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LOGAN -- The Utah State Aggies (2-6, 0-4 WAC) will have a chance to prove that the second half of their game last week against Nevada was no fluke Saturday against the New Mexico state Aggies (2-6, 1-3 WAC).
Against Nevada, Utah State's play in the first half could only be described as abysmal. They had no drive and no success in any aspect of play. The second half was a completely different story. They looked like a different team, scoring on every single drive of the second half.
"In the second half we came out and we grew up," junior tight end Kellen Bartlett said. "As an offense, we just decided enough is enough."
The second half surge was still not enough for Utah State to win the game, and at the end of the day, they were not satisfied with any "moral victories."
"In order to be the team we want to be, we need to start being the team that swings first," Bartlett said.
Head Coach Gary Andersen repeated that the success of this offense will depend on senior quarterback Diondre Borel's supporting cast. An adjustment that Utah State made last week and should continue against New Mexico is the use of playmakers.
"The decision to be able to put the running backs and the tight ends on the field more in the spread situation was obviously a factor," Andersen said. "We'll see what the future holds in that area."
New Mexico State is coming off of a nail-biter against San Jose State, where they were able to run for 180 yards. They also beat Utah State last year. Coach Andersen is not taking this game lightly.
"They beat us last year and that's the bottom line," Andersen said. "They're a better football team until we find a way to beat them."
Utah State and New Mexico State have a lot in common: They are both Aggies; they are both trying to break into the upper level of the WAC; both teams are 2-6, although New Mexico State has one conference win and Utah State has none.
Utah State will try to continue the momentum from last week's second half and send New Mexico State home with a loss. Freshman defensive lineman Jason Fanaika is looking forward to the challenge.
"They're coming to our place, and we play well here at home," Fanaika said. "We're looking for a fight."
The Game in Logan starts at 1:00 p.m. and will not be televised.
