Having posted an offensive score (in fact, three of them) two weeks ago and then chalking up their first win last Saturday, the Utah State football program looks to build on that success when they visit San Jose State to play the Spartans.
The Aggies were outscored 144-7 in their first four games - the only touchdown coming on defense against Wyoming in the season opener. Then they scored three touchdowns in a 41-21 loss to Idaho, but still, opposing defenses were outscoring them - Utah State has given up 42 points directly from turnovers, including five interceptions run back for TD's.
Having replaced his offensive coordinator and growing increasingly frustrated with starting quarterback Leon Jackson III, Utah State coach Brent Guy turned to an unexpected place for help.
True freshman Riley Nelson was not supposed to play this year, or in fact until 2009. He was to be "grayshirted," then was going to go on a Mormon mission, at which point he was to return for the purposes of resurrecting the USU program, which ideally would be further along under Guy. But with a sputtering offense and spirits dwindling to the extent that less than 10,000 fans were showing up for home games, Guy handed Nelson the starting job against Fresno State last week, which, needless to say was a popular decision.
Why was it popular? Because Nelson is one of the top schoolboy football players in the history of Utah. A Parade All-American, he accounted for a national record 84 touchdowns in his senior season in high school - 53 passing and 31 of them rushing. He was recruited by several schools, but for the most part as a safety. Guy gave him the opportunity to play quarterback at Utah State, and Nelson, possessor of a 3.96 GPA, accepted.
Guy doesn't think Nelson is necessarily an immediate answer, but the freshman did start to pay dividends in a big way. He was 6-for-6 on a last-minute scoring drive, actually throwing the winning touchdown pass twice (the first was called back on a penalty). Having defeated traditional bowl contender Fresno State 13-12, Utah State fans rejoiced. But are they too hopeful too soon? Can the Aggies pull off another upset against San Jose State, whose QB, Adam Tafralis has completed 77% on the season?
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