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LOGAN — What a year it has been for Utah State's quarterbacks.
After a slow start from Cooper Legas in the Aggies' first three games, where he passed for 384 yards and three touchdowns and turned the ball over three times (twice on interceptions and once on a strip sack), head coach Blake Anderson brought in third string true freshman McCae Hillstead.
Hillstead played in the remainder of the Aggies' third game and in their next two contests until he suffered a concussion against Connecticut. In his time as the team's starter, Hillstead passed for 712 yards and has eight touchdowns and five interceptions to led the Aggies to an impressive second-half comeback against James Madison.
In Legas' second chance as the starter, however, he led the Aggies to a comeback win against Connecticut and had balanced performances against Colorado State and Fresno State, passing for just under 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns, with four interceptions. He led what has arguably been the Aggies' most complete offensive and defensive games, making plays with his legs.
"Nobody wants to be benched," said Legas after leading the Aggies to their third win of the season. "But I've prepared the same since I got here as a freshman. It's the same every week. I'm preparing as if I'm going to play, and whether that means I'm the one starting out the game or the one that comes in when the guy goes down, I've prepared the same."
The Aggies, though posting a 3-4 record, are favored in each of their last five contests, with the exception of their penultimate game against Boise State. Their season is far from over.
So, with Hillstead likely set to return next week from injury, Anderson will have a tough decision to make.
"As usual, I'm not going to make any statements on what we're doing (at quarterback next week). Either one of those guys can play next week," Anderson said. "But (Legas) did everything I needed him to do. I've been really pleased with how he's responded."
After Legas' performance against Fresno State, where he seemed mobile in the pocket and threw for 363 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, Anderson seemed pleased with Legas and the way he performed, even going as far as to excuse his two interceptions.
Anderson called the first a busted play that wasn't his fault, and the second an aggressive play that he thought should have been a penalty against the Bulldogs.
"I thought Coop had his best game in this season for us and gave us a chance to win," Anderson said.
In any case, it will be interesting to keep an eye on the Aggies' quarterback situation moving forward. It certainly is not the worst problem to have two competitive quarterbacks that can lead an offense.
