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Logan • It's time. Enough about being close, overcoming injuries for decent seasons and being on the outside of the talk for the Mountain West title.
For the Utah State Aggies, the 2015 season is the time to make their push for the league title.
The Aggies have been members of the Mountain West for just a few years, but after coming oh-so-close in 2013, losing to Fresno State in the conference championship game, then surviving an injury-filled season in 2014 for a respectable finish, the Aggies believe 2015 could be their year.
"We have the mindset of no excuses," linebacker Nick Vigil said. "It's time for us to go out and win it now, and we think we will."
The good and bad of the 2014 season was the ridiculous amount of injuries the Aggies suffered. The good is that guys like quarterback Kent Myers, Kennedy Williams and several young defenders earned valuable playing time.
The better is that players like Chuckie Keeton, Kyler Fackrell and Brandon Swindall are all back, giving the Aggies some experienced talent to go with the youthful confidence and swagger of last year's standouts.
The Aggies, who are huge on chemistry, believe they have the right mix for a championship run.
"We have had one of the most physical camps since I've been here," Fackrell said. "We've had a lot of fights not serious ones but it's a good thing. It shows our competitiveness and that this team wants to win."
Since they are entering their third year of Mountain West play, the Aggies could still be thought of as a work in progress. But having a veteran quarterback like Keeton back is huge, coach Matt Wells noted. It could be big enough to carry the Aggies to the top.
"I like how this team has come together," he said. "I like the attitude they have and the way they have worked hard. That means something."
There is some newness to the Aggies this season with new offensive coordinator Josh Heupel pushing the tempo and Kevin Clune returning after a year's stint at Hawaii to serve as the defensive coordinator.
However, the Aggies haven't changed much of their philosophy, so there shouldn't be much of a transition.
"I like what we are doing," Keeton said of the offense. "We're motivated, too. We know we have to take it one step at a time, but we have a good idea of what we want to do and accomplish this season."
Key for the Aggies this year could be the schedule. The Aggies get Boise State, which is picked to win the league, at home. Last year the Aggies were blasted by the Broncos 50-19 in Boise.
"The Mountain West title still goes through Boise, we know that," Wells said. "But as long as we go out and compete the best we can, that is all I ask."
It's all they can ask for, but they know they want more.
"The sky is the limit," Swindall said. "We have so many weapons on offense and defense, we know we can be the best." The Aggies will succeed if ...
If they can stay healthy. It's a task of any team to keep the stars healthy, but the Aggies have had a harder time doing that than other teams. Key players such as Chuckie Keeton, Nick Vigil and Brandon Swindall have to stay on the field for the Aggies to be successful this year.
The Aggies won't succeed if ...
The Aggies have a lot of new faces on special teams, an area that has hurt them with inconsistency in recent seasons. Whether it is Jake Thompson or Brock Warren, the place-kicking duties have to be better than they have been; if not, the Aggies could suffer some tough losses.
The bottom line is ...
This team is poised for another successful season perhaps a championship season if Keeton stays healthy and the defense plays up to its fearsome reputation. The importance of getting league-leading Boise State at home can't be overstated. 2015 schedule
Sept. 3 Southern Utah 7 p.m. TV: None
Has outscored SUU 117-51 in three meetings
Sept. 11 at Utah 7 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
Key absence will be WR Sharp, who is suspended for two games
Sept. 19 at Washington 3 p.m.
TV: Pac-12 Network
Last meeting was 53-12 loss in 1998
Oct. 3 Colorado St. TBA
TV: ESPN
Conference opener is against new Rams coach Mike Bobo
Oct. 10 at Fresno St. 8:30 p.m.
TV: CBSSN
Aggies have lost six in a row in series
Oct. 16 Boise St. 7 p.m.
TV: CBSSN
The 50-19 loss last year is one of the worst for Wells as a coach
Oct. 23 at San Diego St. 8:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
Aggies in midst of 8-game losing streak in the series
Oct. 30 Wyoming 8:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
USU has outscored Cowboys 118-29 in past three wins
Nov. 7 at New Mexico 1:30 p.m.
TV: CBSSN
USU 4-8 against Lobos on the road
Nov. 14 at Air Force TBA
TV: ESPN network
USU's Mountain West debut was a 52-20 win at the Falcons in 2013.
Nov. 21 Nevada TBA
TV: ESPN network
Aggies' win last year broke 6-game losing streak in the series
Nov. 28 BYU 1:30 p.m.
TV: CBSSN
Aggies haven't beaten Cougars twice in a row since winning four straight from 1971 to 74 Utah State two-deep
Offense
QB Chuckie Keeton, Sr., 6-2, 210 Kent Myers, So., 6-0, 195
RB LaJuan Hunt, So., 5-8, 195 Devante Mays, Jr., 5-11, 220
WR Hunter Sharp, Sr., 6-0, 200 Devonte Robinson, Jr., 6-2, 190
WR Andrew Rodriguez, Jr., 5-10, 185 Gerold Bright, Fr., 5-9, 180
WR Brandon Swindall, Sr., 6-4, 205 Braelon Roberts, So., 6-3, 200
TE Wyatt Houston, Jr., 6-5, 255 Landon Horne, Jr., 6-3, 240
LT Austin Albrecht, Jr., 6-5, 295 Preston Brooksby, Jr., 6-5, 285
LG Tyshon Mosley, So., 6-5, 305 Jude Hockel, Jr., 6-5, 285
C Austin Stephens, Jr., 6-3, 305 Jarome Ioane, So., 6-6, 330
RG Taani Fisilau, Sr., 6-2, 300 Ben Wysocki, Sr., 6-5, 295
RT Jake Simonich, Jr., 6-5, 300 Cody Boyer, Fr., 6-6, 275
Specialists
PK Jake Thompson, Jr., 6-0, 215 Brock Warren, Jr, 6-2, 180
KOR Kennedy Williams, Jr., 5-8, 160 Hunter Sharp, Sr., 6-0, 200
Defense
DE Jordan Nielsen, Sr., 6-5, 275 John Taylor, Sr., 6-2, 270
NG David Moala, Sr., 6-2, 300 Gasetoto Schuster, Fr., 6-0, 280
DE Ricky Ali'ifua, Jr., 6-2, 285 Siua Taufa, Jr., 6-1, 280
OLB Kyler Fackrell, Sr., 6-5, 250 Alex Huerta, So., 6-2, 230
ILB LT Filiaga, Sr., 5-11, 245 Anthony Williams, Sr., 6-2, 230
ILB Nick Vigil, Jr., 6-2, 235 Jarom Baldomero, Sr., 5-11, 235
OLB Torrey Green, SR., 6-2, 235 Michael Okonkwo, Sr., 6-1, 230
CB Jalen Davis, So., 5-10, 175 Daniel Gray, Jr., 5-11, 180
SS Marwin Evans, Sr., 6-0, 210 Marquan Ellison, Jr., 5-11, 190
FS Devin Centers, Jr., 5-9, 200 Jontrell Rocquemore, Fr., 6-1, 200
CB Deshane Hines, Sr., 5-10, 185 Tyler Floyd, Sr., 5-9, 185
Specialists
P Aaron Dalton, Fr., 6-4, 220 Jake Thompson, Jr., 6-0, 215
LS Salanoa Galea'i Sr., 6-1, 240 Mark Hutchinson, Sr., 5-11, 205
PR Hunter Sharp, Sr., 6-0, 200 Andrew Rodriguez, Jr., 5-10, 185