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LOGAN — It’s easy to hype Utah State’s returning offense, which set single-season school records in 2013 for touchdown passes, pass completions, and total offensive plays and returns six starters, including Heisman Trophy dark horse Chuckie Keeton at quarterback.
The defense might be even better.
Not that going under the radar is a problem for the Aggies.
“We take great pride in being a strong, stout defense,” senior linebacker Zach Vigil said at Mountain West Media Days in Las Vegas. “Chuckie and the offense are going to get a lot of the credit, and they should, because they’re good. But behind the scenes, we take great pride in shutting teams down in the end zone.”
The Aggies open the season Aug. 31 at Tennessee, and will face Idaho State at home a week later. It’s the beginning of a season filled with high expectations for Utah State, which has won a bowl game in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history.
The Utah State defense ranked seventh nationally in scoring defense at 17.1 points per game, and held opponents to the second fewest points since 1965. The Aggies were also ranked in the top 15 in the nation in rushing yards allowed (106.7 yards per game), total defense (330.9 ypg) and pass efficiency defense (113.2).
While only returning five defensive starters from a year ago, the veteran core includes linebackers Vigil and Kyler Fackrell, as well as Vigil’s younger brother Nick, a redshirt sophomore who started four games at linebacker in 2013. Zach Vigil has 233 career tackles, including 11 games of 10 or more tackles. Fackrell led Utah State with 13 tackles for loss a year ago, as well as 82 total tackles.
“I’m so blessed to be able to have that opportunity,” Zach Vigil said on playing with his brother. “We have huge family support. They come to all the games, have a big tailgate, and my parents are lucky enough to be able to travel to all our away games. I’m very blessed and humbled to be able to play alongside my brother.”
The Aggies finished second in the Mountain West a year ago, falling at Fresno State in the conference’s inaugural championship game. But the near-conference title motivates Utah State’s players to get back.
A lot of that effort will fall on the offense and Keeton, who was named the Mountain West preseason offensive player of the year. The 6-foot-2 senior from Houston threw for 1,388 yards and 18 touchdowns with only two interceptions before his injury last year.
We take great pride in being a strong, stout defense. Chuckie and the offense are going to get a lot of the credit, and they should, because they're good. But behind the scenes, we take great pride in shutting teams down in the end zone.
–Utah State linebacker Zach Vigil
“I’m definitely honored,” said Keeton, who also appears on the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell Award watch lists. “There’s some great talent offensively in this conference. I’m just happy to have this preseason award.”
Keeton will be joined in the backfield by senior running back Joe Hill, who went down with a season-ending knee injury a week before Keeton tore his anterior cruciate ligament against BYU. The 5-11 Hill rushed for 252 yards and a touchdown on 53 carries before injuring his knee against San Jose State on Sept. 27, 2013.
The duo combined well during offseason workouts and rehabilitation and hope to bring that chemistry to the field.
“Joe’s been right there with me, every single step of the way,” Keeton said. “He’s been working just as hard as I have.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do. I’m excited to have him back.”
The Aggies open the season on the road at Tennessee — a chance to make national waves immediately against an SEC opponent. And that’s where their focus is during preseason camp, which starts Aug. 4.
“We understand that winning that game will be a big boost for our program as we start the season,” Keeton said.
Contributing: Rod Zundel, Jeremiah Jensen, Al Lewis
