USU gears up for Bulldogs, seeks revenge
The Aggies have a chance to prove themselves to be a contender for the Western Athletic Conference title as they host Louisiana Tech Saturday at 1 p.m.
Last season, the Bulldogs beat USU, 24-6, in Ruston, La., just one week after Utah State’s monumental win over Brigham Young, 31-16, Oct. 1, 2010.
Aggie sophomore wide receiver Travis Van Leeuwen said he remembers the game well.
“We definitely remember that,” Van Leeuwen said. “We had a terrible game against Louisiana Tech last year. We felt like that we just played terrible last year and we know we could have done better. Anytime you play teams that you play every year, you want to come back and play them better than you did the year before.”
USU head coach Gary Andersen said the matchup this season will be a great game.
“They’re a very talented team,” Andersen said. ” I believe they run very, very well. They’re a very big challenge for us. This is a team that is a lot like us. They have had a couple of very, very heartbreaking losses.”
The Bulldogs come into the game 2-4 and 1-1 in conference play but have fallen short in close games to Mississippi State, Houston and Southern Miss.
Two weeks ago Louisiana Tech beat the Idaho Vandals in Moscow, Idaho, and are fresh off a bye week in preparation for Utah State.
Bulldog head coach Sonny Dykes said the game will be a good challenge.
“I think the thing Utah State has done a good job of is they’ve been really consistent,” Dykes said. “I think they’re playing really smart football and not turning over the football much.”
The Aggies have suffered a disappointing season, so far, with all four losses by only 17 points combined.
Andersen said he is frustrated with the way things are going.
“Right now things aren’t going well,” Andersen said. “We’re 2-4, period. We’ve got to find ways to win games in the fourth quarter. Coaches, players, myself, everybody needs to look at themselves and find a way to be able to make a play, because other teams are making them to beat us.”
The Bulldogs are led by Nick Isham at the quarterback position. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound true freshman has eight touchdowns and seven interceptions on the season.
“He’s done a good job for us,” Dykes said, of how Isham stacks up against other freshmen QB’s. “I think he compares pretty well with the rest of the guys, but I think the thing we need to do is not turn the ball over.”
Louisiana Tech will have its hands full stopping the Aggie offense. USU ranks No. 6 in the nation in rushing offense, averaging just under 300 yards per game, plus junior running back Robert Turbin has 13 touchdowns this season
“Utah State runs the ball as well as anybody,” Dykes said. “Turbin’s such a good back. He’s a big, strong, physical running back who is very fast. If you watch the tape, he makes big play, after big play, after big play — breaking tackles, running over guys, running through people.”
Although the running game has defined this year’s Aggie offense, Andersen said he would like to see the receivers get the ball more.
“We have some weapons,” Andersen said. “I would like to see our wide receivers be more active in the football game and get the ball to them. That is one area that I think we can improve. I think that we did it against Wyoming, and last week it kind of went away. I would like to see that consistently being involved.”
– tavin.stucki@aggiemail.usu.edu