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LOGAN — Kent Myers was supposed to be enjoying his freshman year at Utah State, acclimating to the classroom and learning the system in coach Matt Wells’ offense.
The freshman from Rowlett, Texas, had so much to do, that Wells didn’t plan on playing him this year. During a rigorous training camp, Wells gave most repetitions at quarterback to starter Chuckie Keeton, who was returning from a knee injury, and sophomore Darell Garretson, the Aggies’ starter for half of 2013. The remaining snaps were filtered to senior Craig Harrison and Oregon transfer Damion Hobbs.
But injuries dictated otherwise. As Keeton, Garretson and Harrison endured severe injuries that cut their seasons short and Hobbs unusable due to NCAA transfer policies, Wells called Myers' number in the eighth game of the season.
The true freshman has led the Aggies (8-3, 5-1 MW) to a four-game winning streak after Saturday’s 28-21 win over New Mexico in their penultimate home game of the year.
“He’s on a good progression right now,” Wells said of Myers. “He’s still young; he’s still seeing some things for the very first time. He saw a few things today for the first time. It’s a process, and we have to understand he isn’t a veteran.
“It’s a testament to him and his determination, his preparation throughout the week. He’s very determined to play well, to not let this team and these seniors down.”
After taking over for Harrison in the second half of the Aggies’ 34-20 win over UNLV on Oct. 25, Myers has gone 3-0 as a starter as the Aggies have gone 9-1 with a freshman quarterback the past two seasons. The Aggies are one of two teams in the NCAA to play four quarterbacks this year, and the only team to win at least one game with each one.
It’s been a lot to absorb for a guy who didn’t practice since the second week of training camp.
“Honestly, I just try to focus on what I have to do and not worry about the outside stuff,” Myers said. “Coach Wells always says you can’t win a game by yourself. I don’t have to do too much because I know my team and my defense has my back. If I just do my part, get the ball to my receivers and running backs, I can block out everything else.”
On Saturday, Myers completed 13 of 21 passes for 150 yards, an interception and a veteran-like 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Wyatt Houston.
The interception, thrown on Myers’ third pass attempt of the game, came as Utah State led 7-0. New Mexico’s SaQwan Edwards jumped a lane and pulled down Myers’ pass, returning the ball 33 yards to the Utah State 33-yard line.
The Lobos (3-7, 1-5 MW) would score on that drive to knot the game at 7-7, but Myers’ teammates weren’t worried. The young signal caller worried about the play more than the rest of his team.
“I usually get mad at the small things, and I think I could’ve done a lot of things to prevent throwing that pick,” Myers said after the game. “I was mad at myself, but on the sideline, everyone was like ‘don’t worry about it, Kent.’ Everyone told me it was OK, focus on the next play, because if we win or something good happens, everyone forgets about that pick.
“I just went out there, started rolling out and using my feet, and I felt comfortable and in a rhythm. That’s what happened — I got in a rhythm and just went out there.”
Myers has progressed in his role as the Aggies’ starting quarterback, Wells said. He’s also been helped by a revolving cast of characters who have stepped up on both sides of the ball, including fellow freshman running back LaJuan Hunt and the re-emergence of offense and special team standout JoJo Natson.
Against the Lobos, Hunt finished with 55 yards on eight carries to go along with his first career rushing touchdown, and Natson led all rushers with 70 yards on five touches, including a 48-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that would be the game-winner.
Myers had never seen an option team like New Mexico as a starting college quarterback. But after the early miscues, he settled down and helped his team pull out a win — staying on track for a potential Mountain division title.
“Sometimes he gets introduced in the heat of battle, and he’s very calm,” Wells said. “He can learn from it. He’s showing the need to not make the same mistake twice, which shows his level of coachability.”
