Aug. 26, 2008

LOGAN, Utah -

Aggie Tidbit of the Day:
USU is taking the field for the 110th season of football in 116 years. The Aggies beat Utah, 12-0, in 1892, but then did not field a team until 1896, when they again only played one game but then played every year since with the exceptions of 1918 due to World War I and influenza cancelled the season and 1943 due to World War II, and have played every year since.

Aggie Fact of the Day:
Junior safety James Brindley tied for the team lead with three interceptions last season but lead the Aggies with 96 return yards, a mark that ranked fourth in the WAC and was good for ninth on USU's single-season list. He needs just 26 more return yards to crack into the Aggies' career interception return yardage list, as the No. 10 spot of 122 yards is co-held by Craig Miller (1995-96) and Charles Myrick (1967-68).

After its normal off day on Monday, the Utah State football team resumed practice to prepare for the Aggies' 2008 season-opener at UNLV on Saturday, Aug. 30 at Las Vegas, Nev. The 2008 season marks USU's 110th season in 116 years.

With temperatures abnormally in the low 80's on Tuesday, the Aggies were on the practice fields, polishing things for Saturday's kickoff.

As part of its weekly routine, USU was off on Monday and then practiced Tuesday. The Aggies will practice on the practice fields on Wednesday before Thursday's practice in Romney Stadium. After a walk-through Friday morning, USU will depart for Las Vegas.

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-