LOGAN — In three games against the Atlantic Coast Conference, Utah State football has never hosted any of its teams in Logan.

Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson volunteered to be the first. Despite the unfamiliarity, Clawson is well-versed in the team he is set to face at 5 p.m. MDT Saturday at Romney Stadium (CBS Sports Network).

“Now we’re going up against one of the top defenses in the country, statistically speaking,” Clawson said in his weekly ACC coaches’ teleconference. “They’re very well-coached, and they’re very physical up front. They’ve got a lot of seniors and juniors who have played well together.”

When Utah State coach Matt Wells looked at Wake Forest, he made a similar observation.

“As I look ahead at them, I see a big, strong, athletic defense. They have big guys up front,” Wells said of the Deacons (1-1). “All my buddies on the East Coast who play these guys every year say the corners are legit, they’re good players. I think their reputation is growing. You flip on their games and see quality players.”

On offense, the Aggies (1-1) may hold the edge, with Wake Forest starting true freshman quarterback John Wolford. Wolford has completed 42 of 60 passes in two games, a 70 percent completion percentage, with 388 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.

Wolford’s top target appears to be EJ Scott, who has 94 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions. Wells, a quarterback mentor himself, sees a promising future in Wolford and the Wake Forest passing game.

“He’s probably got some of those same qualities that we’ve had in the true freshmen quarterbacks we’ve started since I’ve been here,” Wells said of Wolford. “He gives them the best chance to win and is the best quarterback in the program.”

Clawson expects big things from Aggie star Chuckie Keeton, and he added wide receiver JoJo Natson may be “the fastest player we face all year.”

“Chuckie Keeton is certainly one of the top quarterbacks in the country,” Clawson said. “He can throw it, and his ability to break out and make plays on the run when the pocket breaks down is exceptional.”

Keeton may not be looking to test Wake Forest’s athletic cornerback duo of Kevin Johnson and Merrill Noel as much. But the Deacons' run game will have its handful. Clawson admits that facet has been inconsistent through two games, and will now face a strong front-seven that includes defensive end B.J. Larsen and linebackers Zach and Nick Vigil at Utah State.

The Demon Deacons will also lose close to a day of preparation for next week’s opponent, a non-traditional Army offense that always gives opposing defenses fits. Utah State, meanwhile, will be looking for its first-ever win over an ACC program after losses to Clemson, Florida State and Miami.

“The challenge is you don’t get back until 7 o’ clock in the morning on Sunday. It really affects your preparation for the next week,” Clawson said. “It’s almost like a six-day prep instead of a seven-day prep. It’s really hard to get much done Sunday, and your staff has to come right out of the red-eye and get to work.”

Swindall out for season

Second-year coach Wells announced Tuesday that junior wide receiver Brandon Swindall will miss the remainder of the 2014 season with an Achilles’ tendon tear, joining fellow wideout Shaan Johnson and All-America candidate linebacker Kyler Fackrell as prominent names on the disabled list.

But he’s more excited to see which wideout steps into the recently vacated role by Swindall.

“This business is about finding ways to win,” Wells said. “It’s fun and exciting to see who’s going to step up.”

Related topics