Air Drive quarterback Haaziq Daniels (4) reacts throughout an NCAA faculty soccer sport Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at Air Drive Academy, Colo. David Zalubowski, Related Press
Air Drive operating again Brad Roberts, proper, is stopped by Navy linebacker Colin Ramos within the second half of an NCAA faculty soccer sport Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at Air Drive Academy, Colo. David Zalubowski, Related Press
Utah State Aggies quarterback Cooper Legas (5) runs for a landing in opposition to BYU in Provo on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information
Air Drive quarterback Haaziq Daniels (4) within the second half of an NCAA faculty soccer sport Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at Air Drive Academy, Colo. David Zalubowski, Related Press
Utah State Aggies head coach Blake Anderson watches the sport in Provo on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information
Utah State’s Robert Briggs (22) raises his hand earlier than he scores a contact down in opposition to the UConn Huskies at Maverik Stadium in Logan on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. Utah State gained 31-20. Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
Utah State (1-4) vs. Air Drive (4-1)
Kickoff: Saturday, 5 p.m. MDT
Venue: Merlin Olsen Discipline at Maverik Stadium (25,513 capability)
TV: FS1
Livestream: Fox Sports activities Dwell
Radio: 1280 AM/97.5 FM
Collection: Utah State and Air Drive will meet for the eleventh time in sequence historical past. The Falcons maintain a 6-4 benefit, together with a 2-2 document in Logan. Most lately, USU defeated Air Drive 49-45 on the highway in 2021.
Climate: Principally cloudy with temperatures within the mid-70s at kickoff, with a 0% likelihood of precipitation and slight winds out of the north.
The traits
Air Drive operating again Brad Roberts, proper, is stopped by Navy linebacker Colin Ramos within the second half of an NCAA faculty soccer sport Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at Air Drive Academy, Colo.
David Zalubowski, Related Press
For Utah State: The Aggies are 1-4 total and have misplaced 4 straight video games, the newest in opposition to rival BYU. Utah State confirmed indicators of life in opposition to each UNLV and BYU, although, and play its greatest soccer of the 12 months within the first half in opposition to the Cougars.
For Air Drive: The Falcons are 4-1 on the 12 months, with wins over Northern Iowa, Colorado, Nevada and Navy, the one loss coming in opposition to Wyoming. Air Drive eked out a win over Navy final weekend, and boasts the highest dashing assault in all of school soccer, averaging 369.8 yards per sport.
What to observe for
Utah State Aggies quarterback Cooper Legas (5) runs for a landing in opposition to BYU in Provo on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information
Utah State has began to point out indicators of enchancment after a dismal begin to the season however victories proceed to elude the Aggies.
With new beginning quarterback Cooper Legas beneath heart in opposition to BYU, Utah State’s offense performed its greatest half of the season — the Aggies’ dashing assault was significantly efficient — however USU nonetheless charges as one of many worst offenses within the nation, rating 104th in passing offense and 72nd in dashing offense.
Defensively, Utah State is likely one of the greatest in all of school soccer at tackles for loss — tied for No. 8 total with 40 complete TFLs, a median of eight per sport — however has struggled in opposition to the run (108th in dashing protection) and the cross (tied for sixtieth in passing protection).
Air Drive has the very best dashing assault in faculty soccer and has been efficient with the cross, when wanted (the Falcons have thrown 5 touchdowns this 12 months, solely three lower than Utah State).
Defensively, the Falcons are elite in opposition to the cross (No. 6 total, permitting simply 151.6 passing yards per sport) and stable in opposition to the run (No. 52 total, permitting 127.2 dashing yards per sport).
Air Drive has scored 40 or extra factors in three video games this season, and with a 13-10 win over Navy confirmed the flexibility to win shut, low scoring video games as properly.
Key participant
Air Drive quarterback Haaziq Daniels (4) within the second half of an NCAA faculty soccer sport Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at Air Drive Academy, Colo.
David Zalubowski, Related Press
Haaziq Daniels, QB, Air Drive: Daniels has been the driving drive within the Falcons’ robust begin to the season, each along with his legs and his arm.
Via 5 video games, Daniels has thrown for 374 yards and 4 touchdowns, finishing practically 50% of his passes, whereas additionally dashing for 244 yards and two touchdowns.
Daniels’ skill to stretch the sector within the passing sport has made Air Drive’s dashing assault all of the extra harmful (senior operating again Brad Roberts leads the staff with 573 yards on 91 carries, with seven touchdowns).
“Their quarterback (Daniels) can throw the ball and throw it very successfully,” Utah State head coach Blake Anderson stated. “You are typically downhill and occupied with quarterback dive and pitch and the subsequent factor you understand they’ve obtained a man operating proper previous you and (Daniels) could make all of the throws.”
Quotable
Utah State Aggies head coach Blake Anderson watches the sport in Provo on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information
“Convention play is absolutely actually right here and we don’t have the luxurious of letting video games drop. Air Drive clearly presents large points for you with the triple (possibility), seeing it one time a 12 months. Some days you stone it and somedays, like final 12 months, they go up and down the sector. This week goes to inform us quite a bit about who we're transferring ahead.” — Utah State coach Blake Anderson
“They (Utah State) do many many issues extremely properly. There's a purpose they gained (the convention championship final 12 months). They have been the very best staff in our league. And actually clearly, palms down, the very best staff. Particularly the way in which they performed within the second half of the season. Of their final seven video games, there have been 5 the place they simply overwhelmed the opponent, together with within the (convention) championship sport.” — Air Drive coach Troy Calhoun
Subsequent up
Utah State travels to Fort Collins, Colorado, to tackle rival Colorado State on Sat. Oct. 15. Air Drive, in the meantime, travels to Las Vegas to tackle surging UNLV.
Utah State schedule
Utah State’s Robert Briggs (22) raises his hand earlier than he scores a contact down in opposition to the UConn Huskies at Maverik Stadium in Logan on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. Utah State gained 31-20.
Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
Aug. 27 — Utah State 31, UConn 20
Sept. 3 — No. 1 Alabama 55, Utah State 0
Sept. 10 — Weber State 35, Utah State 7
Sept. 17 — BYE
Sept. 24 — UNLV 34, Utah State 24
Sept. 29 — No. 16 BYU 38, Utah State 26
Oct. 8 — Utah State vs. Air Drive
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