UTAH STATE AGGIES

Mash Unit: Utah State Looks To Get Healthy Before Starting Potato Bowl Prep

Dec 4, 2023, 11:05 AM

usu tight end broc lane...

Utah State tight end Broc Lane is brought to the turf after making a catch in Utah State's 42-21 loss at San Jose State on Saturday, October 21.

LOGAN, Utah – A battered and beleaguered Utah State team has almost three weeks of rest before strapping the pads back on in preparation for Georgia State and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

With USU coaches out on the recruiting trail at the moment, bowl preparations aren’t expected to begin in earnest until the middle of December. That gives the Aggies at least 20 days between the 44-41, bowl-clinching win at New Mexico and stepping back on the practice field.

“Gotta get healthy,” Anderson said following the bowl announcement. “We were beat up pretty good. There are still a lot of guys who are going to be kind of day-to-day leading into the game.”

RELATED: Can USU Exorcise Albertsons Stadium Demons In Bowl Game?

“The guys will lift and run… on their own this week. I would anticipate we would start our prep itself for Georgia State as we get close to the 14th or 15th. Between now and then, get them healthy. Let them run and throw, and really work on their cardio. Get their bodies feeling better so we can go into that week trying to be as healthy as possible.”

RELATED: Geography Gives Utah State Built-In Advantage For Potato Bowl

Third-string QB Levi Williams got the nod under center against New Mexico after senior Cooper Legas (shoulder) and freshman McCae Hillstead (ankle) were injured in a blowout loss to Boise State the previous week.  Williams made the most of the opportunity, but Anderson said he hopes to have more clarity on the quarterback room once practice resumes.

“We still don’t know yet on Coop. Still don’t know on McCae.”

RELATED: USU Football To Face Georgia State In Familiar Bowl

Anderson said that the injury to Legas’ right arm makes his return more complicated.

“With that being a throwing shoulder, there’s a lot more involved there. It’s going to be day-to-day and see how he looks later in the week.”

Follow Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Prep With KSL Sports

The Aggies (6-6, 4-4) are scheduled to face the Georgia State Panthers (6-6, 3-5) for the first time in the 27th edition of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on December 23. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. (MT).

Find USU football on KSL Sports Zone with the voices of Scott Garrard and former Aggie quarterback Kevin White (1988-89).

Find KSL Sports coverage of Utah State University Athletics here. 

Take us with you, wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, and video and stay updated on all your favorite teams.

  • Utah State Aggies Scoreboard

  • Utah State Aggies Team Leaders

  • Utah State Aggies Standings

Utah State Aggies

Brevin Hamblin #4 of the Utah State Aggies preseason watchlists...

Brian Preece

Utah State’s Hamblin, Liston named to Bronko Nagurski, Outland preseason watchlists

Utah State safety Brevin Hamblin and center Jimmy Liston earned spots on the Bronko Nagurski and Outland Trophy preseason watchlists ahead of USU's first Pac-12 season.

5 days ago

Stew Morrill Court Utah State men's basketball...

Brian Preece

Utah State basketball announces 2026-27 non-conference schedule

Ben Jacobson's first Utah State basketball schedule features USC, BYU, SMU and Memphis as the Aggies prepare for their inaugural Pac-12 season in 2026-27.

6 days ago

Utah State Aggies safety Brevin Hamblin vs. Washington State Cougars...

Brian Preece

Previewing Utah State football’s 2026 schedule: Washington State Cougars

The Utah State Aggies host the Washington State Cougars in a Friday night Pac-12 rematch of the 2025 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Week 6 matchup breakdown.

8 days ago

Utah State vs. Boise State Broncos Albertsons Stadium...

Brian Preece

Previewing Utah State football’s 2026 schedule: Boise State Broncos

Utah State travels to the blue turf to face Maddux Madsen and the Boise State Broncos in a Week 5 Pac-12 opener. Preview, key matchups and what USU needs to win.

10 days ago

Troy Trojans at Utah State...

Brian Preece

Previewing Utah State football’s 2026 schedule: Troy Trojans

LOGAN, Utah – After two Power Four road tests, the Utah State Aggies return to Logan to close out their 2026 non-conference slate. Utah State hosts the Troy Trojans at Maverik Stadium on Sept. 26 in a Week 4 matchup — the first meeting between the programs since 2004 and Troy’s first trip to Logan […]

12 days ago

Rice-Eccles Stadium Utah Utes vs. Utah State Aggies...

Brian Preece

Previewing Utah State football’s 2026 schedule: Utah Utes

Former USU OC Kevin McGiven and ex-Aggie WR Braden Pegan are now at Utah. Here's what Mendenhall's Aggies face Sept. 19 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

15 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Photos provided by family of featured athletes...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13 – Stacia Peoples & Gavin Lowe

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

...

Northern Utah High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13 – Rachel McBride & Lincoln Smith

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Northern Utah.

Photos provided by featured athletes...

Utah County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13 – Janiece Sikander & Brody Thompson

The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep boy's and girl's basketball players in Utah County.

Photos provided by featured athletes...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 12 – Evy Roberts & Krew Eckman

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

Photos provided by family of featured athletes...

Northern Utah High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 12 – Fabiana Lopez, Madden Johnsen & Bracken Saunders

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Northern Utah.

Photos provided by featured athletes...

Utah County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 12 – Leah Bailey & Lucas Castagnetto

The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep boy's and girl's basketball players in Utah County.

Mash Unit: Utah State Looks To Get Healthy Before Starting Potato Bowl Prep