For anyone who thought Thursday’s 35-17 loss to the Utah Utes was just another woodshed job, it was far from it. After a long spring and summer of talk about a new attitude with a new coach, the on-field product in Rice-Eccles Stadium bore the imprint of Gary Andersen’s personality in every aspect of the game. USU knocked the heavily favored Utes back on their heels with an opening drive which showcased the newfound aggression of USU’s playcalling. In the second quarter, the Aggies showed determination in keeping Utah out of the end zone in four tries from inside the five.

So what if Utah quickly collected two points from a safety after being stuffed on fourth-and-short? Focusing on USU’s difficulties against the Utes – 0-12 on third down, Borel’s passes repeatedly knocked down– misses the point of where USU has been and where the program is going. Unlike last year’s 58-10 wipeout in Logan, the Utes were in a football game for four quarters.

The Aggies’ blitzes were largely picked up cleanly by Utah’s experienced offensive line and backfield. But unlike previous coaches, Andersen didn’t get cold feet about the defensive package he had installed, even when Utah’s new starting quarterback, Terrence Cain, worked the slant routes for a 20-30 night with 285 yards, two touchdowns and one interception that came on a deflection. WAC foes beware: The USU pass rush is going to come hard and from multiple angles this year, and won’t be deterred by giving up a big play here or there.

Andersen looked most irritated with his new team after some ugly special teams plays, which is one of the main areas that really needs to be cleaned up for USU to compete with the rest of its difficult non-conference schedule. But even if USU can’t get a win out of conference, except for against Southern Utah, notice has been served. Dates against USU are no longer walkovers. Fans who felt like they could call USU’s offensive plays in advance the last three seasons will love watching Aggies’ offensive coordinator’s Dave Baldwin, offense, which shows opponents everything from five-wide sets to the wishbone sets, along with complex shifts and motion on many plays.

– graham.terry@aggiemail.usu.edu