This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah State did not receive confidential information from a former Wake Forest assistant coach-turned-radio announcer prior to its game against the Demon Deacons in 2014, athletic department spokesman Doug Hoffman said Friday.
Tommy Elrod was fired this week by the IMG Radio Network and Wake Forest has barred him from access to its athletic program after discovering he provided or attempted to provide game-related information to several opponents, starting in 2014.
On Sept. 13, 2014, Utah State defeated the Demon Deacons, 36-24.
According to Hoffman, head coach Matt Wells and athletic director John Hartwell say the Aggies did not receive inside information on Wake Forest prior to its first-ever win over an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent.
In 2014, Utah State opened the season with a 38-7 loss at Tennessee and a 40-20 victory over Idaho State.
On Sept. 13, Wake Forest visited Maverik Stadium and the Aggies rolled to victory. Quarterback Chuckie Keeton threw for 166 yards and a touchdown before being injured. He was replaced by Darrell Garrtson, who completed 11 of 16 passes for 121 yards and another TD.
The Aggies also played well on defense. They sacked Wake Forest quarterback John Wolford six times. Linebacker Zach Vigil returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown and safety Devin Centers returned a fumble 47 yards for another score.
Utah State finished the season with a 10-3 record, including a 21-6 victory over UTEP in the New Mexico Bowl.
The Utah State-Wake Forest game was the first of three currently scheduled between the two schools. The Aggies will play at Wake in 2017 and 2019. The exact dates have not been determined.