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Show StatesmanSports Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011 Page 9 Aggies will bounce back BY MEREDITH KINNEY sports senior writer go win a football game." Andersen also pointed out the season is only three games in. At this point, the Aggies still have a chance to turn things around and win games despite their 1-2 record. "We have made progress in many areas, but the main area that matters is wins and losses," Andersen said. After the loss to the Rams, Andersen gave a vague response as to when the Aggies would turn the tables, saying it would happen when it happens. Andersen did compare the quality of his team now to when he first took over as head coach. "We are playing better football than we have since I have been here, for sure," he said. "It is going to come. It is getting closer every single week, and I think that it is going to come on a consistent basis here real soon. It hasn't yet, but that is me just sitting here flapping my lips about wins. It doesn't mean anything, it doesn't give us W's." While Andersen said the overall quality and talent of the team is much improved since 2009, beyond his first year as USU head coach doesn't mean anything unless it translates into wins. More talent means higher expectations, and Andersen recognizes this. "This program, at this point, in my opinion, deserves to have some expectations and with expectations comes criticism," Andersen said. That increased criticism doesn't bother Andersen, in The Utah State football team is not giving up after losing to the Colorado State Rams, USU WIDE RECEIVER MATT AUSTIN fights off Colorado State senior cornerback Elijah-Blu Smith (No. 22) in Saturday's Homecoming loss to Colorado State, 35-34. Austin had three catches for 35 yards in the game and helped the Aggies earn 367 total offensive yards.With the loss, USU dropped to 1-2 on the season. TODD JONES photo 35-34, in double overtime, last Saturday. Head coach Gary Andersen said, in his Monday press conference, he recognizes the toll this season has taken on many involved with Utah State football. "It is very hard for every fan, very hard for every player, very hard for every coach, very hard for every alum," Andersen said. "I get all that stuff." It's true, the Aggies have faced two difficult losses, first at Auburn University and then last weekend against Colorado State, and without a doubt Andersen realizes this. After taking time to reflect on the game and some of the decisions made, Andersen said emphatically he is sure his players will recover from the loss. "These kids will bounce back," Andersen said. "We took a very, very hard defeat and fought like crazy, but this team will bounce back and do some quality things, I believe." As for the risky two-point conversion that ended Saturday's game, Andersen said he has no regrets. "Going for the two points, I would do it again in a second. Especially with what we got with the pass interference," Andersen said. "Being on the one-and-a-half-yard line with one play, I like our chances to fact he said he expects it. "The criticism that comes," Andersen said, "that is fine on me." With BYU waiting on the horizon, USU is only moving forward. The team has learned from Saturday's loss and is ready for its next opponent. "We came back last night, and we talked about the game," Andersen said. "We evaluated the game and dissected it and moved on to the BYU game." The mental blow is not the only thing the Aggies are battling this week. With a Friday night game coming up, the football team has even less time to prepare for the upcoming matchup. "We are used to these weeks and the short period has already been made up by the coaches," Andersen said. "The short period has already been made up by the players." True-freshman quarterback Chuckie Keeton was on a recruiting visit the night the Aggies defeated the BYU Cougars last season, and he will get a chance to defeat the Cougars in front of a national audience in Provo, Friday. "I think that a win can catapult you and that a loss can catapult you, and I think that a play can catapult you." Andersen said. - meredith.kinney@aggiemail. usu.edu Assistant sports editor Tyler Huskinson contributed to this report. 1From Page 7 Wagon Wheel USU won the game last season. "We won the Old Wagon Wheel last year," Williams said. "That's gonna fuel the rivalry for a long time, just because we won. We're gonna have to bring it back, we're gonna have to fight for it, and we're gonna get it. Utah State has not won the Old Wagon Wheel in back-toback seasons since 1973-74 — something BYU hopes to avoid, Friday. Utah State hasn't won in Provo since 1978. As Utah State football head coach Gary Andersen said, Oct. 1, 2010, "I guess we can call it a rivalry now, huh? We finally got a victory." - curtis.lundstrom@aggiemail. usu.edu , UTAH STATE'S DEFENSE swarms a BYU ball-carrier in front of the Brigham Young sideline during last season's matchup on Oct. I, 2010 at Romney Stadium. The Aggies beat the Cougars 31-16 for the first since 1993. Statesman file photo •r meg di From Page 8 Kinne : Expectations raised defending national champions, and then, in the Colorado State game; the Aggies have shown us again and again just how far they have come. The team rolled over Weber State University for its first victory of the season, but the Aggies win-loss record doesn't tell the story of the team. The 1-2 record has sparked recent criticism of the team struggling to live up to potential. It's a frustrating thing to watch. Time and time again, the Aggies are unable to close out games. In reality, their performance is something to be marveled. They are, after all, playing much better than we've come to expect out of them. That's not to say the Aggies should be on a pedestal. In fact, they shouldn't. It's a natural cycle. With increased production comes increased scrutiny, and maybe that's just what USU football needs. Now, the expectation is higher. Now we get mad when they lose. Yesterday, it was a feat just to compete with a team like Colorado State. It's no longer good enough to say "almost," because fans are looking for solid wins. It's been said Utah State is the best team in Utah, and it very well might be. But supporters will start losing faith if the Aggies don't start producing. Utah State head coach Gary Anderson said Monday that it is a matter of time before the victories start coming, though he did acknowledge how difficult it is to predict. One thing's for sure, members of the Aggie team are just as anxious as fans are to see everything fall into place. - Meredith Kinney is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism, and she's an avid hockey fan. She hopes to one day be a bigshot sideline reporter working for ESPN. Send any comments to meredith.kinney@aggiemaiLusu.edu. 617pe 4weir:y Simple Math 4nicP,; + Ring = A+ Gabriel&Co. NEW YORK From Page 8 Show your pride and be an Aggie fan watching Nelson's brother dirtbag move your brother make his first collegiate start did, you and your surname against Fresno State, Oct. will be hated at Utah State 7, 2006. I remember watch- forever. ing Nelson's brother throw All of you closet BYU fans, a 30-yard touchdown pass shame on you. Let's just get with 55 seconds left in the one thing straight; if you game to win, 13-12, and be don't love the spot where the carried off the field on the sagebrush grows, go to BYU team's shoulders. I remem- — Provo or Rexburg. But if you love this univerber Nelson's brother leaving to serve an LDS mission later sity as much as I do, show going to football at BYU. your pride and be an Aggie. DJ, if you pull the same - Tavin Stucki is a sophomore majoring in print journalism. He is the sports editor for The Utah Statesman and writes USU football stories for ksl.com . He is an avid Aggie fan and has been since birth. Follow his Twitter feed @tavinstucki for football updates. Send any comments to tavin.stucki@aggiemail.usu. edu. 930 N. Main Logan, Ut 435-753-9755 facebook www.jerricksfinejewelry.com |