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In laying out the plans for the bye week, Utah State coach Matt Wells said the coaches would spend the upcoming weekend recruiting.

For those wondering, no, those recruiting plans don't involve finding some immediate help with the kicking game.

As Wells said following Saturday's overtime loss to Arkansas State, he is sticking with Nick Diaz and Jake Thompson because "they are who they are and that's all we've got."

If that thought makes Aggie fans cringe a little bit, don't worry, Wells feels your pain.

Saturday's 21-14 overtime loss to Arkansas State highlighted some surprising struggles in the special teams area.

Punter Jaron Bentrude dropped a snap that set up the Red Wolves' first touchdown when they recovered the ball on USU's 13-yard line, Thompson missed a 45-yard field goal attempt and Diaz's potential game-winning 38-yard field goal at the end of regulation was blocked.

In all it was an epically bad showing by an area of the team that Wells thought would be a strength this season.

Unfortunately, even with almost two weeks to prepare for their Oct. 3 game at BYU, the Aggies don't have many ways to improve that area.

Diaz is 3-of-5 for the season which includes a failed 26-yarder against Wake Forest while Thompson, who kicks the longer attempts, is 0-for-3 having missed from 45, 48 and 54 yards.

When preseason camp ended Wells went out of his way to say how well the Aggies looked on special teams. Now, he has a different opinion.

"I'm surprised we aren't kicking better," he said.

Wells acknowledged there is a fine line between making too big of a deal about failed attempts to the point where it affects a kicker's mental outlook, but he isn't going to be soft on the kickers this week either.

"There is a mental aspect to it like shooting a free throw or putting," he said. "I understand that, but guys have to be accountable to teammates. They are a part of a much bigger picture and it affects our team's ability to win games and in certain situations it has a direct affect on the outcome."

Last season Thompson was 1-of-3, making a 52-harder against Hawaii that tied for the 10th longest field goal in school history.

Diaz, a senior, was an honorable mention All-American in 2013 after going 17-of-23. He finished the season converting 51-of-52 extra points to rank second in school history.

This year he is 10-of-13 in PATs.

Dissatisfied with the kicking, Wells said the issue would be addressed this week.

"Hopefully we will kick better and protect better and if we are in that situation again you have a little more success," he said. —

Utah State at BYU

O Friday, Oct. 3,8:15 p.m.

TV: ESPN