It's not the season that any of us dreamed of or anticipated in or set goals to, but the one thing that these players have learned to do is persevere. – Matt Wells
LOGAN — It wasn't so long ago that even when things went wrong for the Aggies, things still seemed to go pretty well for the Aggies.
Remember 2014?
That year, Utah State lost linebacker Kyler Fackrell, a future third-round pick of the Green Bay Packers, to a torn ACL in the first half of the season opener at Tennessee, and head coach Matt Wells was eventually forced to absorb season-ending injuries to three quarterbacks before turning the reins of the offense over to true freshman Kent Myers.
And yet, that resilient Aggie squad still managed to win the Gildan New Mexico Bowl and finish 10-4, marking just the second time a USU team had recorded double-digit victories in a season.
The program seemed to be on solid footing in 2015, as well, starting the season 4-2 after roughing up perennial powerhouse Boise State on a memorable night at Maverik Stadium. But since that 52-26 humbling of the 21st-ranked Broncos on Oct. 16, 2015, the Aggies have won just five games, finishing 6-7 last year, and going 3-8 this season heading into their season finale against BYU Saturday night in Provo.
It's little wonder that Wells repeatedly used the term "fragile" during his weekly press conference Monday afternoon.
"It's not the season that any of us dreamed of or anticipated in or set goals to, but the one thing that these players have learned to do is persevere," Wells said. "It has not been fun, and it has not been easy. We've had five close Mountain West losses by a combined 29 points. Find a way to win those games — all of them or some of them — and your season is completely different.
"... But they continue to fight and that speaks well for them individually, and it speaks well for moving forward as we go through the offseason and even into next year," Wells said of his team. "It's an example to our younger kids to know that winning is precious. It's fragile, and it's hard. And there are a handful of plays every game that can tip it either way."
After letting solid, second-half leads slip away in their last two games against New Mexico and Nevada, the Aggies certainly realize that more than ever. Were it not for a controversial offensive pass interference call against USU wide receiver Ron'Quavion Tarver, USU likely beats the Lobos on Nov. 12. And there are several moments on both sides of the football that can be pointed to as critical to the Wolf Pack's stunning comeback in Reno last week.
Pull out those two games, and Utah State's season would be a disappointment. However, the Aggies would still have a shot at becoming bowl-eligible with a victory at LaVell Edwards Stadium Saturday night, rather than facing a postseason-less December for the first time since 2010.
"I like the seasons that we win a whole lot better than this season," Wells proclaimed following USU's practice Tuesday afternoon. "They're just as hard, in terms of work hours. It's just a different motivation for the players, and it's probably, in a lot of ways, a harder coaching job to continue to try and motivate each and every week. To continue to get them to play hard and compete when the prize is no longer there. The goal of a Mountain West championship or now a bowl game is not there, and so that's what makes it difficult."
Wells, who was elevated to the head coaching position at USU in 2013 after Gary Andersen left for Wisconsin, started his career 19-9. Since then, in addition to facing more and more losses, the former Aggie quarterback has had to deal with numerous challenges off the field, including the departure of numerous coordinators and assistant coaches, the horrific car crash that injured four defensive players in 2015, the accident that nearly killed freshman Brady Holt last spring and the rape charges that have been levied against former linebacker Torrey Green.
The last USU head coach to be fired, Brent Guy, won just nine games in four seasons. At worst, Wells will finish his first four seasons at 28-25 while competing in a much tougher conference, but expectations are definitely different in Logan than they used to be when it comes to the football program.
"There's nobody more disappointed about not being in a bowl or competing for a championship than our team, our staff and myself. Nobody more. None." Wells said. "And I recognize our fans' desire to win and win every week, and so do I. So I get that. That's part of it. And if you're a fan that pays to come to games, then you're entitled to your opinion.
"But the people that have invested a lot of time and money and energy into Utah State have been very, very supportive."
Win or lose in Provo, Wells, who was signed to a contract extension through the 2019 season in July 2015, isn't likely to be going anywhere this offseason. But it is stunning that a coach who had his named attached to several Power 5 vacancies just two years ago, now clearly needs to turn things around in the near future in order to retain his position.
That turn of events is something that's affected not only Wells, but his wife, Jen, and the couple's three children.
"You know, when they hear things at school are tough, it just gives me an opportunity as a dad to be able to help one of my children understand that their character and their response to everything that happens to them — fair or unfair — reflects their heart and who they are. That's tough for a child, but I think it brings good talks and good opportunities to teach as a parent.
"It's probably unfair to all of our coaches' kids when the kids face criticism because of their dad's performance, and they've probably also got some praise for their dad's performance. And so I try and teach them to act medium, if you will. And that's how we act and how we react to situations shows the character of our heart, and that will shine through in times of adversity, as well as in times of prosperity."