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Logan • In his first two seasons, Kent Myers' playing time depended on injuries or the effectiveness of others.
No longer.
When the Utah State football team opens training camp Friday, Myers will be the No. 1 quarterback.
"Kent will take the first reps because he's earned them to this point," coach Matt Wells said at Thursday's media day. "He's won a lot of games in the Mountain West [Conference] the last two years."
Myers admits this situation is different for him, even though he is 10-4 as a starter since joining the program.
"The last two seasons I've been thrown into the fire," he said. "So this season I'm more confident because I know what I was able to do," despite his week-to-week status on the depth chart.
Aggie Nation knows Myers' story.
As a freshman, injuries to three quarterbacks — Chuckie Keeton, Darrel Garretson and Craig Harrison — turned him from a redshirt into a starter.
"Everybody was scared to death, really," said Utah State co-offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Luke Wells. "They were wondering what would we be able to do and who's this guy? He started off as a fourth team guy but did really, really well."
In his first game, Myers completed 14 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns in a win at Hawaii. By the end of the season, the Aggies were 5-1 with Myers at quarterback, including a 21-6 win over UTEP in the New Mexico Bowl. He was named the bowl game's MVP after rushing 15 times for 70 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown.
"You don't have to do too much," Myers said. "That's what I learned my freshman year. … Worry about what you can control."
Last season, Myers overcame more uncertainty. Despite opening as the backup, he ended up starting eight games when Keeton was again sidelined by injuries.
In a 33-18 win over Colorado State, Myers rushed for 191 yards on 16 carries, the most yardage by an FBS quarterback all season. In a 58-27 victory over Wyoming, he completed 14 of 17 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns.
Myers also threw a pair of touchdown passes in Utah State's 23-21 loss to Akron in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Along with a solid performance in spring practice, Myers' bowl performance helped entrench him as the Aggies' starter.
"I've been working hard for this," Myers said. "This is what I've dreamed about. … If I do what I can do, I think everything will play out."
Said co-offensive coordinator Luke Wells: "What I hope to see in camp is Kent making great decisions, leading this team, being confident and playing fast — just being a great executor when he's out there. Just taking ownership of the offense."
According to Matt Wells, Damion Hobbs, DJ Nelson, Cade Smith and freshman Jordan Love provide this year's insurance behind Myers. He believes all are capable and the competition will make quarterback a position of strength.
"I know the other quarterbacks in that room are hungry to compete," Wells said. "…. That's a good room. It's a talented room. You can only play one, but the good thing is there are a lot of good ones in there."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Storylines
P Junior Kent Myers opens the season as Utah State's No. 1 quarterback.
• Over the past two years, Myers' record as the starting QB is 10-4.