USU plan is to limit payouts

NORMAN, Okla. — It's a brutal financial game, but the Utah State Aggies — like many smaller universities with lower athletic budgets — have to play it, and they played one Saturday at Oklahoma.

As expected, they lost big, 54-3.

Utah State athletic director Randy Spetman has maintained he is trying to limit the number of large payout games, but there is still a need for now.

"We need them (right now) to support our program financially," Spetman said.

The game paid out $500,000.

In three seasons (2003-05), the Aggies made $3.375 million in guarantees primarily in what would be considered six big-money games.

In the 2003 season, the Aggies played Nebraska, Arizona State and New Mexico and made $1.225 million, which was more than one-tenth of their total operating budget of $10.9 million.

In 2004, Utah State visited Alabama and Clemson and brought home $1.425, which aided the $11.95 million budget.

In 2005, the Aggies — most notably — played Alabama and brought home $750,000, while the athletic budget went up to $12.5 million.

Exact numbers from last year's games with Arkansas, Wyoming and BYU aren't yet available, but it is believed the Aggies brought in close to $1 million.

This year, the Aggies have played two — Oklahoma on Saturday and Wyoming the week before.

On the schedule for next year, the Aggies have Oregon and Arkansas — all scheduled by former athletic director Rance Pugmire. Spetman said the University of Texas called earlier this year looking for a game for next season and was offering at least $850,000. Spetman turned down the offer for two reasons: He didn't have an open date, and he didn't want to put the team through three big-money games in one season.

"What we need is to develop a winning mind-set," Spetman said.

He said wins will bring fans to Romney Stadium, which would bring in enough money for him to eliminate the majority of the big-money games.

The Aggies have future games scheduled with Texas A&M and Colorado State.

INJURY UPDATE: LB Jake Hutton left the game in the second half due to an abnormally high heart beat, and RB Curtis Marsh sprained his right ankle. The status of each for next week is yet to be determined.