The Utah State football team unveiled a new wrinkle this year, something called the "attack punt," where the quarterback kicks from shotgun formation in a ploy to confuse the defense.
It worked nicely the first couple of games as opponents didn't know how to handle it. Should they put a man deep or just play a normal defense in case the quarterback decides to throw the ball?However, the attack punt backfired Saturday against Idaho and may well have cost the Aggies the game when a punt was returned for a touchdown for the second time this season.
It happened late in the third quarter just as the Aggies were climbing back into the game after falling behind 19-0 at halftime. A 50-yard field goal by Brad Bohn had just been nullified by a penalty, and the Ags decided to punt.
Quarterback Jeff Crosbie punted deep into Aggie territory, where Idaho's Vern Benard fielded the punt at the 9-yard line. After evading the initial tacklers, Benard turned up the sideline and raced untouched for a 91-yard touchdown that halted the Aggie momentum and pretty much put the game out of reach. USU lost, 26-14.
Earlier this year, an Aggie attack punt was returned 68 yards for a touchdown against Colorado, a play that turned that game around also.
One problem with the attack punt is that most of the regular players, including 300-pound offensive linemen, are on the field instead of the speedier special teams players. Those bigger, slower players aren't as likely to track down a return man.
Another problem is that the Aggies have never run an offensive play out of the attack punt formation all season (in 24 attempts), so there's never any surprise what the quarterback will do.
Crosbie took some of the blame himself later for not angling the ball toward the sideline, but you really couldn't condemn him. After all, he's not trained as a punter, and he was playing and punting for the first time all season.
It was the third touchdown scored against the punt team this year to go along with three safeties and several other scores set up by punt team blunders. The Vandals' second touchdown was set up when Aggie punter Jerry Arguello tried to run to avoid a blocked kick and was tackled at his own 11-yard line. One play later, the Vandals scored a touchdown.
Crosbie sacrificed his redshirt year after Logan Galli was totally ineffective in the first half and coach Dave Arslanian decided Crosbie was needed if the Ags had any chance of winning. Crosbie nearly rallied the Aggies to victory with two second-half touchdown passes and showed potential with his strong arm and quick feet. He finished with 178 yards passing.
Starter Riley Jensen is expected back from a concussion this week, but Arslanian may want to look to the future and let Crosbie see a lot of action.
The Aggies aren't out of the Big West race yet, but they'll need to win the rest of their games, beginning Saturday night at Boise State to have a chance.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
USU flashback
Score: Idaho 26, USU 14
Record: 1-6, 0-1 BWC
Offense: Absolutely abominable in the first half. Jeff Crosbie comes off the bench to spark the Ags with two second-half touchdown passes, but it comes too late. Grade: C
Defense: After a slow start, the defense buckles down and allows just 79 yards in the second half. One play - a 58-yard halfback pass - kills the Ags, otherwise the defense contains the Vandals all day. Grade: B+
Special teams: Same old story for the punt team, which gives up a 91-yard punt return for a TD and sets up another touchdown when Jerry Arguello gets tackled before getting a punt off deep in Aggie territory. Grade: D
Next up: at Boise State, Saturday