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Logan • Not wanting to let New Mexico have a shot at creating an upset in the final minutes of Saturday's game, Utah State's offensive line and the tight ends put it upon themselves to make sure they kept getting first downs to run out the clock.

They did just that, chewing up the final 4:17 of the game with a 9-play, 48-yard drive in which the Aggies earned three first downs.

It was the kind of performance that bodes well not only for the immediate future, but the distant one too, as the Aggies' offensive line has steadily improved throughout the season.

USU, which closes out its home schedule with Friday's 7:30 p.m. game against San Jose State, is enjoying a much more consistent performance from its offensive line than it did earlier in the year.

Then, quarterback Chuckie Keeton had to rely on his agility often to survive early breakdowns in the line and the Aggies were getting very little push in the middle.

More recently, the Aggies have given up just six sacks in their last three games combined and are doing a much better job in the run game. Utah State is averaging 237.7 rushing yards in those games.

Previously, the Aggies had broken the 200-yard mark just once before, when they totaled 311 yards rushing in the 40-20 rout over Idaho State on Sept. 6.

"That was a statement to me," USU coach Matt Wells said of the final drive against New Mexico. "It was probably the best game by our tight ends Jefferson Court and Wyatt Houston and they all came together on that final drive. Joe Hill made a couple of good cuts, but those holes and the first downs were created by the offensive line and tight ends."

The improved play comes at a great time for the Aggies, since the Spartans have a solid passing game. The Aggies would love nothing more than to keep the ball on the ground and out of the hands of Spartans' quarterback Joe Gray, who is has completed 201 of 317 passes for 2,215 yards and 10 touchdowns, plus nine interceptions.

"They are the kind of team that if you flip on the tape and nobody tells you what their record is, you say 'holy smokes,' they are a talented team," Wells said.

Part of the Aggies' improvement along the offensive line can be attributed to the ability to remain injury free. The Aggies have the typical aches and pains teams have at this point in the season, but the line has been able to avoid the major injuries that have ravaged the Aggies at the quarterback, receiving and linebacking positions.

Having the same lineups has let the line develop consistency, senior Kevin Whimpey said.

"When you have all five linemen on the same page, then you can get big 50 yard runs like we have in the past weeks," he said.

Whimpey was the only returning starter this season, making the offensive line an early question mark. But now that the season is winding down, the Aggies believe they've turned a weakness into a strength — both now and for the future.

Whimpey, Court and backup center Joe Summers are the only players on the two-deep the Aggies will lose from that unit.

"The future is bright for that group," Wells said. "When you look at the care factor of that group, and I've said it before, but they do all the right things to be successful." —

San Jose State at Utah State

O Friday, 7:30 p.m. TV • ESPN2