Show A§gie$ arnning' for ftHhofher ®W Ml© Experienced defense to lead By Shawn Harrison sports writer Utah State enters the 1998 season having won three Big West titles in the last five years (1993 1996 and 1997) and having nude an appearance in the inaugural Humanitarian Bowl last year But some Aggie players aren't satisfied The past two seasons USU has shared the Big west title with Nevada The 1998 Aggies are tired of sharing “My first year here we shared the title with Nevada but lost to them" junior strong safety Donald Dicko said “Then last year we beat Nevada but ended up sharing again It is time to stop sharing We need to be greedy and not share” Senior offensive guard Ken Watts agreed "It’s not like sharing is fun We want die title" In order to get that title it looks like the Aggies will have to battle Nevada for it again The Wolf Pack are picked by most n polls to be the hot in the league this year The league champion will meet a team from Conference USA in the Human itarian Bowl in Boise Idaho on Dec 30 The Aggies broke a five-galosing streak to Nevada with a 38-1-9 pounding of the Pack last year in Reno in a contest that head deckled the bowl berth First-yecoach Dave Arslanian has also had good luck against the Wolf Pack having guided Weber State to wins the lari two times die ar USU schools met But the Aggies and Wolf Pack don't meet until Nov 7 in Romney Stadium There are plenty of games — nine to be exact — before that contest occurs “By the time we play a conference game there could be a whole set of new races or a whole new look" Arslanian said “Teams could be better or they could be beat up The team that is picked to win it has to come to our place so that’s nice Our goal is to win the Big West and we are excited about the challenge” Like most teams in the conference the Aggies have a tough schedule League games don’t begin for USU until Oct 17 when Idaho comes to town The Aggies do play six games at home this season including three of their five league contests But games at national powers like New Mexico (Sept 12) Colorado (Sept 19) and No 18 Washington (Oct 10) are not going to be easy The Aggies also fine instate rival Utah (Sept 5) and Oregon State (Oct 3) from the PAC 10 at home Don't expect the Aggies to back down to whomever die opponent may be In fact Aggie veterans can't wait to play the big name schools “I’ve looked at (the schedule) a lot and I'm excited about the whole season every game" Dicko said Tm the type of player that pbtys harder when more u expected I ce MHch MaacanVHsraid Journal Utah 8tale running back Demario Brown (21) rurta for lha end zona against Nevada last son Brown is back for his junior season for tie Aggiee like challenges challenges are good" “I love the schedule senior free safety and Johndale Catty said “I play my best games against high-lev- el competition Tm looking forward to this schedule” Tb be honest probably every one of those teams are better than us but that doesn’t mean anything” senior linebacker and Tony D’ Amato added “The game still has to be played” Joining D’ Amato and Carty as co-ca- p- tains are junior running back Demario Brown andr After a 2--0 start last season the Aggies i dropped four heaitbreakers by a i1m29 points USU had a chance to win every game it lost But like every squad guided by former head coach John L Smith the ’97 Aggies turned things around in league play winning four straight and locking up See AGGIES on Page 4 SLEEPING BAG a$ Financing TAURUS leee eon sedan SE &0L EH V6 Engine Auto (Xwdriw Henamtoeion Remote Entry Control Speed Oonbol AMFM Stereo Redo wA5aseette Power Dow Locks & Windows in7&Q Cash MSRP CASHBACK DISCOUNT Wflyle 20075 750 750 i 31 0 |