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Logan • After a summer of preparing for the season opener against Southern Utah on Thursday night, Utah State coach Matt Wells knows the Thunderbirds.

One of the most impressive things about SUU, he says, has been its ability in recent years to be competitive against bigger opponents.

According to Wells, Football Championship Subdivision teams like Southern Utah have won 40 games over the last four years when stepping up a level. The Thunderbirds own two of those victories — something Wells has made sure his players understand.

"They've heard it from me every day," he said Monday. "And they are going to hear it again today, in our team meeting."

Since 2010, Southern Utah owns victories over South Alabama (22-21 in 2013) and UNLV (41-16 in 2011).

The Thunderbirds have also played well but lost to Nevada (28-19 in 2014), Cal (50-31 in 2012), Wyoming (28-20 in 2010) and San Jose State (16-11 in 2010).

Wells credits coach Ed Lamb, who is starting his eighth season in Cedar City.

"A lot of respect for Ed Lamb — the longevity of what he's done down there," Wells said. "You know you are going to get a prepared team coming in here. They've been preparing for quite some time [and] you know what you're going to get."

Utah State opened the 2012 season against Southern Utah and prevailed, 34-3. Quarterback Chuckie Keeton completed 22 of 25 passes for 301 yards and two first-quarter touchdowns. His single-game completion percentage remains a school record.

Keeton, coming off two injury-shortened seasons, will again start at quarterback for the Aggies,

"It was a lot of fun back then," he said during Utah State's weekly news conference. "Hopefully we can improve on what happened. At the same time, it's a completely different team. We have to treat these guys as a completely different entity. "

While Utah State finished 10-4 last season, including a New Mexico Bowl win over UTEP, Southern Utah struggled. The Thunderbirds finished 3-9, although Wells is still wary.

"They have senior leaders on this team," he said. "They should be confident because they have played well" in games like this.

Utah State's defense was outstanding last year, when opponents averaged 356 yards of offense and 19.7 points per game. The Aggies allowed only 32 points over the final three games.

The prime target against Southern Utah: senior quarterback Ammon Olsen who, despite not starting until the fourth game, threw for 3,049 yards and 21 touchdowns last season.

"You start with Ammon," Wells said. "Big, strong, accurate arm. A kid that may have a future past this year. He can really throw it. He's really accurate. We're going to have to disrupt his timing and get to him. There's no question we are going to have to land on some of those pass rushes." —

Southern Utah at Utah State

O Thursday, 7 p.m.

TV • None