With McCae Hillstead’s Potential Return, Who Starts At Quarterback For Utah State?

LOGAN, Utah – Utah State may have an inadvertent quarterback controversy brewing with the improved play of Cooper Legas and the imminent return of McCae Hillstead.

The Aggies will be in California to face the San Jose State Spartans on Saturday, October 21. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. (MT).

RELATED: With Effort Unquestioned, Technique & Execution Key To Utah State Improvement

HUGE shot downfield! @USUFootball keeping it competitive 🏈 pic.twitter.com/xe1afa2zeh

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) October 14, 2023

“I haven’t made a final decision yet,” head coach Blake Anderson cautioned in his weekly press conference.

A true freshman, Hillstead seized the starting job at Air Force in mid-September. In three games, the former Skyridge Falcon threw for 712 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions before suffering a second-half concussion against UConn.

"We’re going to be very careful. When he comes back, we’ll make sure that he’s ready when he does.” — @USUFootball head coach Blake Anderson on the status of QB McCae Hillstead this weekend against @CSUFootball #AggiesAllTheWayhttps://t.co/5MreUwcQIW

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 3, 2023

Anderson said that Hillstead’s availability will be determined by team trainers and doctors when they report for practice tomorrow.

The incumbent starter to begin the year, Legas has thrown 10 TDs against just four interceptions while piling up 954 passing yards. Most importantly, Legas has been able to clean up some of the mistakes that caused him to lose the job in the first place.

Cooper Legas' career-high fourth TD of the night extends @USUFootball's lead to 37-17#AggiesAllTheWay https://t.co/WqwunhjRsC

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 8, 2023

“I feel like Coop did a really good job in McCae’s absence.  He did grow up from some of his earlier issues but it wasn’t without mistakes,” Anderson cautioned.

Who will ultimately be lining up under center when the Aggies face San Jose State on Friday? Anderson’s decision-making process is simple. “What gives us the best chance to be successful moving forward? That’s the ultimate answer. Who and what allows us to be the most successful.”

Following The Aggies With KSL Sports Zone

Utah State (3-4, 1-2) prepares for a road tilt against the San Jose State Spartans (2-5, 1-2) on Saturday, October 21. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. (MT). The Aggies enter riding a ten-game winning streak against SJSU but are 20-20-1 all-time against the Spartans. USU became bowl-eligible with a come-from-behind 35-31 win over San Jose State in Logan last November. The Aggies are 8-11-1 against the Spartans on the road.

Utah State football games are found on KSL Sports Zone with Scott Garrard and former Aggie quarterback Kevin White (1988-89) on the call.

KSL Sports coverage of USU Athletics can be found here. 

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