Utah State Football Year In Review

Utah State closed the 2002 season with a 4-7 record... The Aggies won three of their last five games... USU opened the season by playing four of its first six games against teams that were in bowl games a year ago... USU played 11 games in 14 weeks as USU had three bye weeks (Oct. 12, Nov. 2 and Nov. 23)... The Nov. 30 game at Middle Tennessee was the third deepest into the calendar year that the Aggies played a regular season game... USU traveled 15,706 round-trip miles for its six road games this past season (traveled 15,408 in its other year as an independent compared to 9,204 miles in its last season in the Big West Conference in 2000).

Utah State Record (4-7)

 

Aug. 31 UTAH L 3-23

Sept. 7 at #9 Nebraska L 13-44

Sept. 14 IDAHO STATE W 38-33

Sept. 21 at Iowa L 7-48

Sept. 28 at Boise State L 38-63

Oct. 4 BYU L 34-35

Oct. 19 NEW MEXICO W 45-44 (ot)

Oct. 26 at La.-Monroe L 48-51 (2 ot)

Nov. 9 N.M. STATE W 32-30

Nov. 16 at Troy State W 19-16 (ot)

Nov. 30 at Middle Tenn. L 28-45

 

2002 Opponent Records

 

Utah 5-6

Nebraska 7-6 Bowl

Idaho State 8-3

Iowa 11-1 AP #3

Boise State 11-1 AP #19

BYU 5-7

New Mexico 7-6 Bowl

La. Monroe 3-9

N.M. State 7-5

Troy State 4-8

Mid. Tenn. 4-8

 

2002 Independent Standings

 

Notre Dame 10-2

South Florida 9-2

Connecticut 6-6

UTAH STATE 4-7

Troy State 4-8

Navy 1-10

 

2002 Sun Belt Standings

(USU will join the league in 2003)

 

North Texas 7-5

New Mexico State 7-5

Arkansas State 6-7

Middle Tenn. 4-8

UL-Lafayette 3-9

UL-Monroe 3-9

Idaho 2-10

 

 

CLOSE GAMES -- Utah State played five straight games (games 6-10) that were decided by three points or less as the Aggies lost to BYU by one, beat New Mexico by one in overtime, lost by three to Louisiana Monroe in two overtimes, beat New Mexico State by two points and defeated Troy State in overtime by three. That is a combined difference of 10 points. That is the longest stretch in USU history of games decided by a field goal or less, eclipsing the 1981 season when USU defeated Pacific 17-14, tied Texas Christian 13-13 and lost to San Jose State 27-24 in three straight games.

 

FOUR IN TOP THREE -- Four Aggies finished their careers ranked in the top three of the USU career record lists in their respective statistical categories. Quarterback Jose Fuentes finished his career as the top passer, Kevin Curtis was first in receptions and second in receiving yardage, Dane Kidman was third in field goal percentage and Jesse Busta was third in tackles.

 

USU SAYS GOODBYE TO 15 SENIORS -- Utah State loses 15 seniors from this year's team, including 11 starters. Here is a quick look (starters marked with *):

 

*LB Jesse Busta -- Third-leading tackler in USU history with 392 stops.

*WR Gary Coleman -- 81 receptions in two years with at least 400 yards in both years.

QB Jeff Crosbie -- Started 17 straight games before giving way to Jose Fuentes. Threw for 3,408 yards in his career, but just 93 this past season.

*WR Kevin Curtis -- USU career (174) and season (100 in 2001) receptions record holder, while playing just two seasons.

*QB Jose Fuentes -- Set career (9,168) and season (3,268) yardage records this year. Owns most every school passing record.

*S Jamar Glasper -- Three straight 50-tackle seasons.

WR Derek Jeffery -- Caught 13 passes after entering the year with one catch.

*CB Ade Jimoh -- Was a second-team all-Big West selection as a sophomore.

*PK Dane Kidman -- A Lou Groza semifinalist and made 14-of-17 field goal attempts. Career percentage of .710 is third best in USU history.

OT Barry McLaughlin -- Started two games as a junior before moving into a backup role this season.

*P Steve Mullins -- Set school punting average record last year as a junior with a 44.7 average. His 41.9 career average is fifth at the school.

*OT Jim Newton -- Started a team-best 33 consecutive games.

*TE Casey Poppinga -- Had most productive season in receptions with 16.

OC Mike Scheper -- Was team's top snapper on special teams.

*OG Luis Trujillo -- A three-year starter next to Newton.

 

CURTIS INVITED TO ALL-STAR GAMES -- USU wide receiver Kevin Curtis has been invited to participate in two postseason all-star games, including the East-West Shrine game and the Senior Bowl.

 

COACH MICK DENNEHY - In his third year at Utah State is Mick Dennehy (Montana, 1973), who was hired on Dec. 3, 1999. He compiled a 39-12 record in four years at Montana and his 76.5 winning percentage is the best at that school for coaches with more than two years. His five wins in his first year at Utah State tied for the best mark by a first-year Aggie coach since Phil Krueger won seven games in 1973 (Dennehy is the seventh coach since then). In 2001 he guided the Aggies in their first independent schedule since 1977. The Aggies played four top-25 teams and five bowl teams in 2001. Realizing the improvement USU was making on and off the field, Dennehy was rewarded with a two-year contract extension on Nov. 30, 2001 which will keep him in Logan through 2005. Dennehy played safety at Montana in 1971 and 1972. Prior to assuming the head coaching role at Montana, he served as the school's offensive coordinator for five seasons, producing one of the nation's top offenses. In Dennehy's nine years overall at Montana, the Grizzlies ranked in the top four in the country in passing offense every year and in the top five in scoring and total offense in five of his last seven seasons. Before going to Montana, Dennehy revived the program at Western Montana, which had dropped football in 1987. In three years he improved the team from a 1-6 record to a 5-3 mark.

 

Year School Overall Pct. Conf. Pct. Notes

1988 West. Montana 1-6 .143 1-5/5th .167 Revived Program

1989 West. Montana 4-4 .500 2-4/4th .333

1990 West. Montana 5-3 .625 3-3/3rd .500

1996 Montana 14-1 .933 8-0/1st 1.00 Nat'l Runners-up

1997 Montana 8-4 .667 6-2/2nd .750 0-1 in playoffs

1998 Montana 8-4 .667 6-2/1st .750 Big Sky Champ.

1999 Montana 9-3 .750 7-1/1st .875 Big Sky Champ.

2000 Utah State 5-6 .455 4-1/2nd .800 1 win from bowl

2001 Utah State 4-7 .364 N/A N/A Played 4 top 25

2002 Utah State 4-7 .364 N/A N/A 4 '01 bowl opp.

Western Montana (3 yrs.) 10-13 .435 6-12 .333 Revived Program

Montana (4 years) 39-12 .765 27-5 .844 Four playoffs

Utah State (3rd year) 13-20 .394 4-1 .800 50th career win

Totals (10th year) 62-45 .579 37-18 .673 3-4 in playoffs

 

USU UNDER DENNEHY * In his three years at USU, the Aggies have recorded the school's all-time attendance average record (21,784 in 2001) and two others in the top five (third in 2002 and fifth in 2000). * USU produced four of the top 10 all-time total offense games in school history in his first two years, including a school-record tying 684 yards against Weber State. * USU also produced three of the top five passing games in school history in Dennehy's first two years. * USU has produced two Associated Press third-team All-Americans in his two years as all-purpose runner Emmett White earned the honor in 2000 and wide receiver Kevin Curtis was named in 2001. The last time USU had an AP All-America selection was 1988 when Kendal Smith also earned third team honors. * USU has had two NCAA individual statistical champions in his tenure as White led the country in all-purpose yardage in 2000 (238.9) and Curtis led the nation in receptions in 2001 (9.1 per game). Previously USU's last national statistical leader was Louie Giammona, who led the country in all-purpose yardage (185.9) in 1975. * The football team's grade-point average has improved steadily. * Coached his 100th career game against Iowa this year. * 60th career victory was against New Mexico this season.

 

THE SCHEDULE -- Four of USU's first six games were against teams that played in bowl games last year... After traveling 15,408 miles and playing in four different time zones in 2001, USU will up that travel to 15,706 round-trip miles this season. As a member of the Big West Conference in 2000, USU traveled only 9,204 miles... USU hosted both BYU and Utah in the same season for the first time since 1996 and only the second time since 1980 (last year USU set a home season attendance average record (21,784) without the benefit of playing either Utah or BYU at home)... The Nov. 30 finale at Middle Tennessee is the third deepest into the calendar year the Aggies will play a regular season game.

 

WATCHING THE AGGIES -- The three-year Mick Dennehy era has produced three of the top five home attendance averages in school history. This past season, USU averaged 21,112 in five home games for the third best mark in school history. In 2001, USU set a school record with 21,784 per game and in 2000 USU averaged 19,910, which stands as the fifth best season.

WATCHING THE AGGIES II -- This past season Romney Stadium also saw the fourth and fifth best single-game attendance marks as USU opened the season with 30,757 witnessing the Utah game and then holding 30,341 for the BYU game in early October. USU officials limited the number of tickets sold to attempt to make the games an enjoyable experience and not too crowded.

 

THE OPPONENTS -- Utah State's 2002 opponents ran up a regular season record of 72-60 for a winning percentage of 54.5 percent. Six of USU's opponents won at least seven games during the season, including two (Iowa and Boise State) that were 11-1 and ranked in the AP poll at the end of the regular season. Through games of Nov. 30, Iowa was ranked third in both the AP and ESPN/USA Today poll, while Boise State was 19th in the AP and 15th in the ESPN/USA Today.

 

OFFENSIVE NOTES

* Ranked eighth in the NCAA in passing offense with 308.00 yards per game. That average was the second best in school history behind the 317.5 per game in 1996.

* Produced an average of 392.5 yards of total offense per game and had at least 400 yards of total offense in seven different games.

* Scored at least 30 points in six different games, which was one shy of the most 30-point games in a season set by the 1961 team.

* Produced a pass of at least 40 yards in eight games and a rush of at least 20 yards in eight games.

* Fifteen different players caught passes during the season, including nine with double-digit reception totals.

 

OFFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS

 

* QB Jose Fuentes became the USU career passing leader in the second game of the year against Nebraska.

* USU scored on its first two plays from scrimmage against Idaho State as QB Jose Fuentes hit WR Kevin Curtis on an 80-yard score and then hit Gary Coleman for 20-yards on the Aggies' second play.

* Scored on the final play of regulation in two different games (New Mexico and Troy State) to force overtime (won both games).

* James Samuel rushed for 159 yards against Troy State, the nation's sixth-best defense at the time, for the only 100-yard rushing day by an Aggie during the year.

* TE Chris Cooley set a school single-game record for reception yardage with seven catches for 134 yards against Troy State.

* Cooley put together back-to-back 100-yard games as he caught five balls for 105 yards against Middle Tennessee after the 134-yard game at Troy State.

* QB Jose Fuentes' 426 passing yards against Middle Tennessee were the sixth-most in a game in USU history.

* USU threw for 442 yards in season finale against Middle Tennessee for the fourth-best passing day in school history.

* WR Kevin Curtis scored on two 80-yard receptions and a 79-yard catch during the year.

* WR Kenny Coleman scored on a five-yard touchdown pass on his first play as an Aggie against Troy State.

 

DEFENSIVE NOTES

 

* USU played eight teams that were ranked in the top 50 in the nation in rushing this past season, including five in the top 25.

* USU also faced four teams that were ranked 52nd or better in total offense including the nation's leader in Boise State.

* USU allowed at least 400 yards of total offense in 10 of 11 games on the season.

 

DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS

 

* DE John Chick became the first freshman to start a season opener since DT Pratt Lyons in 1993 when he started against Utah.

* NG Jorge Tapia picked up a fumble and ran 15 yards for a score against Idaho State.

* CB Jerome Dennis returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown against BYU.

* USU limited Troy State to just 192 yards of total offense.

* USU "held" Nebraska to 418 yards of total offense for its second-best yardage effort of the year.

 

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES

 

* PK Dane Kidman hit 14-of-17 field goal attempts (.824) for the third-best percentage in a season in USU history.

* Jerome Dennis averaged 27.7 yards per kickoff return for the second-best average in a season in USU history. That average ranked eighth in the NCAA this year.

* Jerome Dennis had three straight games with a kickoff return of at least 60 yards.

 

SPECIAL TEAMS HIGHLIGHTS

 

* P Steve Mullins had a 70-yard punt in the season opener against Utah.

* Jamar Glasper returned a blocked punt one yard for a touchdown against Boise State.

* P Steve Mullins had a 67-yard punt into a strong wind at Middle Tennessee.

 

USU NOTE-ABLE

 

* USU played three overtime games this season after playing just hree in its history before this year.

* USU started 39 different players during the year, including 19 first-time starters, including 12 who had never played a down at USU before the season.

* USU started six different freshmen during the year.

* LB Jesse Busta, TE Casey Poppinga and DE Jeremy Guenter were all named second-team academic all-district VIII.

 

FINAL TRAVEL ROSTER -- Utah State's final travel roster to the Middle Tennesse State game included 22 freshmen, 12 sophomores, 20 juniors, and 14 seniors. The players that started the game included two freshmen, one sophomore, 10 juniors, and nine seniors.

 

WHAT IS RETURNING -- USU will return its top two rushers from the year in James Samuel (633 yards and Richard Watson (260 yards), five of its top nine pass catchers, including third-leading receiver Chris Cooley, who had 31 receptions from his tight end position. Defensively USU will see the return of eight players that recorded at least 30 tackles on the season.

 

FINISHING STRONG -- Beginning with the decade of the 1990s and extending to the present, Utah State football teams have historically finished the season strong. Here is a look at USU's starts compared to finishes since 1990:

 

Year Start Rest of The Way Notes

1990 1-4-1 4-1 Avg. 45.5 pts. in last 4 wins

1991 0-5 5-1 Late season loss was by 1 pt.

1992 1-4 4-2 Two late losses by just 3 pts.

1993 1-5 6-0 Won Las Vegas Bowl

1994 1-4 2-4 Bad example

1995 0-5 4-2 Won last two games

1996 2-4 4-1 Played for BWC Champ.

1997 2-4 4-2 Lost Humanitarian Bowl

1998 1-7 2-1 No turning point

1999 2-7 2-0 Arslanian's last of 2 years

2000 1-4 4-2 Played for BWC Champ.

2001 0-5 4-2 Had four-game win streak

2002 1-5 3-2 2-1 in overtime games

2002 NCAA Rankings

 

Team Rank Avg.

 

Total Offense 41 392.45

Rushing Offense 112 84.45

Passing Offense 8 308.00

Scoring Offense 55 27.73

Total Defense 111 471.09

Rushing Defense 112 234.82

Passing Defense 87 236.27

Scoring Defense 111 39.27

Kickoff Returns 70 19.60

Punt Returns 95 7.88

Net Punting 69 33.94

TO Margin 97 -1.00

Individual Rank Avg.

Gary Coleman

Receptions 76 4.27

Jerome Dennis

Kickoff Returns 8 27.71

Kevin Curtis

Rec. Yards 7 114.36

Receptions 12 6.73

All-Purpose 60 117.36

Jose Fuentes

Total Offense 9 287.64

Pass Efficiency 56 122.58

Dane Kidman

Field Goals 28 1.27

Scoring 74 6.82

Steve Mullins

Punting 66 39.68

James Samuel

Rushing 92 63.30

 

USU Season Attendance Average Bests

 

1. 21,784 in 2001

2. 21,534 in 1996

3. 21,112 in 2002

4. 19,964 in 1993

5. 19,910 in 2000

 

USU Single-Game Home Attendance Bests

 

1. 33,119 vs. BYU, Oct. 4, 1996

2. 31,287 vs. Utah, Sept. 3, 1994

3. 31,220 vs. BYU, Oct. 1, 1999

4. 30,757 vs. Utah, Aug. 31, 2002

5. 30,341 vs. BYU, Oct. 4, 2002

 

Biggest Road Crowds

 

1. 87,756 at LSU, 2001

2. 86,117 at Georgia, 1999

3. 78,176 at Nebraska, 2002

4. 76,233 at Nebraska, 1988

5. 76,115 at Nebraska, 1991

 

A LOOK AHEAD -- Here are a few notes and statistics about what Utah State has returning for next season, its first in the Sun Belt Conference.

 

Returning Starters (14)

 

Offense (6)

OC - Aric Galliano

RG - Trevor Hutton

RT - Donald Penn

TE - Chris Cooley

WR - Chris Stallworth

TB - James Samuel

Defense (8)

LE - Justin Jackson

DT - Ronald Tupea

NG - Jorge Tapia

RE - John Chick

LB - Robert Watts

LB - Rodney Wilson

CB - Mark Estelle

S - Derrek Shank

 

Top Returners Statistically

Rushing

 

1. James Samuel (633 yards)

2. Richard Watson (260)

4. David Fiefia (29)

 

Passing

3. Travis Cox (11 yards)

Receiving

 

3. Chris Cooley (31 receptions)

4. James Samuel (18)

5. Chris Stallworth (17)

5. Richard Watson (17)

9. Donta' Candler (12)

 

Punt Returns

 

1. David Fiefia (11-100)

3. Donta' Candler (2-12)

 

Kickoff Returns

 

1. Jerome Dennis (14-388)

3. David Fiefia (11-252)

 

Tackles

 

2. Robert Watts (85 tackles)

3. Derrek Shank (65)

6. Rodney Wilson (47)

7. John Chick (42)

8. Bryan Jackson (33)

9. Justin Jackson (30)

9. Ross Luna (30)

9. Mark Estelle (30)

 

Sacks

 

1. John Chick (4 sacks)

2. Watts and Wilson (2 sacks)

 

2002 Utah State Record Additions

 

Jose Fuentes

Career Records

Passing Yards – 9168

Pass Completions – 704

Pass Attempts – 1270

Touchdown Passes – 60

Total Offense – 8791

Total Offensive Plays – 1415

200-Yard Passing Games – 28

300-Yard Passing Games - 10 (tied)

400-Yard Passing Games – 4

500-Yard Passing Games - 1 (tied)

 

Season Records

 

Passing Yards – 3268

Season Lists

Pass Completions - 3. 246

Pass Attempts - 2. 454

Completion Percentage - 9. .452

Touchdown Passes - 3. 20

Total Offense - 2. 3164

 

Records Already Held

Season

 

Pass Completions - 26 in 2001

Completions Per Game - 23.6 in 2001

Consecutive Attempts without an

Interception - 184 in 2000

200-Yard Passing Games - 11 in 2001

400-Yard Passing Games - 2 (tied) in 2000

Touchdown Passes - 24 in 2001

TD Passes Per Game - 2.2 in 2001

 

Jeff Crosbie

 

Career Lists

Passing Yards - 10. Jeff Crosbie, 3408

Pass Completions - 9. Jeff Crosbie, 283

Pass Attempts - 7. Jeff Crosbie, 617

TD Passes - 10. Jeff Crosbie, 21

 

Kevin Curtis

 

Career Records

Receptions - 1. 174

Receptions Per Game (Career) - 7.9

Rec. Yards Per Game (Career) - 126.8Career Lists
Receiving Yardage - 2. 2789

Touchdown Receptions - 4. 19

 

Season Lists

 

Receptions - 5. 74

Receiving Yards - 4. 1258

TD Receptions - 9. 9

Records Already Held

Season

Receptions - 100 in 2001

Receptions Per Game - 9.1 in 2001

Reception yards Per game - 139.2

 

Game

 

Yards - 252 vs. Weber State in 2001

Dane Kidman

Career Lists

Field Goals Made - 7. 22

Field Goals Attempted - 8. 31

Field Goal Percentage - 3. .710

Extra Points Made - 4. 68

Extra Points Attempted - 4. 74

PAT Percentage - 8. .919

 

Season Lists

 

Field Goals Made - 8. 14

Field Goal Percentage - 3. .824

Extra Points Made - 6. 33

Extra Points Attempted - 7. 35

PAT Percentage - 7. .943

Steve Mullins

 

Career

Punting Average - 5. 41.9

 

Jesse Busta

Career

Tackles - 3. 392

Donta' Candler

 

Season

 

Receiving Average - 9. 18.8

Jerome Dennis

 

Season

Kickoff Returns - 2. 27.