LOGAN — Utah State wide receiver Kevin Robinson has lofty goals for himself as he enters his senior season.
"They're all kind of high, but (they are) to break every receiving record there is at Utah State," he said. "I really don't like saying that much. It's always been a goal of mine to break someone's records. Kevin Curtis, I'm sorry, but I'm going to try and get it."
Maybe he should also apologize to Tom Forzani, Kendal Smith and Cotie McMahon for not mentioning their names.
Curtis, who played just two seasons in Logan, is the all-time leader in receptions (174), pass receptions per game (9.1), yards per game (139.2 yards) and catches in a season (100). Forzani holds the record for receptions in a game (15), while Smith is the leader in career yards (2,943) and touchdowns (25) and McMahon has the highest yards per catch average (18.7).
Robinson is in the top 10 in only one category: touchdowns (16).
"I've got my work cut out for me, but I'm going out there to get them," he said.
Currently Robinson, who also returns punts and kickoffs, has 123 career receptions, 1,845 yards, 16 touchdowns and a career average of 15 yards per catch.
With the Aggies' versatile weapons, many of those records are safe, but Robinson will be a key factor in the success of the offense, and that in turn may help the team win.
"The receiving corps is great and we've always been known for good receivers. Things haven't changed," Robinson said. "We have a lot of young guys that are coming into the system ... and we have the veterans back, which is going to help out the younger receivers."
Six receivers caught passes last year, and all six are returning.
Robinson led the team in catches (36), yards (582) and touchdowns (5). Otis Nelson had 27 catches for 238 yards, and Tarell Richards, who missed most of the season due to injury, had 10 catches for 125 yards.
Xavier Bowman, Omar Sawyer and Nnamdi Gwacham also had catches last year.
Robinson, Richards, and Preston Robinson are the only seniors among the receivers.
Nelson is a junior, while Bowman, Sawyer and Gwacham are sophomores.
The Aggies have five true freshmen receivers, including locals Mark Watterson (Mountain Crest), Austin Alder (Provo), Chase Griffiths (Wasatch) and Andrew Beck (Provo). Stanley Morrison is a highly touted freshman from Texas.
Tony Harkey is a redshirt freshman and he could see considerable time.
"We're all talented and we can all make plays." Robinson said. "Whoever gets the ball at the time needs to show them what they've got."
The Aggies have a new offensive coordinator in Darrell Dickey, and in the Aggies' two scrimmages, establishing the running game has been the emphasis.
"We've got to go with the system," said Robinson, who is playing under his second head coach and fourth offensive coordinator. "The earlier system was passing all the time, and now the system is we've got to be able to run the ball to set up the pass."
As a team, the Aggies ranked 111th in the nation and dead last in the Western Athletic Conference in passing yards per game (139.7).
The adjustments made in the running game should only help the passing game, and Robinson said the receivers will be ready when the ball is thrown their way.
"We're going to be solid all the way around," he said. "He (Dickey) has some plays that helps out every individual person and their strengths."
The Aggies open the season Thursday when the play host to UNLV at 6 p.m. at Romney Stadium.
Utah State wide receivers
2006 STARTERS: Five different receivers started, but Otis Nelson and Kevin Robinson had the most starts.
ANTICIPATED 2007 STARTERS: Expect the same this year. There will be multiple starters, but Robinson and Nelson will be the main starters.
OTHER WIDE RECEIVERS
So., Omar Sawyer: Had five catches for 51 yards in five games.
So., Xavier Bowman: Had six catches for 74 yards in 11 games.
RSFr, Toney Harkey: Averaged 18.1 yards a catch as a high school senior.
So., Nnamdi Gwacham: Had just three catches in eight games.
Sr., Tarell Richards: Was granted another season of eligibility.
Sr., Preston Robinson: Played in five games but didn't have a catch.
OUTLOOK: The Aggies receivers have plenty of depth, but their success will rely heavily on the success of the running game.
E-mail: jhinton@desnews.com