Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Aug. 5, 2001
LOGAN, Utah -
Release #1August 5, 2001
2001 Utah State ScheduleSept. 1 at Utah 6:00Sept. 8 at Louisiana State 6:00Sept. 15 at Fresno State 8:00Sept. 22 WYOMING 7:05Sept. 29 OREGON 7:05Oct. 5 (Fri.) at Brigham Young 7:00Oct. 13 ByeOct. 20 IDAHO STATE 3:05Oct. 27 C. FLORIDA 3:05Nov. 3 ByeNov. 10 at Connecticut 10:30Nov. 17 WEBER STATE 1:05Nov. 24 at South Florida 5:00(all times are Mountain)* * * * *
2000 Utah State (5-6, 4-1)Sept. 2 at Texas Tech L 16-38Sept. 9 SO. UTAH W 30-14Sept. 23 at Ariz. State L 20-44Sept. 30 UTAH L 14-35Oct. 6 (Fri) at BYU L 14-38Oct. 14 at No. Texas* W 17-12Oct. 21 IDAHO* W 31-14Oct. 28 ARK. ST.* W 44-31Nov. 4 at N.M. State* W 44-37Nov. 11 at Boise State* L 38-66Nov. 18 IDAHO STATE L 24-27* - Big West Conference Games* * * * *Athletic Media RelationsDirector: Mike Strauss W: (435) 797-1361 H: (435) 755-0597 Cell: (435) 770-3131 e-mail: mstrauss@cc.usu.eduAssistant: Doug Hoffman W: (435) 797-3714Assistant: Laurie Cannon W: (435) 797-2066Fax: (435) 797-2615Web Site: www.UtahStateAggies.com
Preseason Media Day
IMPORTANT DATESMonday, August 6 BEEHIVE BOOT MEDIA LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m. (Green Street Restaurant, Salt Lake City)Monday, August 6 Newcomers Report to Logan 1 p.m.Tuesday, August 7 Newcomers Orientation all dayWednesday, August 8 Two-a-Days Begin for Newcomers 10 a.m.-noon 3-4:40 p.m.Thursday, August 9 Veterans ReportFriday, August 10 USU MEDIA DAY 1 p.m. (Romney Stadium)Saturday, August 11 Two-a-Days Continue 9-11 a.m. 4-6 p.m.Monday, August 27 USU MEDIA LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m. (Romney Stadium)Tuesday, August 28 BIG FIVE HUDDLE 11:30 a.m. (Green Street Restaurant, Salt Lake City)Saturday, Sept. 1 Season Opener at Utah 6 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 22 Home Opener vs. Wyoming 7:05 p.m.
NATIONAL OPPONENTS -- USU's schedule features two consensus top-20 teams as well as four schools that are receiving votes in the ESPN/USA Today poll. Oregon, which will visit Logan on Sept. 29 has been listed as high as fifth in the country by The Sporting News and ESPN Magazine, while Louisiana State has been listed as high as 10th by the same two magazines. Here is a quick look:
ESPN/USA Today Preseason Poll8. Oregon17. Louisiana State41. Fresno State42. Brigham Young
USU TRIVIA -- Here is a look at a couple USU notes heading into the 2001 season:* Seven former Aggies were on NFL preseason rosters as of June 18 including Brad Bohn (Detroit), Johndale Carty (Atlanta), Aaron Jones (Indianapolis), Micah Knorr (Dallas), Jeff Long and Craig Miller (Jacksonville), and Rich Tylski (New Orleans).* USU has improved its record in each of the last two years after finishing 3-8 in 1998, USU went 4-7 in 1999 and 5-6 a year ago. The Aggies will be looking for a six-win season for the first time since 1997.* USU has had some success in years that end in "1" posting a 3-2-1 mark in 1901, 5-0 in 1911, 7-1 in 1921, 6-2 in 1931, 0-8 in 1941, 3-5-1 in 1951, 9-1-1 in 1961, 8-3 in 1971, 5-5-1 in 1981, and 5-6 in 1991.* USU will open the year with three straight road games and the last time the Aggies played three straight away from Logan was 1996.
Team Information2000 Overall Record: 5-62000 Big West Record/Finish: 4-1/SecondBasic Offense: One BackBasic Defense: 4-3Starters Returning: 16 (8 offense, 7 defense, 1 special teams)Starters Lost: 8 (3 offense, 4 defense, 1 special teams)Lettermen Returning: 33 (18 offense, 14 defense, 1 special teams)Lettermen Lost: 21 (8 offense, 12 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 MullinsAll-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)OffensePos. Returning Starters (8) Starters Lost (3)LT Jim Newton (11/11)LG Jess Schuck (11/22)OC Junior Pututau (11/27)RG Jim Walker (8/8)RT Jeff Long (11/12)TE Casey Poppinga 9/9)WR Chris Stallworth (6/6)WR Aaron Jones (11/30)FB J.R. Suguturaga (3/3)RB Emmett White (11/12)QB Jose Fuentes (9/9)
DefensePos. Returning Starters (7) Starters Lost (4)LE Ryan Duncan (11/11)LT Nate Larsen (8/8)RT Jorge Tapia (5/5)RE Nate Putnam (9/9)Hero Brent Passey (11/33)Mike Cade Smith (10/10)Mac Blake Eagal (11/34)LC Ade Jimoh (11/11)SS Jamar Glasper (9/9)FS Derrek Shank (6/6)RC Tony Walker (10/24)
Special TeamsPos. Returning Starters (1) Starters Lost (1)PK Brad BohnP Steve Mullins
Key Redshirts ReturningDE Nick Onaindia (3/3), LB Tony Newson (0/9)
2001 Aggie Headliners
LB Jesse Busta... A first-team all-Big West Conference linebacker in 2000 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 a year ago... 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 in 2000... 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, South Florida (all 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. Notes1988 West. Montana 1-6 .143 1-5/5th .167 Revived Program1989 West. Montana 4-4 .500 2-4/4th .3331990 West. Montana 5-3 .625 3-3/3rd .5001996 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 playoffs1998 Montana 8-4 .667 6-2/1st .750 0-1 in playoffs1999 Montana 9-3 .750 7-1/1st .875 0-1 in playoffs2000 Utah State 5-6 .455 4-1/2nd .800 1 win from bowlWestern Montana (3 yrs.) 10-13 .435 6-12 .333 Revived ProgramMontana (4 yrs.) 39-12 .765 27-5 .844 Four playoffsUtah State (1st yr.) 5-6 .455 4-1 .800 50th career winTotals (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 Games1. Emmett White vs. New Mexico State (322 yards) 2nd best in Big West history45. Emmett White vs. Arkansas State (202 yards)
Best All-Purpose Yards Games1. Emmett White vs. New Mexico State (578 yards) NCAA Record9. 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 Games4. Jose Fuentes vs. Boise State (503 yards)28. Jose Fuentes vs. Idaho (407 yards)
Best Passing Efficiency Games2. Jose Fuentes vs. Southern Utah (306.4 rating)
Best Passing Yards Games4. Jose Fuentes vs. Boise State (509 yards)14. Jose Fuentes vs. Idaho (421 yards)
Best Receiving Yards Games1. Aaron Jones vs. Boise State (297 yards) 10th best in NCAA history4. Aaron Jones vs. Idaho (233 yards)
Best Kickoff Return Yards Games40. Emmett White vs. Brigham Young (124 yards)47. Emmett White vs. New Mexico State (120 yards)
Best Scoring Games6. 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 Conference1. 27, San Jose State and Pacific3. 23, UTAH STATE and Long Beach State
Conference Games Played1. 151, Pacific2. 149, San Jose State3. 138, UTAH STATE
Conference Wins1. 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 State2. 6, Fresno State3. 5, UTAH STATE, Nevada, San Diego State
Conference Records of Current Schools82-54-2 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.
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 Highs1. 578, EMMETT WHITE vs. New Mexico St., 20002. 435, Brian Pruitt, Central Michigan vs. Toledo, 19943. 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 QuarterR21*, P15*, R13*, P22*/K30, R12*, R16*, R5*, R6* (TD)/P10*, R8/2nd QuarterK45, R-3/R29*, R9, R8*, R18, R10*, R5/R3, P7*, P17*/3rd QuarterK13/K32, P11*, R-1, R1/PR2, R43*, R17*, R5, R3 (TD)/4th QuarterR4, R-2, R42* (TD)/R0/R10*, R17*, R5, R3, R2*, R4, R4/P52*, R9 (TD)
Breakdown No.-YardsRushing 34-322, 4 TDReceiving 7-134Kickoff Returns 4-120Punt Returns 1-2Totals 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 Highs1. 357, Mike Pringle, CS Fullerton vs. N.M. State, 19892. 322, EMMETT WHITE vs. New Mexico State, 20002. 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-PurposeYards Per Game Average1. 295.5, Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State, 19882. 249.6, Ryan Benjamin, Pacific, 19913. 246.3, Whizzer White, Colorado, 19374. 244.6, Mike Pringle, Cal State Fullerton, 19895. 239.4, Paul Palmer, Temple, 19866. 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 Rankings1st in All-Purpose13th in Rushing22nd in Kickoff Returns26th in Scoring
* * * * *
Leading Returnees
Rushing Att-YdsEmmett White 242-1322John Roberts 26-99Chris Stallworth 1-19Key LossesNone* * * * *
Passing A-C-I, YdsJose Fuentes 368-194-8, 2709Jeff Crosbie 49-21-1, 180Key LossesNone* * * * *
Receiving Rec-YdsEmmett White 47-592David Fiefia 31-344Chris Stallworth 26-289Key LossesAaron Jones 63-1159
* * * * *
Tackles UT-AT--TotalJesse Busta 61-49--110Jamar Glasper 29-31--60Nate Putnam 37-22--59Key LossesBrent Passey 66-53--119Blake Eagal 67-38--105Cade Smith 55-32--87
* * * * *
2000 Big West Standings
School Conf. OverallBoise State 5-0 10-2UTAH STATE 4-1 5-6Idaho 3-2 5-6New Mexico State 1-4 3-8North Texas 1-4 3-8Arkansas State 1-4 1-10
* * * * *
2001 Independents
Central FloridaConnecticutNavyNotre DameSouth FloridaUtah State
2000 Honorees(2001 Returnees in All Caps)
Third Team All-America (AP)RB EMMETT WHITE
First Team all-Big WestWR Aaron JonesRB EMMETT WHITEOT Jeff LongDE NATE PUTNAMLB JESSE BUSTALB Brent PasseyLB Blake Eagal
Second Team all-Big WestQB JOSE FUENTESOG JIM WALKERCB ADE JIMOHRet. EMMETT WHITEPK Brad BohnP STEVE MULLINS
Honorable Mention all-Big WestDT Nate Larsen
Big West Player of the WeekOffenseAaron Jones vs. Southern UtahJose Fuentes vs. IdahoAaron Jones vs. IdahoEmmett White vs. Arkansas StateEmmett White vs. N.M. StateAaron Jones vs. Boise StateDefenseBrent Passey vs. UtahSpecial TeamsBrad Bohn vs. Arizona StateSteve Mullins vs. IdahoBrad Bohn vs. Arkansas State
Academic all-Big WestPK Brad BohnLB Blake EagalDT Nate LarsenTE CASEY POPPINGADE NATE PUTNAMOG JIM WALKER
Academic all-DistrictPK Brad BohnLB Blake Eagal
2000 Utah State Team Honors(See page five)
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 5thJESSE BUSTA Interceptions 5thBlake Eagal Interceptions 5thJOSE FUENTES Total Offense 3rd (14th) Passing 2nd (16th) Points Responsible For (39th) Passing Efficiency (43rd)ADE JIMOH Interceptions 5thAaron Jones Receiving Yards 1st (5th) Receptions 2nd (26th) All-Purpose 6th Scoring 7thSTEVE MULLINS Punting 2nd (29th)DERREK SHANK Interceptions 5thEMMETT 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 WHITEOutstanding Back/Receiver Aaron JonesOutstanding Offensive Lineman Jeff Long
Defensive MVP Brent PasseyOutstanding Defensive Lineman NATE PUTNAMOutstanding Linebacker Blake EagalOutstanding Secondary ADE JIMOH
Outstanding Special Teams Player Brad Bohn and NATHAN BARBER
Outstanding Freshman NATE PUTNAM and DAVID FIEFIAOutstanding Sophomore JOSE FUENTES and JESSE BUSTA
Most Inspirational JOHN ROBERTS and Blake EagalMost Improved JOSE FUENTES and Cade SmithOffensive Scout MVP BRENNEN BURNINGHAM and ROGER FERNANDEZDefensive Scout MVP ROBERT WATTS
* * * * *
2001 Returning Lettermen
Offense DefenseCollins, TE Barber, SSCooley, TE Busta, LBDeml, WR Duncan, DEFiefia, RB Glasper, SSFuentes, QB Hunt, LBGwilliam, OT Jackson, SSNewton, OT Jimoh, CBPoppinga, TE Olsen, DEPowell, OC Putnam, DERoberts, FB Shank, FSSanders, WR Siever, LBSchuck, OG Tapia, DTSolosabal, FB T. Walker, CBStallworth, WR Wilson, LBSuguturaga, TETrujillo, OG Special TeamsJ. Walker, OG Mullins, PWhite, RB
USU When...(2000 record)
Category RecordRecord 5-6Scoring First 3-2Opp. Scores First 2-4Lead at Half 3-0Tied at Half 0-0Trail at Half 2-6Lead after 3 5-1Tied after 3 0-0Trail after 3 0-5Rush for 200 2-0Pass for 300 1-1More Yards than Opp. 4-0Fewer Yards than Opp. 1-6More TO than Opp. 1-4Same TO as Opp. 2-1Fewer TO than Opp. 2-1Home 3-2Away 2-4Big West 4-1Non-Conference 1-5Natural Grass 4-4Artificial Turf 1-2Day Games 3-3Night Games 2-3Decided by one score 2-1
* * * * *
USU Best Total Offense Games1. 684 vs. Nevada, 19922. 662 vs. Idaho, 19973. 654 vs. Brigham Young, 19934. 649 vs. CS-Northridge, 19965. 632 vs. Utah, 19726. 619 vs. N.M. STATE, 20007. 605 vs. New Mexico State, 19968. 595 vs. BOISE STATE, 20009. 578 vs. Brigham Young, 197210. 569 vs. IDAHO, 2000
* * * * *
USU Best Passing Offense Games1. 569 vs. Utah, 19722. 509 vs. BOISE STATE, 20003. 472 vs. Brigham Young, 19934. 439 vs. IDAHO, 20005. 428 vs. Nevada, 1992
