John L. Smith is unusually chipper about football these days. The reason the normally stoic Utah State football coach is happy is simple - he's got numbers.
With more than 70 Aggies suiting up for spring football drills this year, Smith has the luxury of holding actual scrimmages instead of scripting plays between offense and defense. This year he can split the squad and have parts of the first team face off against each other."Spring has actually been pretty good so far," Smith said. "I've been more optimistic than I have been in the last two years because we're able to do more things when we have more people to do them."
Smith's third spring practice session wraps up tonight at Romney Stadium when the Aggies hold their annual spring game at 7. "It'll make it a lot more fun for the kids," Smith said of the increased squad size. "The tempo, the attitude and the enthusiasm have picked up and it'll be more fun."
With 14 starters returning from last year's co-Big West champion team, Smith is trying to fill a few holes and make sure he has adequate back-ups for those coming back. Senior Matt Sauk has already been given the starting quarterback job but freshman Brian Benza has made strides in claiming the back-up spot.
"It's going to be Brian at this point," Smith said. "One of my biggest concerns was the No. 2 quarterback. It was a plus to fill in that spot."
Sauk and Benza will have plenty of options when playing signal-caller. Nakia Jenkins and Steve Smith return after posting outstanding seasons last year and with talented recruits coming in, Smith says "We'll be able to throw it a bit. I've said all along that we're going to be pretty good offensively."
Another big concern for Smith is the kicking game where both starters are gone. The Ags are hoping for help from the JC ranks in that area.
On defense, USU's linebacking corps was decimated by the loss of all-conference performers David Gill and Spencer Waggoner. The D-line, though, should be a strength and another year of seasoning should improve the Aggie secondary.
"I've been pleasantly surprised by the defense," Smith said. "I think we'll be better than most people thought we would. (Senior safety) Johndale Carty has had an excellent spring. I think he's going to be a great leader out there."