With fall camp underway, UtahStateAggies.com will breakdown the 2020 Aggie football team, position-by-position. Monday's position preview is with the quarterbacks.
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State's football team held its 15th practice of fall camp Monday afternoon on Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium and the quarterbacks are continuing to learn the offense as the season opener is just over one week away.
"We're really making up for lost time, because we didn't have a spring or summer to create relationships with the quarterbacks and the receivers, and the timing and intricacies of the passing game," said offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach
Bodie Reeder. "We're just trying to get efficient throwing the football and the operations of a new offense. I'm really pleased with them and their willingness and readiness to compete and get better every day."
Overall, Utah State returns just one quarterback with in-game experience in sophomore
Andrew Peasley, who has appeared in four games during his first two seasons, which included three games in 2018 and one in a 2019 campaign that was cut short by injury. In all, Peasley has completed 5-of-10 passes for 24 yards and has shown his athleticism in the run game as he has carried the ball 10 times for 159 yards (15.9 ypc) and one touchdown on a 59-yard scamper.
Fortunately for Utah State, it has added some quality experience here in junior transfer
Jason Shelley. Shelley spent three years at Utah, where he redshirted in 2017 and played in 19 games the past two years, which included five starts. Overall, Shelley produced 1,428 yards of total offense as a Ute with 1,205 passing yards and 223 rushing yards.
"Fall camp has been really fun and interesting," said Shelley. "We're getting the hang of everything and I think I'm throwing the ball well, leading the offense and doing a good job overall. I'm just trying to better myself as a passer - dropping back and making sure I can get my guys in an open space to make plays. I'm having to learn the offense of course, with a new offensive coordinator and a new team, but I'm for sure trying to be a better passer and a better leader."
Utah State also welcomes back a pair of redshirts here in freshmen
Josh Calvin (Bellflower, Calif./Mayfair HS) and
Cooper Legas (Orem, Utah/Orem HS) to go along with one more newcomer in
Garrett Larson (Kaysville, Utah/Davis HS).
"Jason was a late addition to our quarterback room and he brings a level of experience, competitiveness and leadership that I think is a big boost for us. We can all learn from his game experiences and being in a different program. His level of athleticism is obviously his big attribute. Andrew is a tremendous athlete as well. He has a little bit of a stronger arm, but he hasn't played a lot of football coming off the injury and not getting spring ball. He just needs reps and he's going to be a great player," added Reeder.
Utah State is set to open the season on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Boise State followed by its home opener against San Diego State the following weekend.
Ticket information for Utah State's 2020 home games will be announced soon. A limited number of fans will be allowed inside Maverik Stadium based on safety guidelines set by local and state health officials and Utah State University.
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