Utah State football: Aggies trying to take some pressure off QB Borel

LOGAN — Oftentimes — too many times, according to many — Utah State's offense was either going to live or die on the legs of sophomore quarterback Diondre Borel.

Too often, it died.

With that in mind, new Aggie football coach Gary Andersen made it a priority to improve the running game and take some of that pressure off Borel.

"We have really asked him to be able to make some throws and do some things from the offensive side of the football without his legs," Andersen said Monday after USU's first scrimmage of its spring season. "I think he has taken some steps to be able to beat people with his mind and his arm."

During Monday's scrimmage, Borel wasn't asked to take as much of the load on himself and that showed as USU's offense clicked along quite well.

Borel completed 14-of-19 passes for 142 yards while backup Adam Eastman made a case for himself at the No. 2 spot on the depth chart with 115 yards and two touchdowns on 9-of-12 passing.

Most impressive, though, was the performance shown by running back Robert Turbin.

The stout sophomore had 82 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

"Robert Turbin is a talent," Andersen said. "He went out and ran the ball well today and broke a lot of tackles. He is a good back."

The Aggies are trying to rebuild themselves in Andersen's first spring at USU. Former coach Brent Guy was let go after a 3-9 season and the task of turning Utah State into a competitive program.

"The biggest thing is attitude," Borel said. "We need to just keep our head up . . . When things are good or bad we need to maintain that same level."

The Aggies will practice again Thursday with another scrimmage set for Romney Stadium on Saturday.

E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com