This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Logan • Utah State played its season opener against Southern Utah on Thursday night without three suspended players who are expected to be major contributors in 2015.

Receiver Hunter Sharp, offensive lineman Tyshon Mosley and cornerback Bryant Hayes will also miss next Friday's game at Utah for violating unspecified team rules.

Sharp, a senior from Palmdale, Calif., made 12 starts last season. He led the Aggies in receptions (66), receiving yards (939) and receiving touchdowns (seven) and was named honorable mention all-Mountain West Conference.

Mosley, a sophomore from Jordan High, started 11 games at left guard last season as a redshirt freshman.

Hayes appeared in 12 games, including three starts, last season. He finished with 20 tackles and was listed in the preseason as a back-up.

Confident Keeton

Going into the game, Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton thought these Aggies could turn into the best team since his arrival in 2011.

"Yeah, I definitely do," he said. "For me, it's more of what everyone has invested that really sets it apart. … Once we put it all together, it can make for something very special."

According to Keeton, the Aggie offense is more physical than it has been in recent years, which translated into some training camp battles.

"I don't want to say we've had fights or altercations," he said, "but we've had heated moments because the defense is always going to play hard and tough and the offense is not going to back down. The offense will push back and fight back. … That's going to take a toll on other teams and, hopefully, it will give us an edge."

Briefly ...

Six Aggies made their first career starts against Southern Utah. The group included senior offensive lineman Ben Wysocki, redshirt freshman Zach Van Leeuwen, junior receiver Andrew Rodriguez, senior nose guard David Moala, senior cornerback Tyler Floyd and senior safety Marwin Evans. … Brock Warren and Jake Thompson battled for the kicking job in the preseason, with Warren prevailing. He kicked a 30-yard field goal in the first quarter, making him 1-for-2 in his career. … Junior linebacker Nick Vigil has been named a second-team preseason All-American by USA Today. He joined Colorado State receiver Rashard Higgins as one of two players on the team from outside the Power 5 conferences. Higgins was named to the first-team offense.

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