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LOGAN — It's a bilateral situation for Utah State.
The Aggies lost backup quarterback Andrew Peasley to the transfer portal during the offseason, where he became the starter at Wyoming. Levi Williams left his starting spot at quarterback at Wyoming and entered the transfer portal where he found a new home as a backup at Utah State.
A classic quarterback swap in the modern era of college football.
Two student-athletes taking advantage of the anarchy of the transfer portal to do what's best for themselves. For Peasley, it was a chance at being the starter; and for Williams, it was a chance to move closer to his fiancé, Utah State volleyball player Tatum Stall, and compete for a program that seemed more stable at the time.
Decisions were made, reactions were had, and everyone moved on. Right?
That's a bit tougher to do when the two schools are divisional rivals, because on Saturday night in Laramie, the situation comes to head.
Peasley will lead the Cowboys' offense against his former team. And the Aggies quarterback situation may lead to Williams starting, too, if his ankle heals up and starter Cooper Legas can't clear concussion protocol. If Williams, who is still listed as "day-to-day" can't go, the starter will be Bishop Davenport.
With the Aggies coaching staff tight-lipped surrounding Williams' ankle injury, discussions on the former Cowboys quarterback in media interviews this week have been limited; however, plenty has been said about Peasley.
The quarterback who started two games in 2020 for the Aggies and stepped up in pivotal roles last year when Logan Bonner was knocked out of games — including a time when he led the team to a memorable 45-42 win over Air Force — stands between Utah State retaking the Briger's Rifle and improving to 3-1 in conference play.
"I've talked to him several times this year," Aggies head coach Blake Anderson said. "Love the kid, encourage him, have told him congrats on big wins, told him good luck every week but one, and I mean that.
"I cried when the kid told me he was leaving. I love the kid and loved what he brought to our table — wish him nothing but the best — but on Saturday, we've got to try to make him really, really uncomfortable."
Running back Calvin Tyler Jr., who once was in a similar position — he transferred from Oregon State and then faced the Beavers in the LA Bowl — knows Peasley well and recognizes what his mentality may be.
"(Peasley) is one of the first guys I talked to when I got to Utah State, and he tried to teach me all the plays," Tyler said. "He was actually my locker mate, his was the locker in front of me. So me and Peas talked a lot, went out together.
"I know the feeling playing Oregon State, last year. I know that type of mentality he's got right now, and I told the defense 'guys get ready' because he wants this to be his best game ever."
Peasley, who is averaging 143.6 passing yards and 33.4 rushing yards per game this season, admitted during media days in July that he had the game circled on his calendar. But this week, he made it clear it won't come from any animosity toward his former team.
"It will be good to see some people I haven't seen in a while. There's a lot of love that I have for people on that team," Peasley told 7220sports.com. "But when Saturday rolls around all that love is going to turn into a battle. That's just how it is."
"I'm sure he's going to do everything he can to put those individual feelings aside," Wyoming coach Craig Bohls said. "I do know he has great respect for a lot of the players that are there and coach Anderson, so it's not like there's an ill feeling that he has. I think he has great respect and we anticipate that Andrew's going to play well."
The one member of the quarterback swap guaranteed to play Saturday, it's no surprise Peasley has become the main storyline. But what's interesting is the love fest toward the junior quarterback hasn't been reciprocated with his Aggies counterpart.
In a 14-minute press conference this week, Bohl was asked twice about the Aggies quarterback situation. He mentioned Legas and Davenport but kept Williams' name out of the conversation. Bohl was asked about last year's win over Utah State, where Williams passed for 242 yards and two touchdowns to beat the Aggies, but he failed to mention him again.
Meanwhile, a former teammate of Williams didn't dish out a particularly glowing review.
"Sometimes people just want to go see if the grass is greener on the other side," Wyoming defensive tackle Jordan Bertagnole told the Casper Star Tribune. "As much as I respect his decision, sometimes I'm just like, 'Was that really the best decision?"
There seems to be some salt still in the wounds. It's understandable to see, as Williams seemingly downgraded from a starting position to a backup role, but the contrast to how Utah State perceives Peasley leaving is jarring.
"Andrew is a great guy," offensive lineman Wade Meacham said. "He's an awesome, athlete, great quarterback. We were really sad to see him go."
For the Aggies, the beef is more about the game itself, as last year Wyoming broke Utah State's five-game winning streak, hammering the Aggies 44-17 on senior night.
"I didn't know it was a rivalry, I just remembered them taking the shotgun from us," Tyler said. "And I want the shotgun back."
Anderson, who downplayed the rivalry aspect of the game this week, admitted seeing Wyoming take the Bridger Rifle last year was "enough to piss me off."
It's a pivotal matchup for both sides, with division title implications, and Peasley's presence certainly adds the spice. If Williams ends up playing, he'd be trying to avenge a loss that he helped cause last season.
"The wind will be blowing 30 miles an hour, probably be pretty cold," Anderson said. "Who knows who will be playing for us; we've got to find a way."
