It was never a problem capturing region titles, making the state tournament was never an issue, and losing never became a problem because losing never became a habit.

His days at Utah State hold a different experience. As an Aggie, the winning has been as elusive as Barry Sanders in the open field. And coming from a successful high school program to a losing college program can wear on anyone, even someone as mild-mannered as Nelson.

"Man, I'm just sick of losing," said the senior receiver. "I never lost in high school, and I've never won in college. This is my last year. I just want to get some wins."

Those words, if they could be spoken by more than one person, represent the entire Aggie senior class, a group that arrived on campus and has played through some of the leanest years in school history.

Nobody is predicting Utah State to make a bowl game this season. In fact, Sports Illustrated recently dubbed the Aggies the worst college football team in the country. But those close to the program, and those who have watched USU go through fall camp, have a quiet optimism that this is the season where things could get better.

There is more depth at every position. An impressive group of incoming freshmen, plus the incumbent underclassmen, have been pushing the veterans for playing time. The defense appears to have a bona fide star in junior linebacker Paul Igboeli. And the offense has several playmakers and figures to be in good hands with Sean Setzer at quarterback.

So, yes, the Aggies sense the opportunity is there to improve on last season's two victories.

The players and the coaches also know this is the most important year this program has had in some time, because little or no improvement will likely signal the end of the Brent Guy era in Logan.

"I think we're all sick of losing," Setzer said. "This is my senior year, and this is my last chance. Just like Otis, I played for league champions in high school. I won in junior college, and I haven't won here. I want to win this season, and I think we all have a winning attitude coming into the season."

Almost everyone associated with the program points to the season opener against UNLV as a pivotal game. Win that, the thinking goes, and the two wins that ended last season will be validated. Lose to the Rebels, and thoughts of last year may creep up in a hurry.

Aside from UNLV, games against Louisiana Tech, Idaho, San Jose State and New Mexico State are all seen as winnable.

Plus, for the first time in awhile, Utah and BYU both come to Logan in the same season.

tjones@sltrib.com