USU Football prepared to ‘lock in’ to LA Bowl amidst distractions.
Utah State football is all over the news right now. Controversy over its prevention training for sexual assault is under the public microscope. At the same time, the Aggies have been immersed in Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl activities. Utah State has a marquee football game to play in, but what’s grasping the team’s attention?
Head coach Blake Anderson said the sexual assault news reports are not distracting him or the team.
“It hasn’t been a distraction necessarily. It was definitely a topic of conversation, made sure the team kinda knew what was going on,” head coach Blake Anderson said. “I let them know that the administration, myself we’ll deal with it. I didn’t want them to worry about it. I want them to be able to focus on the week, enjoy the week, not let it overshadow the week.”
The controversy in question stems from a Salt Lake Tribune story alleging Anderson said it “has never been more glamourized to be a victim” of sexual assault. Anderson later issued an apology for his words.
The LA Bowl atmosphere is also fighting for players’ attention. The Aggies were invited on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Wednesday night. The entire team and staff were in the audience and some players even participated in one bit. The next afternoon, Utah State was able to Universal Studios Hollywood.
“Team, staff, families have had a great time and have really enjoyed all that bowl committee and folks have put together,” Anderson said.
The events are meant as a reward for the team that has battled through a 13 game season, but also take time away from preparing for the game.
“I think the hardest thing is just being able to lock in when you have to,” Anderson said. “There are so many things going on, but you find out just how mature your football team is and what your leadership on the interior of your team looks like.
“As a head coach and as a staff, you just balance it as best as you can. Remind them again that we’re here for business but take advantage of the opportunities. I think our guys have done that.”
The bowl will also be the last college football game for at least 16 seniors. They will end their career in one of the newest, most expensive stadiums in the country.
“When you consider it’s the last game for a lot of guys, to play it in this venue, I don’t know how you could finish it any better. I’ve never seen a more breathtaking stadium so it’ll add some juice to the game, but the emotions of the game are already there. It can only make the game better in my opinion to get a chance to do that and be in this stadium in this environment,” Anderson said.
Another factor influencing the bowl and the world at large is the new Omicron variant of COVID-19. In response to the variant, California has issued several mandates to try and combat the spread and effects of the disease. These restrictions have applied to the Aggies while they’ve been in Southern California most the week.
“It’s definitely been a change getting back to wearing masks again. It’s not something that has been our day-to-day in Utah for quite a while,” Anderson said. “We’ve had to continue to remind everybody.”
An additional factor to consider is the effect of final examinations on the student-athletes. Utah State students, including football players, had exams through Friday, Dec. 17.
Fans will see if the team was able to “lock in” when the Aggies take the field today. The Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl will be played tonight at 5:30 MT and will be televised on ABC.