Deseret News | Utah State football: Curse of the Aggies

Reader comments
Utah State football: Curse of the Aggies

Page:
1
2
Next >

Really, this was published? | 4:53 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I hope no one else reads this article.

Aggie for life | 5:43 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I remember that Fresno State game a year ago. I will never forget it. This year has been more frustrating than the year before. We have been competitive in every game we've played which was not the case many years ago. Coming so close to victory hurts. If Utah State had done one play here or one play there, we could easily be 3-0 in WAC play and everybody would think Gary Anderson is a miracle worker. However, he hasn't risen to that status because of a few missed opportunities.

From an Aggie Fan.... | 7:12 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Great Arcticle Jared! I thought it was well written and got to the point in a very humorous way!

Comments continue below

To Really, this was published? | 7:21 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Amen!

Bear Laker | 7:24 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Did you ever consider that they are just not good?

Mike | 7:36 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

The players and coaches need to take a trip up Logan Canyon to Temple Fork and go to the grave of Old Ephraim. They must make a pilgrimage to the grave and do oblations to the spirit of Old Ephraim. After all, he was the last thing that was near Cache Valley that everyone was scared of (or call Merlin Olsen). Maybe some of his strength and tenacity would rub off.

Cougarf@n | 7:42 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Actually, I heard from a BYU history professor who heard from an unknown player on an unknown opposing team right before the Hawaii game in Crowton's first year that they were so upset about losing to BYU that they made a Voodoo doll representing all BYU quarterbacks which they mercilessly tortured before every game resulting in BYU having three losing seasons in a row, but, fortunately, Cosmo found that person and put a beat down on them between the third and fourth quarter in one of those embarrassing Cosmo mini-movies during Bronco's first year which is why BYU now wins ten games a season. Sounds like a good story, lets print it!

Anyway, back here in reality it seems that Utah State is playing harder than they've ever played and they've got a legitimate shot in most games. Anderson is doing a very good job and I think they'll be bowl eligible next season. I'm excited to have three relevant football teams in Utah again.

Spiff | 7:46 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Spiff says Go Aggies!!!!

Hmm... | 7:53 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

What will it take to restore confidence on the Aggie sideline? How about a BCS hope crushing victory over the Broncos of BSU!

Aggie Fan | 7:54 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Andersen will get things turned around within 2-3 years. It doesn't happen overnight and for those who say it's the same old Aggies then they haven't watched the team play. For those of you that don't like the article......READ SOMETHING ELSE! It's really not that tough.

BYU curse | 7:59 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

If only BYU could put some curse on TCU!

Anonymous | 8:13 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

First, they have started playing well..... The wins will come.

Voodoo | 8:22 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

La Tech has lifted the curse with thier Voodoo water. They sprinkled it on Romney before the game. We did sustained some injuries last week but we got the "W"!!!

Jared.. | 8:32 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

This is definately some of your best work.

treyville | 8:32 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I'd rather have USU's curse than byu's curse of having a sparkling record after half of the season only to watch that record be mercilessly beat into the ground by tcu.

Brent Guy | 8:37 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I cannot remember where Brent Guy ended up, can someone tell me?

My two cents | 8:37 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I have to disagree with the lack of talent part. The Aggies have lacked talent. Sure they've landed some players in the NFL, but after that top tier of athletes the talent level plummets into a deep cavernous pit.

Can Andersen turn things around? Maybe. They seem to be playing harder. But mistakes and not being able to capitalize on opportunities have really hurt this team.

As far as the rest of the season goes I don't see how they'll beat Fresno or Boise so those can be marked as an 'L' they could win Hawaii, San Jose, and Idaho. Which would put them at 5 wins, best case scenario.

History Lesson | 8:46 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

If we're looking back in time, perhaps it is worth remember that BYU and Utah, tired of being beat up on by the Aggies, threw them under the bus when they joined the WAC and left Utah State behind.

St. George Aggie | 8:46 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Mike makes a good point. The Aggies football team needs to go to the grave of ol' Ephraim and do something there. That is the ONLY solution. Bringing in new coaches and talented players is a temporary fix, but the curse needs to be appeased and the ol' Ephraim grave is the solution.

Great story by the way. Seems like the only people who didn't like it were people with no sense of humor and BYU fans.... wait they are the same thing.

Great article and keep 'em coming. I was entertained and amused. As an Aggie fan we need more articles. I am so sick of only hearing about Utah and BYU.

Re: treyville | 8:55 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Easily said coming from a fan of a team with a consistently losing record for years. You would rather average 3 wins a season than win 10 but not quite reach your goal? BYU is not so far away as many think. They need better D-lineman that can put pressure on the QB which will alleviate a lot of pressure on the db's to cover forever.

This comment is funny but makes sense coming from an aggriculture fan who has endured many seasons of getting pummeled, game after game after game. I'll take 10 wins a season any day to 3.

Silly article | 9:04 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

The "Aggie Curse" is really quite simple: They have lousy facilities and get the third pick of local talent. Not good if you want to have a winning FBS program.

Coach Anderson should be able to make the Aggies competitive -- and they are playing much better this year than last year -- but with two legitimate Top-25 programs in Utah overshadowing them they're probably never going to be better than a 7-5 or 8-4 WAC team.

Cats | 9:07 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I thought it was a fun article, but the main thing Utah State is cursed with is REALLY IMMATURE fans.

WA Aggie | 9:16 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

BYU fans to need chill out, relax, and gain a sense of humor. You all seem to be taking on the personality of your head coach (boring, too serious, and unmotivating) This article was meant to be fun. I know you had a ridiculously embarasing lose last week, but take your whining out on something else.

truth has it... | 9:21 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

utah state doesent win football games because they aren't a good football team...plain and simple...sorry you will always be the little brother in the behive state

Brent Guy | 9:22 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

He's a D Coordinator at Louisville

Dallas Aggie | 9:27 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I thought the article was pretty creative and funny. Though I disagree that all has been horrible since 1983. That was nice to learn about our victory over steve young led BYU in 83. I didn't know that. Things are looking up for our team, and I hope we can get our players healthy. We are still very young and not as deep as we need to be. It will come and I am grateful to our players for playing their hearts out each week. GO aggies and I hope for the best this weekend! A win against BSU at home would make the year no matter what else happens!

Sammy | 9:30 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I want to see Utah St. win. Hang in there fellas.

Believe in yourself. You can do it. Great opportunity comes when there is a great obstacle.

You can make it happen. I will be rootin' for you.

Aggie Watcher | 9:37 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Des News keep up the articles thank you. USU will build up it's bull pen of players that it takes to not only win games but last through unfortunate injuries. I'm looking forward to the remaining season and to see the recruiting class coach A and staff can put together for 2010 and what the off season can do for next years team.

Observation-ist | 9:57 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

The football program is the 'bitter' so the basketball season is so 'sweet'. Give Coach Anderson some time.

On the funny side, it's rumored that Boise State is looking to infuse some talent into Logan so that there's at least 2 decent teams in the WAC. If the Bronco's can recruit to Boise, the Aggies surely can recruit to Logan.

From a BYU fan, I wish Coach Anderson and the Aggies the best.

Re: Brent Guy | 9:57 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Brent Guy is at Louisville. Heck...they are not doing well this year. Maybe part of the curse went with him when he left!

RE: Silly Article | 9:59 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I can't believe that someone would actually say they have lousy facitilies after all the money that has been put into the stadium. Apparantly "Silly Aricle" hasn't been to USU lately to see the great improvements they have made with the new locker rooms, training rooms, coaches offices, study rooms, film rooms...I could go on and on. Make sure you comment about something you actually know about!

Tom | 10:04 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

The curse of Utah State football started years ago with hires of head coaches who could neither recruit, nor coach, other than John L. Smith. Pella, Shelton, Arslanian, Weatherbie, Dennehy, Guy.....none should have been hired. True, part of the demise was the fact that the Ags were left out of a decent conference, but that doesn't change the fact that USU played the "old boys" game for years, instead of hiring a good, enthusiastic coach who could bring talent to Logan. But no, Aggie boosters were always worried, and still are, that if a head coach is successful, he'll be hired away. It's like they're afraid of success. Not confident enough to realize that once a program is built up, then other good coaches would apply if a previous coach leaves, or an assistant groomed to take over, similar to what Boise State has done. Finally, with Barnes, there's now an AD who doesn't listen to the old boys when it comes to hiring. He picked a good one in Andersen.

Re: Cats | 10:12 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Upper case "REALLY IMMATURE" fans like the ones at BYU that Boo during the opening prayer?

plyxply | 10:13 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

or maybe the curse happened when Jermaine Younger shattered Eric Drage's rib's loud enough we could hear it on the sideline and then after they beat BYU that day and pulled down the goalposts Drage shook himself off of the Aggies for good from the ER!

REALIST | 10:13 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Sounds like many people out there are getting a little nervous about the AGGIES closing the gap on the mighty utes and cougs. Seems to me at one point in time the utes and cougs where both cursed. Amazing what quality facilities,commitment to quality coaches and quality recruiting can do to curse. I feel a change in the air dont be scared!! GO AGGIES

Get better, | 10:16 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

control your own destiny. Curses are for the weak!

TheWiz iz an Aggie | 10:19 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I was been to the Fresno Game. Downright heartbraking.

Thing is now, the players (and team) are competitive, at least in the first half. Next year should be great with Anderson's system more firmly in place.

This might be the best situation, because if Anderson fired up the Ags and they managed to beat everyone besides Boise St. in WAC play, then he might be cherry-picked to go somewhere else.

However, at this rate the team is showing subtle signs of improvement (consistent in the 1st half, stronger defense, etc.). Don't worry; more wins should come this year and they should come next. This will take time.

BTW, this is one instance where I hope that BYU isn't "God's team;" I'm not one to believe in sports curses (the Red Sox proved that in 2004, and I think one of these years the Cubs will break through). There's just some mental toughness that needs to be established by the Aggies.

silent majority | 10:25 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

imature fans??
huh, well i guess we are a bit fun, like to have a nice party, have had really top shelf coed's, and last we have a personality. so, if thats imature then hey, thats cool.
so you byu fans just keep on singing primary songs during time outs and halftime. give said the little stream .....

Scott B | 10:29 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Fun article. Attended the game last week. The new facilities are sweet. USU is a wonderful place to go to school and a beautiful place to watch a football game.

Coach Anderson has the team playing their hearts out. The "curse" is lack of depth and size. By the time the forth quarter rolls around the starters are worn down. The road to success is better recruiting and it appears that Gary is making great inroads in and out of the state. I think you will also start to see the team getting bigger and stronger as they continue to battle forward.

As for "two legitimate Top 25 programs in Utah" lets get real. There's a team that won a big bowl game last year and then there's another team that is all hype with no substance. The last couple of years we have had to endure tds fans questing about another national title run until they have had a couple of blowout losses.

Here's another "really immature fan" hoping to see the Utes crush tds again in Nov. Also getting ready to give cougs a nice warm welcome back to the Spectrum.

Go Big Blue!!!

re: Silly Article | 10:32 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Ummm...BYU isn't a top 25 team. Check the rankings.

Anonymous | 10:47 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I'm more cougar but the aggies are my second favorite.

I really think the aggies have great potential. I was stunned to see how many yards they put up against Texas A&M and nearly winning 2 of their other games against NMSU and Nevada. I think if they can fix their costly mistakes and do things right just like last year against Hawaii, they can be a great football team.

Utah State is improving | 11:10 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I am not a Utah State fan, I have been impressed with the dog fight attitude and energy. Anderson needs 3 or 4 years, it all starts with mind set then recruiting. He is picking up some great players this season, I am very impressed and so are many other Utahn's with the energy used to recruit good utah Athletes. He will bring a strong fan base and loyalty to the program. I have been really bothered in the past with the Utah programs, overlooking our High schools and giving scholarships to out of state kids.
The quality of HS players has really improved the past couple of years. Anderson is in the right direction. Watch these guys

Immature Fans | 11:18 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Maybe USU has immature fans, HOWEVER, at least they are FANS!!!! BYU has no fans. They boo @TCU in the first half!!!! WOW....USU is down and chants OVERRATED against BYU last year and everybody laughs at how "immature" they were. WOW...THEY MAY BE IMMATURE, BUT THEY WERE CORRECT!!!! All down hill from there!!!! USU has one of the smallest, BUT BEST FANS PER CAPTA than byu will ever have. I's just a fact......Ask Gary Crowton.

Curses | 11:19 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I've heard that the curse actually started when USU failed to give their own LaVell Edwards a job. BYU would be nothing without him and was nothing before him. I love knowing that BYU's success is a direct result of an Aggie education.

Great article. Fun for Halloween.

re:re: silly article | 11:25 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

they were when usu played them.

if... | 11:27 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

if we have to endure byu articles about max hall playing golf over the summer, a purposely humorous story about an Aggie curse for halloween is ok with me.

Go Aggies! | 11:31 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

You rock, and will rock again...

true blue | 11:34 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

There is no way that happened...

Go big blue..our ice-cream is way better

Re: re: Silly Article | 11:48 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Uh, BYU has finished the season ranked in the Top 25 for the past three years in a row. If they win the rest of their games this year they'll probably end up there again.

In fact, they've been ranked in the Top 25 during the past 5 years more often than Utah has.

Or Utah State, for that matter.

Re: Curses | 11:50 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Interesting parallel.

Kinda like how Utah's recent success is due to the fact that they hired a BYU grad as head coach.

Page:
1
2
Next >

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.