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Logan • It has been a forgettable seven days for Utah State's David Collette, starting with a late technical foul in a narrow loss to New Mexico and continuing this week.

According to Aggie coach Stew Morrill, Collette got "hit in the head" during practice and missed most of Utah State's preparation for Saturday's game against Air Force.

The good news?

Morrill says Collette will play against the Falcons as the Aggies try to rebound from their 66-60 loss at New Mexico. In that game, Utah State rallied to take a 60-58 lead with 1:35 remaining before Collette was called for a personal foul and the technical. Four free throws later, the Lobos owned the lead.

"That was tough, about as tough as it gets," Morrill said. "But the main guy who needed to forget — who I talked to right after the game — was David Collette."

Against Air Force, the Aggies will need the productive of Collette, a redshirt freshman who is their No. 2 scorer and rebounder. The Falcons are 1-4 in Mountain West Conference games, but they pushed San Diego State (53-49) and Colorado State (92-87) to the final minute.

"I've always greatly admired Air Force," Morrill said. "Love the way they play. Love how hard they play. They are so disciplined. They are so tough. You better know what you're in for when you play them. … Their talent-level is always underestimated. They've always had guys who can really play."

Utah State's biggest issues — aside from Collette's health — continues to be rebounding and free-throw shooting. Of their first 16 opponents, the Aggies have out-rebounded only San Jose State and Wayland Baptist.

Against New Mexico, Utah State missed 11 of their 30 free throws. In the last four games, the Aggies are shooting 48 percent from the foul line.

"I'm quite sure that's our inexperience showing up," Morrill said. "Those guys make them in practice. … [But] a lot of them are out there for the first time at this level and that can be tough."

Morrill hits another professional milestone against Air Force. It will be his 900th game as a head coach, including stays at Montana, Colorado State and Utah State. His record is 611-288, including 393-150 in 17 years at USU.

Morrill has announced he will retire at the end of the season.

"We want to play our hardest every game out — try to leave him with a good note," said sophomore Jalen Moore. "... Hopefully we come out and compete in every game and give ourselves a chance to win." —

Air Force at Utah State

P At the Spectrum

Tip-off • 4 p.m.

TV • ROOT Sports

Radio • 610-AM, 1280-AM, 95.9-FM, 102.1-FM

Records • Utah State 9-7, 2-2; Air Force 8-8, 1-4

Series • Utah State leads 10-3

Last meeting • Air Force, 73-72 (Jan. 1, 2014)

About the Aggies • They have lost two straight. ... They are 5-3 at home. ... They are minus-8.7 in rebounding margin. … Their top scorers are F Jalen Moore (15.7) and freshman C David Collette (12.9). … Moore has reached double figures in 14 straight game, which is the second-longest streak by a sophomore in school history (Jaycee Carroll, 16).

About the Falcons • They have never won in Logan (0-6). .. They come off a 60-48 loss at New Mexico. … Their top scorer is senior G Max Yon, who averages 15.3 points and shoots 50.3 percent from the field. ...Yon scored 21 points in their only game against Utah State last season. ... As a team, they average 21 3-point attempts per game.