Utah State Players to Watch

Our Deacs are 2-0 and have a great opportunity this weekend to make that 3-0 against the Utah State Aggies (1-1). As always, I’m here to preview which players for the opposing team you should keep an eye on to have a big impact in Saturday’s game. This week was a little tougher, as Utah State is a pretty unfamiliar opponent who I have not seen play since they last took on Wake Forest. After hitting the film room, these are the players I determined you should watch out for this weekend:

Offense: Kent Myers | Senior QB | #2

Kent Myers is a dual threat QB in his 4th year for the Aggies. Through 2 games this season, he has completed 49 of his 67 pass attempts (73%) for 542 yards, 2 TDs, and 4 Ints (A couple of the interceptions were defected into the air by his receivers). He has also run the ball 13 times for 93 yards (7.2 avg) and 2 TDs. Over his career, he has thrown for over 5000 yards and 33 TDs and run the ball for over 1000 yards and 16 TDs. While his completion percentage is very high, it should be noted that the Utah State offensive system has plenty of effect on this. The Aggies run a combination of read option style plays and wide receiver screens almost a every play, so many of Myers’ throws are very quick hitting screens. That being said, his deep ball is in no way bad, and he likes to go deep on the occasional play action play. Myers is very athletic, and it will be important for the Deacon defensive line to contain him and keep him from getting out into open space, as the linebackers will likely be spread out to defend the screen passes. It should also be noted that Utah State runs a very fast paced offense (84 plays last game), so the defense will need to stay alert and ready.

Quick Note: Myers played in 7 games his freshman year in 2014, but the Wake Forest game was not one of them.

Defense: Suliasi Tamaivena | Junior LB | #42

Tamaivena is a junior playing his first season at Utah State. He previously played at the Junior College level where he earned California Community College Athletic Association 1st team All-America honors, 1st team all-Region III honors and was named the Southern California Football Association National Division Central Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year. As a member of the Aggies this season, Tamaivena is second on the team in total tackles with 13, having recorded 7 against Wisconsin and 6 against Idaho State. He also recovered 1 fumble against the Badgers. Tamaivena has very nice speed at the linebacker position and likes to make big hits. He could potentially make things difficult for the Deacon rushing attack.

Have any thoughts on these 2 players? Let us know, and Go Deacs!