This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Logan • Gary Andersen has taken sentiment and tossed it out of the window and off the balcony, figuratively, of course.
With Louisiana Tech coming to Logan on Saturday afternoon, Andersen has grown tired of the close calls, the fourth-quarter collapses and the pats on the back when his team comes close but doesn't win. This week, he took a step away from things, surveyed the program and saw a 2-4 record and a team trending downward at the very wrong time.
The frustration was enough for him to publicly call out his coaching staff for the first time in his tenure. He included himself in the following tongue-lashing.
"We sat down as a staff and communicated about things, and to me we are two and a half years into it," Andersen said. "You can say that the numbers are this and the stats say that we're better and I don't care. It doesn't matter to me. We're 2-4. That's what we were a year ago. We haven't gotten better. All the other stuff doesn't matter. What matters to me is winning. Me and the other coaches have to hold ourselves accountable and find a way to win football games. If we can't do that, then things need to change."
Here is where the Aggies reside currently. Utah State will need to win four of its last six games to become bowl-eligible. USU has been competitive in every game, but the lack of depth is hurting the Aggies, and that's causing them to wear down in fourth quarters.
Fresno State is a shining example. After battling to a draw in the trenches, the Bulldogs took over on the defensive line down the stretch, consistently getting to Chuckie Keeton, and forcing a fumble from the freshman quarterback in the fourth quarter.
That's worrisome for Andersen, who gushed about the strength and athleticism of Louisiana Tech's defensive line, a line that can cause the Aggies the same kind of problems that Fresno State did. Because of that, Utah State may use its running game more on the edges than up the middle and right through the teeth of the Bulldogs' defense. Robert Turbin and Michael Smith constitute the strength of USU's offense, but Andersen also said that he would make an effort to get his wide receivers more involved than they have been previously.
"It's going to be a lot of fun because they're always a tough team to play," sophomore wideout Travis Van Leeuwen said. "It's a challenge for us because they have a lot of athletes and they're big and physical. We have to really prepare and fix the mistakes that cost us against Fresno State. If we can do that and play a full game, we should be fine."
Twitter: @tonyaggieville —
Louisiana Tech at Utah State
P At Romney Stadium, Logan
Kickoff • Saturday, 1 p.m.
TV • Altitude 2
Radio • 97.5 FM
Records • Utah State 2-4, Louisiana Tech 2-4
Series history • Louisiana Tech leads 5-3
Last meeting • Louisiana Tech, 24-6 (Oct. 9, 2010)
About the Bulldogs • Louisiana Tech defeated Idaho 24-11 in its last game. … The Bulldogs also start a freshman at quarterback, Nick Isham. … Sonny Dykes is in his second season at Louisiana Tech. … The Bulldogs have won five of the last six meetings against the Aggies. .. Louisiana Tech is coming off a bye week.
About the Aggies • Utah State needs four wins in six tries to become bowl-eligible. … The Aggies have split the last four games played in Logan. … Robert Turbin leads the WAC in rushing yards. … Bobby Wagner leads the WAC in tackles. … Utah State missed three field goals in its loss to Fresno State last week. … The Aggies have just one interception this season.