LOGAN, Utah - Even though it was the third day of preseason camp, Utah State’s football practice Wednesday was full of firsts, as it was the was first time the team was in shoulder pads, it was the first time that the team was in action on the practice field and it was the first time they practice as an entire unit after two days of split-group practice.

“I thought there was some good and some bad today. The energy level was good and the kids were excited to day to be out here as a full team and with pads on,” USU head coach Gary Andersen said. “I think that everyone, but especially on the defensive side of the ball, had some periods that it looked like we had made a lot of progress and some periods where it appeared that we hadn’t made the progress that we’re looking for. We’ll continue to fight. It’s only day three and I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made so far.”

Wednesday’s practice was also the first time that the team was all together after practicing in split groups on Monday and Tuesday, allowing the coaching staff to evaluate and instruct more, as well as have a full evaluation of the newcomers and get all players more reps and adaptation to the drills. Andersen and his coaching staff were pleased with the progress in the first day of everyone all together.

“The young men, especially the newcomers, have a lot on their plate and there’s a lot to learn in a very short period of time. We have to be able to get the young players on the field and get some reps so they can get better,” Andersen said. “I’ll look at the film and make a true evaluation. I wouldn’t by any means call it a great practice, but I would call it a good, solid start in pads.”

After practicing on the turf of Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium on Monday and Tuesday, the team was on the practice field for the first time Wednesday.

USU will practice in helmets, shoulder pads, practice jerseys and shorts again on Thursday and Friday before donning full pads on Saturday, which is also the first two-a-day, concluding the NCAA-mandated five-day acclimation period.

Wednesday was the third of Utah State’s 29 preseason practices before the season opener against No. 8 Oklahoma on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 5 p.m. (MT).

All practices through Aug. 21 are tentatively open to the public, but fans must remain off the field. When USU is on the practice field, all fans must stay outside of the fence and when the Aggies are on Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium, fans must remain in the stands at all times. All practices from Aug. 23 through Sept. 3 are closed to the public. All open practices are subject to change.

USU’s final scrimmage of the fall will be in association with Utah State Aggie Football Family Fun Day, sponsored by Macey’s Foods, and will be held on Saturday, August 21 at Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium. The event provides fans a chance to meet USU football players and coaches, participate in games and activities as well as purchase season tickets.

Activities sponsored by Macey’s Foods will begin at 12:30 p.m., on the South Concourse of Romney Stadium. USU’s football scrimmage gets underway at 1 p.m.

Season tickets as well as two-game packages will be also available for purchase at the USU Football Family Fun Day on Saturday, Aug. 21 at the Romney Stadium Box Office, which is located on the South end of Romney Stadium. Season tickets will also be available for pickup for fans that ordered reserved west or east side season tickets prior to July 20, as well as anyone who purchased general admission, Junior Aggie, or family plan tickets. Fans that ordered reserved west or east side season tickets after July 20 will need to pick up their tickets from the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum Ticket Office the week of the first home game beginning Tuesday, Sept. 7.

USU opens the 2010 season at Oklahoma on Saturday, Sept. 4, while Utah State’s home-opener is Saturday, Sept. 11 vs. border-foe Idaho State at 6 p.m. (MT).

To purchase tickets, or for more Aggie football ticket information, fans can contact the USU Ticket Office at 1-888-USTATE-1 or 435-797-0305, in person at the USU Ticket Office inside the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, or on-line 24 hours a day at www.utahstateaggies.com under the “tickets” drop down menu.

Fans can follow the Aggie football program at twitter.com/USUFootball and through the USU football blog at usufootball.wordpress.com. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on facebook at Utah State University Athletics.


USU Football Practice Dates, Times and Locations
Thurs., Aug. 12 - 9:15-11:15 a.m. - Practice Field
Fri., Aug. 13 - 9:15-11:15 a.m. - Practice Field
Sat., Aug. 14 - 9-10:45 a.m. / 4:55-6:25 p.m. - Practice Field ** First two-a-day **
Mon., Aug. 16 - 9-10:45 a.m. / 4:55-6:25 p.m. - Practice Field
Tues., Aug. 17 - 9-10:45 a.m. - Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium
Wed., Aug. 18 - 9-10:45 a.m. / 4:55-6:25 p.m. - Practice Field
Thurs., Aug. 19 - 9-11 a.m. - Practice Field
Fri., Aug. 20 - 9-10:45 a.m. / 4:55-6:25 p.m. - Practice Field
Sat., Aug. 21 - 1 p.m. ** Scrimmage – part of Aggie Football Family Fun Day - Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium **
Mon., Aug. 23 – Sat., Aug. 28 - Closed Practices
End of training camp
Mon., Aug. 30 – Fri., Sept. 3 - Closed Practices

*** Note: Fans coming to open practices must remain off the field. When USU is on the practice field, all fans must stay outside of the fence and when the Aggies are on Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium, fans must remain in the stands at all times. All practices from Aug. 23 through Sept. 3 are closed to the public. All open practices are subject to change


-USU-