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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
PROVO — When BYU drifted away from the Mountain West Conference to go independent, filling out a 12-game schedule became more challenging. Retaining natural rivalries became a necessity. Keeping former opponents on the schedule became of prime importance.
Which makes Friday night’s home game against Utah State increasingly more necessary — because it fulfills all three criteria.
The increased focus on this year’s game isn’t lost on the players, either.
“I think there’s definitely more focus on this game than usual, since we aren’t playing Utah this year,” linebacker Alani Fua said. “This is our in-state rivalry game of the year. It’s a big deal.”
BYU coaches, who normally shy away from boisterous statements during game week, aren’t backing down from calling this week’s matchup a big game, especially for in-state recruiting.
“Considering only one in-state team will play us this year, it’s a huge game,” head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “It’s probably the featured game in-state. It means a lot; those two teams honor tradition. And Friday night before conference is a great venue.”
I think there's definitely more focus on this game than usual, since we aren't playing Utah this year. This is our in-state rivalry game of the year. It's a big deal.
–BYU linebacker Alani Fua
Friday night’s 8:30 p.m. kickoff in Provo is just as important for the two teams that will play (BYU and Utah State) as for the team that won’t (Utah). It’s a series that has merit on its own legs, with BYU leading 46-34-3 even as Utah State completes a turnaround to being one of the top teams in the region.
Much of that turnaround for the Aggies (2-2) has come on defense, including the nation’s No. 4 run stoppers, Mendenhall said.
“I think Utah State has done a nice job defensively the past two years,” he added. “Offensively, they’re powerful. We already know it’s going to be a difficult, volatile game. Utah State always does a great job. It’ll be a good test for us.”
The Cougars (4-0) are expecting the Aggies to use tempo against them, offensive linemen DeOndre Wesley said. It’s a tendency the veteran leaders on offense will have to constantly check.
“We’re just trying to watch their tendencies and get used to the tempo,” Wesley said. “They show a lot of field stuff, boundary pressure by multiple guys and they try to get pressure on the quarterback. We’re scheming up and trying to stop it.”
Despite the two teams' records, with an undefeated BYU facing a barely .500 Utah State, Wesley said his group isn’t taking anything for granted.
“Everybody seems to play their best game when they play against BYU,” he said. “I wouldn’t expect them to come out and just lay down for us. I wouldn’t expect that from anyone. We just want to play our game, and go fast and go hard.”