The University of Utah rebounded nicely from a humiliating defeat by I-AA University of Idaho last year, so there may be hope for Utah State after that dreadful 49-31 loss to I-AA Eastern Washington Saturday.
There is even incentive.Most of this crop of Aggies was around last season when Nevada came into Romney Stadium and scored the winning touchdown with :36 left to send USU to its fifth straight defeat (48-44) and first loss in the Big West Conference. It turned out to be the Aggies' only loss in the Big West, and because of it, they had to share the championship with Southwestern Louisiana.
Most of this crop of Aggies was also around two seasons ago in Reno when the Wolf Pack scored 27 points in the fourth quarter, getting the winning TD with 2:08 left for a 48-47 lead. With less than :10 left, USU's Sean Jones barely missed a winning 51-yard field goal. That loss knocked the Aggies, 3-1 going into the game, out of the 1992 Big West race eventually won by Nevada.
Now, there is nothing on the line for 1-3, 2-7 Utah State, but Nevada is again atop the Big West standings, 5-0, 8-1, and the Aggies see Saturday's game at Reno as an opportunity to pay Nevada back and spoil the Wolf Pack's season.
"Reno's our Super Bowl. It's all we've got to play for now," says senior defensive tackle Dave Balls. "We can make ourselves look good and get the respect we deserve. It's one of the biggest games this year."
"We have nothing to lose, but Reno does. We can upset them," says senior cornerback Chuck McMillian.
The Aggies will try to go into that game like Eastern Washington came into Romney Stadium Saturday, with upset in mind. "They came out like they had nothing to lose, and they showed it," said McMillian.
"We haven't given up. The coaches haven't given up on us," McMillian says.
"We'd better stop them from scoring 49 points," says coach Charlie Weatherbie, remembering the last two games and EWU's 49 points Saturday and adding the Aggies probably aren't capable of staying in a shootout with the Wolf Pack.
Especially without starting quarterback Matt Wells, who may be having a tough time as a sophomore but has been better than freshman backup Aaron Flowers. Wells is questionable for the next game after being knocked out by a hit Saturday. Sunday he told people he felt fine, but he'll be closely watched.
As for other injuries, freshman offensive lineman Brandon Dyson is out 10 days with a sprained left knee and sprained left ankle; X-rays on Shaun Johnson's shoulder were negative.