with high expectations. With last year’s success looming over them, here are three takeaways from the Aggies spring game.
- Utah State is still a pass-first offense
Last year, USU averaged over 300 yards passing per game and nearly three passing touchdowns per game. Compare that to just 145 yards per game on the ground and under one rushing touchdown per game. The Aggies relentless air raid is what propelled them all season. In their three losses, they averaged just 234 passing yards per game. In the 11 wins, they averaged over 322 passing yards per game. When the passing game was off and going, the Aggies won games.
This year is looking up to be no different. USU’s game Saturday afternoon was an offensive showcase full of pass-heavy play calling. Cooper Legas was playing with the first team during the game, in the place of injured starter Logan Bonner, and made throw after throw in all areas of the field.
“I think basically everyone I’ve seen has made big steps. I think the biggest thing that helps with that is having guys that have been in the offense,” Legas said. “Everyone’s been able to really work together to improve ourselves.”
Bonner is anticipated to return in time for fall camp and the week zero opener at UConn. Even if that weren’t the case, the Aggies are deep at quarterback with Legas playing well and the experienced Wyoming transfer Levi Williams behind him. While the run game was certainly mixed in and got its fair share of plays, Utah State is still a pass-first offense.
- Utah State’s defensive line is still a presence
A key contributing factor to last season’s success was the emergence of a dominating defensive line. The last seven games of the year, the Aggies held opponents to just 119 yards per game on the ground. Even with the loss of Nick Heninger, who tallied team-highs with 20.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks and five forced fumbles, this Aggie defense as a unit will still be a force.
“Our D line, we really made a lot of progress, especially with a lot of the younger boys coming in,” defensive tackle Hale Motu’apuaka said. “They really stepped up, they learned a system really quick, and they’ve been doing excellent. They’ve been making a lot of plays all throughout spring ball.”
The Aggies front line will be led by Motu’apuaka and defensive end Byron Vaughns.
“It’s our turn now to lead the defense and lead by example,” Motu’apuaka said. “It’s a big role to play, but we’re ready for it and we’re excited to do so.”
The defense may be missing pieces from last year, but there is no doubt that Utah State’s defensive line is still a presence.
- Aggies wide receiver position has re-loaded
Part of Utah State’s prolific pass game of last season was the talent in the wide receiver core.
Deven Thompkins led the group with 102 receptions for 1704 yards and 10 touchdowns, and Brandon Bowling and Derek Wright had significant contributions as well. Despite their absence, this Aggie pass game will still roll on.
During the off-season, Utah State added transfer wideouts Brandon Cobbs and Xavier Williams via the transfer portal. Both players showed out in the spring game with crisp routes, deep ball connections and touchdown receptions. Look for both players to make a big impact with the team this fall.
In addition, NyNy Davis made play after play for the Aggies hauling in a number of balls and a pair of touchdown catches.
“We graduated 30 plus touchdowns. that’s not easy to rebuild, especially in one class,” head coach Blake Anderson said about his receivers. “We need that group to be explosive, and they can. They’re big shoes to fill when you consider what we lost out of those five seniors…big shoes to fill but I’m pleased with the progress so far.”
Another standout throughout spring practices has been wideout Justin McGriff. Mentioned by both Legas and Anderson, McGriff has been noted to be one of the most improved players since last season. McGriff, standing at 6’ 6”, is a big target to throw to but his unsteady hands led to reduced playing time last fall. This year it’s looking like a different story. There were some big names lost, but this Aggie wide receiver position has re-loaded.