LOGAN — And the Utah State quarterback is ...

Anyone's guess.

The announcement will be made this afternoon.

Utah State coach Brent Guy said Tuesday's 90-play scrimmage wasn't enough to name Leon Jackson III, Sean Setzer or Jase McCormick the starter for the Aggies' season and home opener Aug. 30 against UNLV.

Guy said he and his offensive staff were going to take a detailed look at quarterback over the next 18 hours then make the decision.

He did reiterate, first and foremost, that whoever the quarterback is, he will be the player that won't get the Aggies beat.

"We're not looking for the guy that can win the game by himself," Guy said. "We're looking for the guy that won't lose the game. We've got to make sure that we've got the guy that's going to do everything exactly the way we want it done."

So, what is Guy looking for exactly?

Poise, experience and confidence of team and coaches.

"We've got to start with a guy that won't throw it right to his read for a touchdown and will get us in the right play and (be the guy) they have confidence in," Guy said. "That's no secret. You have to have confidence in the guy taking the snaps."

If that is the case, rule out Jackson, unless he has made dramatic improvement in the offseason. He threw five interceptions that went for touchdowns last year. The offense, under his care, didn't score a touchdown until the fifth game.

Jackson, who ran just 15 plays Tuesday and went 2-for-3 for 17 yards, has the experience, but does he have the poise and confidence? The answer to both of those questions is "maybe."

Setzer, a highly touted junior college transfer, saw his first live snaps in 14 practices. He had 19 snaps in Tuesday's scrimmage and went 5-for-6 for 20 yards, but is that enough to name him the starter? Perhaps not.

"He made one nice throw on the run, and we knew he could do that. I think that's what his biggest asset is. He doesn't get rattled," Guy said. "That's the first time he's been live under the gun since the fifth day of camp."

He has the skills, but he hasn't had time to show them.

Poise? Yes. Experience? No. Confidence? Maybe.

McCormick — like Setzer — hasn't taken a Division I snap, but McCormick has proven — at least in scrimmage situations — that he can move the offense and not make mistakes.

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In two scrimmages, he's 13-of-15 for 168 yards and a touchdown. He's been the most consistent of the bunch.

Poise? Yes. Experience? No. Confidence? Yes.

"They all have assets we can use. It's just a matter of us sitting down as an offensive staff and making a decision and go with it," Guy said. "It doesn't mean the guy will be the starter all year. It will all be based on performance. That'll be the guy that we'll start the season with, but it doesn't mean it's the guy we'll end the season with."


E-mail: jhinton@desnews.com

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