USU 2010 FB sked takes shape

Trips to Oklahoma and San Diego State await Utah State’s football team next fall.

The Aggies, who will be coached by Gary Andersen in his second season at USU, will also host BYU and Idaho State in non-conference play.

Here’s a look at the dates of the preseason games. Kickoff times will be announced later after television schedules are locked in.

Sept. 4 at Oklahoma
Sept. 11 Idaho State
Sept. 25 at San Diego State
Oct. 1 BYU

The schedule, while tough, is more in line with USU’s new philosophy of creating an environment that challenges the team, but also presents a more realistic opportunity for success.

It will also ensure the Aggies have six home games next year and in years to come.

Here’s the press release from USU.

“It is extremely difficult to establish momentum, build consistency in our program and grow your fan base when playing the kind of schedule we have. Last year is a good example of what we will strive to avoid in future years,” USU athletic director Scott Barnes said in reference to the 2009 ledger which had five home games, including the first two and four of the first five on the road.

In the past 13 seasons, the Aggies have played six home games only twice, in 1998 and 2008, although six were scheduled in 2005, but the season-opener vs. Nicholls State was cancelled due to Hurricane Katrina. In USU’s 116 seasons of football, the Aggies have had six home games on the slate a total of only six times: 1952, 1978, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2008.

“We’re extremely excited about having six home games,” USU football coach Gary Andersen said. “That’s great for our team, for the University, for our fans and for the community. It perfectly fits Mr. Barnes’ master plan for a balanced schedule.”

USU’s 2010 non-conference schedule consists of a trip to Oklahoma on Saturday, Sept. 4, where the Aggies last traveled to in 2007. Utah State will also host Idaho State on Saturday, Sept. 11, facing the Bengals for the first time since 2002. On Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, USU will play at San Diego State, starting a home-and-home series. The Aggies last faced the Aztecs in 1975. USU will conclude non-conference action by hosting BYU on Friday, Oct. 1.

“With at least four non-conference opportunities, we want to create a schedule that is both exciting for our fans and has better balance,” Barnes said.

USU’s 2010 schedule will also have the progressing WAC foes, with that complete schedule expected to be released by the conference office in March. The Aggies will have home games against Fresno State, Hawai’i, Idaho and New Mexico State while traveling to Boise State, Louisiana Tech, Nevada and San Jose State.