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LOGAN — Utah State will host its first ACC team at Romney Stadium with a Saturday evening bout against Wake Forest at 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
The Demon Deacons (1-1) are hardly defending champion Florida State. But the Aggies (1-1) will need to clean up a few items on their list from last week’s game against FCS Big Sky opponent Idaho State.
Here are a few things Utah State can do to get the victory.
Utah State was penalized 14 times for 160 yards against the Bengals, including four drive-hurting pass-interference calls. The Aggies will be looking to clean up those mistakes, which included offensive lineman issues on timing and mistakes across much of the young defensive secondary.
The Aggies have converted on only seven of 28 third downs in their first two games of the season, a low 25 percent. Penalties play into this skewed number, but Utah State has had a hard time being efficient on offense when it’s seen third-and-10 or longer seven times in a game. Manageable third-down distances not only help score points, but also manage the clock in big wins.
Wake Forest true freshman John Wolford has loads of potential and a bit of moxie with a 70 percent pass completion rate. But the first-year college player also has four interceptions to two touchdowns. If an experienced Utah State front seven with the likes of B.J. Larsen and Zach and Nick Vigil can put pressure on Wolford and his offensive line early, the Aggies should be able to start off on the right foot.
JoJo Natson proved to be a major weapon on offense for Utah State last weekend, ranking as the Aggies’ top receiver and one of the top five weapons on the ground, too. He also sparked the special teams with a punt-return touchdown that opened up the game. In other words, if the Aggies get the ball to the junior from Florida, good things are likely to happen.
Utah State only out-rushed Idaho State 427 yards to 408. The Aggies will need better ball control and longer runs to secure a win over an improved Deacons squad. That starts with the offensive line up front, but plenty of weight and responsibility falls on the running back group of Joe Hill, LaJuan Hunt and Rashad Hall, as well as dual threat quarterback Chuckie Keeton. Sure, Utah State can spread the ball around with a running back-by-committee; but can it use the run game to meet its other objectives, too?
