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Show Wednesday, Sept. I, 2010 Page 9 WednesdaySports Utah State University • Logan, Utah • wwwutahstatesman.com BYU to go independent; USU future in doubt By ADAM NETTINA sports editor Brigham Young University is planning to leave the Mountain West Conference (MWC) to become an independent in football and a member of the West Coast Conference (WCC) in all other sports. This according to the Salt Lake Tribune, which reported on Tuesday afternoon that BYU had made its intentions known to the MWC schools' presidents. BYU will continue to play as a member of the MWC for the 2010-11 academic year, with the transition to independent status in football becoming effective June 30, 2011. A press conference announcing the decision has been scheduled for today at 12 p.m. at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. It comes after a two and a half week period in which the school mulled its options following an earlier announcement that it would join the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in all sports except football. In response to the news, Fresno State and Nevada chose to leave the WAC and join the MWC, while Utah State turned down an invitation to the MWC with the presumption that the WAC would stabilize with BYU joining the conference. But the WAC, facing a future with only six member teams, no longer appeared to be an attractive conference for BYU's non-football sports, prompting the school to consider moving its other teams to the WCC. Prior to reconsidering its decision to move its teams to the WAC, BYU had worked out a plan to play several WAC schools each year in football, including Utah State. BYU will become the fourth NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team to become Independent, joining Notre Dame, Navy and Army. The school, which is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is hoping that the move increases its exposure, but will face challenges in filling out future schedules. BYU's move away from the MWC is a blow to both the MWC and the WAC, and a win for the WCC, which improves its basketball profile with the addition. The move could be the final deathblow to the WAC, which will operate with only six members during the 2012 season. Utah State will also likely suffer from BYU's declaration of football independence, and could be left without a conference if the WAC dissolves in the near future. As for that future, it will likely be addressed today at 2 pm, when WAC commissioner Karl Benson holds a teleconference to address media members in wake of BYU's decision not to join the WAC. Among the many questions that he'll have to address is how he plans to keep the conference together, and what schools the WAC could target for its own expansion. - adamnettina@gmaiL corn WEST COM CONFERENCE 411. The Great WAC Shakedown of 2010 June 11: Boise State leaves the WAC to join the MWC in all sports for the 2011 season. Aug 18: Fresno State and Nevada accept an invitation from the MWC to join following the 2012 season. Aug 31: BYU announces its decision to go independent in football and join the WCC in all other sports following the 2011 season. Superstars in the making, not replacements By MATT SONNENBERG assistant sports editor The 2009 football season didn't just see a remarkable improvement in Utah State's offensive production; it saw a full-scale turnaround in fortune that witnessed the fall of numerous school records. Guided by first-year offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin, USU's offense soared to new heights in 2009, finishing 12th in the nation in total offense. USU's three-headed monster at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver was a prime reason for the Aggies' unprecedented success. Running back Robert Turbin proved to be one of the conference's most dynamic players, becoming the school's first 1000-yard rusher since 2001 en route to earning All-Western Athletic Conference honors as a sophomore. Wide receiver Stanley Morrison - also a sophomore in 2009 - led the team in receptions and receiving yards while also providing game-changing athleticism in the return game. And who can forget quarterback Diondre Borel, who set a USU record for total offense in a season while leading the charge for an Aggie offense that gained more yards than any other Utah State team in history. That was year one under Baldwin, so one can only imagine just how far the Aggie offense would fly in year two, especially considering that the dynamic, three-headed beast of Turbin, Morrison, and Borel would be coming backing 2010 to do it all again. Two freak injuries later, that beast has been momentarily subdued. Two freak injuries later, that excitement is clouded with uncertainty. Two freak injuries later, the Aggies - so potent on offense a season ago - will be without Turbin and Morrison, and will have to rely on a new group of offensive players to rebuild Baldwin's offensive behemoth. There will be a new top rusher and a new top receiver for Utah State in 2010, and two of the prime candidates to fill those roles are looking to step up in more ways than just show up on a statsheet. Senior running back Michael Smith and junior wideout Matt Austin both bring their own skills and talents to the already stellar offense, but given the scenario of stepping up for injured superstars, each has welcomed the load of increased leadership duties and expectations. "I felt like I was a leader once I stepped on the field," Smith said. "It's an opportunity for me to step up even bigger. Right now I've got shoes to fill." While Smith says he's always felt like he was in a leadership role on the team, Austin's case isn't as similar. A promising prospect for the Aggies last preseason, the former Mt. San Antonio junior college star never saw the field thanks to a preseason foot injury. He worked his way back this spring, however, and steadily rose up the depth chart by displaying soft hands and elite athleticism. Austin may have looked to be among the offense's primary contributors this season with or without a healthy Morrison, but he never anticipated being the unquestioned No. 1 receiver going into the season. Yet as training camp got underway in August, that's exactly the role Austin embraced. Aside from being asked to catch passes and score touchdowns for USU, Austin will also be called upon to be a leader on the offense. It's an unfamiliar role he's had to adjust to given Morrison's injury.. "I'm not really a vocal leader, but I think I have to be," Austin said. "Now I've gotten better with it and really I'm just being a leader on the field and off the field and making plays to be a leader too." Baldwin voiced his own excitement for Austin's ability to make plays and to be a leader, saying, "I expect a big impact from Matt. He's got great hands. He goes up and gets it. He's definitely our go-to receiver." Baldwin and the rest of the coaching staff aren't the only ones fueling the hype for Austin. The 2010 Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook named Austin as its pick for the WAC's Newcomer of the Year award. 40 RUNNINGBACK MICHAEL SMITH AND WIDE RECEIVER MATT AUSTIN are looking to shine in big ways on and off the field in 2010, rather than just fill in for injured stars Robert Turbin and Stanley Morrison. CARL R. WILSON photo him," Baldwin said of Smith. Austin appears to have the same type of confidence in both himself and in the receiving corps in which he has assumed the As the 2010 season draws closer and the Aggie leadership role of, and feels that USU's receiving corps - while opener in Norman, Oklahoma looms, USU is inexperienced - is capable of picking up any slack left by the offdown two superstars. In their place, however, season loss of Turbin. are two players who have all the tools to step "I think we have enough talent in the receiving corps to step up up and fill the void left on the offense. and take that load off the running backs," Austin said. And, according to Austin, the players' Smith, on the other-hand, isn't as concerned with filling the hard work and relentless attenvoid left by Turbin as much as he is with performing at his best tion to detail will pay off come and bringing the rest of the tailbacks up to a high level of perforSeptember. "We're all hungry. We all mance. Smith said that USU's backs aren't going to try to imitate Turbin's punishing style of play on the field, and will instead want to win, and we're bring their own unique talents to the position. going to prove ourc "We don't try to be like him," Smith said of Turbin. "I know selves this year." how to break plays. We can all catch. We can all run. Going into - matt.sonn@ ••• the summer we had so much confidence and such a positive aggiemaiLusu. mind-set. I feel we can do anything." edu Smith's 2009 campaign left plenty of reason for excitement despite his limited role in the offense. He rushed for 290 yards and four touchdowns on the year while averaging 6.3 yards-percarry, the same average as Turbin. Smith also showed he could be just as dangerous of a receiving threat as Turbin, catching 19 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns. USU has other options at running back besides Smith. Two other players Aggie fans should be on the lookout for are senior Dervin Speight and sophomore Kerwynn Williams. Both Speight and Williams figure to see plenty of reps at running back this season, much like Smith and Speight each did a year ago behind Turbin. Baldwin expects the three back rotation to be a valuable addition to the USU offense, but said that Smith will take on the leading role in the trio. "He's got to be a go-to running back, but we THE PLACE TO BE. 2271 N MAIN • NORTH LOGAN • 787-AGGY have horses behind SPORTS GRILL Aggies @ Oklahoma |