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Season Preview - Utah State

Returning Starters

Offense (6)
WR - Kevin Robinson (Sr.)
WR - Otis Nelson (Jr.)
LG - Shawn Murphy (Sr.)
C - Ryan Tonnemacher (Jr.)
RG - Pace Jorgensen (Sr.)
TE - Rob Myers (Jr.)

Defense (8)
DT - Frank Maile (Sr.)
DT - Ben Childs (Sr.)
RE - Ben Calderwood (Jr.)
LB - Paul Igboeli (So.)
LB - Devon Hall (Jr.)
CB - Marquise Charles (Jr.)
FS - Antonio Taylor (Sr.)
SS - Caleb Taylor (Jr.)

Returning Leaders
Passing: Leon Jackson III, 150-73-693-7, 3TDs
Rushing: Leon Jackson III, 56 carries, 105 yards
Receiving: Kevin Robinson, 36 receptions, 582 yards, 5 TDs
Tackles: Antonio Taylor, 74 total, 43 solo
Sacks: Paul Igboeli, 3
Interceptions: Caleb Taylor, 2

2006 National Rankings

Offense Per Game Rank
Scoring 10.8 117
Rushing 114.8 87
Passing 139.7 111
Total 254.4 114
Defense Per Game Rank
Scoring 38.5 117
Rushing 186.3 111
Passing 249.8 112
Total 436 116

Nationally the Aggies ranked statistically near the bottom of Division I-A schools on both offense and defense. Head coach Brent Guy is entering his third season and fortunately the Aggies only can't get any worse than they were last year.

The Aggies will join North Texas as the second candidate for a shutout in Norman. They return six starters but only three among the skill positions. Leon Jackson III will return to the starting quarterback position after losing it because of turnovers.

Under new offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey look for the Aggies to improve in the running game but to struggle against the larger defensive fronts and athletic linebackers they'll play both in and out of conference.

Defensively the Aggies will have a solid linebacking corps making them solid against the run but an inability to get a consistent pass rush will allow opposing quarterbacks to enjoy all the time they need to find an open receiver.

Look for the Sooners to roll in this one and for Sam Bradford to have one of his best games of the season.