Show The Herald Journal Logan Utah Saturday October 11 £003 W3 DUD Aggies began Sun Belt play with a win By Shawn Harrison sports editor a way to start Utah State’s debut in the Sun Belt Conference was a success After being an independent for two years the Aggies were more than ready to be part of a league again and then soundUSU hosted Louisiana-Monro- e the Indians 0 Stadium in at beat Romney ly front of 19215 fans “This game meant something” junior nose guard Ronald Tupea said “This was the first step We toward becoming conference champions played like a team” Tupea would be named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance He had six tackles and was in on three sacks Tupea also recovered a fumble setting up the Aggies’ final score The Aggie D certainly set the tone recording its first sacks of the season with four It also limited runt 28-1- -- Mitch MascaroHeraid Journal Utah State comeiback Mark Estelle (2) is congratulated by teammates after coming up with his second interception of the season against Louisiana-Monro- e ning back Kevin Payne who entered the game as the league’s top rusher to just 41 yaids on 17 carries TTie 10 points were the fewest allowed by USU in the last 37 games ‘The defense played well” Aggie head coach Mick ' Dennehy said “It was nice to get John Chick back” had missed who The sophomore defensive lineman die first three games with a broken thumb made his presence felt recording the fust sack of 2003 While the defense was putting the clamps on the Indians Aggie tailback David Fiefia rushed for a running back Kevin Payne is brought down by a host of Aggie defenders Louisiana-Monro- e 142 yards on 25 carries and scored two h touchdowns to lead the offense “I took it as a personal challenge to step it up today” Fiefia said after the game USU had 322 yards of total offense with 201 of career-hig- those coming on the ground Quarterback Travis Cox had a solid outing rushing for 34 yards and a score and passing for 121 on attempts and a TD Mitch MascaroHeraid Journal Aggie defensive tackle Jarom Fano puts pressure on Indian quarterback Steven Jyles in the last home game I i |