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Logan • Funny, for a home game against a 2-5 team in which they are favored by more than two touchdowns, the Utah State Aggies sure feel like they've got something to prove.

The Aggies (4-3-1) know they are expected to beat UNLV (2-5, 1-2), but they want to do more than just win a game. They're out to prove that they're still a team to be reckoned with in the Mountain West — no matter who their quarterback is.

Senior Craig Harrison, a former walk on from Snow College, is penciled in as the starting quarterback after Darell Garretson suffered a wrist injury in the Aggies' loss at Colorado State.

The Aggies nearly won that game — even without Garretson for a large chunk of the second half — and they believe they can still be a contender for the conference title.

"They believe in each other," Utah State coach Matt Wells said of his players. "We trust in them and they trust in us. It's not a cliche; We've changed the culture here. These guys are tough-minded and we'll do it all together."

Still unsure how long Garretson might be out, the Aggies went with Harrison probably hoping he can be efficient enough that they don't have to take the redshirt off of freshman Kent Myers.

To be successful, the Aggies will have to run the ball and continue to play solid defense.

Freshman LaJuan Hunt is expected to get more carries along with linebacker Nick Vigil. However, Wells cautioned that the Aggies cannot become one-dimensional.

Last week, they didn't get the ball to receiver Hunter Sharp often enough. Sharp had just two catches for 33 yards against the Rams after four straight games of 100-plus yards.

"We have to get open and win the game out on the perimeter," Wells said. "It's not just the run game; we have to throw it too."

As for UNLV, the Aggies expect to see an improved offense, although star receiver Devante Davis isn't expected to play due to a hand injury.

Quarterback Blake Decker is 122-of-210 passing for 1,632 yards with six touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Running back Keith Whitely has 386 yards and a touchdown on 79 carries.

Last year the Rebels were one of the few teams that had success running the ball against the Aggies, totaling 150 yards on the ground in the 28-24 defeat.

"I feel like they'll be just as good this year," USU defensive end Jordan Nielsen said of the Rebels. "They have a lot of the same linemen and their quarterback's really good. He can get out of the pocket, so we have to contain him, but still move him out of the pocket, if that makes sense. We need to get his mind focusing on us, the defensive line, and the rush, rather than his receivers."

As good as the defense has been, center Austin Stephens views the game as a chance for the offense to assert itself with a new quarterback. The Aggies failed to do that against CSU and ultimately paid the price. They'd like to hold up their part of the bargain too.

"We got down in the red zone a few times and we didn't come away with touchdowns," he said of the 16-13 loss in Fort Collins. "We have to do that for our defense because we know our defense plays really well. If we come out of the red zone with touchdowns instead of field goals, who knows what happens?"

The Aggies hope it would be a big win, the kind that would let their fans know everything will be all right, no matter who the quarterback is. —

UNLV at Utah State

O Kickoff • Saturday, 2 p.m.

TV • ESPNews. Radio • 610 KVNU.com

Records • Utah State (4-3, 1-1), UNLV (2-5, 1-2)

Series history • USU leads 14-7

Last meeting • USU won, 28-24, Nov. 9, 2013

About the Aggies • The Aggies are 5-1 following a loss under coach Matt Wells…USU is 19-24 all-time against teams from Nevada, including a 14-7 mark against UNLV…USU offensive line coach Mark Weber was UNLV's assistant head coach from 1994-96…USU is 8-6-0 all-time in games played on Oct. 25…The Aggies have forced 19 turnovers this season…A win would give USU's senior class the school record for most wins in a 4-year period with 32. Last year's senior class won 31 games.

About the Rebels • Had a bye after beating Fresno State 30-27 in overtime on Oct. 10…is 3-2 after byes under fifth-year coach Bobby Hauck…Only school in the FBS to not lose a fumble this season…Receiver Devonte Boyd ranks 7th nationally among freshmen with 434 receiving yards and ranks fourth in yards per reception (16.07)…Senior Marcus Sullivan is averaging 26.4 yards on kickoff returns.