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Logan • One last time, Chuckie Keeton crosses paths with BYU on Saturday at Maverik Stadium.

As his remarkable but injury-plagued career at Utah State nears its conclusion, Keeton is expected to quarterback the Aggies in the 85th battle for the Old Wagon Wheel — the traveling trophy that goes to the USU-BYU winner.

On his recruiting trip to Logan in 2010, Keeton was on the sideline when the Aggies, who finished the season with only four wins, knocked off the Cougars, 31-16.

It must have made an impression on Keeton, who is from Cypress Creek High School in Houston, originally committed to Air Force before switching to Utah State.

Five years later, Keeton hopes to lead the Aggies to another victory over the Cougars, which would be their second straight in the series. Utah State hasn't beaten BYU in consecutive years since 1973-74.

"My last game on this field," Keeton said, "will be against the first team I saw on this field. It's pretty unique."

After Keeton enrolled at Utah State and became the starter, he went 0-2 against the Cougars, losing 27-24 in 2011 and 6-3 in 2012. Then, in 2013, Keeton sustained a season-ending knee injury in the first quarter against BYU.

"I've got the scar to prove it," he said, smiling. "[But] I really haven't thought about it too much. They're not the same team as they were two years ago. They're not the same team they were a week ago.

"It's always an evolving process. … The biggest thing we have to do, as always, is worry about ourselves and control ourselves. If we perform the way we want to, then we can come out with a win."

What would it mean to Keeton to beat BYU on the day when he joins 20 other seniors in their final home game?

"It would be nice to finish it out that way," he said. "At the same time, we know we came up short of our goal of winning the Mountain West [Conference] championship. But being able to beat this team would mean a lot."

Scoring points won't be easy. BYU (8-3) is led by defensive end Brandon Kaufusi, who early this week was called "a modern-day Goliath" by Utah State coach Matt Wells.

Keeton knows the difficulty of the task at hand.

"Their defense has been pretty consistent the past few years," he said. "They throw a lot of different looks at you. With some teams, one formation means one specific coverage. … But with BYU, it could be three or four different things.

"It's actually pretty cool because it gives me more of a reason to study and prepare for them. This is more of a mental week than anything — just to make sure we're all on the same page as far as our assignments and what we're going to do against certain looks."

Because of his injuries, the BYU game will be the 37th of Keeton's career, including the sixth this season.

Last week, he came off the bench when starter Kent Myers injured his shoulder on the first play and led the Aggies to a 31-27 come-from-behind victory.

"It was cool to see myself on game film again," Keeton said. "… [But] I cringed by what I saw, more than I was amazed. I did a few dumb things."

Wells didn't mind the result — not after his veteran quarterback helped the Aggies rally from a 27-7 deficit in the third quarter.

"Chuckie Keeton," he said, "kept his poise, was very focused [and] was very positive. … Just like always."

Physically, Keeton claims he's ready for BYU.

"I feel pretty good," he said. "I feel stronger because … when [my teammates] were practicing I was in the weight room."

On Saturday, Keeton will be on the playing field.

Where he belongs.

Twitter: @sluhm —

Where Keeton ranks at USU

First

• Career completion percentage (.639)

• Career interception percentage (.0023)

• Tied, career touchdown passes (60)

• Touchdown passes in a season (27 in 2012)

• Passing yards in a season (3,373 in 2012)

• Total offense in a season (3,992 in 2012)

• Pass completions in a season (275 in 2012)

• Completion percentage in a season (.649 in 2013)

• Tied, touchdown passes a game (five, three times)

• Completion percentage in a game (.880 in 2012)

Second

• Career passing yards (7,036)

• Career pass completions (638)

• Career pass attempts (998)

• Career total offense (8,398)

• Tied, rushing yards by a quarterback in a game, (121 in 2012)