Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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LOGAN — Utah State Aggies have begun the football season 4-1 and head into the Battle for the Old Wagon Wheel with a better record then the Cougars of BYU. Because of the scenario both teams have put themselves in, this is shaping up to be an unforgettable matchup.
Game NotesDate: Friday, Oct. 5, 2012 Kickoff: 8:21 p.m. (MT) Location: Provo, Utah Stadium: LaVell Edwards Stadium (63,470) Series: Utah State trails, 34-44-3 TV: ESPN Carter Blackburn (Play-by-Play) Rod Gilmore (Analyst) Shelley Smith (Reporter) Radio: Utah State Sports Network Al Lewis (Play-by-Play) Craig Hislop (Analyst) Live Stats: UtahStateAggies.com Twitter Updates: /USUFootball YouTube: /USUAthletics Facebook: /USUFootball Tickets: 1-800-322-BYU1
Looking at the rise of the USU football program, one must take a hard look at head coach and leader Gary Andersen. Ksl.com’s Patrick Kinahan went deep into the history of Andersen and what makes him the coach that he is. Kudos to Patrick and enjoy.
The Aggies look not only to avenge their last second loss a year ago in Provo, but look to defeat both BYU and Utah in the same season since 1974. Echoing Salt Lake Trubune’s Tony Jones, who tweeted, “USU football: The aggies are attempting to beat BYU and Utes in the same season for first time since 1974...I didn't exist then.”
The entire Aggie team wants to make the loss last year a distant memory, but no Aggie more than senior safety McKade Brady. Brady was ejected from last season’s game early and was forced to spend the rest of the game as a spectator. This Deseret News article takes you into the mind of the senior heading into this year’s match-up.
As usual, the opposing coach was interviewed during the week of the game, and BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall had nothing but good things to say about the Aggies. Check out Mendenhall’s quotes here.
Of course, Andersen had some interesting things to say about the Aggies traveling to Provo two years in a row. Let’s just say that he is not too happy about it. Read the press-conference transcript and more of Andersen’s quotes here.
To show what a flip BYU football has had this year, check out this article from examiner.com about what USU should be looking for come Friday. Known as “Quarterback U,” BYU is being led now by its defense and is giving up just 10 points per game.
As fun as the grunge match against the Cougars will be, this past homecoming game was pretty special as well. Relive the Romney Stadium “white out” here. In fact, sophomore quarterback Chuckie Keeton was so special, he was named the WAC Offensive Player of the Week. Congratulations to Chuckie and his teammates who helped him along the way.
Look for both defenses to be as impressive as they have been all season and for the combination of Keeton, seniors RB Kerwynn Williams and WR Matt Austin to be too much for the Cougars to handle. It will be a defensive struggle, but the Aggies will prove to be the best team in Utah, improving to 5-1 on the season.
Justin McKissick is a ksl.com contributor originally from the San Francisco Bay area. He is currently seeking a Communications degree. Justin has been covering USU sports since 2011. Follow him on Twitter: @justin_sr.
