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Logan • The weather might have been a little gloomy, but for the Utah State Aggies, Friday was a near perfect day to get on the field and begin fall camp. The Aggies went through two-hour plus practice to the blare of rap music and the enthusiastic yells that marked the first day.
Some of the biggest cheers were for defender Ricky Ali'ifua, who picked off a pass at the end of practice.
"The coaches called the perfect play," he joked.
Overall it was a good day, Utah State coach Matt Wells said.
"It was fast tempo with a lot of excitement but that is what you expect," he said. "We'll know a lot more next week."
Utah State's quarterbacks wore red jerseys, but even the no-contact designation didn't stop senior Chuckie Keeton from getting on his teammates and yapping at them when he felt they were lacking.
Keeton, like other veteran players, said it is important to set the tone for the season in the opening days of practice. Personally, he said he felt much better than he did last year. If he had his wish, he said he'd burn the knee brace he wore last year.
"It's completely different this year," he said.
Junior linebacker Nick Vigil said he believes camp needs to and will be a carryover from the team's hard work in the summer.
"We have a good core group coming back and everyone seems healthy and at full strength," he said.
"Now we have to set the chemistry, make sure everyone knows they are accountable and things like that. It can be an adjustment for the new guys."
Vigil wasn't the only one who said he felt great going into fall camp; backup quarterback Kent Myers said he has put on more than 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason thanks to the Aggies' weightlifting program.
"I feel better than ever," he said. "After last year I hope I proved I can be thrown into the fire and be ready for anything, but I know I still have to prove myself here."
Wells said he liked the energy of the first practice, but he really won't know how much the Aggies retained from spring or have improved in the summer until there are several sessions behind them.
"It's a process," he said. "Scrimmage one you are evaluating, scrimmage two you are getting closer, scrimmage three you are making decisions. After that scrimmage you are deciding who is traveling."
Opening day
What we learned • The Aggies opened camp in good shape after a productive summer. Quarterback Chuckie Keeton looked comfortable leading the offense.
Who stood out • Defensive end Ricky Ali'ifua made the play of the day when he broke up a trick play by intercepting the ball.
What is next • The Aggies will hold their next two practices Saturday and Monday at the practice field, beginning at 9:15 a.m.