Can Utah State repeat in Mountain West after stunning turnaround?

With all due respect to Tennessee’s Josh Heupel and South Carolina’s Shane Beamer, co-winners of the inaugural Steve Spurrier First-Yr Coach Award, the respect ought to have gone to Utah State’s Blake Anderson.

In late 2020, Anderson inherited a program coming off a 1-5 season wherein gamers boycotted the ultimate sport over perceived spiritual discrimination by administration in opposition to interim head coach Frank Maile. Anderson arrived in Logan and instructed gamers he knew he wasn’t what they essentially wished, however that he would work to earn their belief.

In his first season, Anderson and the Aggies gained their first street sport in opposition to a power-conference crew in 50 years, gained their first Mountain West championship and gained a bowl sport to cap an 11-win season with a Prime 25 rating. They had been the primary crew in FBS historical past to enhance from one or zero wins to 11 the subsequent yr. So, yeah, a reasonably good first season.

“Early within the yr, popping out of the Washington State and Air Drive wins, we had some items that had been distinctive, guys that had been keen to play arduous and an unselfish locker room, and I spotted this might get enjoyable,” Anderson stated. “So many unknowns, however there have been glimpses early. I nonetheless assume we might have gained one or two extra. That’s what’s loopy.”

Now what in regards to the encore?

“The blokes really feel a way of duty to uphold the usual the final crew set,” the pinnacle coach stated. “You have a look at the final 10 years right here, there’s been some actually good issues. However with issues being tough for a number of years, no person had expectations going into final season. Having gained 11 video games and ending like we did, you possibly can’t go into the load room or the locker room with out feeling a way of excessive expectations and duty to select up the place the final group left off.”

Apart from the disastrous two years of Gary Andersen’s second stint as head coach, this has been the golden period of Utah State soccer. The Aggies have gained no less than 10 video games 4 occasions in historical past — all since 2012. They’ve completed ranked within the AP Prime 25 4 occasions, three of these since 2012, they usually’ve reached 9 bowl video games prior to now 11 years after a 13-year postseason drought.

Now, coming off among the finest seasons at school historical past, expectations are excessive for 2022. There may be a whole lot of manufacturing to exchange, particularly at large receiver and within the defensive entrance seven, however quarterback Logan Bonner is again after a breakout yr, as is sort of all the teaching employees. There’s additionally a brand new crop of transfers.

Although the schedule contains tough nonconference video games in opposition to Alabama and BYU, the Mountain West slate is basically favorable past the season finale at Boise State. The teaching employees crammed a whole lot of roster holes final yr. If the best items can emerge once more, the Aggies might make one other convention title run. However they gained’t be shocking anyone this time.

“Each dialog is about how a lot more durable it’s going to be,” Anderson stated, “how arduous it’s being the crew that’s chased.”

Offense

It’s not shocking a crew that improved from one win to 11 wins had a dramatic leap in offensive manufacturing. Within the first season below Anderson and offensive coordinator Anthony Tucker, the Aggies greater than doubled their scoring, leaping from 124th nationally (15.5 factors per sport) to thirty third (32.6) and improved from one hundred and twenty fifth to twenty fourth in yards per cross try.

Utah State’s tempo was an enormous issue. It ran greater than 76 offensive performs per sport, sixth-most nationally. A yr prior, it ran simply 60.3 performs per sport. The Aggies ranked Tenth in time of possession per play, based on Professional Soccer Focus, up from 57th the yr earlier than. The elevated tempo led to Utah State rating close to the highest of the nation in large performs.

“We seemed totally different than anyone else (within the Mountain West), and it created issues,” Anderson stated. “It led to us having an explosive and productive yr.”

The passing assault led by Bonner, an Arkansas State switch, drove the ship, as he completed with 3,628 passing yards, 36 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Not solely had been the cross effectivity numbers up, however Utah State led the nation in cross performs of no less than 40 yards. Bonner is again for his seventh season of faculty soccer, all below Anderson, giving the Aggies an anchor in 2022.

“He’s so mature, it’s actually like having an expert play for you,” Anderson stated. “It was robust for him early final yr getting used to educate Tuck and a few new terminology, however now he actually understands what everyone is doing. To me, he’ll be the most effective quarterback within the league beginning the season and among the finest within the nation as properly.”

The Aggies’ success was tied to Bonner’s arm. Utah State’s three losses featured Bonner’s three worst completion proportion performances and three of his 4 worst in cross effectivity. Bonner injured his knee within the LA Bowl and missed spring observe, however he’s anticipated to be prepared for the season. Junior Cooper Legas, who changed Bonner within the bowl and gained sport MVP honors, is prepared as properly. The place group misplaced a switch however picked up one other. Andrew Peasley transferred to Wyoming after former Wyoming beginning quarterback Levi Williams transferred into Utah State, in order that they mainly switched spots.

Bonner will throw to a brand new beginning receiving corps, as Utah State’s high three receivers and high tight finish are gone. That group accounted for 33 of Utah State’s 41 landing catches, led by Deven Thompkins, who had 102 catches for 1,704 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Gamers anticipated to step into these open roles embody senior Justin McGriff (414 yards, six touchdowns in 2021), Maryland switch Brian Cobbs, Alabama switch Xavier Williams, junior Kyle Van Leeuwen (eight catches), junior school addition Terrell Vaughn and speedy redshirt freshman NyNy Davis.

McGriff, listed at 6-foot-6, 220 kilos, had an enormous spring and at last started to reap the benefits of his dimension, coaches stated, whereas Cobbs has slot in and will have a beginning function as properly. Williams, who made a whole lot of headlines coming from Alabama, labored his manner into form in spring and coaches stated he’s beginning to appear to be the four-star recruit he was popping out of highschool.

“(McGriff) is transferring in precisely the course we envisioned he would,” Tucker stated. “He’s actually assumed and stepped into that management function. Brian Cobbs is strictly who we thought he could be and he’s completed an amazing job.”

At tight finish, sophomore Broc Lane was anticipated to separate time on the No. 1 spot in 2021, however he missed the season after tearing his ACL. Coaches like his receiving capacity. Junior Josh Sterzer may even be within the combine.

“I feel we’re going to have the ability to do some issues we couldn’t final yr now with Broc within the lineup,” Anderson stated.

Calvin Tyler transferred from Oregon State and led the Aggies with 911 dashing yards. (Isaiah J. Downing / USA Right now)

For all of the offensive enchancment, the Aggies struggled to run the ball at occasions, ending 102nd in yards per rush. One a part of Utah State’s two-headed dashing assault is again. Senior Calvin Tyler Jr. led the Aggies with 911 dashing yards and 7 touchdowns and is again, whereas Elelyon Noa (597 yards) entered the switch portal. However don’t anticipate Tyler to grow to be a bell-cow working again, particularly at 5-8, 210 kilos and with the tempo Utah State makes use of. Different gamers prone to be within the combine embody sophomore John Gentry, senior Pailate Makakona and freshman Robert Briggs.

The coaches have made pushes to get one other again from the switch portal.

“That’s a spot I’m nonetheless sort of involved,” Anderson stated.

The offensive line must be a energy, with six of seven gamers who began a sport final yr coming again. That features senior Alfred Edwards III at left deal with, senior Chandler Dolphin at middle and senior Quazzel White at proper guard. All three began no less than 11 video games final yr. Tackles Cole Motes and Jacob South and inside lineman Falepule Alo have beginning expertise as properly.

“I really feel actually good about them,” Tucker stated. “You begin to actually just like the depth of men you’re constructing in that room. I be ok with the expertise coming again.”

The Utah State offense was a shock to the remainder of the Mountain West final yr. A brand new coach, a brand new quarterback and a dramatically totally different tempo led to a shock season and a convention championship. Changes shall be made by opponents, and the Aggies should discover a new crop of cross catchers. However with a veteran quarterback, a No. 1 working again and an skilled offensive line, the Aggies be ok with having one of many high offenses within the Mountain West once more.

Key stat to know: Utah State’s 43 performs of no less than 30 yards tied for essentially the most within the nation and tied for sixth-most per sport.

Protection

Utah State’s defensive strategy below new management was just like the offense: Create large performs. Underneath coordinator Ephraim Banda, the Aggies completed third nationally in tackles for loss per sport and improved from 86th to forty second in pass-rush stress fee whereas rating seventeenth in proportion of dropbacks wherein they hit the quarterback, per PFF.

“We attempt to dictate tempo and pace the clock up for the quarterback,” Anderson stated. “Very aggressive. We play a four-down entrance and let these guys get upfield as rapidly as doable.”

That has its positives and negatives. Utah State allowed the seventh-fewest passes of no less than 30 yards, but it surely additionally allowed the Tenth-most rushes of no less than 10 yards. General, the Aggies completed forty eighth in scoring protection (24.4 factors per sport), up from a hundred and first the yr earlier than, and 87th in yards per play allowed.

The defensive entrance that racked up so many damaging performs will want two new starters following the commencement of defensive finish Nick Heninger (21.5 TFLs, 9 sacks) and defensive deal with Marcus Moore (10.5 TFLs).

Main the group is senior defensive finish Byron Vaughns (10.5 TFLs), who began 5 of the ultimate six video games in 2021 and was the MWC championship sport defensive MVP, and senior defensive deal with Hale Motu’apuaka (eight TFLs), who began all 14 video games. A reputation to observe on the open finish spot is Nevada switch Daniel Grzesiak, a fifth-year junior who had 5.5 sacks final season and instantly impressed Utah State coaches in spring together with his pass-rushing capacity. On the open defensive deal with spot, junior Poukesi Vakauta and senior Phillip Paea, a former Michigan switch, are anticipated to battle for the highest spot.

“I truly just like the group loads though we misplaced two Marcus Moore and Nick Heninger,” Banda stated. “The blokes behind the ends, I’m inspired with, too.”

The three-man linebacking group wants two new starters as properly. Justin Rice, an Arkansas State switch who had 124 tackles and 13.5 TFLs in his lone season, is gone after incomes second-team All-MWC. Senior AJ Vongphachanh enters his third season as a starter and could lead on the group. “He’s a dude,” Banda stated.

Arkansas State switch Anthony Switzer impressed coaches in spring at striker on the surface, till a torn ACL ended his yr, placing that place extra up within the air. However coaches are enthusiastic about Washington switch MJ Tafisi, one other fifth-year junior who had 20 tackles final yr and can take that inside linebacker function crammed by Rice.

“He’s added a distinct fashion,” Banda stated. “He’s not the identical fashion as Justin, they’re truly reverse, however MJ’s capacity to be a very good cross rusher, I’m inspired about him. He does precisely what he’s requested. He might not make each play Justin made, however he’s disciplined.”

Michigan switch Hunter Reynolds completed 2021 with 83 tackles and 4 TFLs. (Isaiah J. Downing / USA Right now)

Within the defensive backfield, honorable point out All-MWC security Shaq Bond graduated and cornerback Cam Lampkin transferred to Washington State. However senior security Hunter Reynolds, who transferred from Michigan final yr, is the crew’s main returning tackler and senior cornerback Michael Anyanwu (44 tackles) is again as properly.

“Reynolds is among the smartest youngsters I’ve been in a position to coach in my time,” Banda stated. “He simply is aware of what to do and may take that subsequent step with management.”

Miami (Fla.) switch security Gurvan Corridor Jr. arrives in Logan with 18 profession begins over 4 seasons with the Hurricanes, the place he performed below Banda, and can compete for the opposite beginning spot. Banda additionally stated senior Dominic Tatum is a Energy 5-quality participant and shall be within the rotation as properly. On the different cornerback spot, backup striker Ajani Carter has moved to nook and is anticipated to begin after recording 45 tackles a yr in the past. Banda stated he is perhaps essentially the most athletic participant on protection aside from Corridor. Returning senior cornerback Andre Grayson shall be within the combine too.

General, Utah State’s technique would be the identical: Be aggressive to create damaging performs. Although numerous key starters have to be changed, it’ll even be the second yr within the system for everybody, making for a step up in spring observe.

“I feel the lack of fairly a number of guys has created a wanted focus in power,” Banda stated. “Generally for those who convey again everyone, it may be somewhat detrimental. There are positives as a result of a brand new group has to step in, be accountable, be pressing, be locked in.”

Key stat to know: Utah State’s protection pressured performs of zero or damaging yards on 35.1 p.c of its protection snaps, which ranked twenty ninth nationally, based on PFF. That’s up from 27 p.c (117th) in 2020 and 29 p.c (109th) in 2019.

Particular groups

Each specialists are again for the Aggies. Returning senior kicker Connor Coles made 20 of 29 area targets final season, a faculty document for makes an attempt, although he made simply six of 13 from past 40 yards. Junior punter Stephen Kotsanlee averaged 42.4 yards on 53 punts in 2021. The Aggies’ punt protection crew was sturdy final yr, ending twenty fifth nationally in yards per return.

Within the return sport, each Savon Scarver and (kick return) Jordan Nathan (punt return) earned All-MWC honors, however each have graduated, which means new starters are wanted.

Opposing scouting report

Utah State’s capacity to show issues round rapidly jumped out to opposing coaches.

“One factor that stood out about taking part in them is that they understood who they’re from an offensive and defensive standpoint and people work hand-in-hand,” one Mountain West defensive coordinator stated. “Bonner did a very good job in that offense, clearly performed below coach Anderson for some time. He operated at a excessive degree.

“They’re doing job in recruiting, it appears. They’ve constructed into their guys that they will win the Mountain West, and I assume they’ll come out with a whole lot of confidence this season.”

As for Bonner, the coach famous how a lot of the Utah State offense depends on the quarterback studying the field and making checks in an up-tempo offense. His capacity to get into the best performs was an enormous enhance for the offense.

“He’s a competitor,” the coach stated. “He’s bought a savvy with him. He’s chief from what I can inform, and he has grasp on that offense. He is aware of easy methods to make checks, he’s bought command of it. There’s a whole lot of checking on the line in that offense and he understands the field and the defenses he’s taking part in and may get his crew in the best calls. He’s bought a very good arm, however greater than that, he’s robust and aggressive.”

How the Aggies recruited from 2019 to 2022

Utah State’s recruiting bought again on observe with Anderson’s first full-cycle class, which ranked sixth within the Mountain West and eightieth nationally. The earlier two years amid teaching turmoil featured the Aggies dropping outdoors the highest 110 and into the underside two within the Mountain West.

The 2022 class had a deeper connection to Texas than years previous, with 4 gamers coming from the Lone Star State or Oklahoma. However that was about it outdoors of USU’s regular recruiting area. The remainder of the category got here from Utah, California, Nevada, Idaho and Hawaii. Six of the 20 highschool signees in the newest class had been offensive linemen from Utah.

“We’ve been actually happy,” Anderson stated. “We’ve been in a position to recruit the offensive line and it went nice. We have already got a few younger guys contributing, which exhibits me you’re bringing in the best guys. There’s sufficient good expertise within the state to recruit large guys and cherry-pick some pace right here or there. We’re in a position to begin at residence and get bulk of our footprint.

“Our technique suits. We’re not going all-in on highschool however not all-in on the portal both. Final yr, it went properly. We beat Utah on a child, beat BYU on a child, misplaced some battles with each, however we’re in on the best guys.”

Within the switch portal

Utah State has gone large within the portal since Anderson arrived, largely due to holes that wanted to be crammed instantly, and this system has discovered a whole lot of success. The Aggies added 13 transfers within the 2021 class, together with Bonner, Rice and receiver Brandon Bowling from Arkansas State, all of whom had large years. Tyler, the main rusher, was an Oregon State switch. A minimum of seven starters got here out of the 13 portal additions.

In 2022, the Aggies added seven transfers. That included two receivers to fill the large departures there and a linebacker to exchange Rice. Coaches felt the success of that first crop of transfers, together with the crew success, helps with the subsequent group of transfers, like every sort of recruiting.

“We’re in on youngsters we might not have earlier than,” Anderson stated. “Now the bottom line is to win a few of these battles. We battled right down to the wire with Oklahoma State on a working again, head-to-head with Pitt on one other one. We’re not profitable all of the battles, however they’re battles a yr in the past we might not have been in. The success is evaluating recruiting, however closing them out is one thing we nonetheless need to get higher at. The extra we construct this system and do the issues we have to right here with services and expectations, we’ll win extra of these.”

Affect of teaching modifications

Almost all the employees returns, which is as thrilling as the rest in this system. Former Utah State coaches often misplaced assistants to greater applications, and Anderson did as properly at Arkansas State. However not this yr.

“We stored our head energy coach, who was chased by a number of faculties. Stored each our coordinators, who had been chased by a number of faculties,” Anderson stated. “Others had a chance to go away. To me, it means we’re doing issues proper. They love the tradition they usually consider in what we’re doing. It’s arduous to proceed to be related and aggressive if it’s important to change your employees. We’re lucky to maintain an outstanding employees in place.”

There was just one change on the full-time employees. Cornerbacks coach Ray Brown left for Washington State and was changed by LaMarcus Hicks, who got here from Japanese Michigan. Anderson truly coached Hicks’ youthful brother again at Southern Miss and knew two coaches at EMU who spoke extremely of Hicks.

“He performed within the NFL, performed within the Huge 12, has recruited to our footprint and is a good instructor,” Anderson stated. “Ray Brown, I believed, was among the finest I’ve been round at that place, and we haven’t missed a beat.”

Schedule

Date	Crew	Website
Aug. 27		House Advertisement
Sept. 3		Away
Sept. 10		House
Sept. 24 Advertisement		House
Sept. 29	BYU	Away
Oct. 8		House
Oct. 15 Advertisement		Away
Oct. 22		Away
Nov. 5		House Advertisement
Nov. 12	Hawaii	Away
Nov. 19		House
Nov. 25		Away Advertisement

Ultimate evaluation

Utah State shocked everybody final yr, together with its head coach. That gained’t be the case in 2022. Changes shall be made, and the Aggies should get used to being the chased. The receiver turnover is a priority, however having Bonner again below middle ought to assist that transition. If the Aggies can keep wholesome by the primary half of the season, it might arrange for an enormous second-half run towards one other championship.

Editor’s be aware: That is a part of a sequence previewing Energy 5 and high Group of 5 groups for the 2022 school soccer season.

(Prime picture of Logan Bonner: Isaiah J. Downing / USA Right now)