USU football: Utah State football completes first two-a-day Thursday

Utah State football had its first two-a-day practice of fall camp Thursday going in full pads in the morning session before donning helmets and shoulder pads for a shorter afternoon practice.

“I thought they competed both practices and got done what we needed,” said fourth-year USU head coach Gary Andersen. “We started well, which was a positive, and I think they finished that way. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but I like their mindset and the direction they are headed. Working hard is important to them and that is a big part of camp right now, it’s a grind and its designed to be a grind. You’ve got to be able to fight through it and I believe that will pay off for us as the season goes on. Overall, two solid practices.”

Andersen also singled out Robert Marshall following Thursday’s afternoon session after the junior running back performed well in both practices.

Thursday was the sixth and seventh of Utah State's 29 preseason practices before the season opener at home against Southern Utah on Thursday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.

Utah State, which practices from 9:15 to 11:15 Friday morning on the USU practice fields, will conclude its first full week of camp with its initial scrimmage of the fall on Saturday, Aug. 11 on Merlin Olsen Field inside Romney Stadium at 10 a.m. The scrimmage will contain at least 100 snaps.

“It’s a big scrimmage and a big day for a lot of young kids in this program. We’ll hold some guys out and give the young guys a chance to shine and see what they can do,” Andersen said.

All practices during fall camp, which concludes on Saturday, Aug. 25, are open to the public.

For the first time since 1996, the Aggies will open a season with back-to-back home games, hosting a pair of in-state foes in Southern Utah on Thursday, Aug. 30 and Utah on Friday, Sept. 7. Both games are slated for 6 p.m. (MT) starts from Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium. The Aggies' game against Utah will be on ESPN2.

Season tickets and two-game packages can be purchased in person at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum weekdaysbetween 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Fans can also buy tickets over the phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1, or online at www.utahstateaggies.com/tickets.

Fans can follow the Aggie football program at twitter.com/USUFootball or on the USU football blog at usufootball.wordpress.com. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on facebook at Utah State UniversityAthletics.

Utah State Football Practice Dates, Times and Location

Fri., Aug. 10 --- 9:15 - 11:15 am (Practice Field)

Sat., Aug. 11 --- 10:00 - 11:30 am (Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium) --- Scrimmage #1

Mon., Aug. 13 --- 9:15 - 11:15 am / 4:55 - 6:25 pm (Practice Field)

Tues., Aug. 14 --- 9:15 - 11:15 am (Practice Field)

Wed., Aug. 15 --- 9:15 - 11:15 am / 4:55 - 6:25 pm (Practice Field)

Thur., Aug. 16 --- 9:15 - 11:15 am (Practice Field)

Fri., Aug. 17 --- 9:15 - 11:15 am / 4:55 - 6:25 pm (Practice Field)

Sat., Aug. 18 --- 2:00 pm FOOTBALL FAMILY FUN DAY, sponsored by Macy's

(Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium) --- Scrimmage #2

Mon., Aug. 20 --- 9:15 - 11:15 am / 3:55 - 5:25 pm (Practice Field)

Tues., Aug. 21 --- 2:40 - 4:40 pm (Practice Field)

Wed., Aug. 22 --- 9:15 - 11:15 am / 3:55 - 5:25 pm (Practice Field)

Thur., Aug. 23 --- 2:40 - 4:40 pm (Practice Field)

Fri., Aug. 24 --- 2:40 - 4:40 pm (Practice Field)

Sat., Aug. 25 --- 12:00 - 2:00 pm (Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium)

End of Camp

NOTE: All dates, times and locations subject to change.

Doug Hoffman is the assistant athletic director for Utah State University Athletic Media Relations.