LOGAN — With the completion of Thursday's final scrimmage, Utah State will now focus its attention on Nicholls State — the opponent for the Aggies' season and home opener in eight days.
"We're going to stop playing against each other and hitting each other," Utah State coach Brent Guy said. "We're going to start practicing for Nicholls State."
The Aggies were tested in various situations Thursday, and how the players responded would bring the answers to some questions.
Namely, who will be the backup quarterback to Leon Jackson III, who was named the starter on Monday.
Naturally, Jackson took the bulk of the snaps, and he completed 10 of 16 passes for 108 yards and three touchdowns.
Bryan Black completed 5 of 7 passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. Eric Sobolewski completed 2 of 5 passes for 31 yards. Freshman Jerod Walker went 0 for 1 and freshman Jase McCormick went 2 of 2 for 8 yards. He also rushed for 19 yards.
Now, the coaches will meet and make their decision.
"We have to determine that," Guy said. "We'll keep three guys up and send two guys down. (Offensive coordinator) Mike (Santiago) will look at it and see what we'll do there."
Black looked sharp in completing his first four passes. Sobolewski competed his first two and didn't connect again.
It appeared the Aggies wanted to see what Walker could do running the ball as he rushed several times in a row right near the end of the scrimmage. He finished with five carries for 15 yards.
"We've got to have a guy that can go in there and get in the right formation and make sure everything is lined up right and check it if we have to get out of it," Guy said. "That'll be the thing Mike will be more critical of."
Guy said they will grade film tonight and make a decision today.
In the scrimmage the team was faced with several situations: 1st-and-10 on the 1, 1st-and-goal from the 5-yard line and two overtime situations.
Through the course of the scrimmage, the Aggies had the ball inside the red zone 10 times and scored seven times, missed a field goal, fumbled and lost the ball on downs.
Four of the scores were field goals by Jarrod Jakubiak and Justin Hamblin.
All three of Jackson's touchdowns came on tosses inside the 20.
A total of eight different receivers caught passes. Tony Pennyman hauled in six for 37 yards with two touchdowns, and Preston Robinson had three catches for 36 yards and a touchdown, while Blake Garrett had three receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown — one came in the overtime session.
The touchdown catches by Robinson and Pennyman came in the overtime periods.
Kevin Robinson, the team's leading receiver last year, didn't have a reception in the scrimmage.
Lynwood Johnson had two catches for 23 yards and Dionte Holloway had two grabs for 10 yards.
Freshman Keith Gilliam didn't participate in the scrimmage. He was back in Texas on family business and will be back Sunday evening.
McCormick led all rushers with 19 yards, while Ryan Bohm had six carries for 18 yards and Chris James and Walker had 15 yards each.
Overall, Guy was pleased with the effort.
"I thought our tempo started off much better than last time as far as speed and alertness," he said.
The Aggies kick off with Nicholls State at 1 p.m. on Sept. 3.
E-mail: jhinton@desnews.com