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Logan • Utah State will have less time to prepare for Hawaii than it does for most opponents since the Aggies leave on Thursday for their Saturday game.

But working in their favor is they know what kind of defense to prepare for — their own.

The Aggies say they see a lot of similarities between their defense and the Warriors with their former linebacker coach, Kevin Clune, now serving as the Warriors' defensive coordinator/linebackers coach.

Clune was with the Aggies from 2009-13.

"We kind of know what to expect from them," USU tight end Jefferson Court said. "We are going to have to bring our 'A' game for it."

The Warriors are giving up 25.2 points and 167.1 rushing and 223.1 passing yards a game this season, a marked improvement from last year's performance when they gave up 38.8 points and 213.6 rushing and 281.1 passing a game.

The biggest difference Utah State coach Matt Wells sees in the Warriors is in their effort.

"Those guys play with their hair on fire," he said. "They play hard, they chase the football and play with tremendous effort. I know that is something [Clune] has instilled in them and demanded out of them. I think that's very, very evident when you flip on the tape."

Safety Brian Suite wasn't surprised to see the Warriors mimicking what has worked so well for the Aggies.

"Coaches know what works and what doesn't work," he said. "But it is a unique challenge to play against a coach who has been in your building and knows your schemes."

In the groove

Making two catches for eight yards might not seem like much, but for tight end Jefferson Court, his effort against UNLV amounted to the best he has had of the season. One of the catches was a one-yarder from Craig Harrison for the game's first touchdown.

Court and fellow tight end Wyatt Houston have combined for just 15 catches for 105 yards and three touchdowns this season.

Court said the touchdown catch was harder than it looked.

"I didn't have a guy within 10 yards of me," he said. "I was so nervous. I knew I was wide open so when he threw it, he just lobbed it over to me and I was like, 'just don't drop it!'"

Getting noticed

The high praise continues to roll in for kicker Nick Diaz, who made field goals from 27 and 49 yards against UNLV, stretching his streak of made field goals to six.

Diaz, who was named the league's special teams player of the week, is playing with more confidence, Wells said.

"He's gotten into a really good routine and he's been very consistent," he said.

Of note

Quarterback Chuckie Keeton may travel to the Hawaii game so he can help mentor freshmen quarterbacks DJ Nelson and Kent Myers…Hawaii senior quarterback Jeremy Higgins was a freshman at Utah State during the 2010 season, appearing in two games. —

Utah State at Hawaii

Saturday, 9 p.m.

Web: Mountain West Network