Utah

Still something to play for

Published

2 months ago

November 18, 2024

Utah State football knows it can’t achieve most, if not all of the goals it had for the 2024 season.

Contention for the Mountain West Conference championship is long gone. At 2-3 in the conference play, the best Utah State can do this season in MW competition is finish 4-3. As things currently stand, that would put the Aggies in the middle of the MW but far from a contender in the end. Boise State and Colorado State are both unbeaten right now, 6-0 ad 5-0 respectively, while UNLV has only one loss to a MW opponent.

The Aggies also hoped to secure a berth in a bowl game if not more, but that ship has sailed.

Even if they win their remaining two games, there is no path to a bowl for USU this year. On Nov. 29, when time runs out in the Aggies’ contest against Colorado State, that will be it for 2024 and Utah State football.

And yet, ask any Aggie and they will tell you that the season still has real meaning for them. That they still have something to play for.

It was evident Saturday in USU’s runaway win over Hawaii. The Aggies played incredibly hard — that wasn’t new or anything — but in this game there wasn’t really any reason too.

That didn’t stop them, however.

So what is motivating Utah State right now?

“Finishing strong, that is what we keep talking about,” running back Rahsul Faison said. “We have been through a lot, but we want to finish strong.”

He went on to note that the team wants to finish strong for three groups:

The seniors.
The coaching staff.
The underclassmen.

For the seniors, some at least, a future in football awaits beyond this season at the professional level. Continuing to play hard can only help improve draft stock, especially in the case of players like quarterback Spencer Petras, who recently accepted an invite to the Hula Bowl All-Star game.

Before this season, Petras’ NFL hopes were arguably slim to none. After the season he’s had at USU, though, it is possible an NFL team could take a flyer on him.

Then there are players like offensive linemen Falepule Alo or Cole Motes, who’ve played key roles as part of the Aggies’ best unit this season.

Or defensive backs like Jordan Vincent and Torren Union. Vincent leads the team in tackles this season and ranks No. 18 in the entire country with 92 so far.

Or there is Faison, who will surely cross the 1,000 yard mark on the ground next Saturday against San Diego State.

“If we can end the season on a high note and send these seniors out the right way,” interim head coach Nate Dreiling said. “We know we aren’t playing in a bowl game, but that doesn’t mean we won’t have a heck of a lot of fun and work while we do it though.”

For the coaches, Dreiling included, uncertainty is the name of the game right now.

Utah State’s coaching staff could, most likely will, look considerably different next season. For every coach currently at USU, their future job prospects — at Utah State or elsewhere — depend on how players continue to play and progress.

The coaches care about the players under their care.

After offensive lineman George Maile played a large role against Hawaii, OL coach Cooper Basset praised him on X, writing “Cannot express what a huge addition George Maile has been….dude is gonna be an absolute monster for the next 2 seasons.”

After the Aggies recorded seven sacks against Hawaii, DL coach Ced Douglas wrote on X, “I’m truly so thankful to be a witness to God’s power. This group of dudes is special, they forgot they were supposed to quit! Offense went crazy, defense earned 7 sacks and forced 5 interceptions. Special teams tore it up. Light up the A!”

Utah State’s players recognize the level of care the coaching staff has for them, even amid a frustrating and turmoil-filled season. Playing well for them matters.

What may matter the most, though, is playing well for the younger Aggies.

USU has been forced to rely heavily on underclassmen as the season as worn on, with injuries knocking out upwards of 12 starters for the year. Many of those younger players struggled with their increased roles early on, particularly on the defense.

“We are playing with guys who probably weren’t ready when their time was called,” Dreiling said. “But now they are playing more like veterans, which we needed.”

The improvement was slow, but steady and against Hawaii it all came together.

“It was crazy,” Faison said. “Everyone was dancing. Everyone was happy. It felt good, especially with each other. We’ve been through it and no one really knows how (this season) has felt.”

The victory happened in large part due to the improving play of underclassmen. Leaving the program in a good place for them matters.

“We want to finish strong,” Faison said. “For us seniors and for the coaches. And setting up for the young guys who are going to be here next year. Give them something to build off.”

Finishing the year strong won’t be easy.

San Diego State comes to Logan on Saturday, and though the Aztecs have had a difficult season, not too dissimilar from Utah State, there is real talent on the roster. And as evidence in losses to Temple and New Mexico, Utah State isn’t guaranteed to beat anyone.

And then USU travels to Fort Collins to take on a Colorado State team that currently is in line to play for the conference championship.

But after the Hawaii game, the Aggies can point to what is possible. And they now have evidence that a strong finish to the season is possible.

“We had nothing to lose,” sophomore linebacker Bronson Olevao Jr., said. “We came in and just executed the game plan the best we could. And when we put all the phases together, you can see what we are capable of.”

Hawaii running back Tylan Hines (2) carries the ball as Utah State defensive tackle Seni Tuiaki (48) defends in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Logan, Utah. | Eli Lucero

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Utah

Utah State Running Back Transfer Commits To South Carolina Over Florida State

Published

5 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Press Room

Utah State Running Back Transfer Commits To South Carolina Over Florida State

Florida State came up short in its pursuit of a top running back transfer.

On Tuesday, Utah State running back transfer Rahsul Faison announced he was committing to South Carolina. Faison chose the Gamecocks over FSU, Alabama, North Carolina, UCLA, and UCF.

The Seminoles hosted Faison for a visit last weekend but he continued to take trips elsewhere. Florida State could very well kick the tires on another transfer during the spring window.

Faison spent two seasons with the Aggies and had a career year in 2024 where he rushed 198 times for 1,109 yards and eight touchdowns while catching 22 passes for 99 yards. He had five games of 100+ rushing yards, including a season-high 20 carries for 191 yards and a touchdown in a 55-10 victory against Hawaii on November 16. He was named second-team All-Mountain West for his performance last fall.

During his first season at Utah State, Faison rushed 118 times for 736 yards and five touchdowns. In total, he appeared in 25 games, making 13 starts, and totaled 316 carries for 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns. Faison also caught 33 passes for 151 yards.

The Pennsylvania native signed with Marshall as a two-star prospect in 2019. He ultimately spent that season at the junior college level at Lackawanna College and was with the Thundering Herd in 2020. Faison didn’t appear in a game with either program and elected to go back to the JUCO level with Snow College. He rushed 88 times for 355 yards and six touchdowns prior to transferring to Utah State.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound running back has at least one season of eligibility remaining due to the new junior college ruling.

READ MORE: Elite FSU Quarterback Commitment Gets First Chance To Meet New OC Gus Malzahn

Florida State has six scholarship running backs eligible to return in 2025; redshirt senior Roydell Williams, redshirt senior Caziah Holmes, redshirt junior Jaylin Lucas, redshirt sophomore Samuel Singleton Jr., sophomore Kam Davis, and redshirt freshman Micahi Danzy.

The Seminoles signed four-star Ousmane Kromah during the Early Signing Period.

READ MORE: Standout Utah State Running Back Transfer Lists Florida State In Top-Six

Stick with NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State Football throughout the offseason

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• Florida State Adds FCS Quarterbacks Coach To Off-Field Staff

• Florida State Lands Explosive Tennessee Wide Receiver Transfer Squirrel White

• Florida State Secures Veteran Memphis Linebacker Transfer Elijah Herring

• Former FSU Defensive End, Seminole Legacy Transferring To Third School In Three Years

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Utah

Utah junior high teacher arrested for alleged possession of child porn

Published

13 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Press Room

Utah junior high teacher arrested for alleged possession of child porn

PROVO, Utah — A teacher within the Alpine School District is facing charges of sexual exploitation of a minor after allegedly uploading child porn to the internet. Travis Adamson, 49, is currently being held without bail.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 13 News, investigators were first notified of the potential crime at the end of April 2023. Adobe Inc. reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children via CyberTip that a user had uploaded files containing depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct on their account.

The CyberTip also included account information regarding the suspect user, including an IP address and email address that belonged to a teacher within the Alpine School District. Detectives used geo-location to trace the suspect’s IP address and found it was located within or near the city limits of Provo.

The school district confirmed to investigators that Adamson was still an employee within the district.

On Monday, detectives interviewed Adamson at the school where he confirmed that he was the sole user of the Adobe account and admitted to viewing child sexual abuse material.

Adamson also told detectives that he had downloaded several thousand images and videos onto his hard drive which is located at his home. He denied ever photographing or doing anything sexual or inappropriate with his students or other kids.

Detectives are now working to get access to Adamson’s hard drive and more charges could be coming.

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Utah

Utah cracks AP Top 25 Women’s Basketball poll before key matchups

Published

20 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Press Room

Utah cracks AP Top 25 Women’s Basketball poll before key matchups

The Utah Utes have made headlines by cracking the AP Top 25 at No. 22 for the first time this season, following a hard-fought 75-67 win over Iowa State. This marks Utah’s third consecutive season being ranked, despite an unexpected coaching change early in the season. Head coach Lynne Roberts departed for the WNBA, leaving longtime assistant Gavin Petersen to step in. Under Petersen’s leadership, Utah has thrived, demonstrating resilience and cohesion.

Petersen credited the team’s ability to stay focused and overcome adversity. “Our resilient crew has stepped up and faced the adversity that’s in front of them,” Petersen said. Utah’s win over Notre Dame during a Thanksgiving tournament was a pivotal moment that signaled their strength and potential.

Utah has ‘big money’ problem with a billionaire calling NIL shots for rival

The competition for dominance in women’s college basketball continues to intensify as the Big Ten and SEC assert themselves as the sport’s premier leagues. This week’s Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll highlights the strength of both conferences, with each boasting seven ranked teams, including four in the top 10.

The Big Ten’s recent expansion with the addition of No. 1 UCLA and No. 4 USC has bolstered its claim as the top league. UCLA’s consistent performances, including a victory over South Carolina, solidify their place at the top of the rankings, earning 30 of 32 first-place votes. Meanwhile, the SEC has also grown stronger with No. 5 Texas and No. 10 Oklahoma joining the conference. South Carolina, a perennial powerhouse, remains No. 2 and will face Texas in a highly anticipated showdown.

This week, the Utes prepare for a marquee matchup, hosting No. 12 Kansas State at the Huntsman Center. This game not only pits two top-25 teams against each other but also serves as a litmus test for Utah’s aspirations in the Big 12.

As Utah continues its unbeaten run in conference play, upcoming matchups against No. 11 TCU and No. 17 West Virginia will provide further opportunities to climb the rankings and solidify their standing among the nation’s elite.

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