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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Aggies are trying to bring their newly rejuvenated football culture to the Mountain West Conference, and it worked in a big way against Air Force.
The Aggies played like a highly touted team, putting up 52 points against an Air Force team which has caused problems for scores of Beehive state teams over the years.
To go even further into the numbers, Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton threw five touchdown passes and rushed for 77 yards.
Week one was rough for the Aggies, but a victory in a new conference will keep Utah State energized as the weeks go on.
Utah State’s opponent this week, Weber State, is coming off a 70-7 bludgeoning at the hands of the University of Utah, and is eager to prove its 205 offensive yards against the Utes was merely an aberration.
Additionally, Weber’s defense surrendered 628 total yards to Utah and allowed Utah quarterback Travis Wilson to have the most efficient day of his career: 264 yards passing and three touchdowns, plus 93 yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns.
Related:
10 things to know about Utah State vs. Weber State
Utah State (1-1, 1-0 MW) continues its 2013 season with its first home game of the year as it hosts Weber State (1-1) in its annual Homecoming game on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m.Utah State plays the Wildcats, then heads to Los Angeles to take on the University of Southern California.
But, to get to the Trojans at 2-1, the Aggies first need to win the matchup between Chuckie Keeton and the Weber State defensive front seven.
Why this matchup?
Weber State’s offense looked completely overmatched in last week’s game at Utah, crossing the 50-yard line only twice. And the quarterback play was inconsistent at best, as neither Jordan Adamczyk nor Austin Chipoletti was able to get in rhythm.
Thus, the Weber defense never forced Utah into a bad field position and it showed as the afternoon went on and the Wildcats progressively wore down defensively.
No one expects Weber State to offensively beat Utah State. If a chance at victory is to exist, then Weber’s defense has to be the straw that stirs the drink this Saturday in Logan.
The Wildcats have experience up front, as senior captain Anthony Morales is one of the finer defensive players in the state.
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Even though the defense gave up 63 offensive points at Rice-Eccles Stadium last week, it was often man-to-man coverage in the secondary which let the Wildcats down.
If Weber State can contain the running game and limit Keeton’s ground game, it will force the Aggies to air the ball out. Again, Utah State is good at throwing the football, but teams have to pick their poison and there is less certainty throwing the ball than running the ball.
Who wins this matchup?
Weber State has been so poor defensively in weeks one and two, the Wildcats have nowhere to go but up. Sadly for them, they have to do it against a Heisman Trophy candidate and an offense which is ranked 35th in the FBS.
Keeton has speed, experience, savvy, finesse, and a countless number of adjectives which fail to describe just how good he and the Aggies’ offense are.
Weber State will play better this week as it tries to collapse Keeton’s pocket, but he will respond by carving up Weber’s defensive backs.
Sadly for Weber State, Keeton is playing in another level, which is more akin to another planet.
