Connecticut defensive again Stan Cross (17) reacts after a fumble restoration in opposition to Clemson within the first half of an NCAA faculty soccer sport, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Clemson, S.C. Brynn Anderson, Related Press
Utah State quarterback Logan Bonner is again for his last faculty soccer season. In his first 12 months with the Aggies in 2021, Bonner set 5 faculties information whereas throwing for 3,628 yards and 36 touchdowns. Younger Kwak, Related Press
Utah State vs. UConn
- Kickoff: Saturday, 2 p.m. MDT.
- Venue: Merlin Olsen Discipline at Maverik Stadium (25,513 capability).
- TV: FS1.
- Livestream: FoxSports.com/reside.
- Radio: 1280 AM/97.5 FM.
- Sequence: That is solely the second assembly between the 2 faculties. The primary got here in 2001.
- Climate: Largely sunny with temperatures within the mid 80s at kickoff, with 10-plus mile-per-hour winds out of the southwest.
THE TRENDS
For Utah State: The Aggies are the reigning Mountain West Convention champions and had been picked by media to end third within the Mountain Division of the MW this season. ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index initiatives Utah State to win six or seven video games in 2022.
For UConn: The Huskies are coming off a dismal 1-11 marketing campaign in 2021. An unbiased, the Huskies have turned to former UCLA head coach Jim Mora Jr., after transferring on from very long time coach Randy Edsall. ESPN initiatives UConn to win two or three video games in 2022.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Every little thing is an unknown at this level.
The primary week of the season is all the time one thing of an unknown, as groups have new coaches, new schemes and new personnel. As Utah State head coach Blake Anderson put it, “Week 1 is each defensive coordinator’s nightmare.”
UConn comes into Logan as an excellent larger thriller, although. For the reason that arrival of Mora, the Huskies have introduced in 40 new scholarship gamers, which suggests almost half of UConn’s 82 scholarship gamers weren’t on the group final 12 months.
UConn added quite a few transfers from P5 packages and heading into Saturday’s sport hasn’t named a beginning quarterback, with any of 4 totally different gamers being an choice to start out.
The Huskies had been one of many worst groups within the nation final season, however nobody has any concept what they’ll seem like this season. Not but at the least.
As for Utah State, the Aggies have to interchange 11 starters from final season, lots of whom had been All-American or All-Mountain West caliber gamers. The Aggies consider they've discovered appropriate replacements, each on offense and protection, however solely reside motion play will really inform.
KEY PLAYER
Utah State quarterback Logan Bonner is again for his last faculty soccer season. In his first 12 months with the Aggies in 2021, Bonner set 5 faculties information whereas throwing for 3,628 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Younger Kwak, Related Press
Logan Bonner, QB, Utah State: Bonner may not the be first participant individuals consider after they image a Utah State quarterback, however with apologies to Jordan Love and Chuckie Keeton, he may go down as the best in program historical past.
In his first season with the Aggies, Bonner broke 5 program information, whereas throwing for 3,628 yards and 36 touchdowns, finishing 61% of his passes.
Many of the receivers Bonner threw to final season are gone — some, like Deven Thompkins and Derek Wright are competing for jobs within the NFL — but when Utah State is to achieve success this season, Bonner must be elite once more.
QUOTABLE
“We don’t actually know what to anticipate. We're going to have to regulate in a short time. ... We must rally to what they (UConn) are. We are going to discover out early how they will play defensively. What to anticipate. Offensively, what it will seem like. We're going to should do an important job adjusting.” — Utah State head coach Blake Anderson, on UConn.
“I’ve by no means been a 27-point underdog in my life and I’m not actual completely satisfied about it. ... I don’t essentially prefer it. I perceive it. (Utah State) is a high 25 group, man. They had been 11-3, they lit it up on offense final 12 months. They kicked the canine out of some actually good groups, they had been within the (Jimmy Kimmel LA) bowl sport and performed Oregon State — an excellent Pac-12 group — and obtained after them.” — UConn head coach Jim Mora Jr, on dealing with Utah State.
NEXT UP
Utah State travels to Tuscaloosa to battle SEC energy Alabama — the No. 1-ranked group within the nation — on Sept. 3. UConn will host the Central Connecticut Blue Devils the identical day.
UTAH STATE SCHEDULE
Aug. 27 — Utah State vs. UConn
Sept. 3 — Utah State at No. 1 Alabama
Sept. 10 — Utah State vs. Weber State
Sept. 17 — BYE
Sept. 24 — Utah State vs. UNLV
Sept. 29 — Utah State at No. 25 BYU
Oct. 8 — Utah State vs. Air Power
Oct. 15 — Utah State at Colorado State
Oct. 22 — Utah State at Wyoming
Oct. 29 — BYE
Nov. 5 — Utah State vs. New Mexico
Nov. 12 — Utah State at Hawaii
Nov. 19 — Utah State vs. San José State
Nov. 25 — Utah State at Boise State
All instances MT