Oct. 12, 2003
LOGAN, Utah -
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October 12, 2003
Game #7 at North Texas
Sat., Oct. 18, 2 p.m. (MDT)
Fouts Field (30,500)
Denton, Texas
Radio: 610 AM (Logan)
94.5 FM (Logan)
860 AM (Salt Lake City)
98.3 FM (Salt Lake City)
106.3 FM (Ogden/SLC)
104.7 FM (Utah County/SLC)
102.3 FM (Bear Lake)
105.5 FM (Randolph)
www.UtahStateAggies.com
TV: None
USU 1-888-U-STATE-1 Tickets: (435) 797-0305 www.UtahStateAggies.com
USU SID: Mike Strauss (435) 797-1361 UNT SID: Eric Capper (940) 565-2476
Utah State (1-5, 1-0 Sun Belt)
Aug. 28 at Utah L 20-40
Sept. 6 at Nebraska (#23) L 7-31
Sept. 13 at Arizona St. (#16) L 16-26
Sept. 27 UL-MONROE* W 28-10
Oct. 4 at New Mexico L 7-34
Oct. 11 WYOMING L 21-48
Oct. 18 at North Texas* 2 p.m.
Oct. 25 ARKANSAS ST.* 1:05 p.m.
Nov. 1 MID. TENN.* 1:05 p.m.
Nov. 6 at New Mexico St.* 6 p.m.
Nov. 15 TROY STATE* 1:05 p.m.
Nov. 22 at Idaho* 3 p.m.
(all times are Mountain)
North Texas (3-3, 2-0 Sun Belt)
Aug. 30 at Oklahoma L 3-37
Sept. 6 BAYLR W 52-14
Sept. 13 at Air Frce L 21-34
Sept. 20 at Arkansas L 7-31
Sept. 27 UL-LAFAYETTE W 44-23
Oct. 11 at Idaho W 24-14
Oct. 18 UTAH STATE
Oct. 25 at Middle Tennessee
Oct. 30 TRYO STATE
Nov. 8 at UL-Monroe
Nov. 15 ARKANSAS STATE
Nov. 25 at New Mexico State
Media Information
Weekly Press Conferences Mondays - 11:30 a.m. at Coppermill Restaurant
Sun Belt Conference Teleconference Call Mondays - 10:25-10:35 (MDT) Utah State (Call 435-797-1361 for number)
Sun Belt Conference Video Feeds Wednesdays - 1 p.m. (MDT) Satellite AMC 1,Transponder C-17, Downlink 4040 mhz, Audio 6.2-6.8 Trouble # (225) 336-2268 or 2269
Interviews All Utah State player and coach interview requests should be made through Mike Strauss at least one day in advance. Player interviews should be completed no later than Wednesday on game week. Coach Dennehy is usually available weekdays between 10 a.m. and noon mountain time.
USU On The Air * Game Broadcasts Play-by-Play - Al Lewis Analyst - Craig Hislop 610 AM (Logan) 94.5 FM (Logan) 860 AM (Salt Lake City) 98.3 FM (Salt Lake City) 106.3 FM (Ogden/SLC) 104.7 FM (Utah County/SLC) 102.3 FM (Bear Lake) 105.5 FM (Randolph) www.UtahStateAggies.com * Mick Dennehy Radio Show Thursdays, 6 p.m. (610 KVNU) * Aggie Weekly Radio Show Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. (610 KVNU)
USU On The Web www.UtahStateAggies.com
Athletic Media Relations Director: Mike Strauss (football contact) W: (435) 797-1361 H: (435) 755-0597 Cell: (435) 770-3131 Fax: (435) 797-2615 e-mail: mike.strauss@usu.edu Associate: Doug Hoffman W: (435) 797-3714 Assistant: Todd Johnson W: (435) 797-2066
2003 Sun Belt Conference
Team Conf. Overall
North Texas 2-0 3-3
Utah State 1-0 1-5
Middle Tennessee 1-0 1-5
Arkansas State 1-1 3-4
Idaho 1-1 1-6
UL-Monroe 1-2 1-6
New Mexico State 0-2 1-5
UL-Lafayette 0-3 0-7
This Week In The Sun Belt
N.M. State at UL-Lafayette (Thurs.)
Utah State at North Texas
Middle Tenn. at Idaho
Florida International at Troy State
Last Week In The Sun Belt
Middle Tenn. 35, New Mexico State 18
North Texas 24, Idaho 14
UL-Monroe 45, UL-Lafayette 42
Mississippi 55, Arkansas State 0
Wyoming 48, Utah State 21
Media Relations Staff Judy Willson (football) (504) 299-9066 (ext. 15) Rob Broussard (504) 299-9066 (ext. 18) Web Site: SunBeltSports.org
Sun Belt Weekly Media Teleconference Each Monday - Call USU SID (435-797-1361) for number to participate.
The head coach and a featured player will be available each week.
Time (MDT) Coach and player from each school 9:30-9:35 Sun Belt Announcements 9:35-9:45 Arkansas State 9:45-9:55 UL Lafayette 9:55-10:05 UL Monroe 10:05-10:15 North Texas 10:15-10:25 Middle Tennessee 10:25-10:35 Utah State 10:35-10:45 New Mexico State 10:45-10:55 Idaho 10:55 Commissioner (when available)
QUICKLY -- After playing two straight non-conference games, Utah State (1-5 Overall, 1-0 Sun Belt) will finish the second half of the season with six straight Sun Belt Conference games starting with a trip to North Texas (3-3, 2-2) on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. Mountain... The Aggies are meeting the top team in the Sun Belt as North Texas has won two straight games heading into Saturday and has won 13 consecutive conference games dating back to 2001... It is homecoming in Denton, marking the third straight homecoming game USU has played in... USU is 0-4 on the road this year and 4-18 away from home in the Mick Dennehy era... USU has lost five straight road games since winning 19-16 at Troy State in the 10th game of last year... Saturday's game will mark the seventh road game for USU in its last 11 outings (USU is 3-7 in its last 10 games, including 1-6 on the road in that time span)... USU is 1-0 in league play and is 5-1 in conference games in the Mick Dennehy era... USU has won seven of its last eight league games dating back to 1999, including a 34-7 win at North Texas in 1999... USU will be looking to start conference play 2-0 for the fourth time in its last six years in a conference.
TRAVEL PLANS -- Utah State will depart Logan, Utah at 7:30 a.m. and arrive in Dallas, Texas at 1:30 p.m. on Friday. The Aggies will hold a light workout at Fouts Field at approximately 3 p.m. (check for changes) and head coach Mick Dennehy will be available for the media prior to practice. USU will headquarter at the Hilton Lakes Hotel (817-481-8444) in Grapevine. Mike Strauss will travel with the team (C: 435-770-3131).
ON THE AIR -- All Utah State football games are carried on the Aggie Radio Network with Al "Mean, but not Green" Lewis calling the play-by-play and Ken "Looking for Texas Tea" Beazer filling in for Craig Hislop with analysis. Saturday's game will not be televised.
LAST TIME OUT -- Wyoming scored touchdowns on each of its first four possessions en route to handing Utah State a 48-21 loss in the Aggies' homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 11. TB David Fiefia rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown on just 15 carries, while QB Travis Cox completed 16 of 35 passes for 202 yards and a score and rushed eight times for 22 yards and another touchdown for USU. TE Chris Cooley returned to the lineup after missing two games with a stress fracture in his foot and caught five passes for 72 yards. Wyoming ran up 434 yards of offense, while USU responded with 357 yards. The teams provided for some of their longest plays of the year as Kenny Coleman's 59-yard reception to set up a touchdown was the second-longest play of the year for USU, while Wyoming produced the two longest plays allowed by USU this year on consecutive plays in the fourth quarter (a 47-yard touchdown run and a 62-yard touchdown pass). USU recorded four sacks in the game, but did not force a turnover in the game, while fumbling twice and throwing an interception, which led to three Wyoming scores (17 points).
UP NEXT -- Utah State will return home to host Arkansas State on Oct. 25 at 1:05 p.m. in the first of two straight home games (host Middle Tennessee on Nov. 1 at 1:05 p.m.).
USU'S LAST EIGHT CONFERENCE GAMES -- Utah State is 7-1 in its last eight conference games dating back to 1999 when it competed in the Big West Conference (independent in 2000 and 2001). Here is a look:
1999 - W 37-35 at Nevada, W 34-7 at North Texas 2000 - W 17-12 at North Texas, W 31-14 IDAHO, W 44-31 ARKANSAS STATE, W 44-37 at New Mexico State, L 38-66 at Boise State 2003 - W 28-10 UL-MONROE
DID YOU KNOW? -- USU will be playing it third game of the season on artificial turf (Nebraska and New Mexico) and is just 1-7 on the fake stuff in the Mick Dennehy era. The lone win was a 17-12 victory at North Texas in 2000.
COACH Mick Dennehy -- In his fourth year at Utah State is Mick Dennehy (Montana, 1973), who was hired on Dec. 3, 1999. He compiled a 39-12 record (76.5 percent) in four years at Montana. 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). In 2001 he guided the Aggies in their first independent schedule since 1977. The Aggies played four top-25 teams and five bowl teams in 2001. Realizing the improvement USU was making on and off the field, Dennehy was rewarded with a two-year contract extension on Nov. 30, 2001 which will keep him in Logan through 2005. In 2002, Dennehy's team faced four bowl teams en route to a 4-7 mark. 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. In Dennehy's nine years overall 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. 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 1.000 Nat'l Runners-up
1997 Montana 8-4 .667 6-2/2nd .750 0-1 in playoffs
1998 Montana 8-4 .667 6-2/1st .750 Big Sky Champ.
1999 Montana 9-3 .750 7-1/1st .875 Big Sky Champ.
2000 Utah State 5-6 .455 4-1/2nd .800 1 win from bowl
2001 Utah State 4-7 .364 N/A N/A Played 4 top 25
2002 Utah State 4-7 .364 N/A N/A 4 '01 bowl opp.
2003 Utah State 1-5 .167 1-0 1.000 1st yr. in Sun Belt
Western Montana (3 yrs.) 10-13 .435 6-12 .333 Revived Program
Montana (4 years) 39-12 .765 27-5 .844 Four playoffs
Utah State (4th year) 14-25 .359 5-1 .833 50th career win
Totals (11th year) 63-50 .558 38-18 .679 3-4 in playoffs
USU UNDER DENNEHY * In his first three years at USU, the Aggies recorded the school's all-time attendance average record (21,784 in 2001) and two others in the top five (third in 2002 and fifth in 2000). * USU produced four of the top 10 all-time total offense games in school history in his first three years, including a school-record tying 684 yards against Weber State. * USU also produced three of the top five passing games in school history in Dennehy's first three years. * USU produced two Associated Press third-team All-Americans in his first three years as all-purpose runner Emmett White earned the honor in 2000 and wide receiver Kevin Curtis was named in 2001. The last time USU had an AP All-America selection was 1988 when Kendal Smith also earned third team honors. * USU has had two NCAA individual statistical champions in his tenure as White led the country in all-purpose yardage in 2000 (238.9) and Curtis led the nation in receptions in 2001 (9.1 per game). Previously USU's last national statistical leader was Louie Giammona, who led the country in all-purpose yardage (185.9) in 1975. * The football team's grade-point average has improved steadily. * Coached his 100th career game against Iowa in 2002. * 60th career victory was against New Mexico in 2002. * Entering his fourth season at USU, marking the longest tenure by an Aggie coach since Chuck Shelton coached from 1986-91 (Charlie Weatherbie and John L. Smith each coached three seasons and Dave Arslanian two). * Inducted into Butte, Mont. Athletic Hall of Fame in summer of 2003.
DENNEHY IN CONFERENCE GAMES -- Utah State head coach Mick Dennehy owns a 5-1 record in conference games since coming to USU as well as posting a 32-6 record in league games in his career at Montana and USU. In his last five years of league play his teams have won three conference titles and finished second twice.
THE USU-UNT SERIES -- Utah State leads the all-time series against North Texas by a 4-1 count, including three consecutive wins. The Aggies have won the last two games at Fouts Field, posting a 34-7 win there in 1999 and a 17-12 victory there in 2000 and are 2-1 in games at Denton. Saturday's game will mark the fourth time in the six-game series that USU has played at Denton. USU's lone loss in the series was a thrilling 51-48 game at Denton in 1997. Four of the five games in the series have been decided by one score or less. USU head coach Mick Dennehy is 1-0 against the Mean Green in his coaching career with a 17-12 win at Denton while at USU in 2000.
USU-UNT LAST TIME -- Utah State opened Big West Conference play with a 17-12 victory at North Texas on Oct. 14, 2000. Emmett White rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns, while Jose Fuentes threw for 170 yards and Chris Stallworth caught nine passes (still a career high) for 62 yards. On the day USU allowed North Texas just 141 yards of total offense, including just 41 in the second half. After trailing 6-3 at halftime, USU produced 14 points and 207 yards in the second half. The Aggie defense held North Texas to 0-13 on third-down conversions as UNT's only points in the game came on special teams (two field goals and a blocked punt return for a touchdown).
THE 1997 THRILLER -- Utah State had already clinched the Big West title and it was rumored that head coach John L. Smith would be leaving for Louisville when these teams hooked up in the 1997 season finale. In front of just 6,750 fans, North Texas scored 32 points in the fourth quarter to post a 51-48 win. USU led 34-19 heading into the final period. The teams combined for 31 points in the final 5:43 of the game as USU scored with :37 left to lead 48-44 before UNT scored the game-winning 26-yard pass with :02 to win. USU produced 494 yards of total offense, but UNT recorded 527 yards.
USU-UNT NOTE-ABLE -- USU lists two players on its roster from the state of Texas in injured CB Andre Bala (Willow Ridge HS, Houston), who has not played this season and DT Michael Gates (Sam Houston HS, Arlington), who started the first three games of the year.
USU VS. THE SUN BELT CONFERENCE -- Utah State is 45-22-2 all-time against current members of the Sun Belt Conference, including a 1-0 mark this year (defeated UL-Monroe 28-10). In order of wins USU is 23-4 vs. New Mexico State, 14-13-2 vs. Idaho, 4-1 vs. North Texas, 2-1 vs. Arkansas State, 1-1 vs. UL-Monroe, 1-1 vs. UL-Lafayette, and 0-1 vs. Middle Tennessee.
COX FINDING PAYDIRT -- QB Travis Cox, who leads the Sun Belt Conference and ranks 46th in the NCAA in total offense at 213.17 yards per game, has rushed for three touchdowns already this season. That total is the most by an Aggie quarterback since Matt Sauk ran for six in 1997. Cox has also thrown for six scores, including one in each of the first six games. In the last three games, Cox has attempted 83 passes with just one interception.
FIEFIA STAYING CONSISTENT -- TB David Fiefia has continued to be very consistent in his first year as USU's full-time tailback. The senior is second in the Sun Belt in rushing at 76.00 yards per game (53rd in NCAA), while ranking fourth in all-purpose yards at 122.50 per game (42nd in NCAA). He has rushed for at least 50 yards in five of USU's six games and most recently had 86 yards on just 15 carries against Wyoming for his second-best effort of the year (142 yards vs. UL-Monroe).
COOLEY RETURNS -- TE/FB Chris Cooley made a return to the lineup, starting against Wyoming just four weeks after suffering a stress fracture in his foot against Arizona State. When he was injured after three games, Cooley was averaging 6.0 receptions per game to rank 36th in the NCAA and second among the country's tight ends. Saturday he responded with five receptions for 72 yards, including a long of 34 yards. Despite missing two games this year, Cooley leads the team with 23 receptions and 268 yards.
DID YOU KNOW? -- USU's last conference game was a 28-10 against UL-Monroe on Sept. 27 and the 18-point victory margin was USU's largest in the Mick Dennehy era.
CHICK MAKING A DIFFERENCE -- While USU DT John Chick sat out the first three games due to a broken thumb, USU did not record a sack and had only 12 tackles for loss. In his three games back, Chick recorded the first sack of the year for USU with a drop in the first half against Louisiana-Monroe and then added sacks in each of the last two games against New Mexico and Wyoming. Against Wyoming, the sophomore had a game-high, career-high nine tackles, the most by an Aggie lineman since DE Nick Onaindia had 12 tackles against Fresno State in the 2001 season finale. In the three games since he returned to the lineup, USU has recorded 10 sacks and is up to 39 tackles for loss (27 in the last three games) since he returned to the lineup.
FIELD POSITION A PROBLEM (STILL) -- Here is a look at the average starting field position of USU and its opponents this season as the Aggies are starting their possessions a lot deeper in their own territory than their opponents. USU opponents have traveled less than 50 yards on 18 of their 32 scoring drives. On Saturday, Wyoming averaged starting on its own 49-yard line and its average scoring drive (eight drives) was 38 yards with the longest needing just 62 yards (scored on one play).
Game USU Start Line Opp Start Line Avg. +/- Start
Utah USU 31 UU 41 (-10)
Nebraska USU 26 NU 43 (-17)
Arizona State USU 22 ASU 39 (-17)
UL-Monroe USU 37 ULM 23 (+14)
New Mexico USU 21 UNM 41 (-20)
Wyoming USU 23 UW 49 (-26)
OFFENSIVE NOTES -- USU matched its second-best offensive effort of the year against Wyoming on Saturday with 357 yards (373 vs. Arizona State for best total this year and identical 357 vs. Utah)... USU rushed for 117 yards against Wyoming for its second most rushing yards in its last seven games (201 vs. UL-Monroe)... USU has thrown a touchdown pass in eight straight games... USU has thrown just one interception in the last three games (89 attempts), but has lost six fumble in that time span... USU has committed exactly three turnovers in four of its last five games (one against UL-Monroe)... WR Barry Tolli's 38-yard pass to TB David Fiefia against Wyoming was the longest pass by a non-quarterback at USU since 1999 (TB Demario Brown threw a 43-yard pass against Nevada)... The 59-yard pass from QB Travis Cox to WR Kenny Coleman vs. Wyoming was the second longest play of the year for USU (79-yard pass from Cox to WR Barry Tolli in previous game against New Mexico)... Despite TE/FB Chris Cooley missing two games, TE Patrick McNutt became just the third Aggie tight end with a reception this year as he caught a two-yarder against Wyoming (Cooley and Jason Stephens are the others with catches this year)... Ten Aggies have rushes this year, but only David Fiefia has more than 36 yards on the season... Thirteen different Aggies have receptions this year and six have touchdown receptions... USU has scored on 12 of its 13 trips into the Red Zone this year, including 10 touchdowns... Four different players have scored USU's last four touchdowns (WR Barry Tolli, TB David Fiefia, QB Travis Cox, WR Kenny Coleman).
DEFENSIVE NOTES -- USU did not record a sack in the first three games, but has 10 in the last three contests... Sixteen different Aggies have recorded tackles for loss, including seven with sacks... After allowing 200 yards rushing in each of the first two games (237.5 per game), USU has allowed just 139.5 in the last four games... USU has limited the opponent to less than 300 yards passing in nine straight games... USU held UL-Monroe to 257 total yards, but has allowed 419.0 yards per game in the last two contests... After forcing seven turnovers in consecutive games against Arizona State and UL-Monroe, the Aggies have forced just one miscue in the last two games... The opponent has owned the time of possession in five of the first six games (Arizona State only had the ball 26:53), including a 36:36 to 23:24 advantage in the last game against Wyoming... USU held ASU and ULM to a combined 36 points, but allowed UNM and UW 82 points in the last two games... The two longest plays allowed by USU this season came on consecutive plays in the fourth quarter of the Wyoming game as USU allowed a 47-yard touchdown run and a 62-yard touchdown pass (previous long rush allowed was 23 yards and previous long pass allowed was 46 yards).
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES -- USU has not attempted a field goal in the last three games and has only three attempts on the year... USU ranks 47th in the NCAA with a 22.14 kickoff return average... Nine different players have kickoff returns this year and seven of those players have at least one return for at least 20 yards... P Ben Chaet has nine 50-plus yard punts and eight punts inside the 20-yard line this year... He made a great play against Wyoming on a snap over his head and punted on the run for one of the best nine-yard punts you will see.
USU NOTE-ABLE -- USU is 4-2 in known games played on Oct. 18... USU will be playing its second day game of the year (Nebraska) and the Aggies are 10-7 in day games in the Mick Dennehy era as opposed to 4-18 at night... USU has started 35 different players this season, including 17 who have made their first career starts this year... Last year USU played five straight games decided by three points or less (USU was 3-2 in those five games, 4-2 in all one-score games last year), but the closest game this season was a 10-point loss to Arizona State (26-16).
STARTER NOTE-ABLE -- Here is a quick look at USU's projected starters: Offense LT Donald Penn -- Last year became second freshman to start on offensive line since 1996... Played right tackle in 2002 and is at left tackle this year. LG Greg Vandermade -- Started last year's opener at Utah and then came off the bench the rest of the year... Has made six straight starts this year and has been considered USU's best and most consistent lineman by the coaches. OC Aric Galliano -- Started all 11 games last year despite breaking his regular snapping hand and switching to snapping left handed in the eighth game of the year. RG Trevor Hutton -- Outland Trophy candidate and preseason all-Sun Belt Conference selection. First collegiate start came against Nebraska in second game of 2002. RT Brenen Burningham -- Started four games as a freshman in 2001, but did not start again until returning to the lineup for the last two contests. TE/FB Chris Cooley -- John Mackey Award candidate and best offensive player... Was ranked 36th in the NCAA and second among tight ends with 6.0 receptions per game after three weeks before suffering a stress fracture against Arizona State and missing two games... Returned to the lineup against Wyoming and had five catches for 72 yards. WR Chris Stallworth -- Started at least six games in each of his first three seasons... Recorded career-high 113 yards on five receptions vs. Utah to open the season... Has three games with 17 catches for 241 yards and in the other three games he has two catches for 13 yards... Did not have a catch against Wyoming stopping his seven-game streak with at least one reception... In last meeting with North Texas he had a career-high nine receptions for 62 yards. WR Barry Tolli -- Former minor league baseball player caught a 40-yard pass in his first major college game against Utah... Caught first career touchdown pass (79 yards) against New Mexico two weeks ago en route to two catches for 90 yards... Against Wyoming he did not have a catch, but threw a 38-yard pass. WR Kenny Coleman -- Caught a touchdown pass on his first collegiate play against Troy State last year... Has come on strong with 10 catches for 139 yards in the last two games... Had seven receptions against New Mexico and then three for 72 yards and a touchdown against Wyoming... Had a 59-yard reception against Wyoming as well. QB Travis Cox -- Made starting debut against Utah... Entered the year nine of 16 pass attempts for 23 yards in two years as a backup... Has thrown just one interception in the last three games... Has thrown a touchdown pass in each game this year... In season debut he threw for 280 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for a touchdown against Utah. Added 178 yards against Nebraska... Recorded 308 passing yards against Arizona State... Was just 15-of-21 vs. UL-Monroe, but ran for a career-high 34 yards with 62 positive yards and 28 yards in sacks... Threw a 79-yard touchdown against New Mexico... Recorded his third rushing touchdown of the season against Wyoming on Saturday. TB David Fiefia -- Has played wide receiver and tailback in his USU career... Rushed for 29 yards last year... Earned Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week accolades after producing 159 yards from scrimmage against then 16th-ranked Arizona State (77 yards rushing and 82 yards receiving)... Produced a career high 142 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries against Louisiana-Monroe before gaining 37 yards on 11 carries against New Mexico... Bounced back with 86 yards rushing and 36 receiving against Wyoming on Saturday.
Defense LT Justin Jackson -- Started last season and recorded 30 tackles and tied for team lead with 8.5 tackles for loss... Made exactly three tackles in four of five games this year (zero tackles against Arizona State) before adding a season high five against Wyoming. NG Ronald Tupea -- His 24 consecutive starts are tops on the team... Had 29 tackles in 2002 and was the team's lineman of the year... Named SBC Player of the Week against UL-Monroe with six tackles, including three sacks and a fumble recovery... Did not have a tackle against Wyoming. RT John Chick -- Started all 11 games as a true freshman last year and led the team with four sacks... Missed the first three games of this season with a broken thumb... Started against UL-Monroe and responded with two tackles, including USU's first sack of the season in the first half... Added another sack against New Mexico as well as five tackles and then another sack and a game-high/career-high nine stops against Wyoming. STUD
