Given that this is the first time that your Auburn Tigers will take on Utah State, plus the fact that most of you probably didn’t even know they existed, I figured it might be a good idea to learn a little about this Saturday’s visitors.
Utah State University is located in Logan, UT, just over an hour north of Salt Lake City. The Aggies have been a member of the Western Athletic Conference (Boise State’s old conference) since 2005. They have won 11 championships in various conferences since their beginning, the last being a Big West championship in 1997. Their overall record is 487-501-31 with a 1-5 record in bowl games.
The Agriculturalists played and won their first football game in 1892, the same as Auburn, in a defeat of one of their rivals, the Utah Utes. The two have now met 109 times in what is called the Battle of the Brothers. The Aggies claim BYU as one of their rivals as well.
In one of the more unique concepts in college football, Utah State, Utah, BYU, and Weber State compete annually for the Beehive Boot. The trophy, which is actually an authentic, 100-year old pioneer’s boot, is awarded to the team with the best record against its instate rivals. Note: Auburn and Alabama baseball would not win a similar trophy.
Over the past two seasons, the Aggies have been coached by Gary Andersen and have ended up with back-to-back 4-8 records. I know it’s natural to dislike the opposing team’s head coach, but before you boo this man you should know that Andersen was the defensive coordinator of the Utah Utes that beat Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl. I don’t think a small ovation during pregame announcements would hurt.
A few notable former coaches and players include John L. Smith, who was the head coach at Louisville and Michigan State and is now the Special Teams coach at Arkansas, along with Chris Cooley of the Washington Redskins and Jarrett Bush of the Green Bay Packers.
The team colors are blue and white, and their mascot is called Big Blue, which is actually a bull. The last line of ‘Bodda Getta’ will make him feel at home. The student section calls themselves The Hurd.
If you ever visit Utah State’s campus, and just fall in love with it and want to become a “True Aggie,” you must find the white block “A” monument atop Old Main Hill and get an existing “True Aggie” to kiss you during a full moon at midnight, or on Homecoming by somebody who is not.
Utah State’s fight song is called “Hail the Utah Aggies.” Notice that says Utah and not Utah State. Strange. However, the more popular song that they sing just after the fight song is called “Show Me a Scotsman.” The words are sung twice through, accompanied by synchronized arm gestures symbolizing the herding of sheep for the first time through, and the milking of cows for the second. Here’s video evidence:
To be honest, before doing this research I was unaware that Utah State had been around so long as a university and especially as a football team. I just figured it was some tiny school out in the desert. It turns out it’s pretty established and has an extensive history and just as many quirky traditions as any school.
If you want to take a look at what their football team may look like when they roll into Jordan-Hare in a few days, here are some highlights from their Spring practice:
I don’t expect many of their fans to travel cross-country for this game, but if you see any, ask if they want to become a “True Aubie” while pulling holding up a tiger tail and a staple gun. I dare you.
8 comments
The only thing I know about the Aggies is that their student section is freakin awesome… at least for basketball games. Their “Is that not a scoreboard” and “i believe that we will win” chants are goosebump-inducing.
Respect.
hehe I grew up going to Aggie games in Logan, UT. Great school great tradition :D I used to ice skate in Merlin Olsen Park (remember him?) every winter. I am bringing three USU alumni to the game on Sat. :D My Parents, and big brother.
USU also lights up mountain next to the college with a big “A” after games (can’t remember if it has to be a win or not). They set fires in these big old oil barrels to do it, it was very cool!
We used to sled down Old main Hill in the winter. That was hella fun! :D
I happen to be Auburn Alumni and my little bro is currently a student, so I am obviously rooting for Auburn, but it will be cool to see Aggies again.
So… I guess War Eagle, and a Go big Blue would be appropriate for me this week! :D
Tell them to test their True Aggie-ism by making out by Lathe.
If they’ve played 109 games with Utah, and played their first game in the same year as Auburn, shouldn’t the year be 1892 instead of 1982?
Yes, my dyslexia got me. Fixed it.
Check out an interesting new blog – http://thetideandtiger.blogspot.com/. Looks like it is going to cover the Auburn and Alabama rivalry.
No website that uses the term $cam Newton is going to be of any particular interest to the readers of this site. Perhaps you would have better luck pitching it on sportsbybrooks comment section
Did you notice that at 3:42 on the spring highlights on the back of a coaches shirt it says “ALL IN”