Utah State Aggies football
Encyclopedia
The Utah State Aggies are a college football
team that competes in the Western Athletic Conference
(WAC) of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of NCAA Division I, representing Utah State University
. The Utah State college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Romney Stadium
since 1968. They have won eleven conference championships in four different conferences during their history. Overall, the Aggies have a record of 487–501–31 (.493).
The Aggies are currently coached by Gary Andersen
, who replaced Brent Guy
following the unsuccessful 2008 season. Andersen was previously the defensive coordinator at the University of Utah, and a part of the 2008 Utes team
that went undefeated and won a BCS bowl victory in the 2009 Sugar Bowl
.
The Aggies have played in six bowl games in their history, in which they have won one: the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl
, where they defeated Ball State
. Most recently, in 1997, the team lost to Cincinnati
in the Humanitarian Bowl
. The Aggies will play in their seventh bowl game on December 17, in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
, which use to be the Humanitarian Bowl.
, 12-0. The game was played on what is now the quad, and it was the only game until 1896. The Aggies enjoyed early regional dominance, notching their first perfect season (7-0) in 1907. In 1911, under head coach Clayton Teetzel
, the team again finished undefeated, even shutting out each of its five opponents by a collective score of 164 to 0. Hall of Fame
. The makeshift field on the quad continued to serve the team until 1913, when football was moved to Adams Field, two blocks west of campus, where Adams Park now sits. The new field represented an improvement, but the facilities remained meager, which fact became more apparent with the success of Coach E. L. "Dick" Romney
, who came to Logan in 1918. Romney, for whom the current football stadium is named, earned the team's first-ever conference championship in 1921, and compiled a 128-91-16 record in 29 seasons.
The program continued a rich legacy throughout the early- and mid-20th century, when the program produced a large number of athletes who went on to play in the NFL, including the legendary brothers and consensus All-Americans Merlin Olsen
and Phil Olsen
, who played for the Aggies. It was during this time that Utah State finished their only two seasons with year-end Top 25 rankings: #10 in 1961 and #19 in 1972.
Following the great heights of the 1960s and 70's, Aggie football fell upon hard times. Many of the Aggie faithful attribute the decline to administrators at both Utah
and BYU
freezing then-superior USU out of the newly-forming WAC. However, other factors cited as leading to the decline include a failure to upgrade facilities until recently, a lack of donors to athletics, complacency of past athletics directors, and instability in conferences. The decline of the football program has had a negative effect on the perception of the university as a whole, and it is something that the Aggies are only now recovering from.
After continual failed attempts to join the WAC, the program played as an independent program from 1962 through 1976, and again from 2002 through 2004, before joining the geographically distant Sun Belt Conference
, after the Big West Conference
, which had housed the Aggies since 1978, elected to stop sponsoring football in 2001. USU's other teams remained in that conference until the school was finally invited to join the Western Athletic Conference
(WAC) in 2005. Despite having lobbied to join its in-state rivals Utah
and BYU
in the WAC for many decades prior to 2005, the Aggies gained membership after the two other schools had left with six other schools to form the Mountain West Conference
.
USU fans hold out great hope for current coach Andersen, who finished his first two years with unimpressive 4-8 records (5-11 WAC). Aggie fans, however, note that three of the conference losses came at margins of either 3 or 4 points, and after the Aggies had been leading a significant portion of each game. This is a stark contrast to years past, in which the majority of games were often lost by several touchdowns.
. Named for E.L. “Dick” Romney, Utah State’s all-time winningest football coach and former athletics director, Romney Stadium was officially dedicated on Sept. 27, 1969. The first game in Romney Stadium history came a season earlier in 1968, when Utah State defeated New Mexico State
, 28-12 on September 14. Previous to the current stadium, the Aggies played at another, smaller venue also called "Romney Stadium," which was situated on the site where the HPER building now stands.
On December 5, 2009, Utah State University announced that the playing field at Romney Stadium would be named Merlin Olsen
Field, in honor of the Pro and
College Football Hall of Fame
member and former Aggie. A statue of Olsen in a plaza south of the stadium was dedicated to his memory in Fall 2010.
Utah State's student section is known as "the HURD."
championships in 1996 and 1997. They have not won a conference championship since joining the WAC
in 2005.
s.
. The two teams have a long-running football series, which, at 109 games, is the twelfth most played rivalry in the nation. USU trails in the series, 77–28–4. Both programs played the first game in their respective histories against each other in Logan on November 25, 1892, which game the Aggies won 12–0. The two teams have played every year since 1944, but the series is scheduled to take a two-year hiatus for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Utah State has lost the last 12 games and 20 of the last 22 in the rivalry.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
team that competes in the Western Athletic Conference
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
(WAC) of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of NCAA Division I, representing Utah State University
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
. The Utah State college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Romney Stadium
Romney Stadium
Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium is an outdoor football stadium in Logan, Utah, USA, on the campus of Utah State University . It is the home field of the Utah State Aggies of the Western Athletic Conference. It opened in 1968 and currently has a seating capacity of 25,513...
since 1968. They have won eleven conference championships in four different conferences during their history. Overall, the Aggies have a record of 487–501–31 (.493).
The Aggies are currently coached by Gary Andersen
Gary Andersen
-External links:* *...
, who replaced Brent Guy
Brent Guy
-External links:*...
following the unsuccessful 2008 season. Andersen was previously the defensive coordinator at the University of Utah, and a part of the 2008 Utes team
2008 Utah Utes football team
The 2008 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team, coached by 4th year head football coach Kyle Whittingham, plays its home games in Rice–Eccles Stadium...
that went undefeated and won a BCS bowl victory in the 2009 Sugar Bowl
2009 Sugar Bowl
The 2009 Allstate Sugar Bowl was the 75th annual edition of the annual college football bowl game that is part of the 2008–09 bowl season of the Bowl Championship Series 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
.
The Aggies have played in six bowl games in their history, in which they have won one: the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl
Las Vegas Bowl
The Maaco Bowl Las Vegas is an NCAA-sanctioned Division I-A post-season college football bowl game that has been played annually at 40,000-seat Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. since 1992. From 1992 to 1996, matchups featured the champion teams from the Big West and Mid-American...
, where they defeated Ball State
Ball State Cardinals football
The Ball State Cardinals football team represents Ball State University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football competition as a member of the Mid-American Conference .-Recent history:...
. Most recently, in 1997, the team lost to Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bearcats football
The Cincinnati Bearcats football program represents the University of Cincinnati in a college football. They compete at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level as members of the Big East Conference. The Bearcat football program is one of the nation's oldest, having fielded a team as...
in the Humanitarian Bowl
1997 Humanitarian Bowl
The 1997 edition to the Humanitarian Bowl was the 1st edition of the bowl game. It featured the and the .Cincinnati took a 7-0 lead on a 14 yard touchdown pass from Chad Plummer to Cornelius Bonner. They led 14-0 on a 14 yard scoring pass from Deontey Kenner to Cornelius Bonner...
. The Aggies will play in their seventh bowl game on December 17, in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
The 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, the 15th edition of the game, will be a post-season American college football bowl game, held on December 17, 2011 at Bronco Stadium on the campus of Boise State University in Boise, Idaho as part of the 2011–12 NCAA Bowl season.This is the first year the game...
, which use to be the Humanitarian Bowl.
History
The first intercollegiate athletic event in Utah State University's history took place on November 25, 1892, when the Agriculturalists defeated the football team from the University of UtahUtah Utes
The Utah Utes are the athletics teams of the University of Utah. They are named after the Ute tribe of Native Americans. The men's basketball team is known as the "Runnin' Utes"; the women's basketball team, formerly known as the "Lady Utes," now prefers to be referred to as the "Utes"; and the...
, 12-0. The game was played on what is now the quad, and it was the only game until 1896. The Aggies enjoyed early regional dominance, notching their first perfect season (7-0) in 1907. In 1911, under head coach Clayton Teetzel
Clayton Teetzel
Clayton Tryon Teetzel was an American athlete and athletic coach. He played American football and competed in track for the University of Michigan from 1897 to 1899 and later coached football, basketball and track at Michigan State Normal College , Benton Harbor High School, Brigham Young...
, the team again finished undefeated, even shutting out each of its five opponents by a collective score of 164 to 0. Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
. The makeshift field on the quad continued to serve the team until 1913, when football was moved to Adams Field, two blocks west of campus, where Adams Park now sits. The new field represented an improvement, but the facilities remained meager, which fact became more apparent with the success of Coach E. L. "Dick" Romney
Dick Romney
Ernest Lowell "Dick" Romney was an American football and basketball player and coach, track athlete, and college athletics administrator...
, who came to Logan in 1918. Romney, for whom the current football stadium is named, earned the team's first-ever conference championship in 1921, and compiled a 128-91-16 record in 29 seasons.
The program continued a rich legacy throughout the early- and mid-20th century, when the program produced a large number of athletes who went on to play in the NFL, including the legendary brothers and consensus All-Americans Merlin Olsen
Merlin Olsen
Merlin Jay Olsen was an American football player in the National Football League, NFL commentator, and actor. He played his entire 15-year career with the Los Angeles Rams and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 14 of those seasons, a current record shared with Bruce Matthews...
and Phil Olsen
Phil Olsen
Phillip Vernor Olsen is a former center and defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos and the son of Lynn Jay and Merle Olsen. He also was a member of the Buffalo Bills. He is the younger brother of Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen.- High...
, who played for the Aggies. It was during this time that Utah State finished their only two seasons with year-end Top 25 rankings: #10 in 1961 and #19 in 1972.
Following the great heights of the 1960s and 70's, Aggie football fell upon hard times. Many of the Aggie faithful attribute the decline to administrators at both Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
and BYU
BYU
-Education:* Brigham Young University, a university located in Provo, Utah, USA administered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.**BYU Salt Lake Center, a satellite center in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA...
freezing then-superior USU out of the newly-forming WAC. However, other factors cited as leading to the decline include a failure to upgrade facilities until recently, a lack of donors to athletics, complacency of past athletics directors, and instability in conferences. The decline of the football program has had a negative effect on the perception of the university as a whole, and it is something that the Aggies are only now recovering from.
- 1914–1937: Rocky Mountain Athletic ConferenceRocky Mountain Athletic ConferenceThe Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the western United States, mostly in Colorado with some members in Nebraska and New Mexico...
- 1938–1961: Mountain States Conference
- 1962–1977: Independent
- 1978–2000: Big West ConferenceBig West ConferenceThe Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
- 2001–2002: Independent
- 2003–2004: Sun Belt ConferenceSun Belt ConferenceThe Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...
- 2005–present: Western Athletic ConferenceWestern Athletic ConferenceThe Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
After continual failed attempts to join the WAC, the program played as an independent program from 1962 through 1976, and again from 2002 through 2004, before joining the geographically distant Sun Belt Conference
Sun Belt Conference
The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...
, after the Big West Conference
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
, which had housed the Aggies since 1978, elected to stop sponsoring football in 2001. USU's other teams remained in that conference until the school was finally invited to join the Western Athletic Conference
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
(WAC) in 2005. Despite having lobbied to join its in-state rivals Utah
Utah Utes
The Utah Utes are the athletics teams of the University of Utah. They are named after the Ute tribe of Native Americans. The men's basketball team is known as the "Runnin' Utes"; the women's basketball team, formerly known as the "Lady Utes," now prefers to be referred to as the "Utes"; and the...
and BYU
BYU Cougars
BYU Cougars is an American soccer team based in Provo, Utah, United States. The team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference....
in the WAC for many decades prior to 2005, the Aggies gained membership after the two other schools had left with six other schools to form the Mountain West Conference
Mountain West Conference
The Mountain West Conference , popularly known as the Mountain West, is the youngest of the college athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I FBS . The MWC officially began operations in July 1999...
.
USU fans hold out great hope for current coach Andersen, who finished his first two years with unimpressive 4-8 records (5-11 WAC). Aggie fans, however, note that three of the conference losses came at margins of either 3 or 4 points, and after the Aggies had been leading a significant portion of each game. This is a stark contrast to years past, in which the majority of games were often lost by several touchdowns.
Notable players
- DL – Lionel AldridgeLionel AldridgeLionel Aldridge was a United States professional football player.He was drafted in 1963 after a standout college career at Utah State. One of the few rookies to start for coach Vince Lombardi, Aldridge enjoyed an eleven-year NFL career...
(1960–1962)... Hon. Men. All-American (1962); 11-year NFL career, 2 Super BowlSuper BowlThe Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
rings with the Green Bay Packers - QB - Anthony CalvilloAnthony CalvilloAnthony Calvillo is a Canadian Football League quarterback, currently playing for the Montreal Alouettes. He is the all-time professional football passing yards leader and first in all-time CFL passing yards...
(1992–1993)... 17-year CFLCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
career including 2 Grey CupGrey CupThe Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
Wins; 4-time CFL All-Star; CFL's Most Outstanding Player AwardCFL's Most Outstanding Player AwardThe Most Outstanding Player Award is annually awarded to the best player in the Canadian Football League. The Most Outstanding Player award can be compared to the National Football League's Most Valuable Player, otherwise known as the "MVP" award...
2003, 2008, 2009, and all-time record holder for touchdown passes. - QB - Bill MunsonBill MunsonWilliam Alan Munson was a professional American football quarterback who played in 16 NFL seasons from 1964 through 1979 for five different teams. He was 6'2" and weighed 203 lbs. He was best known for his years as a starter for the Detroit Lions in the mid-1970s...
(1964-1964)...played in 16 NFL seasons from 1964-1979 for five different teams, starting for the Detroit Lions through the late 1960's and early 1970's. - PK - Jim Turner (1961-1963) ... a QB in college, he kicked a then record 145 points in the 1968 regular NFL season, with a pro football record 34 field goals. Has one Super Bowl ring with the New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, who defeated the Baltimore ColtsBaltimore ColtsBaltimore Colts may refer to the following football teams:* Baltimore Colts , an All-America Football Conference franchise and National Football League franchise that disbanded after the 1950 season...
in Super Bowl III. Played 9 seaons with the Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, including Super Bowl XII against the Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. Was 304 of 488 (62%) on field goals and 521 of 534 extra points, giving him 1,439 total points over his career. Inducted into the Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Ring of Fame in 1988, and is all-time second team, American Football LeagueAmerican Football LeagueThe American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
. - QB - Bob GaglianoBob GaglianoRobert Frank "Bob" "The Goose" Gagliano , is a former professional American football player. He began his career playing quarterback for Glendale Community College. He then played for United States International University in San Diego, and Utah State University...
(1980)... Played for 14 years in the NFL with eight teams, and one season with the Denver Gold of the United States Football League (USFL). - TE – Chris Cooley (2000–2003)... Led NCAA in TE receptions as a senior; NFL Pro Bowl (2007-2009) with the Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
- WR – Kevin CurtisKevin Curtis-St. Louis Rams:Curtis was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the 3rd round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Curtis was inactive for the first five games of 2003 after suffering a broken fibula in the final preseason game at Buffalo. In 2004, Curtis played in all but one game, totaling 32 catches for 421...
(2001–2002)... 3rd team AP All-American (2001); finished career as USU receptions leader. Has played for the St. Louis RamsSt. Louis RamsThe St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
and the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Currently with the Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... - LB – LaVell EdwardsLaVell EdwardsR. LaVell Edwards is a former American football coach of Brigham Young University . With 257 career victories, he ranks as one of the most successful college football coaches of all time...
(1949–1951)... All-Mountain States (1950); Hall of Fame coach at Brigham Young University - QB – Eric HippleEric HippleEric Ellsworth Hipple is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 1980 NFL Draft. A 6'2", 198 lbs. quarterback from Utah State, Hipple played in 9 NFL seasons for the Lions from 1980–1986 and 1988-1989...
(1976–1979)... All-Pacific Coast; 10-year NFL career with the Detroit Lions - OG – Jim Hough (1974–1977)... 2nd team AP All-American (1977), 9 years in NFL
- DL – Rulon JonesRulon JonesRulon Jones is a retired American football defensive lineman.Jones was drafted out of the Utah State University in the 1980 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. He played his entire career in Denver. During his career, Jones played in 129 games and recorded 52.5 official quarterback sacks...
(1976–1979)... 1st team AP All-American (1979); AFC Defensive Player of the Year (1986) - DL – Greg KragenGreg KragenGregory John Kragen is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League including three Super Bowls and five championship games. He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 1989 and made the All-Madden team twice...
(1980–1983)... 13-year NFL career; Pro Bowl, 3 Super Bowl rings - DL – Merlin OlsenMerlin OlsenMerlin Jay Olsen was an American football player in the National Football League, NFL commentator, and actor. He played his entire 15-year career with the Los Angeles Rams and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 14 of those seasons, a current record shared with Bruce Matthews...
(1959–1961)... 2-time and Consensus All-American, Outland Trophy winner (1961); 14 Pro Bowls - DL – Phil OlsenPhil OlsenPhillip Vernor Olsen is a former center and defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos and the son of Lynn Jay and Merle Olsen. He also was a member of the Buffalo Bills. He is the younger brother of Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen.- High...
(1967–1969)... Consensus All-American (1969); 9-year NFL career - WR - Kevin RobinsonKevin RobinsonKevin Lee Robinson is a professional gridiron football wide receiver for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
(2003–2007)... NCAA all-time leader in all-purpose yards per play (16.16; 6,479 yds in 401 career plays) - OT – Len RohdeLen RohdeLeonard Emil Rohde was an American football offensive tackle who played fifteen seasons for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He helped the 49ers win the NFC West Division from 1970–72 and he was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1970 season...
(1957–1959)... Two-time all-Skyline Eight; 15-year NFL career. - LB – Al Smith (1984–1986)... Big West Defensive Player of the Year (1986), 2-time Honorable Mention All-American
- OT - Donald PennDonald PennDonald Ward Penn is an American football offensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
(2002-2006)... Currently the starting left tackle for the Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
. He was named to the 2011 Pro Bowl. - DB - Jarrett BushJarrett BushJarrett Bush is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2006, but was claimed by Green Bay immediately following the preseason of his rookie year and has played there...
(2004-2005)... Currently a nickle back with the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
. In Super Bowl XLV, he had one interception, one hit on quarterback, one pass defended, and four solo tackles.
Stadium
Utah State's home games are played at Romney StadiumRomney Stadium
Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium is an outdoor football stadium in Logan, Utah, USA, on the campus of Utah State University . It is the home field of the Utah State Aggies of the Western Athletic Conference. It opened in 1968 and currently has a seating capacity of 25,513...
. Named for E.L. “Dick” Romney, Utah State’s all-time winningest football coach and former athletics director, Romney Stadium was officially dedicated on Sept. 27, 1969. The first game in Romney Stadium history came a season earlier in 1968, when Utah State defeated New Mexico State
New Mexico State Aggies football
The New Mexico State Aggies football team represents New Mexico State University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football competition as a member of the Western Athletic Conference ....
, 28-12 on September 14. Previous to the current stadium, the Aggies played at another, smaller venue also called "Romney Stadium," which was situated on the site where the HPER building now stands.
On December 5, 2009, Utah State University announced that the playing field at Romney Stadium would be named Merlin Olsen
Merlin Olsen
Merlin Jay Olsen was an American football player in the National Football League, NFL commentator, and actor. He played his entire 15-year career with the Los Angeles Rams and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 14 of those seasons, a current record shared with Bruce Matthews...
Field, in honor of the Pro and
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
member and former Aggie. A statue of Olsen in a plaza south of the stadium was dedicated to his memory in Fall 2010.
Utah State's student section is known as "the HURD."
Stadium history
- 1892–1912 University Quad
- 1913–1929 Adams Field
- 1930–1967 Romney Stadium (original site)
- 1968–present Romney Stadium (current site).
Conference championships
The Aggies have won eleven conference championships in their history, most recently the Big West ConferenceBig West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
championships in 1996 and 1997. They have not won a conference championship since joining the WAC
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
in 2005.
| Conference | Year | Coach |
| Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the western United States, mostly in Colorado with some members in Nebraska and New Mexico... |
1921 | Dick Romney Dick Romney Ernest Lowell "Dick" Romney was an American football and basketball player and coach, track athlete, and college athletics administrator... |
| 1935* | Dick Romney | |
| 1936 | Dick Romney | |
| Big Seven Conference | 1946* | Dick Romney |
| Skyline Conference | 1960* | John Ralston |
| 1961* | John Ralston | |
| Big West Conference Big West Conference The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped... |
1978* | Bruce Snyder Bruce Snyder Bruce Snyder was an American football player and coach. After playing for Oregon in the early 1960s as a fullback, Snyder embarked on a coaching career... |
| 1979 | Bruce Snyder | |
| 1993* | Charlie Weatherbie Charlie Weatherbie -External links:*... |
|
| 1996* | John L. Smith John L. Smith John L. Smith is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the special teams coach at the University of Arkansas, under head coach Bobby Petrino... |
|
| 1997* | John L. Smith | |
| * Denotes shared championship | ||
Bowl games
The Utah State Aggies have played in six officially NCAA sanctioned bowl gameBowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
s.
| Year | Bowl | Score | Coach | Final AP | ||||||
| 1946 | Raisin Bowl Raisin Bowl The Raisin Bowl was an annual post-season American college football bowl game played at Ratcliffe Stadium in Fresno, California, from 1946 to 1949. The first four games were played on January 1, the last on December 31. The games pitted a California team against an at-large team... |
20 | 0 | Dick Romney Dick Romney Ernest Lowell "Dick" Romney was an American football and basketball player and coach, track athlete, and college athletics administrator... |
||||||
| 1947 | Grape Bowl | 35 | 21 | Dick Romney | ||||||
| 1960 | Sun Bowl Sun Bowl The Sun Bowl is an annual U.S. college football bowl game that is usually played at the end of December in El Paso, Texas. The Sun Bowl, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl are the second-oldest bowl games in the country, behind the Rose Bowl... |
20 | 13 | John Ralston | ||||||
| 1961 | Gotham Bowl Gotham Bowl The Gotham Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game that was played in New York City, United States, in 1961 and 1962. The game was initially created as a fund raising attempt for the March of Dimes.... |
Baylor Baylor Bears football The Baylor Bears football team represents Baylor University in Division I FBS college football. They are a member of the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.-History:... |
24 | Utah State | 9 | John Ralston | #10 | |||
| 1993 | Utah State | 42 | Ball State Ball State Cardinals football The Ball State Cardinals football team represents Ball State University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football competition as a member of the Mid-American Conference .-Recent history:... |
33 | Charlie Weatherbie Charlie Weatherbie -External links:*... |
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| 1997 | Cincinnati Cincinnati Bearcats football The Cincinnati Bearcats football program represents the University of Cincinnati in a college football. They compete at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level as members of the Big East Conference. The Bearcat football program is one of the nation's oldest, having fielded a team as... |
35 | 19 | John L. Smith John L. Smith John L. Smith is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the special teams coach at the University of Arkansas, under head coach Bobby Petrino... |
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| 2011 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl The 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, the 15th edition of the game, will be a post-season American college football bowl game, held on December 17, 2011 at Bronco Stadium on the campus of Boise State University in Boise, Idaho as part of the 2011–12 NCAA Bowl season.This is the first year the game... |
Utah State 2011 Utah State Aggies football team The 2011 Utah State Aggies football team represents Utah State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Aggies are led by third year head coach Gary Andersen and play their home games at Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium... |
vs | TBA | Gary Andersen Gary Andersen -External links:* *... |
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Battle of the Brothers
The Battle of the Brothers refers to the rivalry between Utah State and UtahUtah Utes football
The Utah Utes football program is a college football team that currently competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I and represents the University of Utah. The Utah college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Rice–Eccles...
. The two teams have a long-running football series, which, at 109 games, is the twelfth most played rivalry in the nation. USU trails in the series, 77–28–4. Both programs played the first game in their respective histories against each other in Logan on November 25, 1892, which game the Aggies won 12–0. The two teams have played every year since 1944, but the series is scheduled to take a two-year hiatus for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Utah State has lost the last 12 games and 20 of the last 22 in the rivalry.
Future schedules
The Aggies have the following non-conference opponents contracted to play in future seasons:| 2012 | 2013 |
| 9/1 Southern Utah Southern Utah University Southern Utah University, or SUU, is located in Cedar City, Utah. It was founded in 1897 as an extension of the Agricultural College of Utah, by the citizens of Cedar City.During its history, the school has been known as:... |
8/29 @ Utah |
| 9/8 Utah Utah Utes football The Utah Utes football program is a college football team that currently competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I and represents the University of Utah. The Utah college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Rice–Eccles... |
9/7 San Diego State San Diego State Aztecs football The San Diego State football team represents the San Diego State Aztecs in college football. The Aztecs, a Division I FBS team and a member of the Mountain West Conference, play their home games at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The field is natural grass and has a maximum capacity of... |
| 9/15 @ Wisconsin Wisconsin Badgers football The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football... |
9/14 Weber State |
| 9/22 @ Colorado State | 9/21 @ USC |
| 9/29 UNLV UNLV Rebels football The UNLV Rebels football program is a college football team that represents the University of Nevada, Las Vegas . The team is currently a member of the Mountain West Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association... |
9/28 @ UNLV |
| 10/5 @ BYU | 10/4 BYU |