It's been nine long years since the Utah State football team has compiled a winning record, but the way things are going so far this spring, 1989 could be the year the Aggies move into the winning column.
Utah State Coach Chuck Shelton, who's not above telling you when his team isn't very good, is singing praises about his team as it winds down spring practice prior to Saturday's Blue-White game at Romney Stadium (1:30 p.m.)."We're ahead of where we'd thought we'd be," said Shelton. "This will be the best football team since I've been here."
Shelton is most excited about his defense, which struggled last year with several freshmen and sophomores. He said it should be the best defense he's had at USU, even better than his first-year defense, which featured Al Smith, Mark Mraz and Jim Pauciello.
He singled out veterans such as defensive linemen Rob VanDePol and Jeff Hunsaker, linebackers Kevin Bouwman, Greg Davis, Del Lyles and Tom Hansen and defensive backs Travis Clark and Greg Haynes, saying all are having "outstanding springs." Among the top newcomers are defensive linemen Piliki Tauteoli, a JC transfer from Dixie College, and freshmen Joe Jacobs and Mark Johnson.
"The depth factor will be much improved on defense," said Shelton.
As for the offense, which lost recent NFL draftees Kendal Smith and Brent Snyder, Shelton won't say it's worse than last year, just that it's "different."
"We'll run the ball more and do more play-action passing," he said. "Our running game is by far the best since I've been here."
He said Brett Payne and Demetrius Brown are having "great springs" and that they're being pressed by Todd Richardson, Bobby Pendleton and newcomer Paul Trette.
The receiving corps, despite missing Smith, has good experience with Patrick Newman, Rod Moore and Tracey Jenkins. Shelton has also been pleased with the play of Ricks transfer Rob Howell and converted defensive back Dexter Pointer. Keith Roberson and Ryan Duve are back at tight end.
Although Shelton said he isn't worried about any part of his squad, he did say, "There's two things we have to do. We have to be sure we have a quarterback ready to play, and we need to develop an offensive line."
The race to replace Snyder at quarterback has been a four-way battle between Kirk Johnson, Kevin White, Mark Smith and Stewart Hansen. White, the former Logan High product who led Snow College to the national JC title three years ago, was having a good spring before he broke his wrist. Shelton said Johnson "made some strides" in the last scrimmage, but he hasn't decided yet who his top two QBs will be going into fall practice.
"There's no question we have the talent at quarterback, it's just a matter of whether we can get them ready for the season," he said.
The offensive line returns Dan Hill and John Stephens, but otherwise the Aggies have been looking at several players to fill the spots.
The Ags open the season Sept. 9 at Utah and follow with games at USC and Illinois. Their home opener will be Sept. 30 against BYU.