Defense, Keeton dominant in Utah State's last meeting with Southern Utah


Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

LOGAN — Aided by a relentless pass rush on defense, Chuckie Keeton and Utah State needed only three quarters to put away Southern Utah the last time the two teams squared off in 2012.

The Aggies' front seven swarmed Thunderbirds quarterback — and BYU transfer — Brad Sorensen, sacking him twice, while Keeton racked up more than 300 yards through the air in the 34-3 win and set a school record with an 88 percent completion rate (22-of-25).

Sorensen, now a member of the San Diego Chargers after becoming Southern Utah's all-time leading passer and first-ever NFL draft pick, managed to complete just 12 of 31 attempts for 153 yards as the Thunderbirds gained just more than 200 yards of total offense on the No. 14 defense.

While much has obviously changed for both teams since the one-sided affair in Logan — Gary Andersen was in his final year coaching the Aggies as they were set to depart the Western Athletic Conference — Utah State won't soon forget how the result kickstarted an 11-win campaign.

Keeton and Utah State went on to beat Utah the following week, win the final WAC football championship and capture the university's second-ever bowl win and its first in 18 years.

Then-linebackers coach Kevin Clune, currently entering his first season as the Aggies' defensive coordinator after returning to Logan from Hawaii, helped recruit and facilitate the development of stalwarts Nick Vigil and Kyler Fackrell starting in 2012.


He's strong, he's healthy, he's moving around really good. There's been no after-effects really. He's been a tremendous leader, he's had a really good camp and (it's time to) just go out and watch him do his thing.

–Matt Wells


Now the defensive leaders for one of the most consistently sound 3-4 defenses in the country, they'll spearhead the game plan to limit Southern Utah quarterback Ammon Olsen — another BYU transfer who like Sorensen made the move from Provo in search of regular playing time.

Meanwhile Keeton, now a fifth-year senior, is coming off his second major knee injury in as many years. But Utah State coach Matt Wells told KSL TV's Rod Zundel on Sunday that any lingering effects of the injuries haven't been evident in camp.

"He's strong, he's healthy, he's moving around really good," Wells said of Keeton. "There's been no after-effects really. He's been a tremendous leader, he's had a really good camp and (it's time to) just go out and watch him do his thing."

If the 2012 outcome for the Aggies is any indication of how Thursday's competition might play out, Utah State would be wise to ease the burden on Keeton with a balanced rushing attack. The Aggies ran for 265 yards and three touchdowns against the Thunderbirds as three different players totaled more than 50 yards on the ground.

LaJuan Hunt looks poised to lead the backfield this year, and Tonny Lindsey, Devante Mays and Kennedy Williams will likely all be vying for carries behind him on the depth chart.

Utah State and Southern Utah are scheduled to kickoff in Romney Stadium Thursday at 7 p.m.


Kyle Spencer is a freelance journalist residing in Orem, Utah. You can find him on Twitter @kyledspencer, or reach him by email at kspence04@gmail.com.

Related links

Most recent Sports stories

Related topics

SportsUtah State Aggies

ARE YOU GAME?

From first downs to buzzer beaters, get KSL.com’s top sports stories delivered to your inbox weekly.
By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

KSL Weather Forecast