This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Logan • Utah State rarely used its passing game in the season opener against Weber State and threw the ball with mixed results in last week's 45-7 loss at USC.
So, heading into Friday night's game against Arkansas State, is coach Matt Wells confident his team has the personnel and schemes to be effective?
"I think we'll know at the end of October," he said.
Wells grinned, knowing all-too-well that Utah State's ability to pitch-and-catch consistently will have a significant impact on whether the Aggies hit a home run or strike out this season.
"What I've said the last couple of weeks still holds true," Wells said. "We're going to keep evaluating it. We'll change some personnel around a little bit. … Are we good enough? We'll be judged by our record at the end of the year."
The quarterback, of course, is always the first player under the microscope when the discussion turns to a team's pass attack.
In the Aggies' two games, junior Kent Myers has completed 36 of 54 passes for 304 yards. He threw an interception in the first half at USC — his only one this season. After a 7-for-19 start, however, he bounced back to finish 25 of 37 and one touchdown.
What has Wells seen from Myers?
"I'm like everybody else," he said. "Some good stuff and some stuff that has to be corrected. He missed a few things. Missed a few throws. But he's made throws that were very, very competitive — right on the money."
The bottom line?
"I'm pleased," Well said. "He's played well. But he knows he can play better and I know he can play better."
When Utah State started the season, one of the biggest concerns was wide receiver, because it had to replace Hunter Sharp. He had 71 receptions last year, more than twice as many as anybody else.
At this point, true freshman Rayshad Lewis has emerged a Sharp-like threat who stretches the defense. He caught three passes in the opener against Weber State and four against USC. Two wideouts who improved their place in the pecking order against USC are sophomore Ron'quavion Tarver and junior Jaren Colston-Green. Tarver had four receptions. Colton-Green had one for 43 yards — Utah State's longest pass play of the season.
"[They] have both earned the right to play more," Wells said. "They hadn't earned the right before this. But they have now."
At tight end, the Aggies are fine. Wyatt Houston, a senior, has played at an All-Mountain West Conference level. He has seven receptions, tying Lewis for the team lead.
A 6-foot-4, 255-pound senior from Tualatin, Ore., Houston has at least one reception in eight straight games, dating to last season.
"This is a great system for a tight end," Houston said. "… The coaches are doing a great job of game-planning."
Houston believes the Aggies will bounce back from the USC loss and play well against Arkansas State.
"You do have to have a short memory," he said. "… You watch the film, you make the corrections that we need to make and just move on.
"People will be more motivated. Well, I don't know if they'll be more motivated. But I think they'll be anxious to get out there and get that bad taste out of our mouth."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Utah State update
• Utah State tries to rebound from a 45-7 loss at USC on Friday night against Arkansas State.
• The Aggies hope their evolving throw game will move forward against the Red Wolves.
• Coach Matt Wells says quarterback Kent Myers has played well but needs to keep improving.
Utah State vs. Arkansas State
P At Maverik Stadium, Logan
Friday, 7 p.m.
TV • CBS Sports Network