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USU football: Andersen invites hundreds of juniors to campus

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Aggie Man 85 | 7:13 a.m. May 31, 2009

Great, now USU will be able to hang with Boise and Hawaii through the 1st quarter in football before getting blown out. Then the Aggie fans can flip off the TV camera like we did in the BYU game last year. Lets face the facts, no one wants to play football for USU, we will never be anything in comparison to the Cougars and the utes. We are what we are, the little brother college where people end up going to. No one walks around saying I want to be an Aggie, do they? Then when all is said and done, we can complain about BYU taking our color of blue, that is the only thing we have on BYU. We have our pride against Utah, at least we know we have some values in comparison to them.

Spud | 7:46 a.m. May 31, 2009

I don't remember either Mick Dennehy or Brent Guy doing this. Nice job Andersen.

Bob2 | 8:19 a.m. May 31, 2009

Great.
2-10

Comments continue below

O Line | 8:21 a.m. May 31, 2009

My nephew was in that group yesterday and came home ranting about how wonderful Utah State was, nice move Anderson I am excited to see the rebirth of a once great football powerhouse. Keep it up.

TRUE AGGIE | 9:09 a.m. May 31, 2009

AGGIE man 85, People like you are the whole problem. How long has it been since you have seen Logan , Cache Valley or Utah State University. You do not get it. And if you where an AGGIE man you would not write that negative comment about your school. Dont forget UTAH,BYU,BSU all stood in the exact same situation that UTAH STATE is in today and they all have it going pretty good last time I looked. Your BYU comments make you sound like a BYU fan so my suggestion is change your title to BYU man and you should feel better about yourself.

Chip | 9:16 a.m. May 31, 2009

As a BYU fan I'm glad Utah State is going to improve. I miss the old rivelry and hope they get back some of their old swagger. Good luck to you and I will be cheering for you when your not playing BYU.

Vixie | 9:32 a.m. May 31, 2009

College recruiting is truly a year round effort. Andersen & his staff have figured that out. My son wants to play college football & USU is NOW on his radar. I can just see our family making the short trip to Logan on fall weekends cheering the Aggies on to victory

Dallas Aggie | 9:36 a.m. May 31, 2009

What a great idea! I also completely disagree with all the negative comments above. There are many, many people who would love to be Aggies. If you didn't, and still went to beloved institution, I would suggest that you cowboy up and become a true supporter or keep your negative comments and persuasions private. We have plenty of naysayers out there, and having actual graduates of our school spewing out negative thoughts shows a lack of committment to our school. In fact, I would say that you might be trolls from other schools posing as a USU "fan"

I am grateful for the coverage and look forward to supporting our institution and athletes. I know that USU provided me with wonderful opportunities and a network of alumni that love the area and know the values that we represent. I also know that we will catch up and compete in football soon enough. I hope it is this year. Please don't forget that we beat Hawaii the year after they went to a BCS bowl! That says something about our progress! Hopefully we can do the same on 9-3-09 at Utah!

Go Aggies!

Aggie Fan | 9:47 a.m. May 31, 2009

I also talked with three players yesterday that went up there and they were very impressed. All three have other offers to big schools and having coached these boys for 6-7 years I know them well. Two are 90% sure to be Aggies while the other might go to play where his Dad played. Great job Coach Anderson ans staff!

Aggie Watcher | 9:49 a.m. May 31, 2009

Coach Andersen is doing exactly what needs to be done at USU. Give people the opportunity to see Logan, the campus, football facilities (which are new and 2nd to none), coaching staff and the new attitude at USU Football. These junior days are great PR and fact finding vehicles for players and parents.
aggie man 85 and bob2 great negitive comments!!! not...
Keep it going Coach A.

Aggies | 10:38 a.m. May 31, 2009

The Aggies must be doing something right. Only good programs have trolls and I detect a few north of this comment. Good job Anderson. You have a few Ute/Coug fans nervous enough to troll.

wow | 10:58 a.m. May 31, 2009

what a great day we were impressed with the whole campus but mostly the Football facility's the place is off the charts my Son left USU with a whole new perspective towards the program, thanks again Coach Andersen job well done.

Fan in the Stands | 11:17 a.m. May 31, 2009

Don't count Eborn or the DesNews covering the Aggies' first game, which is on Sept. 3 against Utah, not Sept. 5 like Eborn reported.

re: Aggieman | 11:57 a.m. May 31, 2009

Um, maybe you have a point with Boise, but in case you missed it, USU blew out Hawaii last year.

I'm excited with what Anderson is doing in Logan. I love that a priority on his agenda is to get the word out that USU is a fantastic school, and has things in place to build the football program back into the regional power it once was. Hopefully this message starts getting across to alumni who have been beaten into submission by BYU and Utah fans (mostly BYU fans) for far too long. USU has nothing to be ashamed about and doesn't need to apologize to anyone for who they are or what they are about. It is a great institution, any kid would be very lucky to attend school and play football at USU.

SJ Bobkins | 12:23 p.m. May 31, 2009

I have a chess set with the with the pieces represented by ex Aggie coaches who talked big when hired, then 4 Years later they were run out of town with their glossy, 6 win careers. It's not big talk in the press that counts but winning on the field. To come back from years of 40-0 losses comes in small steps. USU will not be competitive this year next year, maybe never. And pleeezzzeee facilities second to none? Get serious

From Logan | 1:43 p.m. May 31, 2009

SJ Bobkins have you seen the the new football facilities? If you really had you wouldn't of made the comment. They are awesome.

Ade | 2:16 p.m. May 31, 2009

These young men and their parents were presented all of the great things about USU, Logan and Coach Andersen's football program. You can hear and read about something, but until you experience it first hand, there is nothing like being there. Go AGGIES!!!!!

More Good News | 2:43 p.m. May 31, 2009

Word has it that former SUU standout defensive back Brett Smith (formerly First Team All-Stater from Highland High School) has choosen to play at Utah State this season after returning from his Mormon mission. This is a huge grab for the Aggies. Smith was recruited heavily as a senior at Highland and chose to follow his older brother, Steve Smith, who was a DI-AA all american at SUU. Steve Smith played for Coach Anderson in Cedar City. It speaks volumes that his brother would follow Coach Anderson to Logan. This is a huge coupe for Utah State. Go Aggies!

Loyal Ute | 3:24 p.m. May 31, 2009

During my days at Utah, the Aggies were our toughest in-state competition, not BYU! With the right person as head coach and an effective recruiting strategy in Logan, it could be that way again. I think Gary Anderson will gradually pick-up better athletes for his program and will be a tough opponent for both the "U" and "Y", as well as the other members of the WAC. Sounds like this visiting day by junior athletes was a good start for Coach Anderson.

GA fan | 4:54 p.m. May 31, 2009

Gary will have the Aggies nipping at the heels of Boise in no time.
The WAC is a bad conference. There is no good reason why the Aggies shouldn't compete year in and year out, it just shouldn't be that difficult to do.
I'm calling my shot: USU beats The Donc and tds within 3 years.

USU311 | 7:54 p.m. May 31, 2009

I just graduated from USU this spring and will be moving south to Weber County. I can't wait to make the trip up to Logan on those beautiful fall evenings to watch Coach Andersen's new Aggie Football Team! People like to talk about how Aggie fans have been very excited about the last 4 coaches to come to Logan. I am here to say that although any new coach can bring a new sense of hope, the excitement with Coach Andersen is like nothing I have ever felt in Logan. Let's just say I am very excited about continuing to support Aggie Football. Go State!!!

Best of Luck | 8:26 p.m. May 31, 2009

Having a strong USU team would be nothing but good for the state. Don't get your hopes up too high, there is still a long way to go, but every step counts and I like that there is hope up in Logan.

Not the same | 9:12 p.m. May 31, 2009

The excitement for USU football is at an all time high. Not only are Aggie fans interested in football for the first time in 10 years but so are a lot of Ute and Cougar fans. You can't liken Andersen's hire to Guy's. Andersen's resumue is far superior to Brent Guys and he ran undoubtley ran one of the best defenses in the coutnry at the U. and the defense made fools out of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. I know no football has been played yet, but on the outset things are very different around Andersen's hire.

On another note I have to say that this is a team that is overcoming a decade of pretty pathetic football. It won't be an overnight transformation and compounded with this years schedule I think 5 wins will be a success.

Aggie Alum '97 | 11:16 p.m. May 31, 2009

I love to hear Coach Andersen taking these steps to build USU into a contender. I know his recruiting budget was increased two-fold+ vs. years past, but WOW this guy has vision. He's obviously a marketer and knows he needs to step out of the box to get the word out about USU. Stuff like this will steal some recruits from the red/other-blue schools. Recruits know what coach Andersen can do (ie:Sugar Bowl), but seeing beautiful Logan and USU campus can seal the deal in their minds. Impressive these recruits & their parents came on their own dime.
This is the most excited I've been for USU football season to start. Andersen has a huge challenge ahead of him, but he has me believing! Imagine how the players are thinking?!! It's time to start increasing my donations to USU!!!!!!! GO BIG BLUE!

Why Not??? | 10:17 a.m. June 1, 2009

USU athletic facilities truly are impressive. We've seen all instate schools and a number of PAC10 facilities as well. USU is VERY impressive. I think that you will see TRUE athletes, that want to make a difference and a name for themselves, want to play at USU. Not every HS athlete has the commitment and strength of character to be a difference maker. USU has a ton of upside and to be a part of that will require a special athlete. Hopefully the instate kids being recruited will see that. Anderson's first group of instate recruits that commited this year are great athletes and young men wnating to be a part of making a difference. These new recruits that get offered need to look at the big picture and join them. To you new recruits, remember Bernsten SVHS, Larsen JHS, Manning LHS, Parrish BHS, Tialavea WJHS and Van Leeuen THS all grat athlets and all chose to make a difference and committed to be Aggies.

Aggie Mom | 2:17 p.m. June 1, 2009

The entire team is excited and playing much better already for Coach Anderson. Those of you who went to the spring scrimmages and spring game saw that. The Aggies do have great facilities and now have great coaches to go along with it. I can hardly wait to watch the team play this fall and am planning on going to lots of the away games as well. Good work coaches.

Overhyped | 2:36 p.m. June 1, 2009

Please, let's count the programs that had huge promise to start a season and totally flopped....SMU last year, UCLA last year, Arizona for a few years, UNLV for a few years, Colorado with BSU's coach, Michigan last year.....all either took a lot of time to get going or have not got going at all. Sorry, but USU still has to fight for recruits in a poor conference while being surrounded by Boise, BYU, Utah, and now Weber. Aggie fans are way too excited for nothing that has even happened yet. Remember, USU has a way tough schedule this year. 3-4 wins is about as realistic as you can get with everything so brand new in that program.

Final Results for 2009 | 3:59 p.m. June 1, 2009

Utah State 9 Utah 39
Utah State 10 Texas A & M 49
Southern Utah 14 Utah State 17
Utah State 10 BYU 45
Utah State 17 New Mexico State 24
Nevada 36 Utah State 21
Louisiana Tech 49 Utah State 21
Fresno State 36 Utah State 14
Utah State 21 Hawaii 49
San Jose State 34 Utah State 21
Boise State 49 Utah State 0
Utah State 24 Idaho 27

1-11 for Anderson

Septer 3 Evening News | 4:08 p.m. June 1, 2009

Utah State 24 Utah 14

re: Overhyped | 4:43 p.m. June 1, 2009

You call it being overexcited. But we're talking about a school whose football program is considered to be among the nation's worst college football programs and they just landed a football coach who is known for being one of the best recruiters in the nation, who has been to 6 bowl games including 2 BCS bowls and wiining all of them. Also USU's facilities have also been upgraded significantly to be among the best in their conference and have even been compared to some of the best in the country.

So from my vantage point USU has every reason to be excited. Can USU expect to have a winning season next year? Absoultely not. But from the looks of things I have every reason to believe the wins will start coming.

re: final results | 5:05 p.m. June 1, 2009

I think your being a little harsh in your predictions but I'll respond in some predictions of my own.

USU 10 Utah 42
USU 10 A&M 49
USU 38 SUU 10
USU 17 BYU 31
USU 31 NMSU 21
USU 21 Nevada 35
USU 35 La Tech 24
USU 31 Fresno 35
USU 28 Hawaii 38
USU 21 San Jose 17
USU 7 Boise St 35
USU 27 Idaho 10

4-8 for Andersen for his first year.

Anonymous | 5:17 p.m. June 1, 2009

Aggies 12-0 and make it to a BCS bowl where they will upset Oklahoma :)

USU311 | 10:22 p.m. June 1, 2009

I love the people out there that tell me I have nothing to be excited about. I am sorry to those of you that would love nothing more than football bla's up north in Logan because we Aggies are very excited. Get used to it!

NonAggie | 10:50 a.m. June 2, 2009

Easy to be skeptical, but there are some big plusses for USU with Andersen as I see it. 1. I think his biggest asset is that he understands the Utah culture and is comfortable with it. This may be his biggest advantage over some of his predecessors. 2. He's a proven winner with all of his defensive experience with Utah. Good luck USU. I hope the long football drought will end for you, and that you'll become a force in the WAC.

Re: Anonymous 5:17 | 11:41 a.m. June 2, 2009

I don't think Oklahoma losing in a BCS game is an upset anymore.

Here's hoping.... | 12:27 p.m. June 2, 2009

I am a BYU fan first and foremost, but I am intelligent enough to see the big picture here. I am very pleased with what I am hearing about USU's program and the direction they are heading. Each program has to start somewhere. With BYU it was Lavell. With Utah, McBride. I cannot say it won't be that way with Andersen. He seems the right man for the job due to the facts that he's been so close to the Utah recruitment scene for so many years and in Utah. I get tired of reading negative posts on here trying to keep Aggie fans down. USU has every reason to hope for a change this season and for some big success down the road. The WAC is certainly a good conference to give a team some hope. It has some strong teams that will test your program while having some "less-than-strong" teams that can give your team a reason to start beating their chests. You need to have victories to help pull through the tough losses. Andersen knows that. He's for real and hopefully it'll bring the Aggies some success.

Pete in Texas

Andersen | 2:24 p.m. June 2, 2009

He can go 0-11 for all I care his first year as long as he is taking risks, trying to win games, getting the kids to fly around the field, play with heart and never give up.

The fact that the QB draw and a cloud o' dust offensive philosophy is gone is enough of a reason to be excited in my book.

But in Andersen's own words, "we're going to try to do a lot better than that."

He'll get the Ags to surprise a few this year. May even upset and uproot one or two of the pansies planted south of Logan.

Go Aggies

NonAggie | 2:55 p.m. June 2, 2009

Re: 2:24
"May even upset and uproot one or two of the pansies planted south of Logan." Some of us try to be kind to the Aggies. Don't leave yourself so open.

USU311 | 7:33 p.m. June 2, 2009

Amen to that NonAggie. I would love to see the in-state bashing chill a bit. That is at least until we get into some rivalry games. Go Aggies!!!

Dallas Aggie | 10:08 p.m. June 2, 2009

Thanks for the kind comments from the non aggies. I think it is definitely for the better, when we root for our own team, and hope that others compete well and keep the vindictive negativity out of our posts. I am really looking forward to cheering on USU and seeing our in state rival schools do well in thier programs this year as well. I hope we can pull the upset though against both BYU, UoU and anyone else that feels they are "expected" to beat USU. Boise at Home is going to be a blast!

Scores | 10:14 p.m. June 2, 2009

You got it wrong. BYU will put up 58 points on USU and Utah will put up 49 on them. Both would be better off scheduling Weber or SUU again.

Re scores | 7:09 a.m. June 3, 2009

BYU could hardly score for 3 quarters. I know they did enough damage in the 1st quarter last time they met but beware, they are slow and looked pretty pathetic against a so-called ESPN Bottom 10 cellar dwellar.

RE: Scores | 9:06 a.m. June 3, 2009

BYU's defensive schemea is horrible they had two impressive defensive stands last year and the game against USU wasn't one of them. Their offense is totally predictable as their game plan never changes. Coach Andersen already has BYU figured out as his defense has always given BYU a run for their money if not humiliate them as his Utah defense did last year. I would say USU would beat BYU but I just don't think USU is strong enough defensively. But with solid recruiting that will change.

Football in Utah | 9:39 a.m. June 3, 2009

I see great things for USU on the horizon and would be all the more excited if I was a USU coach myself. They seem to be in a similar position BYU saw themselves in a few years ago. They got new facilities along with a new coach who understood the local culture and had vision and now look, they have finished in the top 25 the last 3 years, even on a down year last year. Utah will be another contender this year but they will take a step backward in having to break in a brand new QB with absolutely no D1 experience, and much of the rest of their offense gone. Their D is what looks to keep them in the winning tier of the conference this year, but let's not forget they do play at Oregon, TCU and BYU and I just don't see them winning more than one of those if any. BYU and TCU figure to be the top dogs. TCU has amazing speed and athleticism returning. Their D will be tough. BYU is loaded on Offense with a seasoned D. The O-line will be the biggest question mark...

Football in Utah cont'd... | 9:49 a.m. June 3, 2009

I don't see BYU beating Oklahoma, but I expect them to put up a big fight in that game and their O-line will learn a lot and gain a lot of experience from Oklahoma's super D-line. As for the rest of the season they do get Florida State, TCU, and Utah all coming to Provo who all figure to be ranked, and I think BYU will come out on top in all those games so BYU looks to have it's best opportunity to make some noise in the BCS circle this year than it ever has since Bronco took over. That is if all the star players can keep healthy...a close loss to Oklahoma would still be respectable and should then go on to to finish the regular season at 11-1. Unfortunately, Boise State is returning just as much talent and experience and can run the table for themselves with a win over Oregon. It will take a BYU win over Oklahoma or a BSU loss to Oregon, or maybe even USU, for BYU to stay in the BCS running this year. Or, who knows, TCU could finally have their year.

RE Dallas Aggie | 9:53 a.m. June 3, 2009

I couldn't agree with you more ... you are so right ... people do want to be Aggies (like Texas AM Aggies). Also are you from Texas or lived in Texas long?

Dave | 11:11 a.m. June 3, 2009

There is a major talent pool of players in the state of Utah and the Aggies will be well served to recruit all of these kids who are from the state. That will help energize the fan base being able to watch locals playing, and will help with the rivalries between players at Utah, byu, and USU.

Re: RE Dallas Aggie | 11:32 a.m. June 3, 2009

I think the game between Texas A&M and USU this year will be one of the best opportunities for us to upset a Big 12 team in a long time, and I mean A&M no disrespect.....I think they went 4-8 last year, and we were 3-9...so pretty similiar results for last year, and we had one heck of a schedule to play as well. Not quite as tough as 8 weeks in the big 12, but we did play 4 top 25 teams (Oregon, UofU, BYU, and Boise State). Anyhow, I know their stadium is going to be overwhelming, and I hope our boys can calm the nerves and just play their game.

I have been in texas since 2005 and the south since 2001. Love the place, and live in a dallas suburb. How about you?

UTAG | 11:22 p.m. June 3, 2009

Hey, what a great idea Coach A! USU/Logan has a lot to offer and this is a great way to showcase it.

Of course, to all who say there's too much excitement at this point, that USU's a cellar dweller, and that it's all talk and no walk, I say, 'ya gotta start somewhere.' Enthusiasm can and will help the program and the players, and it will help recruiting and fan support. Expectations need to be realistic, but this is not the same program we've had for the last decade-plus.

USU has so much to offer, with new budgets, coaches, facilities, and a conference that fits geographically and competition-wise. GA appears to be the right man at the right time. Yeah...the Ags haven't played a game yet, but this sure beats the alternative and gives us a positive foundation to build a competitive program on.

Go Ags!

true blue | 11:41 p.m. June 3, 2009

Aggie faithful...

Don't worry those posts are for sure trolls from other lesser programs...

Aggies forever...

go big blue.....

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