LOGAN — Progress on the football field is typically measured in one all-important way — wins.
Utah State had won just nine games over a four-year span when Brent Guy was fired at the end of the 2008 season. In 2008, the Aggies were (for them) a respectable 3-9 overall and had three wins in the Western Athletic Conference.
By beating an Idaho team that is likely headed to a bowl game to end the season, the Aggies equaled their conference record but improved to 4-8 overall — the team's best mark since 2002.
"For where we're at in this program," first-year coach Gary Andersen said, "this is important ... I felt like a lot of young players grew up in that game."
Andersen said the players were not the only ones to grow during the season. He said his first season as head coach in Logan opened a few eyes on the coaching staff — most importantly his own.
"The second go-around I'll be better," Andersen said. "I had a plan and that plan will have some tweaks. I'll be a better coach than I was in year one."
Utah State's offense was undoubtedly a pleasant surprise for Andersen and USU's fans. A year after being among the least imposing teams in the country, the Aggies moved the ball at will and finished the season with the 16th-best offense in the country — USU was 85th a year ago.
Robert Turbin emerged from his role as a part-time starter in 2008 to one of the nation's best. His 1,296 rushing yards as a sophomore left him with the 21st best per-game average in the country at 108 yards per game. He also finished the year as the 13th-most prolific point scorer in the country at nine points per game, thanks to his 18 touchdowns.
Quarterback Diondre Borel, also in his first year as full-time starter, had a breakthrough season. Andersen, while acknowledging Borel's athleticism and talent, admitted he had doubts about Borel's ability to lead the team. Those doubts are long gone.
"Now, Diondre is a quarterback that is an athlete," Andersen said. "He did a wonderful job of making that transition."
Borel threw for 2,885 yards with 17 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He also ran for 458 yards and another six trips into the end zone.
At year's end, Borel ranked No. 17 in the nation in total offense.
Utah State's overall offense improved from 334 yards per game to 439.
Defensively, though, the Aggies showed little improvement, and that is particularly embarrassing for Andersen — a defensive coach by nature.
"We need to be better on defense," Andersen said. "There's a whole bunch of words that you use to describe how we played defense and not any of them are very positive."
Giving up 455 yards per game, Utah State ranks No. 113 in total defense. Its 34 points per game allowed is No. 107 and the 205 yards per game opposing running backs gained was good for only No. 111.
Clearly, Andersen's team has room for improvement.
"We have to become a physical football team in everything we do on the field," Andersen said, noting the overall lack of size on the lines and at linebacker.
To help fix that, Utah State's players have already been given an in-depth offseason training plan that will result in bigger, stronger bodies.
Andersen also said he will recruit specifically to add more size and power on the line while moving a few players from one position to another.
While trying to keep the numbers balanced in the five classes of players, Andersen said he will bring in a handful of junior college players to beef up the lines and provide depth at other key positions. Other than that, he'll stick to recruiting high schoolers with designs of developing them for his long-range plans.
Utah State's overall record may not have been a dramatic improvement, especially when considering one of the wins was against a FCS school.
But a look at the statistics paint a more telling picture.
In 2008, the Aggies ranked in the bottom half of all 15 of the major statistical categories in the WAC.
In 2009, the Aggies improved dramatically on offense while seeing minor improvements on defense.
It's a trend Andersen, and Aggie fans, hope — in addition to a continued upward swing in the win column — to see more of.
e-mail: jeborn@desnews.com
Season at a glance
2009 record: 4-8 overall, 3-5 WAC
2009 preseason prediction/actual finish: 7th coaches and media polls, Actual: T-6th
Offensive MVP: Sophomore running back Robert Turbin had one of the best years in USU history. His 1,296 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground were complimented by 416 receiving yards to go with another five scores.
Defensive MVP: Senior safety James Brindley was the heart and soul of the defense. But sophomore Bobby Wagner had a phenomenal season at linebacker with 114 tackles and a pair of interceptions.
Best win: Closing the season out with a 52-49 road win over a bowl-bound Idaho gave the team loads of confidence that the team is, indeed, headed in the right direction.
Worst loss: A 20-17 setback at New Mexico State not only gave USU a bad start to the WAC season, it may have cast doubt in the team about winning close games. As bad as the Ags have been, a loss to NMSU is never acceptable.
2010 Outlook: A less-daunting schedule, another offseason with Gary Andersen coaching and recruiting and virtually all important offensive players back means the Aggies will be a legitimate threat for a bowl game next year. The defense, however, must be fixed. Giving up that many yards and points is far from a recipe for success.