Dennehy says QB needs some help

Utah State quarterback Travis Cox is his own worst critic.

"We lost," Cox said after the Aggies' 40-20 season-opening setback at Utah Thursday. "I don't think I played great … I need to trust my instincts a little better and make the right calls."

Cox, making his first start since 1998 when he was a senior at Mountain Crest High School, completed 19 of 41 passes for 280 yards and a touchdown. He had one interception, and it came in the fourth quarter.

"I feel a lot better about myself just being able to get out on the field," Cox said. "Now I know what it's like. It was a good learning experience."

Utah State coach Mick Dennehy wasn't quite as critical on the junior signal-caller.

"I don't know, really and truly, that there is anybody better year in and year out that we play on defense than the University of Utah," Dennehy said.

"They're well-coached. They play hard, and they have a lot of pride on that side of the ball. It's a tough start for any quarterback. I think Travis did just fine. We need to give Travis Cox more help."

Offensively, the Aggies compiled 357 yards total offense to Utah's 382. That, in and of itself, is a victory, seeing the Aggies had less than 200 yards passing against the Utes and minus nine yards rushing in the 23-3 loss last year.

"We need to move on and realize we played a good team. Utah is probably the best defense we'll face all year," Cox said. "As far as the offense goes, we feel like we can move the ball. We'll be all right."

The Aggies travel to Lincoln to face Nebraska Saturday at 10:30 a.m. They are 0-7 all-time versus the Cornhuskers.

"It doesn't get any easier the next couple of weeks," said Dennehy, referring to future contests with Nebraska and Arizona State. "Next week's game is a lot like this one. They have new people all over the place."

Last year, the Aggies lost 44-13.

"Their personnel is going to be a little bit better. We'll go and play hard," Dennehy said. "If we'll continue to do that, I think we've got things we can iron out that will make a difference."

Utah State flashback

SCORE: Utah 40, Utah State 20

RECORDS: Utah State 0-1, 0-0, Utah 1-0, 0-0

OFFENSE: In his first career start, quarterback Travis Cox threw for 280 yards with one interception, while David Fiefia rushed for 54. The Aggies proved they can move the ball GRADE: B

DEFENSE: The Aggies did a terrible job tackling in allowing 202 rushing yards (173 to Brandon Warfield). GRADE: D

SPECIAL TEAMS: The field-goal crew had a bad snap early in the game negating a field-goal attempt. Justin Hamblin did have a 21-yarder later in the game. Punter Ben Chaet averaged 43 yards per punt — including a 60-yarder. GRADE: B

NEXT UP: Utah State at Nebraska, 10:30 a.m. (MDT), TV: Fox Sports. Radio: 610 AM (Logan), 860 (SLC).

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