LOGAN — Utah State’s football team moved indoors for its second practice of fall camp, and third-year head coach Matt Wells was pleased with what he saw from his team Saturday morning.
“It was a grinder of a practice and will probably be one of the longest of the year,” Wells said. “These kids pushed through it pretty well, and it was good to get them inside and get it as hot and as humid as we can get here in Logan with the altitude.”
The Aggies practiced for more than two hours at the Stan Laub Indoor Training Center, and Wells liked the way the defense performed during red zone situations.
“There was some good stuff by the defense in the red zone,” Wells said. “I saw some touchdown passes, which is good by the offense, but you can’t have a red zone turnover. It cost us one of the ball games last year.”
Junior linebacker Nick Vigil had a solid day with four tackles and a sack during an 11-on-11 session. Junior safety Devin Centers also had four tackles and a pass break-up.
Offensively, redshirt freshman wide receiver Zach Van Leeuwen highlighted a strong showing by the receiving corps with four receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown during the 11-on-11 session. Fellow redshirt freshman wide receiver Tyler Fox also had a 15-yard touchdown catch, to go along with a 40-yard reception on a nifty pass from redshirt senior quarterback Chuckie Keeton down the sideline.
Saturday was the second of 24 practices for the Aggies leading up to their season- and home-opening game against Southern Utah on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. Utah State will begin Mountain West Conference play by hosting Colorado State on Saturday, Oct. 3.
As part of the NCAA’s five-day acclimation period, Utah State will add shoulder pads for its practices Monday and Tuesday. The Aggies’ first practice in full pads will be Wednesday, Aug. 12, and the first two-a-day is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 14. USU’s first scrimmage of fall camp will take place on Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m.
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Offensive player of the day
Leeuwen seemingly caught everything thrown his way on the second day of fall camp. The Provo native caught four passes for 80 yards, including a long of 35, and a touchdown. His 15-yard touchdown reception was an over-the-shoulder grab during a red zone situation.
Defensive player of the day
Nick Vigil led a strong defensive effort as he had four tackles and a sack during an 11-on-11 session on the second day of fall camp.
Newcomer of the day
Senior cornerback Promise Amadi, a transfer from Boise State, also shined on the defensive side of the ball for the Aggies. Early on in the practice, Amadi made a spectacular diving interception off a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage. The native of Ontario, California, also had two tackles during the 11-on-11 session.