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Logan • For all the depth the Aggies thought they had at running back, they were missing a bruising, physical guy who can get the tough yards up the middle.
As virtually everyone knows now, they found him in linebacker Nick Vigil, who led the Aggies in tackles (9) and rushing yardage (16 carries, 57 yards) against BYU.
Based on the success Vigil had against a good BYU run defense, the Aggies plan to use the 6-foot-2, 230-pound sophomore more in the backfield.
But how much more? Coach Matt Wells isn't letting on.
"You'd better tune in Saturday," he said.
Vigil played 108 snaps against the Cougars, a statistic that should have earned him the MWC league overall MVP award for the week, if there were such a thing, Wells said.
"It was a heroic individual effort," he said.
Getting more playing time at running back would be fine with Vigil, who seems eager to do it again — despite cramping and getting so dehydrated that he guzzled fluids then threw up at BYU.
"I didn't expect that many carries," he said. "But it was fun. We'll see how it goes."
Putting Vigil at running back isn't as unconventional as it might seem. The Aggies actually took a look at him at that position back when Gary Andersen was the head coach and Wells was the offensive coordinator.
"I told [Andersen] I'd take him as an H-back or tailback right then," Wells said. "Gary said, 'Not so fast, we're going to keep him for now.' The kid is an athlete, nothing short of a warrior. It was an unbelievable effort by him."
Wells didn't seem concerned that playing Vigil on both sides of the ball would lessen his impact on the defense, where his 49 tackles are the most on the team.
Wells said Vigil can handle the duties.
As for the other running backs, they'd better find a way of handling it, too, he said.
"I haven't talked to them, but they can see what is happening," he said. "When everyone in that room sees No. 41 come over, sure it's motivation."
Twice the momentum
The Aggies believe they have a lot of momentum after the BYU win, but Wells acknowledged Air Force has some of its own after wins against Boise State and Navy.
"They know who they are and what they do, and they do it really well," he said. "They're playing with a lot of confidence. We caught them after their quarterback got injured last year; we know what that's like."
No fan
Wells went conservative when asked about his preference for a kickoff time. Though mindful that the Aggies benefit from being on national TV, it was obvious he isn't a fan of the late starts. The Aggies are scheduled to kick off Saturday against Air Force at 8:15 p.m.
At least with that game, the Aggies will be in their own town. They didn't arrive back in Logan until nearly 4 a.m. following their game at BYU, which kicked off at 8:15 p.m.
"We're happy to play on those national stages, and we'll do it when we can get it," he said. "This week will be a little different because it's a home game, but they make for long days."
This and that
USU has won five straight Mountain West games and 18 of its 19 league games dating back to 2011. … USU's defense has forced 15 turnovers in the last four games. … Placekicker Nick Diaz is one PAT shy of tying Brad Bohn (1997-2000) for the school record with 107 extra points made.
Twitter: @lyawodraska —
Air Force at Utah State
O Saturday, 8:15 p.m.
TV • ESPNU