Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
(Las Vegas) - Utah State football has earned respect and it shows in the 2013 Mountain West Conference Preseason Poll.
The Aggies to finish second in the Mountain Division behind Boise State. The Broncos received 40 first-place votes with Utah State picking up the other first place vote.
"We're happy with the respect that we've gained," says Utah State junior quarterback Chuckie Keeton. "We're thankful for the second expected pick. At the same time it's only an expected pick. We still have to go out and perform on Saturdays. We're definitely up for the challenge."
They are followed in the poll by Air Force, Wyoming, Colorado State and New Mexico.
Utah State had two players receive first-team preseason all-conference honors. Senior center Tyler Larsen and Sophomore linebacker Kyler Fackrell were two of 25 players to named first-team all-conference.
Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr was named the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while his teammate, junior defensive back Derron Smith, was named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Fresno State is picked to finish first in the West Division receiving 39 of 41 first place votes. They are followed in the poll by San Diego State, conference newcomer San Jose State, Nevada, UNLV and Hawaii.
The Aggies are coming off the best season in school history with an 11-2 record and their first outright conference title since 1936.
"For me it feels like the respect is, they were good last year let's see how good they are this year," says junior linebacker Zach Vigil. We've got to come out and we have to perform to earn our place here."
Matt Wells takes over for Gary Andersen who left Logan for Wisconsin but the Aggies will return 18 starters from that record setting team.
Utah State opens the season Thursday, August 29 at Utah before they begin their first season in the Mountain West Conference with a tough road game at Air Force on September 7.
