This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

Logan • Asked this week what he thought of the strengths of the various conferences this season, Utah State coach Matt Wells acknowledged he hadn't seen enough other teams to have an informed opinion. He has been too busy figuring out what kind of team he has to worry about anyone else.

The Aggies knew this would be a bit of a rebuilding year in some areas. However, the return of Chuckie Keeton and running back Joe Hill made the Aggies hopeful their offense would find its old form.

But now, as they prepare to host Wake Forest Saturday at 5 p.m., the Aggies still aren't sure what kind of offense they have. Injuries, plus a quarterback who continues to be affected by last year's season-ending knee injury, have left the Aggies in a state of transition.

This season is much like last year in some ways, Wells says, as the offense continues to evolve.

"The team's identity will still continue to be formed as the year goes on," he said. "You can't predict it. Nobody sitting here last year could have predicted what was going to happen — me included, with all the adversity we went through."

This year's injuries to receivers Brandon Swindall and Shaan Johnson and linebackers Alex Huerta and Kyler Fackrell aren't quite as dramatic as losing Hill and Keeton last year. However, the Aggies are still going through some adjustments, particularly with Keeton struggling to get in sync with his receivers.

He was just 13-of-30 for 116 yards with an interception against Idaho State. Keeton said this week he knows he and his teammates must play better.

"The offense is coming into its own," he said. "We've had a lot of new guys have to step up and contribute so we have some inexperience in key spots, but we're definitely going to look better."

While Wells said he wasn't satisfied with Keeton's performance against the Bengals, he also defended his quarterback.

"I'm just like anybody else, you want to see the kid go 22-for-25," he said. "He had six or seven throwaways. Some of those were more guys not being open than protection. I think I charted three balls that were kind of off. I don't think it was an accuracy issue with him. There are always reasons why certain numbers look like they do. Often times a quarterback goes 22-for-25 and you've got receivers making catches they shouldn't. We missed a few contested catches and had two drops early in the game. I don't think it was a big accuracy issue."

Nevertheless, the Aggies may go with more of a running game in the future as they did against Idaho State. Keeton, Hill, Rashad Hall and other running backs will get more chances in the future, Wells said.

Such a move would be fine with Hall, who had 11 carries for 69 yards against the Bengals.

"Our offense has been slow and we know we have to pick that up," he said. "We have to find out who our go-to guys are as a team and be better on the offense. If we're running the ball we can help open up the passing game for Chuckie because people will be keying on Joe Hill and the other backs."

So will it be the passing offense that comes to life Saturday or will it be the run game that emerges as the Aggies' best bet?

The Aggies say they don't really care which it is, the only identity they are concerned with, it seems, is being associated with a winning one. —

Wake Forest at Utah State

O Saturday, 5 p.m.

TV • CBS Sports Network. Radio • 610 KVNU

Records • Utah State (1-1), Wake Forest (1-1)

Series history • First meeting

About the Aggies • USU is 0-3 against ACC teams. ... Saturday's game has been designated as a 'white out,' with the Aggies wearing all white uniforms. ... The Aggies have recorded 20 interceptions in 12 games. ... The Aggies have not allowed a first quarter touchdown in 25 of its last 31 games.

About the Demon Deacons • Wake Forest has played eight true freshmen this year, including quarterback John Wolford who is 42-of-60 for 388 yards and two touchdowns with four interceptions. ... Orville Reynolds leads the rushing attack with 33 rushes for 91 yards.