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Utah State has tried to branch out to different regions of the country in its non-conference football schedule in the last few years - the Aggies will continue that trend in 2015 with a game at Pac-12 power Washington.

Athletic director Scott Barnes announced a contract with the Huskies on Thursday, rounding out Utah State's 2015 schedule. The Aggies will travel to Husky Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19 for a game in front of a potential crowd of 70,138.

It's the first time playing Washington since 1998, when the Aggies were blitzed in a 53-12 loss.

"We haven't been to the Pacific Northwest for some time, and Washington will be a fun trip for our student-athletes and fans," Barnes stated in a school news release.

That region seems to be reserved for tough trips for Utah State: The last time the Aggies visited the Pacific Northwest in 2008, they were stomped by Oregon. All-time, Utah State is 0-11 against Pac-12 schools in Washington and Oregon.

Besides changing their fortunes against the Pac-12, the Aggies will have a chance to gain exposure in yet another region of the country. Utah State has stressed building exposure in recent years as the football team has turned around.

The game also sets 2015's opponents: The Aggies open with Southern Utah, play at Utah on Sept. 12, go to Washington on Sept. 19 and wrap up hosting BYU on Thanksgiving weekend in the non-conference schedule.

Utah State's 2015 Mountain West opponents will be Boise, Colorado State, Wyoming and Nevada at home, and Air Force, New Mexico, Fresno State and San Diego State on the road.

— Kyle Goonkgoon@sltrib.comTwitter: @kylegoon