4. Utah State College Football Preview 2021: Defense
– The Utah State defense didn’t get any help from the offense, but it also didn’t do its part, allowing 485 yards and 35 points per game. On the plus side, the pass rush was okay, and now defensive coordinator Ephraim Banda wants to ramp things up even more. All new coaching staffs want to attack. This one will.
– The top nine tacklers are back, starting with the linebacking corps loaded with veterans. AJ Vongphachanh is a big thumper inside coming up with a team-high 50 stops, and he’ll be flanked by super-seniors Nik Heninger and Kevin Meitzenheimer. The depth is there, too, with a ton of help from the transfer portal – Arkansas State leading tackler Justin Rice will play an instant role. Now the Aggies need more from the defensive front.
– Marcus Moore is a veteran tackle, and the pieces have to fill in around him. There are young options, but a pass rusher has to emerge from the pack.
The secondary gets back all-around playmaker Shaq Bond at one of the safety spots, and the rest of the secondary is full of veterans. Now they all need to make more big plays – there were only two picks in the six games.