LOGAN — Maybe they're spooked by goblins, ghosts and ghouls. Maybe the Aggies are engrossed in academics and not in the proper football frame of mind.

Whatever it is, it's been a long time since Utah State has won a game in the month of October.

More than three years, in fact.

And regardless of the 0-fer the Aggies have posted in the month, USU just wants to win.

"It is very difficult," USU senior receiver Nnamdi Gwachim said of the team's mood after suffering back-to-back losses in games the Aggies felt they should have won. "Situations like these build character in a team. It shows what kind of character a team has. It shows our team, especially after the New Mexico State game, is ready to work. We came last week and we worked hard. Guys were playing their hearts out. I wouldn't expect anything less this week."

But breaking the 0-for-12 October streak Utah State is on will take more than effort, first-year USU coach Gary Andersen said. It will take execution at key moments to beat a Louisiana Tech team that comes to Romney Stadium with momentum.

"It is a tremendous opportunity for us," Andersen said. "We look forward to them having to come play us in Logan. I expect it to be a highly competitive football game."

Perhaps the biggest key for Utah State is to re-establish its running game.

Robert Turbin, the most explosive running back USU has seen since Emmitt White, has been limited by a variety of issues. Against Nevada last week, he carried the ball a season-low seven times and had just one rush in the second half. Andersen said one reason for that was an ineffective offensive line. Another, perhaps more telling, part was a minor hamstring issue Turbin has been dealing with since the game against BYU.

"I think he will be 100 percent this week, and in my opinion he was not last week," Anddersen said. "He might say he was, but he did not practice at all last week, which hurt him. I expect him to be 100 percent this week."

If so, the Aggies have a chance to exploit a Louisiana Tech team that gives up 194.5 yards per game on the ground. The Bulldogs are tight on pass defense at just 168 yards per game but can be scored on by good rushing teams.

That said, the Bulldogs crushed New Mexico State — a team USU lost to just a week earlier — by a score of 45-7.

"Those guys are very aggressive," Gwachim said of the LTU defense. "We were somewhat successful moving the ball against them last year. Of course, we will have a different game plan from last year. Of course, we will still go in expecting to move the ball on them and put some points on the board."

Aggies on the air

Utah State (1-5, 0-2 WAC) vs. Louisiana Tech (3-3, 2-1)

Today, 1 p.m.

Romney Stadium, Logan

TV: KJZZ Radio: 610 AM, 1230 AM, 95.9 FM

e-mail: jeborn@desnews.com