2012 WAC Football Preview: Utah State

By: Zack Ponce

2011: 7-6 (5-2 WAC, 2nd)

The new-look Utah State Aggies have a re-designed image, jerseys and all, entering the 2012 season in preparation for a move to the Mountain West Conference in 2013. 

The Aggies hope to use the improvement seen in 2011 as a foundation to compete for a 2012 WAC championship.

Last year head coach Gary Andersen led Utah State to its first bowl appearance in 15 years, finishing with a 7-5 regular season record.  The Aggies received a birth to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl where they fell 24-23 to the Ohio Bobcats.

This year, Utah State will seek its first back-to-back bowl appearances since 1960-61.

However the loss of two key players from last year’s team will place a burden on the Aggies.

Running back Robert Turbin, the WAC Offensive Player of the Year and a two-time all-WAC honoree, was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.  Three-time all-WAC linebacker Bobby Wagner, who led the team in tackles, graduated.

But all hope is not lost in Logan, Utah.

Utah State’s speedy running back Kerwynn Williams returns for his senior season.  He played in all 13 games last year and received 81 touches as the third-string running back.  Williams also started on special teams as the number one kick returner.

Matt Austin and Chuck Jacobs, two of the Aggie’s three top receivers in 2011, also return for a final year in Logan.  The two combined to catch 54 balls for 683 yards and eight touchdowns.

Senior defensive stars safety McKade Brady and linebacker Bojay Filimoeatu will anchor that side of the ball for Utah State.

Brady, the team’s leading returning tackler, finished with 86 tackles and a forced fumble last season.  Filimoeatu compiled 41 tackles and three sacks while playing both linebacker and defensive end positions.

Utah State will begin the year without a clear number one quarterback.  Senior Adam Kennedy and sophomore Chuckie Keeton return after both starting games for the Aggies in 2011. 

Keeton began the year as the starting quarterback as a freshman but lost the job by midseason.  Kennedy solidified his role as the starter by the San Jose State game in mid-November and never relinquished the job. 

Kennedy showed the ability to elude pressure in the pocket and rush the ball in his game at New Mexico State.  Kennedy ran for 95 yards on 15 attempts against the crimson Aggies and led Utah State to a close 24-21 victory in Las Cruces.

Keeton should receive another chance to re-claim the starting role, but the coaches will give the job to Kennedy if he gives the team the best shot to win.

Utah State has a strong team and will challenge for a WAC championship in their final year in the conference regardless of who earns the starting quarterback position.

Please return tomorrow for our final team preview featuring the 2011 WAC champion Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.