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LOGAN -- Utah State Head Coach Gary Andersen says there is no such thing as a moral victory, but likes the progress his Aggies are making during the 2009 season.
The Aggies (1-2) haven't struggled to put points on the board, but they haven't been able to keep opposing teams out of the end zone either.
The offense led by QB Diondre Borel is averaging 33 points a game, but the defense is giving up almost 36 points a game.
Related:
Utah State confident heading to Provo to face (20) BYU
With the offense averaging 42 points a game in its last two contests, Utah State is a confident group heading in to Provo for a showdown against No. 20 BYU.The team is also struggling to hang on to the football. Through three games the Aggies have fumbled 13 times- losing five of them.
Andersen knows his team is a work in progress and isn't at the level of BYU or Utah, but he insists they are making improvements; something you need to see as the season goes on.
That process provides teaching moments throughout the season, something Andersen hopes to take advantage of to eventually get his team to an elite level.
"I think you've got have the teamwork and leadership and the plan that the kids understand and that they believe in and continue to fight and deal with the swings that come with the college football game.
"When two good teams fight, when two good teams play- there's going to be momentum swings in a positive way and a negative way no matter what team you're on. Very few times is it wonderful and great from kickoff until the end of the fourth quarter. So you've got to find a way to be able to get your team to be steady in the good times and steady in the bad times, keep fighting and do the basics of football well.
"They've got to not turn the football over, they've got to get turnovers, they've got to tackle well on defense, you've got to convert third downs on offense."
Sounds like a solid game plan for an explosive BYU team that's looking to work out a few kinks of its own and make a statement against an instate rival.
You can hear more from Coach Andersen Friday, Oct. 4 during the BYU Pregame show on KSL Newsradio 102.7FM/1160AM beginning at 5 p.m.
