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LOGAN — The Utah State Aggies take on Fresno State to open Western Athletic Conference play this weekend.
Last year, the Bulldogs beat the Aggies 41-24 in Romney Stadium, but Fresno head coach Pat Hill said this year’s squad is better.
“It’s the best Utah State team I can remember back into the '70s,” the 15-year Bulldog coach said. “Their record does not indicate the type of team they have on both sides of the ball.”
Utah State comes into the game just 2-3, but fresh off a 63-19 victory over the Mountain West Conference’s Wyoming Cowboys.
USU offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin said his team is confident.
“I think we showed our character in this last game,” Baldwin said. “This is a confident team. I don’t think the three losses destroyed us at all, I think it made us tougher.”
Fresno State was on the receiving end of such brutal treatment, falling 57-7 to Boise State last week.
“We need to get back to work this week,” Hill said. “This will be a great test for us here at Bulldog Stadium. We’ve had some very, very tough games the last few years with Utah State.”
Baldwin said he knows every game in Fresno is a fight.
“We’ve got a quality opponent here, and it’s gonna be a difficult task this week because Fresno’s as good as they get,” Baldwin said. “They’re always a premier team in this conference to beat. Especially to try and beat them at home is going to be very difficult.”
The Bulldogs are led by quarterback Derek Carr. The 6-foot-3 sophomore has thrown 10 touchdowns and five interceptions on the season.
Running back Robbie Rouse will handle things from the backfield for Fresno State. Rouse averages 4.7 yards per carry and has four touchdowns.
Baldwin said the 5-foot-7 junior from San Diego, Calif., is a good running back.
“He can take it to the house at any time,” Baldwin said. “Robbie Rouse is as good a running back as you’re gonna find. He might not be size-wise the biggest back in the country.”
Aggie linebacker Kyle Gallagher said he always likes playing Fresno.
“They’re the team I grew up watching,” the 6-foot native of Woodland, Calif., said. “They’re a big team up front, with a quick running back. That’s my main focus, is stopping him. They’re going to pound hard then take you deep. It’s more of a 9-on-7 for us, and that’s where I feel like I play my best game.”
What is the key to victory?
“We’re gonna have to be able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides,” Baldwin said. “Whoever wins the line of scrimmage will probably win this game.”
Tavin Stucki is a sophomore journalism student at Utah State University. He is the sports editor and football beat writer for the Utah Statesman, the Aggie campus newspaper. Twitter: @tavinstucki
