Utah State Planning To Play Thursday After Game Cancellation Last Week
Nov 23, 2020, 3:08 PM | Updated: Feb 26, 2021, 2:32 pm
Utah State Aggies interim coach Frank Maile watches the game with the Fresno State Bulldogs in Logan on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
(Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State did not play last week against Wyoming due to COVID-19 cases in the program. As they are scheduled to face the New Mexico Lobos, the Aggies are planning on playing the game in Logan on Thanksgiving Day.
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Utah State interim head coach Frank Maile met with the media on Monday and told reporters that the team is planning on playing on Thursday as of right now.
“So as of today, we’re playing ball,” Maile stated. “Had a test today, got a test tomorrow, can only speak to one day at a time. So far, we’re in the clear to play ball. But our plan right now is to play Thursday.”
Per Mountain West Conference COVID-19 protocols, each team will test their players and staff three times per week.
"As of today we are playing ball." – @USUFootball interim head coach Frank Maile.
Coach said all signs point towards the game happening on Thursday against New Mexico.#AggiesAllTheWay
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 23, 2020
Utah State’s Starting Quarterback
Before the game against Wyoming was canceled last week, Maile announced that redshirt freshman Cooper Legas would start at quarterback versus the Cowboys since sophomore Andrew Peasley was not available due to COVID-19 protocols.
Now that Peasley is available this week, Maile didn’t name a starter and is letting Peasley and Legas compete for the starting job.
“I think it’s still up for competition there. I know Andrew (Peasley) has more experience. But I think it’s always a competition outside when it comes to the quarterback position,” Maile mentioned. “I think peasley has the upper hand because he knows the offense a little bit better and has more experience. But that doesn’t speak to what the competition will look like from day to day. So I expect this to still be a competition there. Obviously, meeting and talk with Coach Schramm to see if that’s a solidified deal. But I wouldn’t be so quick to say that’s what’s going to happen.”
On November 15, Utah State dismissed quarterback Jason Shelley from the team for violation of team rules.
Week 6️⃣ | vs New Mexico
Notes ➡️ https://t.co/8sXyjfuwkT#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/uxe7cxTTPK
— USU Football (@USUFootball) November 23, 2020
Utah State’s Offensive Coordinator To Miss Thursday’s Game
The interim head coach announced that offensive coordinator Bodie Reeder will not be calling the plays this week for the Aggies.
“Bodie Reeder’s not back, obviously from COVID,” said Maile. “So he’s just in a different role right now but Coach (Dave) Schramm will be running the offense this week.”
Maile announced after the loss to Fresno State two weeks ago that both offensive and defensive coordinators were not available for the game against the Bulldogs due to COVID-19.
Schramm is in his first season at Utah State as the running backs coach. He spent the last two seasons as Weber State’s offensive coordinator. From 2005-11, Schramm was an assistant coach with Utah, where he served as the OC in 2009 and Co-Offensive Coordinator in 2010.
Utah State and New Mexico will kickoff from Maverik Stadium on Thursday, November 26 at 5 p.m. MST and will be televised on FS1.
