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LOGAN — After picking up its first win of the season in dominating fashion over Idaho State, the Utah State football team will travel to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to take on ACC foe Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon.
"This is a team that is very improved and they continue to get better every year," USU head coach Matt Wells said. "Their offensive line and defensive line are experienced with redshirt juniors and redshirt seniors on both sides.
"John (Wolford), the quarterback, is a four-year starter. The tight end is a four-year starter," Wells added. "I remember seeing those guys and playing against them in 2014. They have a lot of experience."
It is just the second meeting between the Aggies and the Demon Deacons. USU won the first game, 36-24, in Logan during the 2014 season.
Utah State is coming off a balanced win over Idaho State. The Aggies racked up 596 yards of total offense — 255 rushing, and 341 passing. Senior quarterback Kent Myers completed 24-of-26 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns. Myers also had 91 yards on eight carries and another two touchdowns on the day.
It was a big step in the right direction for Myers, who only threw for 219 yards against Wisconsin and threw three interceptions as well.
"He was extremely efficient with the ball, made smart decisions and threw accurate balls," Wells said. "We played catch. Our receivers made some competitive catches.
"We had two incompletions — one off of a tip and the other one was inches from another touchdown," he added. "It was a good day from Kent, and I think it started with the O-linemen. They gave him great protection.”
🗣➡️ "Our guys are extremely excited. " -@CoachWellsUSUFB#AggiesAllTheWaypic.twitter.com/pCFSS4cJTv
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 11, 2017
However, Wells acknowledged that Wisconsin is at one end of the spectrum while Idaho State is at the whole other end. This week's matchup against Wake Forest, according to Wells, will show much more about who the Aggies are.
“We’ll know a whole lot more about the Aggies in the first four weeks," Wells said. "We can draw some observations from these first two games, but we can’t draw conclusions. We’ll know a little bit more about where we’re at after the next two games.”
Not only did the offense play well against Idaho State, the defense made some plays, especially senior defensive back Jalen Davis. Returning to the field after having to sit out the entire second half at Wisconsin due to a targeting call, Davis recorded two interceptions, one of which was returned 25 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.
Despite forcing two turnovers, Davis said the defense has to force more if they want to continue to win games.
“It was good, but we still need more," Davis said. "We pride ourselves on turnovers. Every time we break out, we break on 'ball hog' or something like that to get us going and looking for turnovers. That’s definitely a big thing for us this year.”
Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. MT and will be broadcast on the ACC Network.
Kyle McDonald is sports fan who loves the Chicago Cubs. Follow him on Twitter at @kylesportsbias
