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In the absence of an experienced quarterback, the Aggies say they need every aspect of their game to improve to win upcoming games.

Thankfully, after several weeks of frustrations, it appears the special teams unit is ready to answer the call.

Nick Diaz has made his last four field goals to improve to 7 of 9 for the season, while his 46-harder against Air Force was his season best. His consistency is a welcome turn of events, particularly after a bad stretch when he and Jake Thompson combined for four failed field goal attempts, including one that was blocked, during a three-game stretch earlier in the year.

Diaz said he has spent some extra time working on his kicks, but attributed the success to his teammates as well.

"I'm feeling more confident now, but we've all been working hard," he said. "We had to become a better cohesive unit. A kick only takes 1.3 seconds from the snap and there are a lot of components that have to come together for it to be right."

Obviously the work has paid off for Diaz, who is 34-of-45 in his career. He has even drawn the approval of coach Matt Wells, who just a few weeks ago made it clear he was extremely unhappy with the special teams play and said it was time for the participants to be held accountable by their teammates.

"The field goal team is the best team we have," he said. "We've got six units on special teams and that has been a very bright spot for three weeks in a row. I hope and pray it continues."

Technically, Diaz is used for the shorter kicks and Jake Thompson is the go-to guy from long distance. However, Thompson is 0 for 4 for the season, prompting the Aggies to give Diaz a chance on longer kicks.

"He is kicking with confidence right now, as he should be," Wells said of Diaz. "He's been doing a good job. The protection has been better and I'm proud of our effort. That's been the most improvement that we've had."

Diaz said the team deserved the criticism earlier.

"You have to have a lot of short-term memory loss," he said. "You have to move on immediately whether the kick is good or bad and that is what we did. We kept working hard and focusing on the fundamentals. It worked for us."

As consistent as the kicking game has been lately, the special teams units still have work to do, Wells said. —

UNLV at Utah State

O Saturday, 2 p.m.

TV • ESPNews