Aggies remain positive about future, despite bowl loss

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BOISE -- The Utah State Aggies ended a roller coaster season Saturday in a heartbreaking loss to Ohio University in the final seconds of the game, much like the way they started the season, losing to the defending National Champions Auburn.

After leading for the duration of the game, the Aggies squandered an 11- point lead, giving up a touchdown to Bobcats quarterback Tyler Tettleton with 13 seconds left in the game, to put them up 24-23 and the win. It was a devastating loss on a season that could have ended with several different outcomes.

However, the season should not be considered a failure for a team that lost its final game of the year. The Aggies managed to revitalize a football program and fan base that has not seen success for several years, and is likely to continue in its progression.

"It's been the most gratifying season of my career, hands down," said USU head coach Gary Andersen following Saturday's loss. "This is unbelievably gratifying to get to this point. Yes, you want to win, and you want to win every game. This crew of kids will be in my mind for the rest of my life. I believe they set a very solid foundation for Utah State's football future."

Finishing the season with a victory would have capped off a great ending to a less-than-impressive start, but Utah State accomplished more in one season than many of the previous teams before them.

Several Aggies players set new records and helped the team progress to where it is today, with Coach Andersen continually building on the previous year's successes.

Junior running back Robert Turbin amassed a total of 1,517 single-season rushing yards, bringing his career total to 3,315 rushing yards, becoming the third leading rusher in Utah State history in a single season and fifth overall during his career.

Turbin also set school records for career touchdowns (51) and career points scored (308), becoming one of the best running backs in the country and WAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2011.

Additionally, senior linebacker Bobby Wagner, who was selected as the WAC preseason Defensive Player of the Year, also set several defensive records and was nominated for several awards. Following Saturday's loss, Wagner took over the top spot as the WAC's leading career tackler (446) and tied USU's career tackling record.

"I kinda feel like we've turned the program around," Wagner said. "(We) definitely did something that the city hasn't seen in quite some time."

Despite the team's success this season, there are many unknowns about next year, particularly with Wagner graduating and Turbin's future still undecided; the team could be a very different team. Will the Aggies continue to progress and see more bowl games or was this season an aberration?

I kinda feel like we've turned the program around. (We) definitely did something that the city hasn't seen in quite some time.

–Bobby Wagner

One of the biggest questions looming over Utah State's future is whether Turbin will enter the NFL draft or come back to play his senior year. And Turbin's answers following Saturday's game do not help the situation, saying his decision has not been made yet and that the loss will have no impact on his decision.

However, the team should prepare for Turbin's departure to the NFL as the most likely situation entering next season, leaves a gapping hole in the Aggies' offense. Can another player step up and fill the running back void or will the Aggies have to revamp a part of their offense?

The Aggies will, however, return both quarterbacks Adam Kennedy and Chuckie Keeton, who had a great season. Following the game against Auburn, Keeton was championed as the best quarterback in the state of Utah. Keeton ended the season with more than 1,000 passing yards, completing 60 percent of his passes.

When Keeton went down with a serious injury against Hawaii, Kennedy stepped in under center, leading the team to five consecutive wins and bowl eligibility. Kennedy, too, threw for over 1,000 yards, completing 70 percent of his passes.

Although both quarterbacks have their different strengths, Kennedy graduates next year and could likely earn the starting spot, with Keeton red shirting to give the Aggies three more years with an already viable quarterback and future for the team. It is too early to tell whom the starting position will go to, but Utah State may be wise to red shirt Keeton, saving him for an extended run.

In the offseason, Coach Andersen said he plans to focus on the team's overall consistency, which was a major problem this season.

"Looking at our season, we went up and down, and back and forth. I think the consistency for us to take the next step is the key," Andersen said. "You've got to have some consistency throughout the season."

"What we did do is learn from all of these wins and losses as we've gone through," Andersen added. "We need to continue to recruit and build the young men in our program to get faster and stronger."

By all accounts, the Aggies should continue to progress as Coach Anderson becomes more comfortable with his team and is able to secure more recruits from an already difficult pool of candidates. Currently, the Aggies have three committed players planning to join the team next season.

"The fact that you lose by a play and you got into a bowl game, I don't think that's going to hurt you at home; that's not going to be held against you," Andersen said of future recruiting. "I think the way we played all year, people have had a lot of interest in Utah State. Does this loss hurt us in recruiting? No. This night did nothing but help us dramatically in recruiting."

Although Andersen believes recruiting will improve as a result of his team's success this year, it will be difficult for the Aggies to secure top recruits with Utah and BYU attracting bigger names. But that has not stopped Andersen from shooting for the bigger names, as he attempts to draw in recruits who also have interest in BCS teams.

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