Black selected as USU's No. 2 quarterback

LOGAN — When Utah State's latest offensive depth chart was released late last week, quarterbacks Bryan Black and Riley Nelson were both considered the back-up to Leon Jackson III.

Monday, less than a week before the Aggies' season opener at Wyoming, Utah State coach Brent Guy named Black, a senior, the top back-up, over the freshman.

"He's had a great camp," Guy said. "He's played a well as he's played since we've been here as a staff."

In two scrimmages this year, Black completed 14 of 20 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns.

Black, however, hasn't played a down for two seasons, and is only 8 of 21 for 71 yards with a touchdown and four interceptions in his career.

"I know the last time he was in a football game it didn't go very well for him, but that's been a long time," Guy said. "All we can go off of is what we've seen him do in camp and he's been very consistent in running the offense and doing what we've asked him to do."

His last action came in his freshman season when he played all the second half in a 23-14 loss to Troy in 2003.

"He's not as big a running threat as Leon or even Riley, but he understands the offense and knows it and he's not making very many mistakes," Guy said.

Nelson will make the trip to Wyoming as the No. 3 quarterback.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: For the fourth straight year and seventh time in the last eight years, the Aggies open the season on the road. Utah State was scheduled to open with Nicholls State last year, but the effects of Hurricane Katrina forced the cancellation of the game.

Utah State has lost eight straight openers. Its last win came in 1997 when it beat Utah 21-14.

UTAH STATE VS. WYOMING: The Aggies lead the all-time series with the Cowboys 32-22-4 and they are 13-12-3 in games played in Laramie. It's been almost 30 years since the Aggies have been to Wyoming, and the Aggies won 20-13 in 1978.

The two teams first met in 1903.

34 AND COUNTING: Utah State's 34 wins over Wyoming are the most against any opponent. The Aggies have 33 wins over BYU, a team they meet in Provo on Sept. 23.

UTAH STATE VS. THE MWC: The Aggies will play three teams from the Mountain West Conference this year: Wyoming, Utah and BYU. Utah State is 146-197-14 all-time against current members of the league. Its last two non-conference win have come over UNLV, which is a MWC member.