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Logan • Utah State's once extremely deep linebacking corp. is now so thin, the injuries are even affecting the team's run game.
Utah State coach Matt Wells said Monday that Nick Vigil, a linebacker who ranks fifth on the team with 33 carries for 118 yards, will see only limited carries in the future.
"We can't run him 23 times like I'd like," Wells said.
At this point, Vigil is needed more on defense than offense, with fellow linebacker LT Filiaga joining the list of players out for the season with injuries.
Filiaga, who ranks third on the team with 61 tackles, injured his Achilles' tendon in the Aggies' 20-3 win over Wyoming.
Vigil, who only played the first half against Wyoming for precautionary reasons due to a hamstring injury, is listed as day-to-day this week, as is outside linebacker Torrey Green, who injured his ankle against Wyoming.
The Aggies (7-3, 4-1) host New Mexico (3-6, 1-4) Saturday at 2 p.m.
"We just have to rise up and figure out another way to win," Wells said.
At this point in the season, with the Aggies having lost nine starters to season-ending injuries. That list includes three other linebackers in Tavaris McMillian (shoulder) , Kyler Fackrell (knee) and Alex Huerta (shoulder).
Junior La'Bradford Harold is listed as Filiaga's backup, but juniors Anthony Green and Jarom Baldomero have also received more playing time. Baldomero had a career-high six tackles against Wyoming.
"He is smart and is in the right place at the right time," Wells said of Baldomero. "Torrey, Nick, Zach [Vigil] — they are all going to have to man up inside."
Despite all the injuries, the Aggies continue to have one of the best defenses in the country. USU ranks 14th nationally in scoring defense (19.2) and sixth against the run, giving up just 96.1 yards a game. The only area in which the Aggies struggle is against the pass, with USU giving up 259.9 yards through the air to rank 102nd.
Junior nose guard Travis Seefeldt seemed unfazed at the number of injuries the Aggies have had this season.
"We have to keep doing the same things we've been doing," he said. "It's next man up."
Nick Vigil has been one of the Aggies' most effective runners inside, but freshman LaJuan Hunt had some success in that area Saturday against Wyoming and finished with 11 carries for 65 yards.
"He has gotten better," Wells said. "He's not where we want him to be, but he has a bright future. If he continues to work hard and train the right way, the kid could be a good running back here."
Twitter: @lyawodraska —
Utah State vs. New Mexico
O Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
TV • ESPNews