Aggie Weekend Watch
BenD 11/01/2012For just a few days each year, Aggie fans can enjoy 5+ hours of Utah State football and basketball in a single day. These are magical times to be cherished and remembered, much like the birth of a child, and then enjoyed in the moment as you neglect that child to watch the games.
Both the football and basketball teams will suit up and play in the friendly confines of Romney Stadium and the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, respectively, on Saturday. The 7-2 football Aggies take to the field to face an upstart Texas State Bobcat team. Texas State sports a 3-4 record (1-1 WAC) in its first year of FBS competition. The Bobcats have been competitive in most of their games, particularly in their first two WAC games. The Bobcats pounded Idaho to the tune of a 31-point home victory and held their own at San Jose State two weeks later.
The Aggie defense will have their hands full containing dual-threat quarterback, Shaun Rutherford. Rutherford leads a well-coached offensive option attack.
“Texas State is very good in option football,” said Utah State Coach Gary Andersen. “I’ve coached against their coordinator for years when he was at TCU and I was the defensive coordinator at Utah…He’s not a good coordinator, he’s a great coordinator in my opinion.”
On the other side of the ball, the Bobcats will have a tough time stopping a Utah State offense that has averaged 46 points a game the past three contests. Quarterback Chuckie Keeton has spearheaded the explosive offensive attack by averaging 290 yards through the air, despite only playing three quarters the past two games due to lopsided second half scores. The Aggies may have their way again matching up against a Texas State defense that’s giving up over 30 points a game.
The game at Romney Stadium begins at 1 PM (MT) and will be televised on KMYU.
A few hours after the football game ends, the Aggie basketball team will tip-off against Simon Fraser in their 2nd and final exhibition game of the season. Utah State dismantled Grand Canyon University, 76-44, last week to kickoff its 2012-2013 campaign. (Due to website technical difficulties, a prediction preview could not be posted before the season officially began. If you so desire, you can check it out here.)
Fans got their first chance to see seven new faces (one of the seven has since left the team) hit the hardwood as Aggies. Several of the newcomers made an instant impact, highlighted by the play of starters Jarred Shaw and TeNale Roland.
Shaw led all post players in scoring and rebounding, recording 15 points and 8 rebounds in 23 minutes. The Aggie coaching staff is hoping Jarred can be the inside presence USU was in dire need of last year. Roland helped alleviate any concerns over finding a suitable point guard replacement by successfully running the offense, handling the ball well and displaying a good shooting stroke. TeNale finished the night with 8 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and maybe most importantly, zero turnovers in 20 minutes of play. To be honest, Roland reminds me a lot of former Aggie point guard, Mark Brown: small, quick, calm and collected. Wearing number 20 didn’t hurt the comparison, either.
Eleven Aggies should see time on Saturday as the coaching staff sorts out playing time and rotations, while identifying redshirt candidates.
The basketball games tips off at 7 PM (MT) in the Spectrum. So prepare to make your way to the games – or get your favorite spot on the couch ready – so you can witness an exciting day full of Aggie goodness!
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