USU football: Andersen, Aggies hold first practice on grass

LOGAN — After three days of practicing on the turf of Romney Stadium, Utah State football took to the grass of the practice field for the first time during camp on Monday.

"This is the first time I've been out here for a practice," said Aggie head coach Gary Andersen, who directed all of USU's spring practices in Romney Stadium. "This is a great facility; it's spaced out very well for us."

It was USU's fourth practice of fall camp, inching closer to the completion of the NCAA-mandated five-day acclimation period, as the Aggies will don full pads on Tuesday before Wednesday's first two-a-day practice.

"I thought the kids came out today and we got better; that's a positive," Andersen said. "We've got some nice competition going on along the defensive line, especially at the defensive tackle position. I think that competition for the second quarterback position is really starting to heat up. We'll see where that goes."

"Right now, our goal is to make sure that the depth chart is spaced correctly to give kids the opportunity to come out and play, and make sure that they're getting the reps for opportunities to prove themselves," Andersen said.

USU's final scrimmage of the fall will be in association with Utah State Aggie Football Family Fun Day and will be held on Saturday, Aug. 22, at Romney Stadium. The event provides fans a chance to meet USU football players and coaches and participate in games and activities as well as purchase season tickets.