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Logan • Utah State linebacker Nick Vigil probably isn't much of a poker player.
Vigil, who did double-duty last season as a part-time running back, was asked at the Aggies' weekly news conference Monday if he'd been working with the offense during preseason camp.
Vigil said, "No, solely defense."
Then he smiled.
Nobody expects Vigil to be Utah State's leading rusher, of course. He spends too much time as an anchor on the defense, where he accumulated 123 tackles and forced five fumbles last season.
In the right situation, however, Vigil could again see time as an effective change-of-pace running back. Last year, he carried 41 times for 152 yards. During a 35-20 win at BYU, he rushed 16 times for 57 yards.
Vigil and the Aggies open the season Thursday night at Maverik Stadium against Southern Utah.
"I'm glad fall camp is over and glad to be scheming against somebody else other than the offense," he said. "I'm excited to get the season underway. We've come a long way as far as a defense and as a team. We've had a lot of guys step up in some roles we [where] really needed them. … I'm excited to see what we can do."
Defense even better?
Utah State finished 12th nationally in scoring defense. The Aggies held five opponents to less than 325 yards of offense. Seven of their last eight opponents failed to score more than 21 points.
The bad news for Southern Utah and USU's other opponents this season: Vigil believes the Utah State defense could be even better, thanks partly to the return of senior linebacker Kyler Fackrell, who is coming off a knee injury.
"We'll have to see," Vigil said. "Every year it's different for every defense. Last year, we did a good job of coming together with all the injuries and guys stepping up. [But] when you get a guy back like Kyler Fackrell — with his ability to be able to move from position to position, to be able to get pressure on the quarterback and how versatile he is — it's huge."
Vigil added: "We did a good job in fall camp against our offense. And we know how good our offense is with all the returners we have and all the skill players we have. So it's exciting to see what we can do against other teams."
Playing physical
Coach Matt Wells wants Utah State's offense to be more physical, and he's not just talking about the players up front.
He explained: "It's every position — tight end, receiver, running back and O-line — being physical, having a physical mindset and knowing you want to take a toll on your opponent … in the fourth quarter."
Utah State's offensive line should be a strength, with four starters returning.
"They're a tough group, they're going to play physical, they're going to compete," new offensive coordinator Josh Heupel said. "… They've got a pretty good understanding of what we're trying to do offensively. We just have to continue to develop our communication up front, when we're seeing movement and those type of things from the defensive front seven. But I like the group as a whole and their competitive spirit."
Twitter: @sluhm —
SUU at Utah State
P At Maverik Stadium, Logan
Thursday, 7 p.m.