USU Is Going Bowling

After a 14-year absence from post-season play, the Utah State football team is finally headed to a bowl game.

Coach Gary Anderson along with Director of Athletics Scott Barnes announced Monday that they accepted an invitation to play in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

The bowl game will be played Saturday, Dec. 17 at 3:30 p.m. at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho.

“It feels great to be going to a bowl,” running back Kerwynn Williams said. “It feels good to be able to have the opportunity to play this game for the fans and the community.”

The game will be telecast nationally on ESPN and broadcast on ESPN Radio however many students will make the four-hour drive to Boise to watch the game.

“It’s their first bowl in 14 years so it’s worth the drive to me,” Brady Sanderson, a USU student said. “It’s good to support our team and show that we care by making the trip to see them play. Besides, they're going to need our help.”

The Aggies will need the home-field advantage indeed.

The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl selects a top team from the Western Athletic Conference and Mid-American Conference.

Although the MAC team has not been selected yet, the Aggies will most likely face the Ohio Bobcats or the Northern Illinois Huskies, who are the top teams in the MAC East and West divisions.

Ohio, 9-3 and first place in the MAC East, features a stellar offense that ranks 35th in the nation according to ESPN. The Aggies will have their hands full trying to stop Bobcats’ sophomore quarterback Tyler Tettleton, who has almost 3,000 yards passing this season.

Northern Illinois is first place in the MAC West and has a record of 9-3. The Huskies also sport a powerful offense lead by senior quarterback Chandler Harnish. Harnish can be a pocket passer or run the ball. He has over 2,600 yards passing and over 1,300 yards rushing with 34 total touchdowns this season. Harnish was also given the MAC Most Valuable Player award for his performance this season.

(s.o'sullivan)