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LOGAN — The offense dominated in Utah State’s first scrimmage, scoring six touchdowns during the squad’s 180-play rollout at Romney Stadium on Tuesday.
Ever since then, the defense has been motivated — and it could show at Saturday’s second scrimmage, which the Aggies will host at the stadium as part of their annual Aggie Football Family Fun Day.
“It’s going to be a big deal for us to go out in front of all the fans,” head coach Matt Wells said. “Hopefully we can get that whole lower bowl filled in. I’d like to do that and give them a show on offense and defense.”
The defense dominated Friday’s practice session, with new faces and veterans combining to show flashes of what has been a top 15 defense in the nation for two seasons. Senior safety Frankie Sutera had an interception and three pass breakups Friday, and fellow senior Brian Suite registered three pass breakups.
“I see Suite flashing in the secondary, I see Jalen (Davis) splashing,” Wells said. “Devin (Centers) continues to play well.”
It's going to be a big deal for us to go out in front of all the fans. Hopefully we can get that whole lower bowl filled in. I'd like to do that and give them a show on offense and defense.
–Utah State head coach Matt Wells
Sutera and Centers have impressed in fall camp, two newcomers who combined for one start in 2013. But the duo at safety have plenty of experience; Centers played in 13 games a year ago as a redshirt freshmen, Sutera started in the Aggies’ 21-14 win over Northern Illinois in the Poinsettia Bowl.
The experienced Suite, a preseason watch list candidate for the Jim Thorpe Award, returns the most experience in the secondary. The senior from Honolulu started every game since his sophomore year, and he recorded 77 tackles and five interceptions as a junior.
“It was a good day,” Wells said. “The good thing about camp that makes me hopeful for the season is that there continues to be give-and-take. Coaches get frustrated because their sides of the ball don’t play perfect in certain drills or a certain session of practice and vice versa, but as a head coach and trying to look at it from a big picture, there’s been really good give-and-take on both sides.”
