By the numbers: SUU vs. USU


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LOGAN — It's finally time for football. The Aggies, after last year's 10-win season, have high hope and high expectations. With returning stars in Chuckie Keeton, Kyler Fackrell and Nick Vigil, the Aggies look to make a push for the Mountain West Conference crown.

The season starts off against in-state FCS opponent Southern Utah. The Thunderbirds are coming off a 3-9 season and are looking for a huge upset victory in Logan.

Here are the keys stats heading into this in-state clash:

1. 53 of the 70 starts on the offensive line last season are back.

The Aggies had trouble protecting the quarterback position a year ago. They were middle-of-the-pack in the FBS in sacks allowed last season, and they will need to improve that number to protect Keeton from potential injury risks. The departure of left tackle Kevin Whimpey hurts, but replacement left tackle Austin Albrecht played in all 14 games last season, starting in two. The rest of the Aggie O-line consists of Jake Simonich, Taani Fisilau, Austin Stephens and Tyshon Mosley, each with at least 11 starts in 2014.

2. Utah State was 4th in sacks in FBS play last season with 50.

Vigil is the returning leader in sacks from last season with 7.0 and looks to improve this season. Fackrell's season-ending injury derailed him from adding to the Aggies' outstanding pass rush. Fackrell looks to bounce back from his torn ACL by adding experience and athleticism to an already solid Aggie defense. The Aggies lost their top two leading sack artists in Zach Vigil and B.J. Larsen to graduation, losing 18 of last season's 50 total sacks.

3. Utah State has won 17 straight games when it has a 100-yard rusher.

LaJuan Hunt is the returning leader in rushing and is expected to do well behind a solid offensive line. Hunt averaged 4.9 yards/carry on 111 rushes. Hunt will see an expanded role in the offense as a pass catcher out of the backfield to go along with the bell cow role in the run game.

4. Utah State ranked 25th in 3rd-down conversion defense.

Utah State opponents were only able to convert on 36 percent of third-down plays. The Aggies were extremely efficient in preventing first downs on third-down plays, forcing punts and field goals. The addition of Fackrell to an incredible front seven will help in third and short situations. The big question is how the secondary plays third and long. The Aggie secondary was middle of the pack in yards allowed last season and will need to see signifant strides in its matchup with the Thunderbirds in preparation for conference play.

5. Southern Utah only lost 4 fumbles in 2014.

If there's anything the Thunderbirds can hang their hat on from the 2014 season was their ability to hold onto the ball. The four lost fumbles would have been good for fourth best in FBS last season. The Thunderbirds will need to take good care of the ball against an aggressive Aggie defense if they are to have any success in Logan. Nathan Harker is a sports writing intern currently enrolled at Brigham Young University majoring in broadcast journalism. Nathan can be reached at nathan.harker32@gmail.com or via Twitter @nharker3207.

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Nathan Harker

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