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Logan • The Utah State Aggies received the news they were hoping to avoid on Tuesday, with further medical tests showing sophomore quarterback Darell Garretson must have surgery to repair his injured right wrist.

It isn't known if Garretson will return at any point this season. Senior Craig Harrison has been tabbed as the Aggies's starter against UNLV on Saturday with freshman Kent Myers as his backup.

Garretson broke his wrist as he was tackled during the Aggies' opening drive of the third quarter in Saturday's 16-13 loss to CSU. The injury occurred after Garretson threw a 28-yard pass to Ronald Butler on 3rd-and-16.

Unfortunately, big gains such as that one through the air will probably be few and far between in the future, with the Aggies planning to rely on the running game due to the inexperience of the quarterbacks available.

Harrison played in nine games last year and started against Boise State before Garretson took over. The Grantsville native finished Saturday's game against the Rams completing 5 of 12 passes for 28 yards.

Garretson, who took over for Chuckie Keeton for the second year in a row after Keeton was sidelined with a knee injury, has played in five games and is 91-of-135 passing for 1,140 yards and eight touchdowns with three interceptions.

Harrison and offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven are both off limits to media this week, school officials said.

Utah State coach Matt Wells said during his press conference on Monday the Aggies remain in high spirits despite the number of season-ending injuries they have had this year.

The Aggies have lost three linebackers, a receiver and quarterback for the season, and could possibly add Garretson to that list.

"We're going to get off the mat and fight," he said. "We know how to do it. We've don ti before and we can do it again. I like the mindset of these guys and we'll give our very best for Aggie Nation. We're going to go out and find different ways to win."

UNLV standout sidelined

Wells spoke at length about the improvement UNLV's offense has made this season, but he may not have to worry about one of the Rebels' biggest threats.

Senior receiver Devante Davis, who caught 17 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns in the first four games combined, is expected to miss his fourth straight game with a hand injury.

UNLV coach Bobby Hauck said on Monday he didn't expect Davis to play against the Aggies.

Davis had three catches for 84 yards in last season's 28-24 USU win.

"He's as good of a receiver as you'll see in this league," Wells said. "[Defensive coordinator] Todd Orlando thinks he's really, really good. He presents physical mismatches, has enough speed to go over the top, he high points the ball and has really strong hands."

Times have changed

Utah State defensive lineman Jordan Nielsen said on Monday he has been impressed with the way the team's popularity has grown since he was a child.

"I remember going to games and if it was snowing, there was maybe 5,000 people there," he said. "So you're sitting there freezing and there's nobody there. Now, if it's snowing, the stadium is packed."

Of note

USU is 19-24 all-time against teams from Nevada, including a 14-7 mark against UNLV…USU offensive line coach Mark Weber was UNLV's assistant head coach ftp, 1994-96. —

UNLV at Utah State

Saturday, 2 p.m.

TV: ESPN