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Logan • Utah State coach Matt Wells promised his team's defense wouldn't change much in 2015, despite the presence of a new coordinator and the loss of some key leaders.

Based on Saturday's spring game, it looks like he was right.

Even with key players such as Nick Vigil, Kyler Fackrell and LT Filiaga sitting out the affair, USU's defense still dictated much of the action Saturday, making punter Andy Dalton one of the standouts of the game as he consistently boomed punts of 50-plus yards.

Given the issues the Aggies had in the kicking game last year, Dalton's performance was certainly welcomed, but certainly didn't make those who wanted to see more offensive fireworks happy.

The defense forced 10 three-and-outs and had eight tackles for loss from eight different players along with six pass breakups from six different defenders.

"We came out firing today," defensive end Ricky Ali'ifua said. "Ideally you never want them to score and we held our own. The defense has been the heart of this team."

The best showing by the offense was perhaps at the end when quarterback DJ Nelson connected with Tyler Fox on a 4-yard pass then successfully made a two-point conversion with Kennedy Williams to give the offense the 50-48 point win, after a huge deficit had been magically erased.

"We always find a way to win, even with a 38-point touchdown," quarterback Chuckie Keeton said.

Keeton acknowledged the offense had problems moving the ball all day against the defense.

"But they are going to do that to a lot of offenses," Keeton said of the defensive play.

Keaton was 7-of-18 passing for 55 yards with receiver Zach Van Leeuwen having five catches for 40 yards. Running back Tonny Lindsey rushed six times for 19 yards.

Sophomore linebacker Ian Togiai led the defense with five tackles.

Overall, USU coach Matt Wells liked the progress his team made during spring.

He said he wasn't going to panic about Saturday's offensive showing, considering many key players sat out.

"Two springs ago when it was my first spring here, everything we were doing was in a crisis because we had eight dropped balls," he said. "I wondered how we would ever win a game that year and we won nine. Our offense will be Ok."

Wells met with media members on the field, just in front of the huge Maverik banner that hung in the north end zone. Getting the company's sponsorship was as much of a highlight of the day as the game in his mind.

"It's been a long time coming," he said. "It shows the commitment Scott Barnes (athletic director) and USU has to this program."