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Logan • Utah State junior safety Dallin Leavitt sent a message to some teammates, apparently, after the Aggies' 34-20 win over Arkansas State on Saturday night.

A few hours after the game, Leavitt said on Twitter: "Ppl are more focused on how 'cool' they are when really they should be more focused on what film they watching/what they doing on game day."

At his weekly news conference prior to Saturday night's game against Air Force, Utah State coach Matt Wells said, "We do monitor our players on social media. We do want to be very responsible. I have a few staff members, along with myself, who monitor that."

Wells declined to comment specifically on Leavitt's message. But in general, he said, "I think we have a lot of guys who care about football and they want to make sure the other guys are just like them. That's the culture we have at Utah State right now and I'm very, very proud of it."

According to Wells, the players' approach to their jobs can be more important than any strategy employed by the coaching staff.

"The culture and attitude we have is something we're always working on," Wells said. "I thought [it] was missing just a shade last year and, when it comes to close games, those are the things that pull you through. More than strategy, it's the attitude of those players."

Utah State finished 6-7 last season after losing four of its final six games. The Aggies were 2-4 in games decided in the fourth quarter.

MWC honors Carmen

Utah State senior linebacker Brock Carmen is the defensive player of the week in the Mountain West Conference.

A senior from Clovis, Calif., Carmen made his first start against Arkansas State. He finished with a career-high 12 tackles, including 11/2 quarterback sacks.

Carmen had six tackles in the first half, when Utah State jumped to a 24-0 lead. It was the first time in 27 games the Aggie defense shut out an opponent in the first half.

Through three games this season, Carmen is tied for second on the team in tackles with 19.

"I thought Brock had a really good game," Wells said.

Late show

Utah State's game at Boise State on Oct. 1 will start at 8:15 p.m. and be shown on ESPN2, the Mountain West has announced.

The Air Force game also kicks off at 8:15 p.m. It will be carried on ESPNU.

Starting with Air Force and Boise State, Utah State will play four straight late-night games. The Aggies' game at Colorado State on Oct. 8 kicks off at 8 p.m. Their home game against Fresno State on Oct. 22 begins at 8:15 p.m.

Asked about the outbreak of late starts, Wells said, "Same routine. Same schedule. Same routine pre-game. … Our guys understand there is no control over TV and when we play. We can't control that stuff."

Looking for special teams win

One area Utah State needs to improve against Air Force, Wells said, is special teams.

"I don't think we've won on special teams yet," he said. "I think we played better as a team [last] week. But I don't think we've flat-out won any of the three games, by our standards. If we do that this week, it will give us a much better chance of winning. But we have to continue to clean up things in the kicking game and coverage units — multiple things there."

Mum on penalties

Utah State owned a 24-0 lead over Arkansas State early in the third quarter before two pass interference penalties fueled a drive that led to the Red Wolves' first score.

One wiped out an interception by Leavitt that would have given the Aggies the ball at the Red Wolves' 30-yard line.

Eventually, Arkansas State got as close as 27-20 with 71/2 minutes remaining.

Asked about the penalties, Wells said, "I'm just going to leave it alone. That should tell you everything you need to know."

Twitter: @sluhm —

Air Force at Utah St.

P Saturday, 8:15 p.m. TV • ESPNU