This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Despite all the dynamic play of Chuckie Keeton and the heroic efforts of his backup Darell Garretson, Utah State's defense reminded all with Saturday's 36-24 win over Wake Forest that it often is the greatest factor in determining the team's success.
That trend has the Aggies feeling rather good about themselves going forward, regardless of what happens at the quarterback spot.
Garretson might be the guy who leads the offense this week against Arkansas State and possibly longer if Keeton can't play. Keeton watched the second-half of Saturday's game against the Demon Deacons from the sidelines, favoring his surgically repaired left leg.
Utah State coach Matt Wells said it may be a day or so before the Aggies know Keeton's prognosis.
In the meantime, the Aggies defense seems ready to reprise its role of a year ago when it ranked in the top 15 nationally in four categories to lead the Aggies in a successful year.
The Aggies held Wake Forest to -25 yards rushing and scored off two turnovers while a third set up another USU score.
The Aggies also had a season-high six sacks and gave up a season-low 232 total yards.
"We're still learning and we have a lot of young guys but we're moving forward," said linebacker Zach Vigil, who returned an interception 35 yards to even the game early.
The defensive showing left Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson critical of his team as he admitted the Demon Deacons don't have a run game.
"We're just so pass oriented, and then we start getting our quarterback killed," he said.
But his team certainly isn't the first to be shut down by the Aggies rush defense. Last season the Aggies gave up an average of just 106.7 yards on the ground.
Through three games this year, USU opponents are averaging just 62.3 yards on the ground.
Defensive end B.J. Larsen said he and his teammates are gaining more confidence with every game.
"We've had one of the best defenses in the nation the last three years and we've built off those successes," he said. "We have some guys who are stepping up into positions for us and are catching on to what it means to be a part of the Aggie defense here and that is huge."
Key for the Aggies' defensive success is the play of the linebackers. USU has lost Kyler Fackrell and Alex Huerta to injuries, but brothers Zach and Nick Vigil are playing at a high level, with Nick leading the Aggies Saturday with nine tackles. He had 2.5 for loss and forced a fumble that was returned by Devin Centers for a touchdown.
Juniors LT Filiaga and Torrey Green have larger roles due to the injuries and so far are delivering with the two combining for another 11 tackles Saturday.
All of the efforts have the Aggies thinking positive, even if the quarterback spot is uncertain.
"We've dealt with adversity in a positive manner before," Zach Vigil said.
Utah St. at Arkansas St.
O Jonesboro Ark.
Saturday, 5 p.m.