Aug. 22, 2008

LOGAN, Utah -

Aggie Fact of the Day:
The Aggies' Jake Hutton led the team in tackles last season with 102 stops and returns for his senior campaign... USU is only one of four teams in the WAC to have its leading tackler back from a year ago, joined by Boise State, Hawai'i and Louisiana Tech.

Aggie Tidbit of the Day:
USU is one of seven WAC teams opening the season on Saturday, Aug. 30, as Fresno State kicks off the season on Monday, Sept. 1 at Rutgers and New Mexico State drew an opening weekend bye before playing Thursday, Sept. 4.

In its final day of fall camp before game week preparations officially begin, Utah State football practiced in Romney Stadium Friday in continued readiness for the 2008 kickoff on Saturday, Aug. 30 at UNLV.

"We had a good camp, with limited injuries," USU head coach Brent Guy said. "It's been a hot, tough week in the stadium, but I think it's been good for us with the extra heat and extra conditioning. I think guys are ready to get into game week, they're starting to get tired of hitting each other. It will be good to really hone in on our preparations for UNLV."

Guy was particularly pleased with the special teams, pointing out the kicking efforts of junior Chris Ulinski and sophomore Peter Caldwell.

"I was really impressed with our kicking game today, both of our punters punted the ball really well today, probably as well as I've seen them," Guy said.

The Aggies will now officially begin "game week" preparations, which include Monday's first day of classes.

"The toughest thing about playing a game the opening week of school is getting the kids into a routine of going to class, getting ready for practice, and everything that goes with all of that," Guy said.

All in all, Guy and his staff are impressed with the squad's efforts in camp and are ready for the Aggies' first game of the season.

"We've had a very productive camp, we're pleased with the depth and competition that we've created across the board with our positions," Guy said. "We just have to go out and show what we can do."

Utah State opens the 2008 season on Saturday, Aug. 30 at UNLV at 8 p.m. (MT). After playing at No. 21 Oregon on Sept. 6 at 1:30 p.m. (MT), the Aggies host in-state rival Utah in their home-opener on Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. (MT). USU continues its three-game homestand by opening WAC action against Idaho on Saturday, Sept. 20 for USU Ag Day. The Aggies then host another in-state rival in BYU on Friday, Oct. 3. After road games at San Jose State and Nevada on Oct. 11 and 18, respectively, USU hosts Fresno State in its annual Homecoming game on Oct. 25. The Aggies remain at home to take on Hawai'i on Nov. 1 on USU Military Appreciation Day. USU plays at Boise State on Nov. 8 and Louisiana Tech on Nov. 15 before concluding regular-season action on Nov. 29 against New Mexico State on Aggie Appreciation Day.

The Aggies were picked ninth in the Western Athletic Conference preseason poll despite finishing seventh in last season's standings with a 2-10 overall record and 2-6 in WAC action. USU has 17 starters returning among 39 lettermen. Of those lettermen, 12 are seniors, which matches last season for the most in Guy's four-year tenure.

Aggie football tickets are available in person through the USU Ticket Office at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, online 24 hours a day at www.UtahStateAggies.com and clicking on "tickets" in left column, or by phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or (435) 797-0305.

-USU-