LAS VEGAS -- FOX 13’s Bailey McMurdie was at the Mountain West Conference media day for college football Tuesday.
Bailey spoke with quarterback Chuckie Keeton from Utah State University.
Keeton missed the end of the 2013 season because of a knee injury in his last game against Brigham Young University.
“They did not hurt his mind and they did not hurt arm,” said USU head football coach Matt Wells. “Those are two valuable weapons that Chuckie Keeton has besides his feet.”
Returning quarterback, Keeton was named Mountain West pre-season offensive player of the year.
Keeton has had a limited amount of time back on the field since he tore his ACL. He said it’s been a nerve-wracking process.
“Two weeks left in spring ball I did seven on seven and I was actually pretty nervous for my first throw and then I dropped back and I dropped the ball -- like literally it fell out of my hands," Keeton said.
Even though it was a rough first time back with the team, his teammates aren't worried about it at all.
"It's a huge benefit to have Chuckie come back to us. He's a tremendous athlete, tremendous leader, really good quarterback. He's going to be healthy. You and me both, we're both excited to watch him this year," said teammate Zach Vigil.
USU is predicted to be second in the mountain division, just under Boise, and Keeton said it's just a projection that doesn't mean too much.
"We were projected to be out of debt a while ago as a nation and you see where we're at right now," Keeton said.
All jokes aside, the quarterback said he wants the team to be known for wins -- not close call losses.
"We're a great team that needs to be noticed, and we know people have noticed us for almost winning games and that's tough because of the word 'almost.' But, now we actually just need to finish it, we need to win games. I think it is definitely something we can do," Keeton said.
It’s 39 days from kickoff and the Aggies will take on the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville.
