USU football: Aggies want stronger running game

For the last three years — for one reason or another — the bulk of the Utah State's rushing game has rested on the shoulders of the quarterbacks.

In his final three years at Utah State signal caller Leon Jackson III ranked second, fourth and second on the team in rushing.

Riley Nelson, who broke into the starting lineup midway through his freshman year and led the Aggies to their lone win that season, was second, while Jerrod Walker tied for second with Jackson.

The Aggies were plagued by injuries at running back, and at least three more running backs who would have most certainly helped the Aggies left the team.

With the slow but steady improvement of freshmen running backs Derrvin Speight, who led the team with 504 yards last year, Curtis Marsh and Jacob Actkinson, the Aggie backfield should be solid for the next few years.

The Aggies have four quarterbacks in Jase McCormick, Sean Setzer, Diondre Borel and Ben Longshore battling for the starting job. Setzer and Longshore are the passers in the group, Borel is the best runner and McCormick has the ability to do both.

"We'll find a guy that can operate our offense, and I think that's the main thing," Utah State football coach Brent Guy said. "We're at a point right now in the program where we shouldn't have to just say it's all on the quarterback."

From the running backs to the offensive line to the wide receivers and tight ends, the Aggies should be able to diversify.

"We've got enough guys on the offensive line that we can consistently run the football with either our quarterbacks or running backs, throw the easy bubble screens and hitch screens to our receivers, get (the defense) to lock up and then run by them and throw it over their heads," Guy said.

"We think all those components should help us and we don't have to say 'who's the quarterback to save the day for us,"' Guy continued.

There are still major question marks for the Aggies at wide receiver. Last year there were only two wide receivers in the top six in receptions and just one tight end. Kevin Robinson, the Aggies' top receiver, graduated, leaving Otis Nelson, who had 20 catches last year, as the Aggies' top returner.

Tight end Rob Myers, who was hampered by injuries early in fall camp, came on strong in the final third of the season and finished with 21 catches, which was second best on the team.

The Aggies just completed their first week of spring drills and for the next three weeks practices will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 6 p.m.

Drills conclude April 11 with a scrimmage at Romney Stadium.

The Aggies (2-10) finished last season with back-to-back road wins at Idaho and New Mexico State. They open the 2008 season Aug. 30 at UNLV.

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E-mail: jhinton@desnews.com