March 21, 2001
LOGAN, Utah - 2001 Pre-Spring Football Prospectus
2001 Utah State Schedule
Sept. 1 at Utah 6:00
Sept. 8 at Louisiana State 6:00
Sept. 15 at Fresno State 8:00
Sept. 22 WYOMING 7:05
Sept. 29 OREGON 7:05
Oct. 5 (Fri.) at Brigham Young 7:00
Oct. 13 Bye
Oct. 20 IDAHO STATE 3:05
Oct. 27 C. FLORIDA 3:05
Nov. 3 Bye
Nov. 10 at Connecticut 10:30
Nov. 17 WEBER STATE 1:05
Nov. 24 at South Florida 5:00
(all times are Mountain)
* * * * *
2000 Utah State (5-6, 4-1)
Sept. 2 at Texas Tech L 16-38
Sept. 9 SO. UTAH W 30-14
Sept. 23 at Ariz. State L 20-44
Sept. 30 UTAH L 14-35
Oct. 6 (Fri) at BYU L 14-38
Oct. 14 at No. Texas* W 17-12
Oct. 21 IDAHO* W 31-14
Oct. 28 ARK. ST.* W 44-31
Nov. 4 at N.M. State* W 44-37
Nov. 11 at Boise State* L 38-66
Nov. 18 IDAHO STATE L 24-27
* - Big West Conference Games
* * * * *
Leading Returnees
Rushing Att-Yds Emmett White 242-1322 John Roberts 26-99 Chris Stallworth 1-19 Key Losses None
* * * * *
Passing A-C-I, Yds Jose Fuentes 368-194-8, 2709 Jeff Crosbie 49-21-1, 180 Key Losses None
* * * * *
Receiving Rec-Yds Emmett White 47-592 David Fiefia 31-344 Chris Stallworth 26-289 Key Losses Aaron Jones 63-1159
* * * * *
Tackles UT-AT--Total Jesse Busta 61-49--110 Jamar Glasper 29-31--60 Nate Putnam 37-22--59 Key Losses Brent Passey 66-53--119 Blake Eagal 67-38--105 Cade Smith 55-32--87
* * * * *
2000 Big West Standings
School Conf. Overall
Boise State 5-0 10-2
UTAH STATE 4-1 5-6
Idaho 3-2 5-6
New Mexico State 1-4 3-8
North Texas 1-4 3-8
Arkansas State 1-4 1-10
* * * * *
2001 Independents
Central Florida
Connecticut
Navy
Notre Dame
Utah State
2001 Spring Schedule
Date Time (tentative) Dress
Mon., March 19 3:30 p.m. No Pads
Wed., March 21 3:30 p.m. No Pads
Fri., March 23 3:30 p.m. Full Pads
Sat., March 24 1 p.m. Full Pads
Mon., March 26 3:30 p.m. No Pads
Wed., March 28 3:30 p.m. Full Pads
Fri., March 29 3:30 p.m. Full Pads
Sat., March 30 9:30 a.m. Scrimmage
Mon., Apr. 2 3:30 p.m. Full Pads
Wed., Apr. 4 3:30 p.m. Full Pads
Fri., Apr. 6 3:30 p.m. No Pads
Sat., Apr. 7 10 a.m. Scrimmage
Mon., Apr. 9 3:30 p.m. Full Pads
Wed., Apr. 11 3:30 p.m. No Pads
Fri., Apr. 13 6:30 p.m. Blue-White Game
Quick Facts
Location: Logan, Utah (48,000)
Enrollment: 21,490
President: Dr. Kermit L. Hall (Akron, 1966)
Director of Athletics: Rance Pugmire (Idaho, 1987)
Conference: None (Division I Independent)
Nickname: Aggies
Colors: Navy Blue and White
Stadium (Capacity): Romney (30,257/Bent Bluegrass)
Coach Information
Head Coach: Mick Dennehy (Montana, 1973) Record at Utah State: 5-6 (one year) Overall Record: 54-31 (eight years)
Assistant Coaches: Bob Cole (Widener, 1982), Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Carl Franks (Montana, 1994), Linebackers/Special Teams Jeff Hoover (UC Davis, 1991), Offensive Line Eric Kiesau (Portland State, 1996), Wide Receivers Tom McMahon (Carroll, 1992), Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator Derrick Odum (Utah, 1992), Secondary Kraig Paulson (Montana, 1987), Defensive Coordinator/Secondary David Reeves (Montana, 1989), Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Mike Trevathan (Montana, 1999), Running Backs Travis Baker (SUNY-Brockport, 1997), Defensive Graduate Assistant (DL) Mike Lynch (Montana, 1999), Offensive Graduate Assistant (TE)
Team Information
2000 Overall Record: 5-6
2000 Big West Record/Finish: 4-1/Second
Basic Offense: One Back
Basic Defense: 4-3
Starters Returning: 16 (8 offense, 7 defense, 1 special teams)
Starters Lost: 8 (3 offense, 4 defense, 1 special teams)
Lettermen Returning: 35 (18 offense, 16 defense, 1 special teams)
Lettermen Lost: 19 (8 offense, 10 defense, 1 special teams)
All-Big West Returnees
1st Team -- (3) RB Emmett White, DE Nate Putnam, LB Jesse Busta
2nd Team -- (5) QB Jose Fuentes, OG Jim Walker, Ret. Emmett White, CB Ade Jimoh, P Steve Mullins
All-Big West Selections Lost
1st Team -- (4) WR Aaron Jones, OT Jeff Long, LB Brent Passey, LB Blake Eagal
2nd Team -- (1) PK Brad Bohn
Hon. Men. -- (1) DT Nate Larsen
2000 Lineup (2000 Starts/Career Starts)
Offense
Pos. Returning Starters (8)
LT Jim Newton (11/11)
LG Jess Schuck (11/22)
RG Jim Walker (8/8)
TE Casey Poppinga 9/9)
WR Chris Stallworth (6/6)
FB J.R. Suguturaga (3/3)
RB Emmett White (11/12)
QB Jose Fuentes (9/9)
Starters Lost (3)
OC Junior Pututau (11/27)
RT Jeff Long (11/12)
WR Aaron Jones (11/30)
DefensePos. Returning Starters (7)
LE Ryan Duncan (11/11)
RT Jorge Tapia (5/5)
RE Nate Putnam (9/9)
LC Ade Jimoh (11/11)
SS Jamar Glasper (9/9)
FS Derrek Shank (6/6)
RC Tony Walker (10/24)
Starters Lost (4)
LT Nate Larsen (8/8)
Hero Brent Passey (11/33)
Mike Cade Smith (10/10)
Mac Blake Eagal (11/34)
Special Teams
Pos. Returning Starters (1)
P Steve Mullins
Starters Lost (1)
PK Brad Bohn
Key Redshirts Returning
DE Nick Onaindia (3/3), LB Tony Newson (0/9), FS Aminifu Johnson (0/0)
2001 Aggie Headliners
LB Jesse Busta... A first-team all-Big West Conference linebacker despite starting just four games... Was second on the team and fourth in the Big West with 110 tackles, including 61 solo stops... Was involved in five turnovers with two interceptions, one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles... Had at least 10 tackles in eight games, including a career high 17 at Boise State.
QB Jose Fuentes... A second-team all-Big West quarterback in 2000... Produced an outstanding season after earning the starting role in the third game of the year... Nationally he ranked 14th in total offense, 16th in passing, 39th in points responsible for and 43rd in passing efficiency... He also had some of the most productive days in college football during the year, including the fourth (503 yards vs. Boise State) and 30th (412 yards vs. Idaho) best total offense days, the second best passing efficiency day (306.40 vs. Southern Utah), and the fourth (509 vs. Boise State) and 14th (421 vs. Idaho) best passing days.
CB Ade Jimoh... Earned second-team all-Big West honors at cornerback... Had 46 tackles, which ranked ninth on the team... Led the team with 12 passes broken up and came up with two interceptions.
P Steve Mullins... A second-team all-Big West punter... Ranked 29th in the NCAA in punting average at 41.4 per game... In all, 18 of his 64 punts were inside the 20 and he recorded at least one 50-yard punt in eight-of-11 games and had at least one 60-yard boot in three games... Also saw time at wide receiver and caught one pass for six yards... Was one-of-three passing for 19 yards as well... Was a freshman All-America by The Sporting News in 1999.
LB Tony Newson... Redshirted the 2000 season while recovering from a shoulder injury... ?Should be the team leader on defense... In 1999 he was named first-team all-Big West by The Sporting News and second-team by the league coaches... Averaged 10.6 tackles in 1999 to rank third in the league... Had a 21-tackle game against Idaho in 1999.
DE Nick Onaindia... Redshirted the 2000 season, due to a shoulder injury after starting the first three games of the year... Made 11 tackles at Arizona State... In 1999 he recorded 47 tackles in 10 games, including nine for loss.
DE Nate Putnam... Became a starter in the fourth game of his true freshman season and earned first-team all-Big West honors, the only freshman to make first team in the league... Recorded 59 tackles, including 14 for loss.
OG Jim Walker... Earned second-team all-Big West honors in his first year as a starter at Utah State.
CB Tony Walker... A second-team all-Big West selection in 1999... Recorded 51 tackles from his corner position last year... Also broke up eight passes and had one interception... Is dangerous as a return man as he averaged 17.9 yards per kickoff return last year.
RB Emmett White... Was a third-team Associated Press All-America selection (as an all-purpose player) and first-team all-Big West pick last year... Led the NCAA in all-purpose yards with the sixth-best average in NCAA history (238.9)... Set a NCAA record with 578 all-purpose yards against New Mexico State last year... His 322 rushing yards against New Mexico State were the second most in league history and a USU record... He was also 13th in the country in rushing (120.2) in 2000.
THE SCHEDULE -- Utah State will play its first independent schedule since 1977. The Aggies will open the year with three straight road games before opening the home season against Wyoming on Sept. 22. That will mark the latest home opener date since the Aggies played at Utah, at Nebraska and at Oklahoma before hosting San Jose State on Sept. 28, 1991. The Aggies will meet two teams that finished the 2000 season in the AP top 25, including a home game against seventh-ranked Oregon and a road game at 22nd-listed Louisiana State. USU will also play at Fresno State, which played in a bowl game and received votes in the USA Today poll a year ago. The Aggies will play in four different time zones and will travel 15,408 miles on the season.
COACHING CHANGES -- While the Utah State staff remains intact, several coaches have changed positions. Defensive coordinator Kraig Paulson, will retain those same duties, while moving from coaching the defensive line to the defensive backs. Carl Franks, who assisted in the secondary will now assist with the linebackers. Tom McMahon will move from linebackers to defensive line. Offensive changes include Eric Kiesau moving from running backs to wide receivers and Mike Trevathan moving from wide receivers to running backs.
INDEPENDENT STATUS -- Utah State will enter the 2001 season as a Division I independent, joining Central Florida, Connecticut (both are Aggie opponents this year), Navy and Notre Dame as the only Division I independents in the country. USU spent the 1938-61 seasons as a member of the Mountain States, then Skyline Conference before playing as an independent from 1962-77. Since 1978, the Aggies were members of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association, which later became the Big West Conference. USU was 99-66 in its 16-year stretch as an independent from 1962-77. The Aggies were also independents from 1892 to 1937 before joining a conference.
SENIOR LOSSES -- Utah State graduated 14 seniors from last year's team. The Aggies said goodbye to six fifth-year seniors in QB Brian Benza, PK Brad Bohn, LB Blake Eagal, OL Matt Jenkins, WR Aaron Jones, and LB Brent Passey. Three seniors were junior college transfers in OL Steve Canidate, CB Shaun Healy, and LB Justin Oswald, while five others transferred from other schools in DT Nate Larsen, OT Jeff Long, WR Ky Oday, OC Junior Pututau, and LB Cade Smith. Two USU seniors were injured last season and will return this year in LB Tony Newson and DE Nick Onaindia.
NCAA RECORD BREAKER RETURNS -- Highlighting Utah State's returnees is running back/return man Emmett White. The senior-to-be shattered the NCAA record for single-game all-purpose yardage by gaining 578 yards against New Mexico State on Nov. 4, 2000. White beat the old record by 143 yards as he gained a school record 322 yards rushing, 134 receiving and 122 in kick returns. White also scored four touchdowns in that game, including the game-winner in the final minute.
STATISTICAL LEADERS RETURN -- Utah State returns its top rusher from a year ago in Emmett White (1,322 yards) as well as six of the seven players that gained positive rushing yardage on the season. USU also returns its top three passers, including Jose Fuentes (2,709 yards), as well as its second through seventh leading receivers (lost Aaron Jones, who had 1,159 receiving yards). USU also returns its leading punter in Steve Mullins, all four of its punt returners and its main two kickoff returners. Defensively, USU returns three of the four players that led the team with two interceptions and its second-leading tackler in Jesse Busta (110 tackles).
COACH MICK DENNEHY -- Entering his second year at Utah State is Mick Dennehy (Montana, 1973), who was hired on Dec. 3, 1999. He compiled a 39-12 record in four years at Montana and his 76.5 winning percentage is the best at that school for coaches with more than two years. His five wins in his first year at Utah State tied for the best mark by a first-year Aggie coach since Phil Krueger won seven games in 1973 (Dennehy is the seventh coach since then). Dennehy played safety at Montana in 1971 and 1972. Prior to assuming the head coaching role at Montana, he served as the school's offensive coordinator for five seasons, producing one of the nation's top offenses. Before going to Montana, Dennehy revived the program at Western Montana, which had dropped football in 1987. In three years he improved the team from a 1-6 record to a 5-3 mark.
Year School Overall Pct. Conf. Pct. Notes
1988 West. Montana 1-6 .143 1-5/5th .167 Revived Program
1989 West. Montana 4-4 .500 2-4/4th .333
1990 West. Montana 5-3 .625 3-3/3rd .500
1996 Montana 14-1 .933 8-0/1st 1.00 3-1 (2nd in I-AA)
1997 Montana 8-4 .667 6-2/2nd .750 0-1 in playoffs
1998 Montana 8-4 .667 6-2/1st .750 0-1 in playoffs
1999 Montana 9-3 .750 7-1/1st .875 0-1 in playoffs
2000 Utah State 5-6 .455 4-1/2nd .800 1 win from bowl
Western Montana (3 yrs.) 10-13 .435 6-12 .333 Revived Program
Montana (4 yrs.) 39-12 .765 27-5 .844 Four playoffs
Utah State (1st yr.) 5-6 .455 4-1 .800 50th career win
Totals (8th year) 54-31 .635 37-18 .673 3-4 in playoffs
DENNEHY NOTE-ABLE -- In four years at Montana and one year at Utah State, Dennehy has never lost to an opponent more than once (owns a 44-18 record in that time)... Was the offensive coordinator of the 1995 NCAA Division I-A national championship team and the head coach of the 1996 national runner-up Montana team... In Dennehy's nine years at Montana, the Grizzlies ranked in the top four in the country in passing offense every year and in the top five in scoring and total offense in five of his last seven seasons.
OFFENSIVE NOTES -- USU produced three of the top 10 total offense games in school history last year with 619 yards against New Mexico State (sixth), 595 vs. Boise State (eighth) and 569 vs. Idaho (10th)... USU's 509 passing yards against Boise State were the second most in school history, while the 439 yards against Idaho were the fourth most... USU averaged 566.5 yards and 39.3 points in a four-game stretch last year (games seven-10) and the Aggies scored 30-plus points in four straight games for the first time since 1990... Last year USU had a 2,000-yard passer (Joe Fuentes), 1,000-yard rusher (Emmett White) and a 1,000-yard receiver (Aaron Jones) for the first time since 1995. Fuentes and White both return this year... USU's 266.2 yards passing per game was its best in the last three years and its 19 touchdown passes were the most since 1993.
DEFENSIVE NOTES -- Seven different players recorded interceptions a year ago and four of those players return this season... USU boasted three linebackers on the Big West first-team last year in Brent Passey, Blake Eagal and Jesse Busta... DE Nate Putnam will help anchor the defensive line after a season where he was the only freshman in the league to be named first-team all-Big West.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES -- USU led the Big West and was 39th in the NCAA in net punting, while ranking 51st in kickoff returns and 62nd in punt returns... Emmett White was 22nd in the nation in kickoff returns last year, while Steve Mullins was 29th in punting and the graduated Brad Bohn was 21st in field goals.
USU NOTE-ABLE -- Last year Utah State was picked to finish last in the league race by the coaches (the media tabbed the Aggies fourth) in the preseason, but the Aggies played for the Big West Conference championship against Boise State in the final league game of the year and finished second in the league... USU started 38 different players last season... USU played four games last year against teams that received votes in the Associated Press poll at some point in the season... USU drew two 25,000-plus home crowds for the first time since 1996 as the Aggies had 26,715 on hand for Southern Utah and 29,814 for Utah... USU averaged 19,910 fans per game for the third best home average in school history... USU's total of 99,549 at home games was its second-best total in school history.
BIG GAMES -- In 2000 several Aggies have had some of the most productive games in the NCAA during the season. Here is a look:
Best Rushing Yards Games 1. Emmett White vs. New Mexico State (322 yards) 2nd best in Big West history 45. Emmett White vs. Arkansas State (202 yards)
Best All-Purpose Yards Games 1. Emmett White vs. New Mexico State (578 yards) NCAA Record 9. Aaron Jones vs. Boise State (297 yards) 12. Emmett White vs. Arkansas State (289 yards) 18. Emmett White vs. Brigham Young (277 yards) 49. Emmett White vs. North Texas (238 yards) 50. Emmett White vs. Arizona State (237 yards)
Best Total Offense Yards Games 4. Jose Fuentes vs. Boise State (503 yards) 28. Jose Fuentes vs. Idaho (407 yards)
Best Passing Efficiency Games 2. Jose Fuentes vs. Southern Utah (306.4 rating)
Best Passing Yards Games 4. Jose Fuentes vs. Boise State (509 yards) 14. Jose Fuentes vs. Idaho (421 yards)
Best Receiving Yards Games 1. Aaron Jones vs. Boise State (297 yards) 10th best in NCAA history 4. Aaron Jones vs. Idaho (233 yards)
Best Kickoff Return Yards Games 40. Emmett White vs. Brigham Young (124 yards) 47. Emmett White vs. New Mexico State (120 yards)
Best Scoring Games 6. Emmett White vs. New Mexico State (24 points)
BIG WEST'S FINAL YEAR -- Last season was the final year of the Big West Conference. Here is a look at some of USU's conference success as the league concluded its 32nd and final season in 2000:
Years In The Conference
1. 27, San Jose State and Pacific
3. 23, UTAH STATE and Long Beach State
Conference Games Played
1. 151, Pacific
2. 149, San Jose State
3. 138, UTAH STATE
Conference Wins
1. 100, San Jose State (100-45-4)
2. 82, UTAH STATE (82-54-2)
3. 78, Fresno State (78-49-1)
Conference Championships (won or shared)
1. 9, San Jose State
2. 6, Fresno State
3. 5, UTAH STATE, Nevada, San Diego State
Conference Records of Current Schools
82-54-2 UTAH STATE (23rd year)
22-83-0, New Mexico State (17th year)
16-9-0, Idaho (5th year)
15-10-0, Boise State (5th year)
9-16-0, North Texas (5th year)
8-21-0, Arkansas State (5th year)
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN -- In the last 10 years Utah State has had great success in Big West play as opposed to non-conference play. In the decade of the 1990s, USU was 38-20-1 in Big West play after going through difficult non-conference schedules with a 10-44-0 mark.
A LOOK AHEAD TO 2001 -- Here are some quick notes on USU's 2001 schedule, its first as an independent since the 1977 season:
Utah: Will meet for the 101st time with Utah leading the series 68-28-4... USU has split its last two meetings with Utah at Salt Lake City (won in 1997 and lost in 1999). Louisiana State: USU lost 38-17 in only previous meeting in 1993... USU last played an SEC team in 1999 (lost 38-7 at Georgia). Fresno State: The teams are even at 9-9-1 but have not met since 1993... This will be USU's first game in California since 1995. Wyoming: These two border state schools have played 58 times with USU leading 34-20-4, but have not met since 1978... USU's 34 wins against Wyoming are its most against any school. Oregon: Oregon won the only previous meeting 27-9 at Eugene in 1976... Oregon should be the first ranked team to play at Logan since 25th-ranked Colorado State in 1997. Brigham Young: USU will make its second straight trip to Provo for the first time since playing three straight years there from 1990-92. Idaho State: USU owns an 8-2 lead in the series, but lost to the Bengals in the season finale last year. Central Florida: First meeting with another independent. Connecticut: Another first meeting as well as marking USU's first Eastern Time Zone game since playing at Georgia in 1999. Weber State: The first meeting between these two in-state schools since 1982. South Florida: First meeting between these two programs.
2000 Honorees (2001 Returnees in All Caps)
Third Team All-America (AP) RB EMMETT WHITE
First Team all-Big West
WR Aaron Jones
RB EMMETT WHITE
OT Jeff Long
DE NATE PUTNAM
LB JESSE BUSTA
LB Brent Passey
LB Blake Eagal
Second Team all-Big West
QB JOSE FUENTES
OG JIM WALKER
CB ADE JIMOH
Ret. EMMETT WHITE
PK Brad Bohn
P STEVE MULLINS
Honorable Mention all-Big West
DT Nate Larsen
Big West Player of the Week
Offense
Aaron Jones vs. Southern Utah Jose Fuentes vs. Idaho Aaron Jones vs. Idaho Emmett White vs. Arkansas State Emmett White vs. N.M. State Aaron Jones vs. Boise State
Defense Brent Passey vs. Utah
Special Teams Brad Bohn vs. Arizona State Steve Mullins vs. Idaho Brad Bohn vs. Arkansas State
Academic all-Big West
PK Brad Bohn
LB Blake Eagal
DT Nate Larsen
TE CASEY POPPINGA
DE NATE PUTNAM
OG JIM WALKER
Academic all-District
PK Brad Bohn
LB Blake Eagal
2000 Big West/NCAA Rankings
Team Big West (NCAA)
Total Offense 4th (45th)
Rushing Offense 6th (85th)
Passing Offense 3rd (21st)
Scoring Offense 4th (54th)
Total Defense 5th (110th)
Rushing Defense 4th (96th)
Passing Defense 5th (109th)
Scoring Defense 3rd (93rd)
Kickoff Returns 3rd (51st)
Punt Returns 4th (62nd)
Net Punting 1st (39th)
TO Margin 3rd (69th)
Individual Big West (NCAA)
Brad Bohn
Field Goals 2nd (21st)
Scoring 5th
JESSE BUSTA
Interceptions 5th
Blake Eagal
Interceptions 5th
JOSE FUENTES
Total Offense 3rd (14th)
Passing 2nd (16th)
Points Responsible For (39th)
Passing Efficiency (43rd)
ADE JIMOH
Interceptions 5th
Aaron Jones
Receiving Yards 1st (5th)
Receptions 2nd (26th)
All-Purpose 6th
Scoring 7th
STEVE MULLINS
Punting 2nd (29th)
DERREK SHANK
Interceptions 5th
EMMETT WHITE
All-Purpose 1st (1st)
Rushing 1st (13th)
Scoring 3rd (26th)
Receptions 3rd
Kickoff Returns 4th (22nd)
Punt Returns 4th
Receiving Yards 5th
Total Offense 6th
2000 Returnees in all caps
2000 Utah State Team Honors (2001 Returnees in All Caps)
Offensive MVP EMMETT WHITE
Outstanding Back/Receiver Aaron Jones
Outstanding Offensive Lineman Jeff Long
Defensive MVP Brent Passey
Outstanding Defensive Lineman NATE PUTNAM
Outstanding Linebacker Blake Eagal
Outstanding Secondary ADE JIMOH
Outstanding Special Teams Player Brad Bohn and NATHAN BARBER
Outstanding Freshman NATE PUTNAM and DAVID FIEFIA
Outstanding Sophomore JOSE FUENTES and JESSE BUSTA
Most Inspirational JOHN ROBERTS and Blake Eagal
Most Improved JOSE FUENTES and Cade Smith
Offensive Scout MVP BRENNEN BURNINGHAM and ROGER FERNANDEZ
Defensive Scout MVP ROBERT WATTS
* * * * *
2001 Returning Lettermen
Offense Defense
Collins, TE Barber, SS
Cooley, TE Busta, LB
Deml, WR Duncan, DE
Fiefia, RB Fonua, DT
Fuentes, QB Glasper, SS
Gwilliam, OT Goss, FS
Newton, OT Hunt, LB
Poppinga, TE Jackson, SS
Powell, OC Jimoh, CB
Roberts, FB Olsen, DE
Sanders, WR Putnam, DE
Schuck, OG Shank, FS
Solosabal, FB Siever, LB
Stallworth, WR Tapia, DT
Suguturaga, TE T. Walker, CB
Trujillo, OG Wilson, LB
J. Walker, OG Mullins, P
White, RB
USU When... (2000 record)
Category Record
Record 5-6
Scoring First 3-2
Opp. Scores First 2-4
Lead at Half 3-0
Tied at Half 0-0
Trail at Half 2-6
Lead after 3 5-1
Tied after 3 0-0
Trail after 3 0-5
Rush for 200 2-0
Pass for 300 1-1
More Yards than Opp. 4-0
Fewer Yards than Opp. 1-6
More TO than Opp. 1-4
Same TO as Opp. 2-1
Fewer TO than Opp. 2-1
Home 3-2
Away 2-4
Big West 4-1
Non-Conference 1-5
Natural Grass 4-4
Artificial Turf 1-2
Day Games 3-3
Night Games 2-3
Decided by one score 2-1
* * * * *
USU Best Total Offense Games
1. 684 vs. Nevada, 1992
2. 662 vs. Idaho, 1997
3. 654 vs. Brigham Young, 1993
4. 649 vs. CS-Northridge, 1996
5. 632 vs. Utah, 1972
6. 619 vs. N.M. STATE, 2000
7. 605 vs. New Mexico State, 1996
8. 595 vs. BOISE STATE, 2000
9. 578 vs. Brigham Young, 1972
10. 569 vs. IDAHO, 2000
* * * * *
USU Best Passing Offense Games
1. 569 vs. Utah, 1972
2. 509 vs. BOISE STATE, 2000
3. 472 vs. Brigham Young, 1993
4. 439 vs. IDAHO, 2000
5. 428 vs. Nevada, 1992
NCAA Record Book
Game Receiving Yards
10. 297, Aaron Jones vs. Boise State
Game All-Purpose Yards
1. 578, Emmett White vs. New Mexico State
Season All-Purpose Yards Game
6. 238.9, Emmet White
Season All-Purpose Yards
6. 2628, Emmett White
Career Field Goals Made
35. 59, Brad Bohn
Big West Record Book
Game
Rushing Yards
2. 322, Emmett White vs. New Mexico State
All-Purpose Yards
1. 578, Emmett White vs. New Mexico State
Receiving Yards per Reception
1. 29.7, Aaron Jones vs. Boise State
Receiving Yards
3. 297, Aaron Jones vs. Boise State
Season
All-Purpose Average
1. 238.9, Emmett White
All-Purpose Yards
3. 2,628, Emmett White
Career
Scoring
3. 284, Brad Bohn
Field Goals Made
2. 59, Brad Bohn
PAT Made
6. 107, Brad Bohn
Emmett White
All-Ameica Candidate
Utah State junior running back Emmett White established an NCAA record for all-purpose yardage in a single game with 578 yards against New Mexico State on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2000. Here is a look at White and his record-setting day and where he ranks statistically in the NCAA and in the record books.
* NCAA record for single-game all-purpose yards (578), shattering the old mark of 435 yards by Brian Pruitt of Central Michigan against Toledo in 1994 by 143 yards.
NCAA All-Purpose Single-Game Highs
1. 578, EMMETT WHITE vs. New Mexico St., 2000
2. 435, Brian Pruitt, Central Michigan vs. Toledo, 1994
3. 429, Moe Williams, Kentucky vs. S. Carolina, 1999
White's Day In Chronological Order (R=Rush, P=Pass Reception, K=Kickoff Return, PR=Punt Ret., *=First Down, TD=Touchdown, /=end of possession)
1st Quarter R21*, P15*, R13*, P22*/K30, R12*, R16*, R5*, R6* (TD)/P10*, R8/ 2nd Quarter K45, R-3/R29*, R9, R8*, R18, R10*, R5/R3, P7*, P17*/ 3rd Quarter K13/K32, P11*, R-1, R1/PR2, R43*, R17*, R5, R3 (TD)/ 4th Quarter R4, R-2, R42* (TD)/R0/R10*, R17*, R5, R3, R2*, R4, R4/P52*, R9 (TD)
Breakdown No.-Yards
Rushing 34-322, 4 TD
Receiving 7-134
Kickoff Returns 4-120
Punt Returns 1-2
Totals 46-578, 4 TD
* 41 plays from scrimmage
* 22 First Downs
* 4 Touchdowns
* 12 runs of 10-plus yards, including four 20-plus
* Six receptions of 10-plus yards, including two 20-plus
"I am running out of adjectives to describe this kid. He does the type of things that amaze you and leave you with your mouth open. He has a great attitude and it carries onto the team. It was really neat to be a part of him breaking the all-purpose yardage record." -- Utah State Head Coach Mick Dennehy.
* Set a Utah State school record with 322 yards rushing, the 29th best rushing day in NCAA history. It was also tied for the second best rushing day in Big West Conference history behind Mike Pringle of Cal State Fullerton's 357 yards against New Mexico State in 1989 (also on Nov. 4).
Big West Rushing Highs
1. 357, Mike Pringle, CS Fullerton vs. N.M. State, 1989
2. 322, EMMETT WHITE vs. New Mexico State, 2000
2. 322, LeShon Johnson, No. Illinois vs. So. Ill., 1993
* His 322 yards rushing marked the second 300-yard rushing game in the NCAA in 2000.
* His 238.9 all-purpose yards per game average was the sixth-best average in NCAA history.
All-Time NCAA All-Purpose Yards Per Game Average
1. 295.5, Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State, 1988
2. 249.6, Ryan Benjamin, Pacific, 1991
3. 246.3, Whizzer White, Colorado, 1937
4. 244.6, Mike Pringle, Cal State Fullerton, 1989
5. 239.4, Paul Palmer, Temple, 1986
6. 238.9, EMMETT WHITE, UTAH STATE, 2000
* Had a career-high 134 receiving yards on seven receptions against NMSU to mark the first time in Utah State history a player had 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in the same game.
* Became the first USU running back with 100 yards receiving in a game as well.
* His 1,322 rushing yards in 2000 were the sixth most in a season in USU history.
* Was one of just four players in the top 50 of the NCAA all-purpose yardage list this season with at least 100 yards in four of the five categories that make up all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving, punt returns, kickoff returns and interception returns). The others were J.J. Moses of Iowa State, Deuce McCallister of Mississippi and Domanick Davis of LSU.
2000 NCAA Statistical Rankings
1st in All-Purpose
13th in Rushing
22nd in Kickoff Returns
26th in Scoring
2000 NCAA All-Purpose Leaders
1. 238.9, EMMETT WHITE, UTAH STATE
2. 199.8, LaDainian Tomlinson, Texas Christian
3. 190.1, Robert Kilow, Arkansas State
2000 NCAA Rushing Leaders
1. 196.2, LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU
2. 174.0, Damien Anderson, Northwestern
3. 159.8, Michael Bennett, Wisconsin
4. 157.7, Deonce Whitaker, San Jose St.
5. 141.0, Anthony Thomas, Michigan
6. 134.0, Ken Simonton, Oregon St.
7. 133.6, Chester Taylor, Toledo
8. 130.9, Robert Sanford, Western Mich.
9. 130.6, Rudi Johnson, Auburn
10. 123.7, Ennis Haywood, Iowa St.
11. 123.0, T.J. Duckett, Michigan St.
12. 120.3, Thomas Hammock, Northern Ill.
13. 120.2, EMMETT WHITE, UTAH STATE
* Ranked in the top six of the Big West Conference in eight different statistical categories (1st in rushing and all-purpose, third in scoring and receptions, fourth in kickoff returns and punt returns, fifth in receiving yards and sixth total offense).
* Ranked second in the NCAA in receptions per game by a running back.
* Became the 15th Utah State player to win a NCAA individual statistical title and the first since Louie Giammona led the country in all-purpose yardage in 1975.
Honors
2000 * AP Third-team All-America all-purpose back. * First-team all-Big West running back and second team all-Big West return specialist. * Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Week vs. Arkansas State (shared) and vs. New Mexico State. * USAToday.com Big West Player-of-the-Week vs. North Texas, Arkansas State and New Mexico State. * Team Offensive Most Valuable Player. * Nation's leader in all-purpose yardage. * Featured in the College Football Hall of Fame for NCAA single-game all-purpose yardage record.
1999 * First-team all-Big West kick return specialist.
USU Note-Able
* Utah State was picked to finish last in the six-team Big West Conference by the coaches and fourth by the media in the preseason, but finished second in the league.
Emmett White 2000 Game-By-Game All-Purpose Yardage The Nation's Leader
Opponent Rush. Rec. PR KOR Total
at Texas Tech 20-143 2-8 2-21 0-0 24-172
Southern Utah 10-25 2-5 4-28 1-46 17-104
at Arizona State 22-113 2-85 1-0 2-39 27-237
Utah 15-43 7-80 1-2 1-12 24-137
at Brigham Young 19-61 6-40 3-52 4-124 32-277
at North Texas 32-153 4-53 5-32 0-0 41-238
Idaho 29-128 2-84 1-5 2-45 34-262
Arkansas State 26-202 5-41 1-21 2-25 34-289
at New Mexico State 34-322 7-134 1-2 4-120 46-578
at Boise State 18-76 5-45 2-20 4-66 29-207
Idaho State 17-56 5-17 0-0 2-54 24-127
Totals 242-1322 47-592 21-183 22-531 332-2628
Average Per Game 120.2 53.8 16.6 48.3 238.9
