This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Logan • On what should normally have been a routine gathering by position, Gary Andersen called a team meeting. He proclaimed a big announcement was coming, one that everyone needed to be present for.
Frankie Sutera had no idea what it was about.
Young guys around Utah State's football program are usually seen and not heard, especially those who were on the scout team. Little did Sutera know that his financial issues were about to become a thing of the past.
"The whole thing was pretty surreal," he said.
A sophomore from Juan Diego High, Sutera was awarded a scholarship, along with senior wideout Cam Webb, on Friday morning, putting an end to him and his family paying tuition out of pocket for two consecutive years.
On Saturday afternoon, in the last scrimmage of USU's fall camp, Sutera went out and promptly showed why he's no longer footing his own bill. He came up with a sack, had a pass break-up, a number of tackles and a quarterback hurry as the Aggie defense again impressed during Utah State's family fun day.
"This is what I've always dreamed of," Sutera said. "I've always wanted to be on scholarship. I'm feeling very good about things right now."
Last season, Sutera played in 10 games, mostly on special teams. He registered six tackles in doing so. A former all-state performer in two sports at Juan Diego, Sutera has earned his way into the defensive rotation as a backup this season, playing both safety spots. He has the right bloodlines, as his brother Casey was a defensive lineman at Utah five years ago.
"I've really tried to work hard and work my way into the rotation," Sutera said. "We've got a good defense, and I'm just going to try and do whatever I can to contribute to it."
Naming a kicker … for today
As of now, Nick Diaz will be USU's starting kicker — no small bit of news, since the kicking game has been so shoddy in the preseason.
Diaz missed all of last year due to injury. He's been the most consistent of the bunch throughout camp, and has edged into the lead.
"If we had to go out now and kick a field goal, Nick would be the guy I call," Andersen said. "He's earned it. He's kicked well, and he's been very consistent. There's still almost two weeks to go, however. There's still a lot of time."
Briefly
Matt Austin was impressive from his wideout spot, making four catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. … Adam Kennedy had his best scrimmage of camp, throwing two touchdown passes and completing 10 of 18 throws. … Rashard Steward, La'Bradford Harold and McKade Brady all had interceptions.
Twitter: @tonyaggieville