Game Preview
Three years ago, in front of the nation on ESPN 3, Weber State football was routed 70-6 by Utah State at Romney Stadium. Since then a lot of things have changed. From roster overhaul to coaching turnover, this meeting between the Aggies and Wildcats is certainly different.
It all begins at the quarterback position. This is no longer Chuckie Keeton’s team, Kent Myers will step into the spotlight for Utah State on his new stage at Maverik Stadium. While this won’t be the first time he has been called upon to lead the offense, it will be Meyers’ first meeting against the Wildcats – and it will be a test for the junior signal caller.
With a new stable of young and inexperienced receivers to throw to, Myers may have to take a little more time running through his progressions. More time in the pocket means the experienced offensive line will have to live up to its billing as one of the Aggies’ strongest position groups. Each position on the offensive line, along with the running backs and tight ends, has provided starting minutes for the Aggies.
On the flipside, Utah State’s front seven is almost entirely new. Of the ten linebackers that contributed meaningful minutes for Utah State last year, only three are back. Of those three, only Chasen Andersen recorded double digit tackles, with his season total 13 mainly coming on special teams. On the d-line, the only returning starter is Ricky Ali’ifua and he will help anchor the young core from his defensive end position.
The Aggies’ will be mainly relying on a talented secondary group with Jalen Davis, Devin Centers, Dallin Leavitt, Daniel Gray to shore up an inexperienced defense.
But if experience is the defining factor for Thursday’s matchup, the Wildcats are ahead on both sides of the ball.
The Wildcats will be returning nine players on offense from a team that last year posted Weber State’s best record in five seasons. Of those returning is senior quarterback Jadrian Clark and his two favorite targets Cameron Livingston and Drew Batchelor. Livingston and Batchelor are both long and lengthy wideouts at 6’1” and 6’2”, and will pose a problem to a starting Aggie secondary with an average height of 5’10”. Behind Clark is a group of three running backs that have each posted a 100-yard day. Zach Smith will be the Wildcats’ starter, but after him is Eric Wilkes and Treshawn Garrett.
Defending the run will be key for a Weber State team facing a strong USU ground attack. The Wildcats gave up 144 yards rushing per game last year, which could prove problematic against an Aggie backfield that averaged 165.1 yards per game last year behind returning backs Devante Mays and LeJuan Hunt.
Leading the way on defense will be Tre’von Johnson and Emmett Tela, along with seven other returning starters. The two All-Conference honorees at linebacker will anchor a Wildcat squad that last year only allowed for 29 total touchdowns. Taron Johnson will be at the helm of the secondary, which limited offenses to nine touchdowns through the air last season.
Kickoff is at 6:00 p.m. but pre-game festivities will begin at 3:30 with the Macey’s Fan Fest on 800 East just west of the stadium. A DJ will be on hand to provide live music. There will also be opportunities for prizes and giveaways with a special appearances from the Aggies men’s basketball, softball and track & field teams.
The first 12,000 fans will receive a jersey rally towel compliments of Maverik, Pepsi, Zions Bank and USU Athletics.
An ultra-high resolution 360-degree fan photo will be taken just ahead of the first snap. The interactive photo, powered by Blakeway Worldwide Panoramas, will allow fans to find and tag themselves and share the views with friends.
Key Players to Watch
Weber State
Jadrian Clark, Sr., QB
Started all 11 games at quarterback for the Wildcats and helped lead WSU to its best season in five years at 6-5 overall. Clark finished his junior campaign with more than 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns through the air; while adding 265 yards and another touchdown on the ground. With returning wideouts Cameron Livingston and Drew Batchelor to throw to, and a seasoned offensive line in front, Clark is poised to have his best statistical season yet.
Tre’von Johnson, Sr., LB
Johnson is coming off a season in which he earned All-Big Sky Conference honors with 66 tackles, 9.5 for a loss, 4.5 sacks and two forced-fumbles. Listed at 6’1” 235 pounds, Johnson is a bit undersized at the LB position, but nonetheless he will hurt you when running downhill. The signal caller and team captain does see split time at OLB and SS depending on the package. He and fellow All-Conference honoree Emmett Tela will be at the helm for the Wildcat defense.
Calvin Steyn, Sr., OL and Cameron Young, Sr., OL
The two Preseason All-Conference selections are the anchors to a balanced offensive attack. With the smallest of the two being 6’3” 315 pounds, the guard and tackle duo has great size and length for Weber State. If in pass coverage, Steyn and Young will allow for Clark to find his man down field; while on rushing downs, the linemen create space for the Wildcats’ stable of running backs. As a group the Weber State offensive line have allowed for four different running backs to reach more than 100 yards in a game.
Utah State
Jalen Davis, Jr., CB
With the average height of the Wildcat starting wideouts being 6’1”, Davis will have his work cut out for him. The junior defensive back is only listed at 5’10” and will have to rely on his vertical jump and speed to stick to the Weber receivers downfield. Coming off an All-Mountain West honors season with 51 tackles, three interceptions and eight pass-breakups, Davis is the leader on the backend for the Aggies. Look for Davis, Daniel Gray, Devin Centers, Dallin Leavitt and the rest of the Utah State secondary to be involved in a lot of plays come Thursday.
Kent Myers, Jr., QB
In his first year as a day-one starter, Myers will have the keys to the offence with the departure of Chuckie Keeton. In the junior signal caller’s back pocket is a veteran group of running backs, headed by Devante Mays and LaJuan Hunt. In front of Myers is an o-line that is plenty capable to block for eight seconds, giving him the best chance to find his mark. The only question for the offense is a new set of receivers on the outside. Minus Hunter Sharp, Brandon Swindall and Devonte Robinson, Utah State needs to find chemistry quickly and Myers is the one the team will lean on to do so.
Wyatt Houston, Sr., TE
Last year, Houston developed a good repertoire with Myers and the pair will continue connect this season. Throughout spring ball and fall camp, the duo have combined for the most connections – and have been arguably the most successful combination. In his junior campaign, Houston notched 25 receptions for 307 yards and three touchdowns. With the rest of the receiver roster having seen limited minutes for the Aggies in the past, Houston will have plenty of looks this season.
— Taylor Emerson