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Show StatesmanSports Page 12 Monday, Oct. 5, 2009 Ags struggle in Provo Record doesn’t show progress Sputters: -continued from page 8 Aggie football has made L ooking at USU’s 1-3 record, some fans might be inclined to shrug their shoulders and remark, “Different year, same sorry-ass Aggies.” For all the talk of a new start for USU under new head coach Gary Andersen, the Aggies have lost to the three teams they were supposed to lose to in nonconference play, and their sole win was over FCS sacrificial Homecoming lamb Southern Utah. Yet one group of people has certainly recognized the new fighting spirit of the Aggies: sports gamblers. In three chances, the Aggies have covered three times, (Las Vegas does not publish lines for FCS games) making some serious money for bettors who put their child’s college tuition on Utah State. For those unfamiliar with terms such as “point spread” and “cover,” a quick explanation: oddsmakers produce what is known as a betting line before the game. The line is the number of points the favored team is supposed to win by. When the underdog “covers,” it means they have lost by fewer points than they were supposed to. There is not a coach in America who will comment on or even acknowledge the existence of the point spread. Okay, sorry Rick Neuheisel, maybe there’s one. At any rate, while coaches don’t like to talk about moral victories and they definitely don’t like to brag about keeping games close or losing by less points than they were supposed to, the fact is that a team’s performance against the point spread can be a great indicator of how a team is playing. Under Brent Guy, USU was not a smart bet to cover the spread. One fumble begat another fumble, and before you knew it, the Ags were buried under an avalanche of touchdowns. In the years 2005-2008, USU covered seven times in nonconference play, while failing to cover eight times. A wager on USU in nonconference was just slightly worse than a 50-50 proposition. This year, in an admittedly small sample size, Coach A’s Aggies have covered 100 percent of their games. With Andersen’s hand on the rudder, USU may be down but they are never out – just ask the Texas A&M Aggies, who were favored by 18 points and took a 21-point lead on USU early in the fourth quarter. Instead of crumbling like a stale shortbread cookie, USU dug in its collective heels and battled back. The Aggies staged a furious rally that fell just short, eventually losing 38-30. If Von Miller didn’t sack Diondre Borel with 25 seconds remaining, USU had a legitimate shot at tying the game and perhaps even winning. USU’s sustained effort in the face of seemingly hopeless circumstances certainly lined the pockets of a few lucky or crafty gamblers that week. Aggies faced its steepest odds yet against BYU Friday night, walking onto a football field they were 0-14 on in their last 14 trips and had lost by an average of 24 points. Once again, the Aggies embraced the underdog role, turning the game into a dogfight. After falling behind 35-10 in the fourth quarter, USU fought back, driving down the field to cover the spread in the waning seconds. Utah State is not a perfect football team. They don’t seem comfortable in the red zone, where they settle for field goals too often. Borel does not seem completely at ease running the option, which is a major part of what Andersen wants to run on offense. And they’ve given up a lot of yardage on defense, despite linebackers Paul Igboeli and Bobby Wagner, and safety James Brindley, all playing like their hair is on fire. But all 1-3 records were not created equal. USU has played two ranked teams and a talented Big 12 squad loaded with NFL prospects – all three on the road – and they have played well enough to make the home fans uncomfortable in each case. The competitive fire USU has shown bodes well for its chances in an improved WAC. As I write this column there is no betting line for USU’s road WAC opener in Las Cruces. Based on last year’s 472 whitewashing in Logan, NMSU’s 2-2 record (with close wins over FCS Prairie View and 0-5 New Mexico) and USU’s brash new attitude, I would say there’s a strong chance the Aggies will be the favorites when they walk into Aggie Memorial Stadium. Call it a safe bet. Christopher Graham Terry is a senior majoring in print journalism. Comments can be sent to him at graham.terry@ aggiemail.usu. edu. get there.” The inability to execute at critical times After the game it was evident that Utah hurt USU again though, as sophomore running State was not happy about simply hanging back Robert Turbin was stopped on a thirdwith the Cougars for most of the game. Both and fourth-down attempt when the Aggies Andersen and his players expressed not a sense only needed one yard. The turnover on downs of loss but a sense of missed opportunities. gave BYU a short field at the Aggie 31 – an “I think we played hard and should’ve come advantage they quickly turned into seven more out with the victory,” points that essentially put Wagner said. “I think we the game out of reach. fought hard, I think we “Good football teams came out ready to play. I make plays to win games, think they didn’t expect and we have not done that us to come out and do yet. When it’s an even playwhat we did in the first ing field we have not made half. I think we shot those plays,” Andersen ourselves in the foot on said. “Some people would a couple plays on offense argue with me and say it’s and defense and just gave not a level playing field them the game.” with who we’ve played Andersen agreed. other than the Southern “It’s hard to look at Utah game, but I disagree a positive right now. We with that.” lost the football game, Turbin, who had been and I think we could averaging 124 rushing have had a chance to win yards a game coming into in the end,” he said. “A the contest, was held to couple plays here and only 48 yards on 17 carUSU’S XAVIER BOWMAN, 17, out ries. As a team, USU was jumps BYU’s Brandon Bradley for a late TD. there made a huge difference in this football game. held 113 yards below its PETE SMITHSUTH photo We fought hard, but the season rushing average bottom line is we lost, and our goal is to win and 164 yards below its total offensive output. the game.” “We need to be aggressive as coaches and The loss to the Cougars wraps up a tough we need to be aggressive as players to get this thing turned around to where we want it to be, preseason schedule for the Aggies who will open conference play next Saturday when they which is to get to bowl games and to compete travel to New Mexico State. for championships down the road,” he said. “If – t.olsen@aggiemail.usu.edu you’re not aggressive, I don’t think you’ll ever Rally: USU trumps Boise in comeback -continued from page 8 score of 25-21. USU hit a .222 (17-7-45) in the set win while BSU hit a .214 (14-5-42). The fourth set was another hard fought win for the Aggies who only had one attack error to BSU’s five. USU hit an impressive .447 (18-1-38) percent while holding BSU to a .311 (19-5-45) hitting percentage. For the fifth and final tiebreak set, the first team to reach 15 points gets the win. “We love the fifth set,” said USU junior setter Chelsea Fowels. “It’s one of the things our team takes pride in. We practice it a lot and when it comes down to it we know we’re good in the fifth set and that each of us are going leave it all on the floor.” The Ags did just that during the fifth set, outhitting the Broncos .190 to .148. The match ended on a USU block by Fowels, Durrant and Josselyn White, giving the Aggies the win, 15-13. Fowels had a career-night from her setter position with a season-high 56 assists to go along with a career-high nine kills. She also had a match high .471 hitting percentage and nine digs. McArthur led the Ags with 23 kills and hit a .413 hitting percentage. Emily Kortsen added 14 kills and 14 digs on the night while Christine Morrill had a match-high 22 digs. After a couple days of rest, USU returns to match play on Thursday, Oct. 8, against Fresno State (8-7, 1-2) at 8 p.m. – c.h.j@aggiemail.usu.edu www.a-bay-usu.com ClassifiedAds please contact me, Joshua Marquit at jdmarquit@msn. com or 797-3838. Homes 4 Rent Homes for Rent Female or Male Roommate Needed Female or male needed for off-campus house. Close to campus with 2 awesome roommates. Spacious living room & kitchen, & room for rent is a loft. Fun living arrangement with cable, internet, washer & dryer in home. $266/mo plus utilities. Lots of fun! Call (801)663-3161. Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.aggietownsquare.com Announcements Announcements Christian Bible Study Sunday night 7 pm, Food Science Building rm 202. www.hotm.tv Apts. for Rent Apartments for Rent Room for Rent Room available for female renter. Nice house with cable, wireless internet, and laundry services. 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Does not come with a case. $115.00 Selling M-Audio ProKeys 88sx Keyboard/MIDI Controller I’ve only had this keyboard for 3 months, and it is still in near-mint condition w/ original box and packaging. It has only been played once on a stage. I just don’t have the time to play it as often as I intended |