One of these years the Utah State football team is going to get it right. As Chuck Shelton enters his fourth year as Aggie head coach, he's facing the usual scenario - he has the makings of a good team, but not all of the right ingredients, right now.
It's a familiar story.In 1986, Shelton inherited a fine defensive club from Chris Pella, but one that was woefully inadequate offensively, eventually ranking last in the nation. The next year, the offense improved, but the defense fell back. Then last year, the offense was very good, ranking in the top 10 in passing, but the defense was poor, ranking last overall in the nation.
The 1989 season should see the scales balancing out more with a less-explosive offense and a defense that is vastly improved. But neither will be great. Shelton has already said that 1990 is the year that the Aggies should be very good on offense and defense at the same time.
Wait 'til next year.
Actually, the Aggies won't be too bad in 1989 - in fact it could very well be the best team in Logan in a decade. But the usual killer schedule - Utah, USC, Illinois and BYU in September alone, will likely kill any chances of a winning season. Unless the Ags somehow sneak through one of those games, they'll have to win six of their seven Big West games to climb above .500 for the first time since 1979. The good news about the schedule is that three of the top four projected teams in the league - Fresno, Fullerton and San Jose - all play in Logan.
"Our defense should be good - we have a lot of experience with our linebackers and in our secondary," said Shelton. "Our physical strength is much improved and we run well on defense."
Offensively, the Ags are without the record-setting passing combo of Brent Snyder and Kendal Smith, but otherwise they're fairly experienced. Balance will also be a key word on offense, where the Aggies will try to revive an almost non-existent running game to go along with a new passing scheme under new offensive coordinator Pat Behrns.
Here is a look at the Aggies by positions:
QUARTERBACK: The ranks have dwindled since the start of fall practice with the transfer of freshman Stewart Hansen to Utah and with Mark Smith deciding to quit football. Still, the top two candidates all along, sophomores Kirk Johnson and Kevin White, are there battling for the top job.
Johnson, a 6-5, 220-pounder out of Turlock, Calif., is bigger and faster and probably has the strongest arm. White, a Logan native who led Snow College to the national JC championship in 1985, is a more accurate passer and may possess the edge in leadership and savvy.
Shelton expects to name a starter before the opener with Utah, but says he may let them both play that game and decide from there. "It's a neck and neck race right now," he said.
Craig Sorensen, the 1985 4A MVP from Cottonwood, has been moved from strong safety to quarterback and could move up as he gains experience.
RUNNING BACKS: Once again Brett Payne and Demetrius Brown will fight it out at the tailback spot. Todd Richardson has the edge at fullback, but Paul Trette and Bobby Pendleton are pushing. "It's the most comfortable we've been at this position," said Shelton, who wants a better balanced team than the pass-happy teams of the past two years.
RECEIVERS: Losing someone like Kendal Smith, the Big West offensive player of the year, might seem like a huge loss, but the Aggies aren't hurting in the receiver position. Patrick Newman, already on track to break many of Smith's records, is back, along with Tracey Jenkins and Rod Moore, who both saw considerable action as freshmen. Others who will play a lot include Dexter Pointer and Robby Howell, a transfer from Ricks. Ryan Duve and Keith Roberson, who combined for 45 catches last year at the tight end position, are both back.
"Were very solid at this position," said Shelton.
OFFENSIVE LINE: There is less experience returning here than at any position except quarterback. Dan Hill, a tackle out of Hillcrest High, is the only returning starter, but tackle John Stephens and center Nathan Kaczor have a lot of experience. The starting guards are young - freshman Joe Moore and sophomore Ed Silva. Shannonn White, all 6-8 and 340 pounds of him, will play a lot.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Brian Hunsaker is gone, but little brother Jeff is still around to anchor the line and he'll start along with Rob VanDePol and Aaron Hill, the younger brother of Dan.
LINEBACKERS: Three starters are back - Kevin Bouwman, the walk-on from Alta, Del Lyles, the leading tackler as a freshman last year, and Tom Hansen, a local boy out of Sky View. Piliki Tauteoli, a transfer from Dixie, is getting rave reviews from the coaches. Greg Davis and David Balls are pushing the starters.
SECONDARY: A year ago the Ags were abysmal here, getting thrown on week after week after week. The fact that basically the same bunch is back from last year could look like bad news, but the Aggies aren't viewing it that way. Travis Clark developed into a all-league pick at strong safety, while Toby Tyler, who was a freshman, and Scott Munson, who was a converted running back, both developed as the season went along. Add Greg Haynes, a starter in 1987 and the Ags look much-improved here.
KICKING: The Aggies lost punter Louis Aguiar, but return placekicker Russ Moody, who was very consistent last year with 13 of 15 field goals, including 10 of 10 inside 40 yards. Rusty Carlsen, a sophomore out of Idaho, will be the punter.
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Game Schedule
Utah State
Sept. 9 at Utah 7 p.m.
Sept. 16 at USC 8 p.m.
Sept. 23 at Illinois 1 p.m.
Sept. 30 BYU noon
Oct. 7 Fullerton St. 1 p.m.
Oct. 14 Fresno St. 1 p.m.
Oct. 21 at N. Mexico St. 1:30 p.m.
Nov. 4 at Pacific 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 11 San Jose St. 1 p.m.
Nov. 18 at UNLV 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 25 at Long Beach noon