March 21, 2009

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State's first week of spring football practice is in the books, and Aggie head coach Gary Andersen is pleased with the team's positive progress.

USU donned pads for the first time Saturday, going through drills then game-like situations.

"We had a positive three days. We got ourselves better each day," Andersen said. "We met one of our goals to be consistent. We had lots of positives, but we had some negatives. Defensively, for our first day of pads, we didn't `thud up' enough, and when you don't `thud up' well enough, you don't tackle well enough. So we need to improve in those areas. Offensively, we need to pitch and catch better. We need to throw the ball and catch the ball much better, all the way from competitive drills to live work."

While Andersen did not single out any players, he was impressed with both second team offense and defense.

"Both of our second units were able to come in and have success in our live work. The number two offense drove the ball 60 yards on the one defense and scored a touchdown on a long, consistent drive, and the second team defense lined up against the number one offense and held them to a three-and-out. So those are positives for our second team units, we're going to have to take a look at the depth chart and make sure the right guys are on the field. The kids are working really hard," Andersen said.

The first-year Aggie head coach has also been pleased with the competition amongst the players during practice.

"Right now there's so much competition at all the spots, so many guys fighting for spots with the position changes and moving up and down the depth charts," Andersen said.

The Aggies have 15 players who have changed position in some form or another, so they're having to get used to the new positions, as well as new playbooks and philosophies on both sides of the ball.

"Overall, as far as the schemes go, I've been impressed with what they've retained so far. It's going to get harder this next week, so we'll see how it goes and how we're looking a week from now after our first scrimmage," Anderson said.

Utah State will have its first scrimmage next Saturday, April 4, at Romney Stadium.

"The kids have been absorbing what we've been throwing at them pretty well, so that's a good thing. The key now is taking the next step on the off days, to watch and study film and basically how to beat ourselves on offense and beat ourselves on defense. That's a big step for our team. I think the corners have learned to play `man' the first week, I don't think they played any, if at all, last year. They'll continue to get better from studying film."

2009 Utah State Spring Football Remaining Practice Dates (subject to change)

Tues., March 24		3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Thurs., March 26		3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Sat., March 28		10 a.m - 12 p.m.
Tues., March 31		3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Thurs., April 2		3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Sat., April 4	Scrimmage	10 a.m - 12 p.m.
Tues., April 7		3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Thurs., April 9		3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Sat., April 11	Scrimmage	10 a.m - 12 p.m.
Tues., April 14		3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Thurs., April 16		3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Sat., April 18	Spring Game	2 p.m.

-USU-