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Logan • For different reasons, Utah State and Weber State are anxious to start the new season Thursday on what promises to be an historic night at new-look Maverik Stadium.

The Aggies insist they are ready to erase memories of last year, when a season filled with promise collapsed under the weight of five losses in their last seven games.

According to senior nose guard Travis Seefeldt, the disappointing finish motivated Utah State's players throughout spring practice and training camp.

"We were able to find our identity — going back to the old culture of what Utah State used to be," he said. "Last year, we kind of fell off that culture. [But] we were able to re-establish the chip on our shoulder, blue collar, go-to-work mentality, hard-hat style we had. … We are where we want to be."

Meanwhile, the Wildcats were 6-5 last year — their first winning season since 2010. They hope the momentum from four wins in their last six games and a 5-3 finish in the Big Sky Conference propels them to greater heights.

"They absolutely could have a really good year in the Big Sky," Utah State coach Matt Wells said. "… They finished really strong last year. I don't have a good sense for that league, but I've got a good sense for Weber State and it wouldn't surprise me to see them in the playoffs."

The game will be the first at Maverik Stadium since the completion of a $36 million renovation project. New suites, loge seating, concourse facilities and two video scoreboards have been added. Seating capacity is 25,100.

Tickets are still available but school officials are hoping for close to a sell-out.

"I'm excited to watch our guys play … in the stadium," Wells said. "I know our guys have a sense of pride in that and are looking forward to it."

According to Wells, his players must make a few adjustments because of the remodeling.

"It's going to be a completely different game-day experience," he said. "It will be louder, the sound will echo off the West Stadium Center and the lights are completely different. … It's brighter out there. There are a lot of completely different aesthetics."

Additionally, Utah State-Weber will play the first college football game to be broadcast on Twitter.

"It's a pretty neat deal," Wells said. "It should be trending on Twitter. … Hopefully, there are no hiccups on that streaming and it gets to be shown world-wide."

Utah State opened last season against another Big Sky team — Southern Utah. The Aggies needed an 88-yard punt return by Andrew Rodriguez with 4:54 remaining to escape with a 12-9 victory.

Asked if memories of the close win has helped Utah State prepare for the Wildcats, senior guard Jake Simonich said, "We're never going to underestimate another team coming in here. We know we're going to get Weber State's best shot. It's definitely in the back of our minds, but it's not something we really dwell on. It was last season and we're a new team now with a new identity."

In 2013, Utah State rolled Weber State, 70-6.

Wells quickly dismisses the result, noting it happened before current coach Jay Hill started the reconstruction of the Wildcats, which appears to be going well.

"The culture has changed," Wells said. "This is not the same program. … They walked into [Oregon State] last year and played really tough. They weren't scared. So this is a bunch that's confident and it starts with their coaching staff, their philosophy and the culture they've created."

A key to the outcome could be the play of the quarterbacks.

Utah State junior Kent Myers and Weber senior Jadrian Clark have made a total of 29 starts over the last two seasons. Both are accurate passers and proven runners.

Referring to Clark, Wells said, "He's a veteran guy that won't be fazed in terms of atmosphere and things thrown at him."

And Myers?

"He's always been confident, but I think he's more confident now because of knowledge," Wells said. "… Paying the meat of the Mountain West [Conference] schedule the last couple of years has been good for him. He's done a nice job of improving. He just has to go play now and it's his time to play." —

Weber State at Utah State

P At Maverik Stadium

Kickoff • 6 p.m. Thursday

Live stream • CampusInsiders, Mountain West Network, Twitter

Radio • 610 AM, 1280 AM, 1430 AM, 102.1 FM

Records • First game

Series• Utah State leads 13-1

Last meeting • Utah State, 70-6 (2013)

About the Wildcats • They return 17 starters from last year, when they finished 6-5 and led the Big Sky Conference in defense. … It was their first winning season since 2010. … They have opened against an FBS opponent nine times in the last 11 years. … All-time, they are 3-52 against FBS teams, including 28 straight losses going back to 1993.

About the Aggies • They went 6-7 last season, including five losses in their last seven games. … They return 12 starters but only three on defense. … They have won 23 of their last 26 home games. … RB Devante Mays, a former junior college transfer, needs 34 rushing yards to reach 1,000 in his career. … Starting his fourth year, coach Matt Wells' record is 25-16.