With one fall season and two spring practice sessions with the current coaching staff, the Utah State Aggies will enter the fall of 2001 ahead of where the program has been in the last several years. The Aggies return eight offensive starters and seven defensive starters as well as punter Steve Mullins.
USU's offense caught onto the system incorporated by the Aggie coaching staff midway through last season and the results were obvious. In a four-game stretch late in the year, USU averaged 566.5 yards and 39.3 points and scored 30-plus points in four straight games for the first time since 1990. In that time span (games seven through 10), USU produced three of the top 10 total offense games in school history with 619 yards against New Mexico State (sixth), 595 vs. Boise State (eighth) and 569 yards vs. Idaho (10th).
The main cogs of the Aggie offense return for the 2001 season in quarterback Jose Fuentes and All-America running back Emmett White. Fuentes ranked 14th in the NCAA in total offense and 16th in passing while starting the final nine games of the year. White, a third-team All-America as an all-purpose runner, led the country in all-purpose yardage, while ranking 13th in rushing. The versatile player will be fetured once again in USU's offensive attack.
Defensively USU should be improved with the return of two players who missed the 2000 season due to injuries as the Aggies welcome back defensive end Nick Onaindia and linebacker Tony Newson. They join a group which gained a lot of valuable experience a year ago.
USU's schedule will be extremely challenging in the school's first year as an independent since the Big West disbanded after the 2000 season. USU was an independent from 1962-77 and returns to that status in 2001.
The Aggies will open the season with three straight road games at Utah, Louisiana State and Fresno State before returning home to host Wyoming and Oregon. After playing at Brigham Young, USU will host Idaho State and Central Florida before closing the year at Connecticut, hosting Weber State and playing at South Florida.
Offense
2000 NCAA Rankings Total Offense -- 45th, Rushing -- 85th, Passing -- 21st, Scoring -- 54th
It took a little time to put all of the pieces together in the first season under head coach Mick Dennehy and offensive coordinator Bob Cole, but once the offense started clicking, everyone's efforts were rewarded. The explosiveness of the offense became evident midway through the year as USU produced three of the top 10 offensive yardage games in school history in a four game span. In that stretch USU averaged 566.5 yards and 39.3 points per game. This season the Aggies return eight offensive starters and 18 players that lettered on the offensive side of the ball a year ago.
Offensive Line
In 2000 Utah State's offensive line allowed just 15 sacks on the year and paved the way for the nation's 13th-leading rusher in Emmett White. And while the group was solid as a whole, only one player, tackle Jeff Long, earned first-team all-Big West honors a year ago. However, Jim Walker, who returns for his senior season, was a second-team choice and will be an anchor of this year's line. Long and three-year starter Junior Pututau have graduated, but three starters return in tackle Jim Newton and guards Jess Schuck and Walker. Schuck is a two-year starter, whose 22 career starts are second on the team (behind 24 by CB Tony Walker), while Walker and Newton first started a year ago. Schuck and Walker will enter the fall listed solidly as the starters at the guard spots, while Newton will man the left tackle spot once again. Ed Powell emereged from the spring as the starter at center. Newcomer Grant Calverley is listed ahead of Eric Gwilliam, a letterwinner a year ago, at the right tackle spot. Luis Trujillo saw a lot of action as a backup guard a year ago and in fact started three of the first five games of 2000. Aric Galliano is another player who could be difficult to keep out of the lineup.
Tight Ends
USU's four tight ends were all members of last year's team and all saw action for the Aggies. Casey Poppinga started nine games and was the team's fifth leading receiver with 15 catches for 190 yards. He is listed as the starter again this year, but others will see plenty of action as USU utilizes more than one tight end on a regular basis. J.R. Suguturaga started at fullback three times and played frequently at both fullback and tight end, double duty that he will be asked to perform again this year. In 2000 he caught five passes for 28 yards. Chris Cooley did not have a reception as a freshman a year ago, but played on offense, defense and special teams and has unlimited potential. Scott Collins started two games and played in six contests before a shoulder injury forced him to the sideline for the remainder of the season. In his limited action he caught two passes for 28 yards and one touchdown.
Wide Receivers
A key group in Utah State's wide open passing attack, but will see only three lettermen returning here. USU lost its top receiver in Aaron Jones (63 receptions for 1,159 yards), who was fifth in the nation in receiving yards and 26th in receptions. In addition, David Fiefia, USU's third-leading receiver a year ago, has been moved back to his natural position of running back, but is still more than likely to see time at a wide out position. The leader this season should be Chris Stallworth, who caught 26 passes for 289 yards as a true freshman a year ago. Marshall Sanders is another player with experience as he caught 13 balls for 131 yards last year, while Jason Deml saw action late in the year and had a good spring. New faces should see plenty of playing time including redshirts Markus Torian, Derek Jeffery and Donta' Candler, while junior college transfers Gary Coleman and Kevin Curtis should make immediate impacts as well and should challenge for starting spots.
Running Backs
Utah State's offense features one of the nation's most productive players in Emmett White. The senior was a one-man wrecking crew a year ago, etching his name all over NCAA, Big West and Utah State record books. He led the nation in all-purpose yardage (238.9 per game for the sixth-best average in NCAA history) and set a NCAA record with 578 all-purpose yards against New Mexico State. He was the nation's 13th-leading rusher with 120.2 yards per game and he set a school record with 322 yards rushing against New Mexico State for the second-best rushing day in Big West history. In addition he ranked 22nd in the country in kickoff returns and 26th in scoring. He also showed his ability to catch the ball as his 47 receptions for 592 yards were second on the team. Behind White is David Feifia, who spent last season as a wide receiver. While carrying the ball just three times for 10 yards, Fiefia was one of the leading freshman receivers in the country with 31 receptions for 344 yards and one touchdown. He returns to the running back position where he was the Utah High School Player of the Year as a prep senior. Roger Fernandez spent last year as the scout team running back and should see playing time this year. At fullback is the capable and hard-running John Roberts. Last year he rushed 26 times for 99 yards and three scores. Roberts is also invaluable on the Aggie special teams. Joe Solosabal, who has played fullback and linebacker in his career will continue to play offensive this year, while also help lead the Aggie special teams.
Quarterbacks
USU is fortunate to have two players that have started at least one season as quarterback in Jose Fuentes and Jeff Crosbie. Crosbie had started 17 consecutive games, including the first two last season, before losing his starting spot to Fuentes. Fuentes quickly evolved into a solid quarterback and in fact earned second-team all-Big West honors in his first year at the helm. Nationally Fuentes ranked 14th in total offense, 16th in passing, 39th in points responsible for and 43rd in passing efficiency. He also recorded some of the most productive days in college football during the year, including the fourth-best total offense game in the nation (503 yards vs. Boise State, the second-best passing efficiency day (306.40 vs. Southern Utah) and the fourth-best passing day (509 vs. Boise State). Fuentes will enter fall drills as the starter, while Crosbie (2,007 passing yards in 1999) will fight for the spot as well. The junior missed nine games a year ago due to a thumb injury suffered in practice on Sept. 12. Travis Cox and Robert Fockaert are both redshirt freshmen who have shown strong ability in practice and on the scout team in the past.
Defense
2000 NCAA Rankings Total Defense -- 110th, Rushing -- 96th, Passing -- 109th, Scoring -- 93rd
Utah State's defense should be improved in 2001 with the return of seven starters from a year ago and the return of two injured players, who would have started a year ago. The Aggies return three of four starters on the defensive line and all four secondary starters. However, USU lost all three of its starting linebackers, but return two of its best defensive players at that position in Jesse Busta, a first-team all-Big West pick despite coming off the bench, and Tony Newson, who missed last year with an injury. Throw in hard-playing Nick Onaindia, who was injured last year, at defensive end and USU's defense should be much better than a year ago.
Defensive Line
Three starters return off the defensive line. Included in that group is Nate Putnam, who was the only freshman in the Big West Conference to earn first-team all-league honors a year ago. Putnam, who had 59 tackles, including 14 for loss, stepped into the starting lineup in place of Nick Onaindia, who played three games before suffering a shoulder injury that sent him to the sidelines for the rest of the season. Onaindia will anchor the other defensive end spot. Both will be pushed by Ryan Duncan, one of only two returnees to have started all 11 games a year ago, and Ronald Tupea and Casey Bingham, who both had solid spring practices. Another player with experience on the outside is Jared Solosabal. Inside Jorge Tapia started five games as a freshman in 2000 and recorded 36 tackles including 10 for loss. Others fighting for playing time inside will include Tyler Olsen, a former walkon, who plays with great enthusiasm and Jeremy Guenter, who returned from an LDS mission to participate last spring.
Linebackers
Utah State lost all three of its starters at this position, but not all of its first-team all-league selections. In fact, despite the loss of 2000 first-team all-Big West selections Brent Passey and Blake Eagal, as well as third starter Cade Smith, who was invited to the Chicago Bears rookie camp and backup Justin Oswald, this group should once again be a strength for the Aggies. USU's starters should include Tony Newson in the middle with Jesse Busta and Ryan Solomona on the outside. Busta did start four games when Smith was hurt and earned first-team all-league honors after accumulating 110 tackles on the year off the bench. That total was nine behind Passey's team-leading 119. USU's linebacking corp will be bolstered by the return of two Aggies who missed 2000 for different reasons. Newson missed last year with a shoulder injury after earning second-team all-league honors in 1999 after averaging 10.6 tackles per game. Solomona was listed as the top backup at outside linebacker last year, but left the team for personal reasons before returning this spring. Scott Hunt and Rodney Wilson played as backups a year ago and should see time again this season. Hunt recorded 19 tackles last year, while Wilson was in on five stops. Hunt will backup Newson in the middle while Wilson will have a battle with Solomona for a starting spot on the outside. Behind Busta is Robert Watts, who redshirted last year. In addition Kyle Siever, who saw time at linebacker and on special teams will push for time.
Secondary
USU's secondary returns entirely intact with all four starters back as well as several key backups from a year ago. Cornerbacks Ade Jimoh (46 tackles, 12 passes broken up) and Tony Walker (51 tackles, eight passes broken up) have both earned all-Big West honors in the past. Inside Jamar Glasper (60 tackles, six passes broken up) will man the strong safety spot, while Derrek Shank (39 tackles, five PBUs), who took over the starting spot for the final half of the season will play free safety. In addition, Nathan Barber (16 tackles) saw a lot of time towards the end of the year and Bryan Jackson (five tackles) has experience as well. Outside USU will be searching for backups as redshirt Jerome Dennis, Shank and Jackson could see time here along with some new players.
Special Teams
2000 NCAA Rankings Net Punting -- 39th, Punt Returns -- 62nd, Kickoff Returns -- 51st
For the first time in five years USU will be without the services of record-setting kicker Brad Bohn, who drilled a school record 59 field goals during his time at Utah State. Dane Kidman will step into the kicking position this spring, but will be tested in the fall by freshman signee Ben Chaet. Steve Mullins will return to handle the punting duties. He was a second-team all-Big West selection last year and showed the ability to punt deep (three 60-yard punts) as well as place the ball (18 punts inside the 20-yard line). The return game should be solid again with Emmett White and Tony Walker returning to field both punts and kickoffs.
Punter
Steve Mullins, a freshman All-America punter in 1999 and a second-team all-Big West selection in 2000, returns to handle the punting chores. Mullins ranked 29th in the NCAA with a 41.4 average last year. 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 in 2000.
Place Kickers
Utah State will be without the services of Brad Bohn, who held the place kicking chores for four seasons. The graduated senior left USU with 13 records and added his name to NCAA and Big West record books. Dane Kidman, who drilled a 44-yarder in the only field goal attempt of his USU career in 1999, will hold the advantage at the beginning of the fall, but will expect a battle from signee Ben Chaet.
USU Note-able for Outlook
Frequent Fliers - Utah State will travel 15,408 miles during the 2001 football season. USU will venture to four different time zones as well during the year, playing at Louisiana State, Fresno State, Connecticut and South Florida as well as two in-state opponents in Utah and Brigham Young.
White National Leader - Emmett White led the nation in all-purpose yardage in 2000 and will return for his senior year in 2001. White's 238.9 per game average was the sixth best in NCAA history and he became USU's first NCAA statistical leader since 1974. White also set a NCAA record for single-game all-purpose yardage last year with 578 yards against New Mexico State.
White Moving Up Career Rushing Chart - Emmett White enters the year ranked 10th on the USU career rushing list with 1,430 yards. With 958 yards, White would move into fifth place. The senior rushed for 55 yards as a freshman, 53 as a sophomore and 1,322 as a junior.
Now An Independent - The Big West Conference will no longer sponsor football and Utah State has become a Division I Independent for the 2001 season. The Aggies were members of the Big West from 1978-2000, but prior to that USU was an independent from 1962-77 after being a member of the Mountain State/Skyline Conferences from 1938-61.
Ranked Team Coming To Logan - Oregon, which finished the year ranked seventh in the 2000 AP poll, should be ranked in the preseason AP polls this year. If the Ducks are ranked the week they play at Utah State, it will mark the first time a ranked team will play at Logan since 25th-ranked Colorado State visited here in 1997.
California Here We Come - Despite its proximity to the Golden State, Utah State's Sept. 15 visit to Fresno State will be the Aggies' first game in the state of California since a 1995 game at San Jose State. The last time USU played a non-conference game in the state of California was a 1989 trip to Southern California.
Returning Statistical Leaders - USU returns six of the seven players that gained positive rushing yardage last season as well as its top three passers, second-through seventh-leading receivers, its second-leading tackler and three of the four players that led the team with two interceptions.
Freshmen Now Sophomores - DE Nate Putnam was the only league freshman to earn first-team all-Big West honors in 2000, while David Fiefia was among the top 10 in the NCAA among freshmen reception leaders. Putnam also earned academic all-conference honors. In addition, other freshmen that started a year ago include WR Chris Stallworth, DT Jorge Tapia, and FS Derrek Shank.
Attendance Up In 2000 - Utah State averaged 19,910 fans for its third-best home average in school history last year, while the total of 99,549 in the five home games was its second-best total in school history.
Coaching Changes - While the entire staff remains intact, several Utah State assistant coaches have switched responsiblities from a year ago. Defensive coordinator Kraig Paulson retains those duties, while moving from the defensive line to the secondary. Carl Franks, who assisted in the secondary will now assist with linebackers, while Tom McMahon moves from linebackers to defensive line. Offensively, Eric Kiesau moved from running backs to wide receivers and Mike Trevathan moved from wide receivers to running backs.
Super Bowl Ties - Brian Billick, the head coach of the 2001 Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens, was the offensive coordinator at Utah State from 1986-88 under Chuck Shelton. Other coaches on the Ravens' staff with USU ties include Wade Harman, who played at USU in 1986 and then coached here from 1987-91 and Donnie Henderson, who played at USU from 1978-79 and coached here from 1983-88.
