USU to face familiar foe in conference-opener


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SALT LAKE CITY — After picking up their second win of the season on Friday night against Arkansas State, the Utah State Aggies get ready to welcome Mountain West Conference rival Air Force to Maverik Stadium on Saturday night in the conference-opener for both schools.

"As we lead into this week, to Air Force, it's fun," USU head coach Matt Wells said. "There's a different feel around the office. You can tell it is Mountain West time. It's time for what we are really playing for and our goals and aspirations in terms of playing well in this league and trying to find a way to win a championship."

The Falcons won the 2015 contest, 35-28, in an offensive thriller. USU picked up the 34-16 win in 2014. USU has won four straight league-openers while Air Force has lost four of its last five league-openers. But with a senior-heavy Air Force team, Wells knows that the Aggies have a challenge on their hands.

"They're 2-0, rested, coming off a bye week and a senior-laden team," Wells said. "As I look at Air Force, first of all, it's a very successful program and a winning program, and those guys have experience in winning and they do a good job. … I look at the defensive depth chart, and there are eight seniors starting and four back-ups that are seniors. … They're older, a very mature team on both sides of the ball. … I could go on and on about these guys, but you know a lot about them and have seen them now that we're in our fourth year in the league. It will be a really good game, and we're really looking forward to it."

Air Force, which runs a version of the triple option, leads the nation in rushing at 432.5 yards per game and is fifth in the nation in total offense at 566.5 yards per game.

Utah State running back Tonny Lindsey (4) rushes for a touchdown against Arkansas State as wide receiver Rayshad Lewis (9) celebrates, during an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/Herald Journal via AP Photo)
Utah State running back Tonny Lindsey (4) rushes for a touchdown against Arkansas State as wide receiver Rayshad Lewis (9) celebrates, during an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/Herald Journal via AP Photo)

USU ranks 44th nationally in both rushing defense (118.7 ypg) and total defense (341.3 ypg).

"Defensively, we have to have a solid plan," Wells said. "We have to have a sound plan. You have to understand who has the fullback, who has the quarterback, and who has pitch every play. You just have to be very sound in your assignments. When you're pressing, you have to be sound. Guys have to be on point and you have to tackle well. You have to have your eyes in the right spot and you have to tackle well against a team like this."

One thing USU has been very good at is discipline on the field. The Aggies have only committed 15 penalties in three games. It is something Wells knows will be a point of emphasis against the disciplined cadets of the Air Force Academy.

"It's been a point of emphasis during training camp," Wells said. "We've had more officials at our practices, and obviously you have scrimmages, but we probably had more practices this year than we've had. It's been a point of emphasis. I've been proud of our guys and their mental discipline."

Air Force was picked to finish second in the Mountain Division and USU right behind at third. It is a rivalry in its youth but one that has been entertaining and shown a lot of fireworks. On Saturday night at 8:15 on ESPNU, it will be no different.


Kyle McDonald is sports fan who loves the Chicago Cubs and the Utah Valley University Wolverines. He is a communication major at UVU and will graduate in the spring of 2017. Follow him on Twitter at @kylesportsbias

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