At the end of spring football, Utah State interim head coach Nate Dreiling and defensive line coach Cedric Douglas knew they still had work to do with the Aggies’ defensive line.

There was talent on the roster, with guys like Blaine Spires, Enoka Miago and Bo Maile back from the previous year, plus an influx of transfers like Gabriel Iniguez Jr., Miguel Jackson and Taz Williams. But overall depth was lacking.

The defensive line — a major weakness for USU in 2023 — needed reinforcements. The entire group needed to be better too, or the Aggies would inevitably struggle defensively again.

Fast forward to Utah State’s opener against Robert Morris last Saturday and the changes made by Dreiling, Douglas and company appear to have paid off in a big way.

The Aggies’ defensive line was arguably the best group on defense in Utah State’s win against the Colonials, holding RMU to only 14 points and 362 yards.

Per Pro Football Focus, Aggie defensive linemen were better than all other defenders, outside of a safeties group that includes star junior Ike Larsen and instant impact transfers in Jordan Vincent and Torren Union.

Jackson, a defensive tackle, was the second-highest-rated defender on the team, behind Larsen. And Williams, Miago and Spires were all top 10-rated defenders overall.

Williams and Spires had performances of note. Williams tied his career high with five tackles, including a tackle for loss, only the sixth of his career.

And Spires had a sack, which bumped him up to six in his Aggie career and 8.5 in his collegiate career. No defensive lineman played better than Jackson, though, who routinely took on double teams inside and still affected the RMU run game regularly, particularly in the second half.

The defensive line’s performance did not escape the notice of Dreiling.

“Hats off to the players for earning the trust of the coaches and when it was their time to go in, they played ball,” he said.

For Dreiling, though, it was less about any individual performances and more about how many defensive linemen Utah State was able to play against Robert Morris. It was a group that included the aforementioned Jackson, Williams, Iniguez Jr., and Maile at defensive tackle, plus Miago, Marlin Dean, Cian Slone, Lawrence Falatea and Gabe Peterson at defensive end.

Given the Aggies’ offensive system — which prioritizes speed and quick strikes — depth on defense has been the most critical thing to build; in the first game of the year the Aggies looked like they have developed the needed depth up front.

“That is the deal with this offense,” Dreiling said. “We are going to go as fast as we can and you have to be able to play a bunch of guys. More importantly, you have to be able to trust them. That is what I am proud of.”

“We should never play tired football up front,” he added. “We have enough talent that we feel like we should stay fresh and stay rotating. And that is what you need if you are going to get a pass rush or stop the run. It is going to have to be with a lot of bodies rotating in. Those guys did a great job.”

It wasn’t perfect, of course. Dreilng singled out the lack of a real impactful pass rush as being a genuine problem.

“I wish our pass rush was a little more consistent,” he said. “They had a little too much time back there.”

But overall, for a group that had many question marks entering the season, USU’s defensive front met and perhaps even exceeded expectations.

That could be said for the Utah State defense on the whole, though.

Outside of a few plays in the first half, the Aggies’ defense did what it wants to do, that is force teams to drive the length of the field for their points and capitalize on mistakes that offenses make along the way.

“We want teams to have to drive down the field to earn their points, but you can’t have bad plays and that is what we had (early against Robert Morris),” Dreiling said. “It only takes a couple (plays) in college football to give up points.

“We just have to be locked in more consistently. … We have a chance to play really good football as the season continues, regardless of it is the first, second or third guy up. I think there is a chance for this to be a special year on the defensive side.”

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — More than 15 million people visited Utah’s national parks in 2023, spending billions and helping create jobs to add $3 billion to the state economy, according to the National Parks Service.

In a newly released report, visitors to Utah’s 13 national parks spent an estimated $1.9 billion and supported over 26,000 jobs. It’s the third highest in the nation, behind only California and North Carolina.

“Whether it’s science, adventure, history or scenery, Utah’s national parks leave the more than 15 million visitors marveling,” said Kate Hammond, NPS Intermountain Regional Director. “Investments into Utah national parks give back to communities and these visitors support the state’s economy.”

So where are Utah’s visitors spending their money?

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According to the National Parks Service, more than $700 million – or about 40% of visitor spending – is on lodging such as hotels. Next about $306 million (16%) is spent on restaurants. Other spending includes gas, recreation, shopping, groceries, and camping.

The 2023 numbers mark another rise in Utah’s tourism industry since the sharp decline in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, national park visitors spent only $878 million in Utah. That number rebounded past pre-pandemic levels in 2021 and has continued to grow in the years since.

Nationwide, more than 325 million people visited national parks in 2023, spending an estimated $26.4 billion. As it was in Utah, most of that spending was on lodging and restaurants.

“I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year,” said NPS Director Chuck Sams. “And I’m just as proud to see those visitors making positive impacts of their own, by supporting local economies and jobs in every state in the country.”

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The University of Utah has announced that its research funding reached $691 million in fiscal year 2024 (FY24), which concluded June 30, 2024.

The funding achievement marks the fifth consecutive year the university has secured funding levels exceeding $600 million. The year’s total continues the impressive trend established by previous milestones of $600 million in 2020 and $500 million in 2018.

As a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, the U is known for its broad spectrum of disciplines and studies. The fiscal year’s funding supports groundbreaking initiatives from multiple fields, including energy research, rural healthcare, environmental studies, artificial intelligence, cancer treatment, mental health support, technological innovation, and more.

“The University of Utah’s status as an R1 institution reflects our extensive portfolio, which spans from creative arts and healthcare to air quality and the Great Salt Lake,” said Erin Rothwell, vice president for research at the University of Utah. “As the state’s flagship university, we strive to tackle critical research needs and solutions that benefit Utahns and communities across the state.”

Research funding by the numbers

In total, U researchers were awarded more than 2,600 grants in FY24. The federal government remains the primary source of this funding, contributing 65% of the total research portfolio, with industry accounting for 14% and 8% from partner universities. Of the $691 million in research funding, $489 million was provided by federal sponsors including the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Veteran Affairs, state governmententities, and other key agencies.

U research impacts society’s most pressing challenges and issues

Through award funding, the university’s research community is implementing meaningful advancements that make a real-world impact. The dollars behind the achievement will support critical studies to develop new treatments and prevention for addiction, chronic pain, and depression. Additionally, the funding is advancing research aimed at safeguarding power grids and electricity during extreme weather events, improving maternal health care and reducing pregnancy-related deaths, and enhancing memory and cognition for those suffering fromneurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. The university’s research funding from sponsors is crucial for finding solutions to both local and global challenges.

U research is a major economic engine for the state of Utah

In pursuit of impactful solutions for society, the U’s research activities extend beyond academic advancement. U research is also a major catalyst for economic development and growth within the state. In FY24, more than 7,500 university employees were compensated through research dollars, which have contributed more than $850 million in wages over the past four years.

In addition to supporting jobs, the U’s research expenditures totaled $33 million in Utah, supporting numerous vendors and local businesses within the state and $155 million across the U.S.

“The University of Utah is committed to leading in research, discovery, and innovation that transform lives and drive economic growth,” said Taylor Randall, president of the university. “Our FY24 funding milestone reflects the dedication of our researchers, students, and staff tackling today’s most pressing challenges. Together, we are advancing knowledge, strengthening Utah’s economy, and enhancing the quality of life in our communities and beyond.”