THE CLIMB CONTINUES Utah State Football Utah State Football SEASON PREVIEW. Quick Facts

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1 Season Preview The Aggies Coaching Staff Opponents Season Review Records University Mountain West THE CLIMB CONTINUES 29

2 2014 University Records Season Review Opponents Coaching Staff The Aggies Mountain West OFFENSIVE CAPSULE Starters Returning/Lost: 6/10 Lettermen Returning/Lost: 17/14 Redshirts Returning: 11 Squadmen Returning: 1 Newcomers: 15 Starters Returning (6) QB Darell Garretson (So., 6-0, 200, 1L) RB Joe Hill (Sr., 5-11, 190, 3L) QB Chuckie Keeton (Sr., 6-2, 200, 3L) WR JoJo Natson (Jr., 5-7, 151, 2L) WR Brandon Swindall (Jr., 6-4, 198, 2L) OT Kevin Whimpey (Sr., 6-5, 295, 2L) Starters Lost (10) TE Keegan Andersen (6-2, 231, 3L) RB Joey DeMartino (5-11, 210, 3L) OC Tyler Larsen (6-4, 312, 4L) OG Jamie Markosian (6-2, 302, 4L) WR Travis Reynolds (5-11, 180, 4L) OT Eric Schultz (6-4, 308, 4L) OG Sini Tauauve a (6-2, 331, 2L) TE D.J. Tialavea (6-4, 266, 4L) WR Travis Van Leeuwen (6-3, 195, 4L) OG Kyle Whimpey (6-6, 310, 2L) Lettermen Returning (17) WR Ronald Butler (Sr., 6-0, 185, 1L) TE Jefferson Court (Sr., 6-3, 238, 1L) OG Taani Fisilau (Jr., 6-2, 293, 2L) QB Darell Garretson (So., 6-0, 200, 1L) QB Craig Harrison (Sr., 6-2, 203, 2L) TE Wyatt Houston (So., 6-5, 245, 1L) RB Joe Hill (Sr., 5-11, 190, 3L) WR Shaan Johnson (Sr., 6-1, 190, 1L) QB Chuckie Keeton (Sr., 6-2, 200, 3L) WR JoJo Natson (Jr., 5-7, 151, 2L) OT Jake Simonich (So., 6-5, 286, 1L) OC Joe Summers (Sr., 6-2, 294, 2L) WR Brandon Swindall (Jr., 6-4, 198, 2L) OG Bill Vavau (Sr., 6-4, 314, 1L) OG Bryce Walker (Sr., 6-8, 303, 2L) OT Kevin Whimpey (Sr., 6-5, 295, 2L) RB Kennedy Williams (So., 5-8, 160, 1L) 2013 Offensive Rankings Category MW NCAA Scoring Offense (31.8) 6 50 Passing Efficiency (135.2) 7 46 Rushing Offense (178.1) 7 53 Completion % (.617) 8 46 Total Offense (411.5) Passing Offense (233.4) Sacks Allowed (2.36) Offense Returning In 2014 Category Stat Return Pct. Pass Att Pass Comp Pass Yds. 3,268 3, Pass TDs Receptions Rec. Yds. 3,268 1, Rec. TDs Rush Att Rush Yds. 2, Rush TDs Total Offense 5,761 4, Total TDs After winning back-to-back bowl games and playing in three-straight bowls for the first time in school history, Utah State football has established itself as one of the top programs in the Rocky Mountain region. Under the direction of second-year head coach Matt Wells, the 2013 Mountain West Coach of the Year, expectations will once again be high in 2014 as Utah State looks to reclaim its Mountain Division title from a year ago and compete for the Mountain West Championship once again after playing in the inaugural Mountain West Championship game in its first year in the conference. To accomplish its goals in 2014, Utah State will have to replace 22 seniors who graduated as the winningest class in school history with 31 victories, including a 20-7 record during the past two seasons. Fortunately, USU returns 14 starters (O-6, D-5, S-3) as part of 38 returning letterwinners (O-17, D-18, S-3) from last year s team that finished with a 9-5 record, a Mountain Division title and a San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl Championship with its win against No. 24 Northern Illinois. Offensively, Utah State returns one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country in senior Chuckie Keeton, who earned first-team all-western Athletic Conference honors as a sophomore and ranked second in the nation with 17 touchdown passes through five games as a junior before missing the final eight contests of the season with a knee injury. Despite Keeton s injury, USU s offense still set five single-season school records in 2013, including pass completions (297), total offensive plays (1,073), touchdown passes (30) and first downs (310), while its 445 points scored rank second all-time. Furthermore, USU s 56 total touchdowns scored in 2013 rank third all-time and its 31.7 points per game average ranks fifth all-time in school history. Defensively, Utah State has four all-mountain West players returning including two second-team linebackers in senior Zach Vigil and junior Kyler Fackrell. Senior defensive end B.J. Larsen also earned second-team all-league honors in 2013, while senior safety Brian Suite was named to the honorable mention team. In 2013, USU s defense ranked among the top 15 teams nationally in four categories, including finishing seventh in scoring defense (17.1 ppg), eighth in rushing defense (106.7 ypg) and 12th in total defense (330.9 ypg). Having won 25 of its last 33 games, including 18 of its last 19 league games, to go along with winning 12 of its last 14 home games, and 11 straight on the road in league play, Utah State football has plenty of momentum heading into its 2014 campaign. C. Keeton QUARTERBACKS Utah State returns two proven players at the quarterback position in senior Chuckie Keeton and sophomore Darell Garretson. Keeton, who is a three-year starter, is returning after missing the final eight games of 2013 with a knee injury. In his first three years at USU, Keeton has started 27 games and ranks first all-time in school history with a career completion percentage of 66.5 percent. Keeton also ranks second all-time at USU in touchdown passes (56), tied for second in completions (517), third in total offense (7,114 yards), sixth in passing yards (5,961), seventh in passing attempts (777) and 22nd in rushing yards (1,153). Keeton, who earned first-team all-wac honors as a sophomore in 2012, ranked second in the nation with 17 touchdown passes through his first five games as a junior. He also ranked first in the Mountain West and second in the nation in points responsible for (22.8 pg), second in the MW and 22nd in the nation in passing efficiency (161.6), third in the MW and eighth in the nation in completions (26.4 pg), third in the MW and 11th in the nation in completion percentage (.710), third in the MW and 18th in the nation in total offense (317.2 ypg), and fourth in the MW and 25th in the nation in passing (272.4 ypg) through his first five games of his junior campaign. Keeton finished his junior-shortened season completing 136-of-196 passes for 1,388 yards (231.3 ypg) with 18 touchdowns and just two interceptions, while rushing for another 241 yards on 55 carries (402. ypg/4.4 ypc) with two more scores. Furthermore, Keeton tied his own school record with five touchdown passes twice as a junior and enters his senior season with seven 300-yard passing games and 18 multi-touchdown games through the air. Garretson posted a 6-1 record as a true freshman starter filling in for the injured Keeton, including winning his first five games to set the school record. Garretson also set the single-game record for passing yards by a freshman as he was 28-of-41 passing for 370 yards with three touchdowns in Utah State s home win against Hawai i. Garretson concluded his freshman season completing 126-of-209 passes (.603) for a freshman school record 1,446 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Utah State also returns senior Craig Harrison, who has appeared in 16 games in his first two years at USU and has completed 43-of- 83 passes for 497 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. 30

3 2014 OFFENSIVE NOTABLES J. Natson WIDE RECEIVERS Even with the graduation of two productive starters here in Travis Reynolds and Travis Van Leeuwen, Utah State returns three proven wide receivers in senior Ronald Butler and juniors JoJo Natson and Brandon Swindall. During his career, Reynolds played in 41 games and caught 88 passes for 1,176 yards (13.4 ypr) with five touchdowns, while Van Leeuwen played in 50 games and caught 95 passes for 1,189 yards (12.5 ypr) with six touchdowns. Butler concluded his first season at Utah State by catching 24 passes for 346 yards (14.4 ypr) with three touchdowns, including his best performance of the year in the inaugural Mountain West Championship game as he caught five passes for a career-best 145 yards. Natson led USU with 59 receptions a year ago for 395 yards (6.7 ypr) with two touchdowns. And Swindall ranked first on the team with six touchdown receptions as he caught 29 passes for 285 yards (9.8 ypr). Another Aggie who should see more playing time in 2014 is senior Shaan Johnson, who played in all 14 games as a junior and caught seven passes for 72 yards (10.3 ypr) with one touchdown. Other players who should make contributions here include sophomore Tyler Weese, redshirt freshmen Braelon Roberts and Hayden Weichers and true freshman Damoun Patterson. TIGHT ENDS Utah State must replace two quality tight ends lost to graduation in D.J. Tialavea and Keegan Andersen. Tialavea played in 32 games during his career and caught 30 passes for 198 yards (6.6 ypr) with five touchdowns, while Andersen played in 35 games and caught 17 passes for 194 yards (11.4 ypr) with three touchdowns. Despite its losses, Utah State returns plenty of experience here highlighted by the return of sophomore Wyatt Houston who played in the final seven games of his freshman season, including three starts, after getting his redshirt pulled. Houston finished his freshman campaign with seven receptions for 118 yards (16.9 ypr) with two touchdowns. Another experienced returner at tight end is senior Jefferson Court who played in 13 games a year ago and recorded one reception on the season. One newcomer who will vie for playing time this fall is sophomore Landon Horne who had 39 receptions for 406 yards (10.4 ypr) with five touchdowns as a freshman at Snow College. K. Whimpey OFFENSIVE LINE Despite losing five players who started at least five games here a year ago, including all-mountain West performers Tyler Larsen, Jamie Markosian and Eric Schultz, Utah State does return a lot of talent and experience up front, highlighted by senior offensive tackle Kevin Whimpey who has started 26 straight games during his Aggie career. Other players here with experience in the program include seniors Joe Summers (center), Bryce Walker (guard) and Bill Vavau (guard), junior Taani Fisilau (guard), and sophomore Jake Simonich (tackle). Summers and Walker have both played in 11 games during the past two seasons, while Vavau played in six games during his first year in the program. Fisilau has appeared in 12 games during the last two years and Simonich played in all 14 games a year ago. Other linemen who could emerge during the fall include redshirt sophomore Austin Stephens (center), sophomore Austin Albrecht (guard), redshirt freshmen Andrew Chen (center), Tyshon Mosley (guard) and Brandon Taukeiaho (guard), and freshman Cody Boyer (guard). RUNNING BACKS For the third time in as many years, Utah State must replace an all-league running back after the graduation of Joey DeMartino, who earned honorable mention all- Mountain West honors after rushing for 1,221 yards on 221 carries (5.5 ypc) with 13 touchdowns, while recording seven 100-yard rushing games. Utah State also lost Robert Marshall, who played in 43 career games and rushed for 415 yards on 94 carries (4.4 ypg) as a senior. The leading candidate to fill DeMartino s shoes this fall is senior Joe Hill, who missed the final nine games of his junior campaign with a knee injury. In his first three years at USU, Hill has appeared in 24 games and accumulated 566 rushing yards on 103 carries (5.5 ypc) with nine touchdowns, while adding 25 receptions for 303 yards (12.1 ypr) and three touchdowns. As a junior, Hill rushed for 252 yards on just 53 carries (4.8 ypc) with one touchdown, while adding 13 receptions for 94 yards (7.2 ypr) and one touchdown. Another returner who could make an impact this fall is sophomore Kennedy Williams, as he rushed for 68 yards on 21 carries (3.2 ypc) as a true freshman. Utah State has two other running backs who could emerge during the fall in junior Rashad Hall and freshman Karris Johnson, as both players redshirted last year. * Utah State s offense in 2013 ended up being one of the best in school history, statistically, as it set single-season school records for pass completions (297), total offensive plays (1,073), touchdown passes (30) and first downs (310), including first downs passing (156), while its 445 points scored and 481 pass attempts both rank second all-time. Furthermore, USU s 56 touchdowns rank third all-time and its 31.7 points per game average ranks fifth all-time in school history. USU also set a school record by playing 14 games during the season. * Utah State had seven 100-yard rushers in 2013 and has now had a 100-yard rusher 37 times in the last five years, a span of 64 games. Prior to its current run, USU produced a 100-yard rusher just 23 times in its previous eight seasons. Overall, USU has won 15-straight games when it has had a 100- yard rusher, with its last loss coming against Ohio in the 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. * Utah State went 9-1 in 2013 when it rushed at least 40 times in a game and 0-4 when it had less than 40 rushing attempts in a game. * Utah State had 68 explosive plays in 2013 with 22 rushes and 46 receptions of at least 20 yards, which averages out to 4.86 explosive plays per game. * Utah State had 69 scoring drives in 2013 and the following is a breakdown of those scoring drives: 10-plus plays (23); five or fewer plays (22); three or fewer plays (7); one play (3); less than two minutes (21); over five minutes (8); 75-plus yards (24). * Utah State returns one offensive player who has earned all-league honors as senior quarterback Chuckie Keeton was a firstteam all-wac selection as a sophomore in Keeton missed the final eight games of the 2013 campaign with a knee injury. * Utah State junior wide receiver JoJo Natson scored two receiving touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns and two punt return touchdowns during the 2013 season and was the only player at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level to accomplish this feat. Natson earned honorable mention all-mountain West honors as a punt returner in * Sophomore quarterback Darell Garretson was one of just 21 true freshmen at the FBS level to start at quarterback during the 2013 season. Overall, Garretson went 6-1 as a starter and set the school record with fivestraight wins to begin a career. Season Preview The Aggies Coaching Staff Opponents Season Review Records University Mountain West 31

4 2014 University Records Season Review Opponents Coaching Staff The Aggies Mountain West DEFENSIVE CAPSULE Starters Returning/Lost: 5/8 Lettermen Returning/Lost: 18/13 Redshirts Returning: 4 Squadmen Returning: 4 Newcomers: 16 Starters Returning (5) LB Kyler Fackrell (Jr., 6-5, 245, 2L) DE B.J. Larsen (Sr., 6-5, 275, 3L) FS Brian Suite (Sr., 6-3, 205, 2L) LB Nick Vigil (So., 6-2, 230, 1L) LB Zach Vigil (Sr., 6-2, 232, 3L) Starters Lost (8) SS Maurice Alexander (6-2, 212, 2L) CB Quinton Byrd (5-10, 181, 4L) LB Jake Doughty (6-0, 230, 4L) CB Tay Glover-Wright (6-0, 170, 2L) CB Nevin Lawson (5-10, 186, 4L) NG AJ Pataial i (6-3, 307, 2L) DE Paul Piukala (6-5, 275, 2L) DE Connor Williams (6-3, 278, 4L) Lettermen Returning (18) DE Ricky Ali ifua (So., 6-3, 275, 1L) LB Jarom Baldomero (Jr., 6-0, 230, 1L) FS Devin Centers (So., 5-9, 190, 1L) CB Marquan Ellison (So., 5-11, 175, 1L) LB Kyler Fackrell (Jr., 6-5, 245, 2L) LB Torrey Green (Jr., 6-2, 220, 1L) LB La Bradford Harold (Jr., 5-11, 225, 2L) S Kelvin Lee (Jr., 5-10, 187, 2L) NG Elvis Kamana-Matagi (Sr., 6-2, 298, 3L) DE B.J. Larsen (Sr., 6-5, 275, 3L) DE Jordan Nielsen (Jr., 6-5, 265, 2L) LB Michael Okonkwo (Jr., 6-1, 222, 2L) NG Travis Seefeldt (Jr., 6-2, 302, 2L) CB Rashard Stewart (Sr., 5-11, 185, 3L) FS Brian Suite (Sr., 6-3, 205, 2L) SS Frankie Sutera (Sr., 6-1, 201, 3L) LB Nick Vigil (So., 6-2, 230, 1L) LB Zach Vigil (Sr., 6-2, 232, 3L) 2013 Defensive Rankings Category MW NCAA Scoring Defense (17.1) 1 7 Rushing Defense (106.7) 1 8 Total Defense (330.9) 1 12 Passing Eff. Defense (113.2) 1 15 Sacks (2.43) 2 35 Passing Defense (224.1) 2 52 Defense Returning In 2014 Category Stat Return Pct. Tackles 1, Tackles for Loss QB Hurries Sacks Interceptions Pass Break-Ups Forced Fumbles Fumble Recoveries Blocks B.J. Larsen DEFENSIVE LINE For the second time in as many years, Utah State s defensive line spearheaded one of the best overall defenses in the nation as it ranked among the top 15 nationally in four categories in 2013, including finishing seventh in scoring defense (17.1 ppg), eighth in rushing defense (106.7 ypg), 12th in total defense (330.9 ypg) and 15th in passing efficiency defense (113.2). Utah State does have to replace three letterwinners here, including nose guard AJ Pataiali i who earned second-team all- Mountain West honors as a senior. Along with Pataiali i, USU must all replace two other proven starters in defensive ends Paul Piukala and Connor Williams. Pataiali i recorded 42 tackles as a senior, including 3.5 for loss and 1.0 sack, while Piukala had 40 tackles, including 5.0 for loss, and Williams had 25 tackles, including 2.0 sacks. Williams, who earned honorable mention all-western Athletic Conference honors as a junior, played in 38 games during his Aggie career and had 87 total tackles, including 12.0 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks. Despite the loss of these three proven players, Utah State returns five letterwinners along its defensive line, highlighted by senior defensive end B.J. Larsen who started 13 games a year ago and earned secondteam all-mountain West honors as a junior after recording 31 tackles, including 8.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks, which ranked second on the team. Another all-league player returning is junior defensive end Jordan Nielsen, who earned second-team all-wac honors as a redshirt freshman in During his sophomore season, Nielsen recorded 35 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Overall, Larsen has played in 39 career games and Nielsen has played in 26 career games. Other letterwinners returning for Utah State along the defensive line include senior nose guard Elvis Kamana-Matagi who played in all 14 games a year ago, junior nose guard Travis Seefeldt who played in 12 games, and sophomore defensive end Ricky Ali ifua who played in 13 games. Kamana-Matagi recorded 14 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss as a junior, while Seefeldt had nine tackles including 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks, and Ali ifua finished the year with 24 tackles, including 4.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Newcomers who will vie for playing time here include a pair of junior college transfers in junior defensive end John Taylor and sophomore defensive end Siua Taufa. Z. Vigil LINEBACKERS Arguably its most talented position on the field, Utah State returns a plethora of skilled players at linebacker including two who earned second-team all-mountain West honors a year ago in senior Zach Vigil and junior Kyler Fackrell, while sophomore Nick Vigil established himself as a starter late in the season. Even with all of its returning experience, Utah State does have to replace one starter here in Jake Doughty, who earned first-team all-mountain West honors as a senior as he had a team-leading 148 tackles, including 12.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. Doughty also had three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery he returned 86 yards for a touchdown. Another player who graduated is Terrell Thompson, who played in 10 games in 2013 and recorded nine tackles, including 1.0 sack, while Tavaris McMillian was medically disqualified. Overall, McMillian played in 33 career games and had 95 career tackles, including 13.5 for loss. Zach Vigil, who has played in 31 games with 27 career starts at USU, finished second on the team with 124 tackles (8.9 pg) as a junior, to go along with 12.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one interception. Vigil was also a second-team all-wac selection as a sophomore in 2012 as he had 105 tackles (8.1 pg), to go along with a team-leading 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Fackrell, who has started all 27 games during his Utah State career, led the team with 13.0 tackles for loss as a sophomore, to go along with 5.0 sacks and 80 tackles (5.7 pg). Fackrell also had two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and an interception he returned 99 yards for a touchdown, as he was named an honorable mention sophomore All-American by College Football News. Fackrell also earned first-team all-wac honors in 2012 along with being named a Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Freshman All-American as he had 87 tackles (6.7 pg), which included 8.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, three interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick. Nick Vigil, who played in all 14 games in 2013 and started the final four, was sixth on the team with 57 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss and a team-leading 5.5 sacks, while adding one interception. Other returning letterwinners here include juniors Jarom Baldomero, Torrey Green, La Bradford Harold and Michael Okonkwo. Newcomers who will look for playing time include redshirt freshman Alex Huerta and freshman Ian Togiai. 32

5 2014 DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS NOTABLES B. Suite N. Diaz DEFENSIVE BACKS Utah State s biggest concern heading into the 2014 season is in the defensive backfield after the graduation of four starters here in safety Maurice Alexander, and cornerbacks Quinton Byrd, Tay Glover-Wright and Nevin Lawson. Alexander played in 25 games with 21 starts during his Utah State career and earned honorable mention all-mountain West honors as a senior as he had 80 tackles (6.2 pg), to go along with 9.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, six pass breakups and one interception. Byrd played in 52 games during his USU career including 13 starts, and recorded 43 tackles, including 2.0 for loss, to go along with nine pass breakups and one interception as a senior. Glover-Wright, who played in 27 games and made 11 career starts, finished his senior season with 52 tackles, including 5.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and 10 pass breakups. And Lawson earned first-team all-mountain West and third-team All-American accolades from College Sports Madness as a senior as he recorded 57 tackles, including 5.0 tackles for loss, and led the team with 13 pass breakups, while ranking second with four interceptions. Two other players who were lost to graduation include safeties Clayton Christensen and Cameron Sanders who combined to play in 63 games during their careers. Despite all of its losses here, Utah State does return five letterwinners in the defensive backfield, including senior free safety Brian Suite, who earned honorable mention all- Mountain West honors as a junior as he started all 14 games and led the team with five interceptions and finished the season with 77 tackles (5.5 pg) and six pass breakups. Suite also started all 13 games as a sophomore and finished fifth on the team that year with 73 tackles to go along with six pass breakups and one interception. Other returning letterwinners here include senior cornerback Rashard Stewart, senior safety Frankie Sutera, and sophomore safety Devin Centers and sophomore cornerback Marquan Ellison. Stewart has played in 36 games during his first three seasons at USU and finished his junior campaign with 14 tackles and two pass breakups. Sutera has played in 37 games during his Aggie career, and recorded 29 tackles and one interception as a junior. Newcomers who will vie for playing time here this fall include junior safety Marwin Evans, sophomore cornerback Daniel Gray and freshman safety Myron Turner as all three redshirted the 2013 season in their first year at USU. SPECIAL TEAMS Utah State returns all but two of its specialists from a year ago including senior punter/holder Jaron Bentrude, senior placekicker Nick Diaz and sophomore placekicker Jake Thompson. Two players not back are placekicker Josh Thompson and long snapper Nate Needham. Thompson finished his Aggie career ranking sixth all-time with 70 extra points made and seventh all-time with 72 extra points attempted, while his career extra point percentage (.972) ranks fifth all-time in school history. Needham played in 40 games during his career. Diaz, who has appeared in 30 games during his first three seasons at Utah State, earned honorable mention all-mountain West honors as a junior as he finished the season ranking second in the conference in extra point percentage (.981), fourth in the MW and 43rd in the nation in field goals made per game (1.21), sixth the league and 59th in the nation in field goal percentage (.739) and ninth in the MW and 72nd in the nation in scoring with 7.3 points per game. As a junior, Diaz was 17-of-23 on field goals to rank fifth and seventh in school history in each category, respectively, while his 51 made extra points and 52 extra point attempts both rank second all-time at USU for a single-season. Furthermore, Diaz s extra point percentage (.981) during his junior season ranks ninth all-time in school history. For his career, Diaz ranks second all-time in school history in extra points made (91), third in extra points attempted (92), third in extra point percentage (.989), third in field goal percentage (.750), seventh in field goals made (27) and eighth in field goals attempted (36). Bentrude punted 73 times for an average of 39.8 yards per punt as a junior, which ranked ninth in the Mountain West. Bentrude had 31 punts downed inside the 20-yard line to rank 11th in the nation, including 12 punts downed inside the 10-yard line to rank 16th nationally. He also had six punts of 50-plus yards on the season, including a career-long of 64 yards. Jake Thompson finished his freshman season kicking off 86 times for an average of 63.5 yards per kick, including 42 touchbacks, and was 1-of-3 on 50-plus yard field goals, as his lone make was from 52 yards. In 2013, Utah State ranked first in the Mountain West and second in the nation in punt return defense allowing just 1.30 yards per return, and first in the MW and fifth in the nation in kickoff return defense allowing yards per return. USU also ranked fifth in the MW and 37th nationally in net punting (37.9 ypk), fifth in the MW and 38th in the nation in punt returns (10.3 ypr), and sixth in the MW and 46th nationally in kickoff returns (22.5 ypr). USU also blocked two punts in 2013 to rank fifth nationally. * Utah State s defense finished the 2013 season by holding five of its last seven opponents to 14 or fewer points and did not give up more than 24 points in its final seven games. * Utah State allowed just rushing yards per game in 2013, which is the fewest by an Aggie defense since the 1968 team allowed just rushing yards per game. USU also allowed just 17.1 points per game in 2013, which is the second-fewest by an Aggie defense since the 1971 team allowed 16.6 points per game (the 2012 defense allowed just 15.4 points per game). Overall, those 17.1 points per game allowed by USU in 2013 rank as the 11th-fewest in school history. * Utah State allowed just two 100-yard rushers during the 2013 season, while USU allowed just nine rushing touchdowns. Furthermore, USU only allowed six rushes of 20 or more yards on the season, while holding each of its last four opponents and five of its last six opponents overall to less than 100 yards rushing. * Utah State was the only FBS team not to allow a touchdown run of 10 or more yards in * Utah State s defense held its opponents to just 13 points following 16 USU turnovers in * Utah State returns four defensive players who earned various all-mountain West honors in 2013 as junior linebacker Kyler Fackrell, senior defensive end B.J. Larsen and senior linebacker Zach Vigil were all named to the second-team, while senior free safety Brian Suite earned honorable mention all-mountain West honors, while junior defensive end Jordan Nielsen earned second-team all-wac honors as a redshirt freshman in * Utah State returns two players who earned honorable mention all-mountain West honors in 2013 in senior placekicker Nick Diaz and junior punt returner JoJo Natson. SPECIAL TEAMS CAPSULE Starters Returning/Lost: 3/0 Lettermen Returning/Lost: 3/1 Redshirts Returning: 0 Squadmen Returning: 2 Newcomers: 0 Starters Returning (3) P/H Jaron Bentrude (Sr., 6-1, 209, 3L) PK Nick Diaz (Sr., 5-8, 182, 3L) PK Jake Thompson (So., 6-0, 200, 1L) Starters Lost (0) None Lettermen Returning (3) P/H Jaron Bentrude (Sr., 6-1, 209, 3L) PK Nick Diaz (Sr., 5-8, 182, 3L) PK Jake Thompson (So., 6-0, 200, 1L) 2013 Special Teams Rankings Category MW NCAA Net Punting (37.9) 5 37 Punt Returns (10.3) 5 38 Kickoff Returns (22.5) 6 46 Season Preview The Aggies Coaching Staff Opponents Season Review Records University Mountain West 33

6 2014 ROSTERS University Records Season Review Opponents Coaching Staff The Aggies Mountain West ALPHABETICAL No. Name Pos. 55 Adeoye, Adewale LB 65 Albrecht, Austin OL 95 Ali ifua, Ricky DE 45 Baldomero, Jarom LB 38 Bentrude, Jaron P/K 94 Berntson, Eric DE 87 Bird, Brock WR 78 Boyer, Cody OL 13 Brown, Jordan QB 18 Butler, Ronald WR 37 Centers, Devin S 55 Chen, Andrew OL 40 Cheney, Austin CB 48 Christiansen, Chase LB 33 Court, Jefferson TE 13 Davis, Jalen CB 43 DeLoach, Dayton S 93 Diaz, Nick PK 2 Ellison, Marquan CB 24 Evans, Marwin S 9 Fackrell, Kyler LB 98 Faimalo, Edmund DE 43 Filiaga, Dillon LB 75 Fisilau, Taani OG 15 Floyd, Tyler CB 80 Fox, Tyler WR 10 Garretson, Darell QB 1 Gray, Daniel CB 39 Green, Torrey LB 20 Hall, Rashad RB 42 Harold, La Bradford LB 12 Harrison, Craig QB 22 Hayes, Bryant CB 34 Hervey, Justen RB 69 Hicks, Jordan OL 32 Hill, Joe RB 17 Hines, Deshane CB 44 Horne, Landon TE 83 Houston, Wyatt TE 12 Huerta, Alex LB 21 Hunt, LaJuan RB 47 Hutchinson, Mark LS 64 Ioane, Jarom OL 90 Jeppesen, Clark DE 30 Johnson, Karris RB 14 Johnson, Shaan WR 96 Kamana-Matagi, Elvis NG 16 Keeton, Chuckie QB 99 Larsen, B.J. DE 49 Larsen, Derek LB 10 Lee, Kelvin S 81 Mosely, Marcus TE 72 Mosley, Tyshon OL 2 Myers, Kent QB 9 Natson, JoJo WR 97 Nielsen, Jordan DE 23 Okonkwo, Michael LB 31 Painter, Jentz CB 92 Parkinson, Jordan DE 84 Patterson, Damoun WR 79 Rice, Logan OL 88 Roberts, Braelon WR 3 Robinson, Devonte WR 27 Rocquemore, Jontrell S 56 Schuster, Gasetoto NG 70 Seefeldt, Travis NG 4 Sharp, Hunter WR 76 Simonich, Jake OL 59 Stephens, Austin OC 6 Stewart, Rashard CB NUMERICAL No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Exp. Hometown (High School/Last School) 1 Daniel Gray CB So. RS Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Boyd Anderson HS/Tennessee) 2 Marquan Ellison CB So. 1L Milwaukee, Wis. (Bradley Tech HS) 2 Kent Myers QB Fr. HS Rowlett, Texas (Sachse HS) 3 Devonte Robinson WR Jr. JC Delray Beach, Fla. (Village Academy HS/Dodge City CC) 4 Hunter Sharp WR Jr. JC Palmdale, Calif. (Highland HS/Antelope Valley JC) 6 Rashard Stewart CB Sr. 3L Miami, Fla. (Miami Jackson HS) 9 Kyler Fackrell LB Jr. 2L Mesa, Ariz. (Mesa HS) 9 JoJo Natson WR Jr. 2L Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Boyd Anderson HS) 10 Darell Garretson QB So. 1L Chandler, Ariz. (Chandler HS) 10 Kelvin Lee S Jr. 2L Daytona Beach, Fla. (Mainland HS) 11 Brandon Swindall WR Jr. 2L Oklahoma City, Okla. (Millwood HS) 12 Craig Harrison QB Sr. 2L Grantsville, Utah (Grantsville HS/Snow College) 12 Alex Huerta LB Fr. RS Wellsville, Utah (Mountain Crest HS) 13 Jordan Brown QB Fr. RS Draper, Utah (Alta HS) 13 Jalen Davis CB Fr. HS La Mesa, Calif. (Helix HS) 14 Shaan Johnson WR Sr. 1L Cerritos, Calif. (Gahr HS) 15 Tyler Floyd CB Jr. JC Orlando, Fla. (Bishop Moore HS/Fullerton CC) 16 Chuckie Keeton QB Sr. 3L Houston, Texas (Cypress Creek HS) 17 Deshane Hines CB Jr. JC Fremont, Calif. (American HS/San Mateo JC) 17 Zach Van Leeuwen WR Fr. HS Provo, Utah (Timpview HS) 18 Ronald Butler WR Sr. 1L Jersey City, N.J. (Lincoln HS/Contra Costa College) 19 Ian Togiai LB Fr. HS West Valley City, Utah (Hunter HS) 20 Rashad Hall RB Jr. RS Lynchburg, Va. (Britain Academy/Contra Costa College) 21 LaJuan Hunt RB Fr. HS Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (University HS) 21 Brian Suite S Sr. 2L Honolulu, Hawaii (Punahou HS) 22 Bryant Hayes CB Jr. JC Compton, Calif. (Compton HS/San Mateo JC) 23 Michael Okonkwo LB Jr. 2L Chandler, Ariz. (Chandler HS) 24 Marwin Evans S Jr. RS Milwaukee, Wis. (Oak Creek HS/Highland CC) 25 Hayden Weichers WR Fr. RS South Jordan, Utah (Bingham HS) 26 Kennedy Williams RB So. 1L Las Vegas, Nev. (Valley HS) 27 Jontrell Rocquemore S Fr. HS McKinney, Texas (McKinney HS) 28 Aaron Wade S Fr. HS Lithia, Fla. (Newsome HS) 29 Myron Turner S Fr. RS DeSoto, Texas (DeSoto HS) 30 Karris Johnson RB Fr. RS San Ramon, Calif. (California HS) 31 Jentz Painter CB So. SQ Riverton, Utah (Riverton HS) 32 Joe Hill RB Sr. 3L Fullerton, Calif. (Fullerton HS) 33 Jefferson Court TE Sr. 1L Sandy, Utah (Alta HS/BYU) 34 Justen Hervey RB Fr. HS Beaumont, Texas (Westbrook HS) 36 Jake Thompson K So. 1L Logan, Utah (Logan HS) 37 Devin Centers S So. 1L Chandler, Ariz. (Chandler HS) 38 Jaron Bentrude P/K Sr. 3L Draper, Utah (Juan Diego HS) 39 Torrey Green LB Jr. 1L Riverside, Calif. (Rubidoux HS) 40 Austin Cheney CB So. TR Farmington, Utah (Viewmont HS/Southern Virginia) 40 Matt Tolbert RB Fr. HS Palo Alto, Calif. (Palo Alto HS) 41 Nick Vigil LB So. 1L Plain City, Utah (Fremont HS) 42 La Bradford Harold LB Jr. 2L Crowley, Texas (Crowley HS) 43 Dayton DeLoach S So. SQ Delta, Utah (Delta HS) 43 Dillon Filiaga LB Fr. HS Pocatello, Idaho (Highland HS) 44 Landon Horne TE So. JC Kaysville, Utah (Davis HS/Snow College) 45 Jarom Baldomero LB Jr. 1L Kailua, Hawaii (Iolani HS/Foothill JC) 46 Frankie Sutera S Sr. 3L Murray, Utah (Juan Diego HS) 47 Mark Hutchinson LS Jr. SQ Corona, Calif. (Corona Santiago HS) 48 Chase Christiansen LB Fr. HS Stansbury, Utah (Stansbury HS) 49 Derek Larsen LB Fr. HS Logan, Utah (Logan HS) 52 John Taylor DE Jr. JC Colton, Calif. (Colton HS/Riverside CC) 53 Zach Vigil LB Sr. 3L Clearfield, Utah (Clearfield HS) 55 Adewale Adeoye LB Fr. HS St. Louis, Mo. (Ritenour HS) 55 Andrew Chen OL Fr. RS Calabasas, Calif. (Chaminade College Prep) 56 Gasetoto Schuster NG Fr. HS Long Beach, Calif. (Long Beach Poly HS) 59 Austin Stephens OC So. RS West Des Moines, Iowa (Valley HS/Iowa Western CC) 60 Joe Summers OC Sr. 2L Tremonton, Utah (Bear River HS/Snow College) 62 Bryce Walker OL Sr. 2L Pleasant Grove, Utah (Pleasant Grove HS) 63 Brock Warren PK So. SQ Hyde Park, Utah (Sky View HS) 64 Jarom Ioane OL Fr. RS Bountiful, Utah (Bountiful HS) 65 Austin Albrecht OL So. SQ Sandy, Utah (Alta HS) 67 Brandon Taukeiaho OL Fr. RS South Jordan, Utah (Bingham HS) 68 Bill Vavau OL Sr. 1L West Jordan, Utah (Jordan HS/Snow College) 69 Jordan Hicks OL Fr. HS South Jordan, Utah (Bingham HS) 70 Travis Seefeldt NG Jr. 2L Peoria, Ariz. (Liberty HS) 72 Tyshon Mosley OL Fr. RS Sandy, Utah (Jordan HS) 34

7 2014 ROSTERS NUMERICAL No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Exp. Hometown (High School/Last School) 74 Kevin Whimpey OL Sr. 2L Highland, Utah (Lone Peak HS/Idaho State) 75 Taani Fisilau OL Jr. 2L Glendale, Utah (Cottonwood HS) 76 Jake Simonich OL So. 1L Danville, Calif. (San Ramon Valley HS) 78 Cody Boyer OL Fr. HS St. George, Utah (Pineview HS) 79 Logan Rice OT Fr. HS Logan, Utah (Logan HS) 80 Tyler Fox WR Fr. HS Layton, Utah (Layton HS) 81 Marcus Mosely TE Fr. HS Tampa, Fla. (Alonso HS) 83 Wyatt Houston TE So. 1L Tualatin, Ore. (Horizon Christian HS) 84 Damoun Patterson WR Fr. HS Orlando, Fla. (Wekiva HS) 85 Tyler Weese WR Fr. RS River Heights, Utah (Mountain Crest HS) 87 Brock Bird WR Jr. SQ Sandy, Utah (Jordan HS/Dixie State) 88 Braelon Roberts WR Fr. RS Dallas, Texas (Bishop Dunne HS) 90 Clark Jeppesen DE Fr. RS Garland, Utah (Bear River HS) 91 Siua Taufa DE So. JC Concord, Calif. (Ygnacio Valley HS/Diablo Valley CC) 92 Jordan Parkinson DE Fr. TR Bountiful, Utah (Bountiful HS/Dixie State) 93 Nick Diaz PK Sr. 3L Redondo Beach, Calif. (Redondo Union HS) 94 Eric Berntson DE So. SQ Smithfield, Utah (Sky View HS) 95 Ricky Ali ifua DE So. 1L San Leandro, Calif. (San Leandro HS) 96 Elvis Kamana-Matagi NG Sr. 3L Maui, Hawaii (King Kekaulike HS) 97 Jordan Nielsen DE Jr. 2L Lewiston, Utah (Sky View HS) 98 Edmund Faimalo DE Jr. JC Redlands, Calif. (East Valley HS/Riverside CC) 99 B.J. Larsen DE Sr. 3L Logan, Utah (Logan HS) COACHING STAFF Head Coach: Matt Wells (Utah State, 1996), Second Season, Fourth Overall Assistant Head Coach (Offensive Line): Mark Weber (California Lutheran, 1980), Second Season Defensive Coordinator (Safeties): Todd Orlando (Wisconsin, 1994), Second Season Offensive Coordinator (Quarterbacks): Kevin McGiven (Utah Valley, 2001), Second Season Special Teams Coordinator (Running Backs): Dave Ungerer (Southern Connecticut State, 1980), Second Season Co-Offensive Coordinator (Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator): Luke Wells (Oklahoma, 2001), Second Season Passing Game Coordinator (Wide Receivers): Jovon Bouknight (Wyoming, 2006), Sixth Season Assistant Coach (Linebackers): Joe Lorig (Western Oregon, 1997), First Season Assistant Coach (Defensive Line): Ikaika Malloe (Washington, 1996), First Season Defensive Passing Game Coordinator (Cornerbacks): Kendrick Shaver (Missouri State, 2002), Fourth Season Assistant Athletics Director for Football Operations: Waqa Damuni (Utah State, 1998), Second Season Special Assistant to the Head Coach: Dave Kragthorpe (Utah State, 1954), Second Season Offensive Graduate Assistant: David Fiefia (Utah State, 2003), Third Season Defensive Graduate Assistant: Dillon Sanders (Northern Colorado, 2010), Second Season Offensive Administrative Assistant: Naufahu Tahi (BYU, 2006), Second Season Defensive/Special Teams Administrative Assistant: Nate Przestrzelski (East Carolina, 2009), Second Season Offensive Graduate Assistant: Funaki Asisi (Utah State, 2011), First Season Defensive Graduate Assistant: Manoa Latu (Portland State, 2011), First Season Strength & Conditioning: Dave Scholz (Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2004), Second Season Video Coordinator: Bill Garren (Idaho State, 2002), Ninth Season Equipment Coordinator: Mike Bair (Utah State, 1995), 18th Season ALPHABETICAL No. Name Pos. 21 Suite, Brian S 60 Summers, Joe OC 46 Sutera, Frankie S 11 Swindall, Brandon WR 91 Taufa, Siua DE 67 Taukeiaho, Brandon OL 52 Taylor, John DE 36 Thompson, Jake PK 19 Togiai, Ian LB 40 Tolbert, Matt RB 29 Turner, Myron S 17 Van Leeuwen, Zach WR 68 Vavau, Bill OL 41 Vigil, Nick LB 53 Vigil, Zach LB 28 Wade, Aaron S 62 Walker, Bryce OL 63 Warren, Brock PK 85 Weese, Tyler WR 25 Weichers, Hayden WR 74 Whimpey, Kevin OL 26 Williams, Kennedy RB Season Preview The Aggies Coaching Staff Opponents Season Review Records University Mountain West 35

8 PRE TWO-DEEP University Records Season Review Opponents Coaching Staff The Aggies Mountain West OFFENSE X-WR 11 Brandon Swindall (6-4, 198, Jr., 2L) 88 Braelon Roberts (6-3, 173, Fr., RS) -or- 4 Hunter Sharp (6-0, 190, Jr., JC) T-WR 9 JoJo Natson (5-7, 151, Jr., 2L) 14 Shaan Johnson (6-1, 190, Sr., 1L) 25 Hayden Weichers (6-0, 170, Fr., RS) LT 74 Kevin Whimpey (6-5, 295, Sr., 2L) 65 Austin Albrecht (6-5, 287, So., SQ) LG 68 Bill Vavau (6-4, 314, Sr., 1L) 72 Tyshon Mosley (6-5, 305, Fr., RS) C 59 Austin Stephens (6-3, 290, So., RS) -or- 60 Joe Summers (6-2, 294, Sr., 2L) RG 75 Taani Fisilau (6-2, 293, Jr., 2L) 67 Brandon Taukeiaho (6-4, 321, Fr., RS) RT 76 Jake Simonich (6-5, 286, So., 1L) 62 Bryce Walker (6-8, 303, Sr., 2L) Y-TE 83 Wyatt Houston (6-5, 245, So., 1L) -or- 33 Jefferson Court (6-3, 238, Sr., 1L) -or- 44 Landon Horne (6-3, 230, So., JC) Z-WR 18 Ronald Butler (6-0, 185, Sr., 1L) 84 Damoun Patterson (6-1, 180, Fr., HS) -or- 3 Devonte Robinson (6-2, 184, Jr., JC) RB 32 Joe Hill (5-11, 190, Sr., 3L) 20 Rashad Hall (6-1, 200, Jr., RS) -or- 26 Kennedy Williams (5-8, 160, So., 1L) QB 16 Chuckie Keeton (6-2, 200, Sr., 3L) 10 Darell Garretson (6-0, 200, So., 1L) 12 Craig Harrison (6-2, 203, Sr., 2L) 2 Kent Myers (6-0, 185, Fr., HS) SPECIALISTS P 38 Jaron Bentrude (6-1, 209, Sr., 3L) PK 93 Nick Diaz (5-8, 182, Sr., 2L) -or- 36 Jake Thompson (6-0, 200, So., 1L) LS 47 Mark Hutchinson (5-11, 200, Jr., SQ) HLD 38 Jaron Bentrude (6-1, 207, Sr., 3L) PR 9 JoJo Natson (5-7, 151, Jr., 2L) KOR 10 Kelvin Lee (5-10, 187, Jr., 2L) -or- 20 Rashad Hall (6-1, 200, Jr., RS) -or- 26 Kennedy Williams (5-8, 160, So., 1L) DEFENSE DE 99 B.J. Larsen (6-5, 275, Sr., 3L) 95 Ricky Ali ifua (6-3, 275, So., 1L) -or- 91 Siua Taufa (6-1, 260, So., JC) NG 96 Elvis Kamana-Matagi (6-2, 298, Sr., 3L) -or- 70 Travis Seefeldt (6-2, 310, Jr., 2L) DE 97 Jordan Nielsen (6-5, 265, Jr., 2L) 98 Edmund Faimalo (6-3, 290, Jr., JC) -or- 52 John Taylor (6-2, 270, Jr., JC) OLB 9 Kyler Fackrell (6-5, 245, Jr., 2L) 39 Torrey Green (6-2, 220, Jr., 1L) -or- 23 Michael Okonkwo (6-1, 222, Jr., 2L) ILB 53 Zach Vigil (6-2, 232, Sr., 3L) 45 Jarom Baldomero (6-0, 230, Jr., 1L) ILB 41 Nick Vigil (6-2, 230, So., 1L) 42 La Bradford Harold (5-11, 225, Jr., 2L) 48 Chase Christiansen (6-2, 210, Fr., HS) OLB -or- CB -or- 12 Alex Huerta (6-2, 223, Fr., RS) 19 Ian Togiai (6-2, 230, Fr., HS) 1 Daniel Gray (5-11, 170, So., RS) 15 Tyler Floyd (5-9, 185, Jr., JC) 17 Deshane Hines (5-10, 180, Jr., JC) FS 21 Brian Suite (6-3, 205, Sr., 2L) 37 Devin Centers (5-9, 190, So., 1L) -or- 29 Myron Turner (5-11, 170, Fr., RS) SS 46 Frankie Sutera (6-1, 201, Sr., 3L) 24 Marwin Evans (6-1, 195, Jr., RS) CB 6 Rashard Stewart (5-11, 185, Sr., 3L) 2 Marquan Ellison (5-11, 175, So., 1L) -or- 22 Bryant Hayes (5-9, 175, Jr., JC) BOLD = Returning Starter PRONUNCIATIONS Players No. Name... Pronunciation 5 Adewale Adeoye... Ada-wally O-day-o-way 65 Austin Albrecht... All-breck 95 Ricky Ali ifua... Ah-lee-ee-foo-uh 45 Jarom Baldomero... Bald-o-mere-o 38 Jaron Bentrude... Jar-un 94 Eric Berntson... Burn-son 55 Andrew Chen... Chin 2 Marquan Ellison... Mar-kwon 9 Kyler Fackrell... Kie-ler Fack-rull 98 Edmund Faimalo... Fie-mah-low 43 Dillon Filiaga... Fee-lee-unga 75 Taani Fisilau... Ta-ha-knee Fee-see-lau 12 Alex Huerta... Wear-ta 59 Jarom Ioane... Yo-ah-nah 30 Karris Johnson... Care-is 14 Shaan Johnson... Shawn 96 Elvis Kamana-Matagi... Kuh-ma-na Ma-ta-gee 23 Michael Okonkwo... Oh-konk-wo 84 Damoun Patterson... Day-moan 27 Jontrell Rocquemore... Rock-uh-more 56 Gasetoto Schuster... Na-s-eh-toe-toe 70 Travis Seefeldt... See-felt 76 Jake Simonich... Sie-mon-ich 46 Frankie Sutera... Suh-tear-uh 11 Brandon Swindall... Swin-dull 91 Siua Taufa... See-oo-wah Tau-fah 67 Brandon Taukeiaho... Dow-k-a-ho 19 Ian Togiai... Tong-e-i 17 Zach Van Leeuwen... Van Loo-win 69 Bill Vavau... Vuh-vow 41 Nick Vigil... Vig-ul 53 Zach Vigil... Vig-ul 25 Hayden Weichers... Wickers Coaches Name... Pronunciation Funaki Asisi... Foo-knock-ee Ah-see-see Jovon Bouknight... Juh-vonn Bo-night Waqa Damuni... Wonga Da-moo-knee David Fiefia... Fee-eh-fee-uh Manoa Latu... Ma-no-uh La-to Nate Przestrzelski... Prez-el-ski Naufahu Tahi... Now-fuh-who Tuh-hee Dave Ungerer... Un-ger-er 36