Along with handing out individual awards, a highlight video recapping the year was shown, as was a video honoring USU's senior class, which tied the 1962 senior class for the most wins in school history with 26.
USU's defense ranked seventh in the nation in scoring defense (15.4 ppg), tied for sixth nationally in sacks (3.23 pg), eighth in the nation in pass efficiency defense (104.4), 13th in the country in rushing defense (113.8 ypg), 14th in the nation in total defense (322.1 ypg), and 32nd in the nation in passing defense (208.3 ypg).
Of its 52 academic all-WAC selections, Utah State had 18 student-athletes from football honored, along with 11 student-athletes from soccer, eight from both women's cross country and volleyball, and seven from men's cross country.
HONORS: Ray Guy Award Watch List (2012); College Football Performance Award Watch List (2012); Third-Team Phil Steele's College Football Preview Preseason All-WAC (2012); Second-Team College Sports Madness All-WAC (2011); Third-Team Phil Steele's College Football Preview Postseason All-WAC (2011); Academic All-WAC (2011); Ray Guy Award Watch List (2011).
UTAH STATE: Emerged as the team's top punter in his first year in the program... Possesses an NFL-type leg and has the ability to turn a field over... Switching to No. 88 for his senior season after wearing No. 41 as a junior.
2011 (JR): Booted 58 punts for a total of 2,542 yards in 2011... Finished the season ranked 16th in the nation in punting with 43.8 yards per punt... Had 15 punts of 50-plus yards and a long of 67 yards, as well as 21 punts inside the 20-yard line... Punted a career high eight times against Louisiana Tech, while also tallying a career best 54.3 yards per punt average against Weber State.
JUNIOR COLLEGE: A second-team All-American selection, earning first-team all-region and first-team all-conference honors after ranking second in the National Junior College Athletic Association with a 43.7 average on 43 punts, with a long of 68 yards at Phoenix (Ariz.) CC... Junior college teammates with fellow Aggie Jumanne Robertson.
HIGH SCHOOL: A two-time first-team all-region selection at North Canyon (Ariz.) High School... Had a 41.1 average with a long of 54 yards, pinning 14 punts inside the 20 yard line his senior season... Also an Academic All-American at North Canyon High School.
PERSONAL: Born Dec. 28, 1990... Son of Aleecia and Glen Matkovich... Has one brother... Majoring in sociology with a minor in criminal justice... Chose USU over several other Division I offers because of its commitment to football.
