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Logan • Utah State linebacker LT Filiaga wouldn't change anything, except for that torn Achilles tendon, of course.
A senior out of Bingham High School, Filiaga finds himself in the final weeks of a college football career that started at Utah and will end at Utah State.
He earned a bachelor's degree in education at the U.
He learned much about himself at USU.
With a diploma in hand and his eye on more playing, Filiaga transferred to Utah State after the 2013 season.
As a junior with the Aggies, he started nine of 10 games before snapping his Achilles during a 20-3 win over Wyoming. But less than 10 months later, he was back for Utah State's season-opening 12-9 win over Southern Utah.
Transferring from Utah, Filiaga said, "was probably the best move for me — honestly — because it gave me the opportunity to play the sport that I love. More than just playing, I love the science behind this game. I love the strategy. I was able to learn more and grow in different ways, on and off the field. That's why I feel like Utah State is the best spot for me."
Told he sounded like a future coach, Filiaga laughed and said, "We'll see."
One thing is certain: Filiaga is an integral member of Utah State's highly regarded group of linebackers. Although he doesn't get as much attention as Kyler Fackrell or Nick Vigil, he's made 58 tackles this season heading into Saturday's game at Air Force. Only Vigil has more.
"Obviously, it's hard to outshine Nick and Fackrell because they are great players," Filiaga said. "Aside from that, it's a great experience and there's nothing like it having a group of guys who love the sport you do and are [so] good. I feed off of them and their vibe and the things that they do. It's a great experience."
Utah State comes off a 14-13 loss at New Mexico, where the Aggie defense limited the Lobos to 236 yards of offense. Eighty-six yards came on one play — a second-quarter touchdown pass.
Air Force's option offense is more sophisticated than the one run by New Mexico, however, and the challenge Utah State's linebackers face at Falcon Stadium will be much greater.
"Absolutely," said Aggie coach Matt Wells. "We're about to face the No. 2 rushing offense in America and we have to be on-point on defense. LT and Nick were on-point against New Mexico. … [They] played excellent and tackled well. They got off blocks and ran to the ball well. Their level of play was very high level."
Air Force (6-3, 4-1) has won three straight games. The Falcons are already bowl-eligible for the eighth time in nine seasons. They need a win over Utah State to set up a showdown next week at Boise State, which could determine the Mountain Division championship.
Utah State (5-4, 4-2) trails Boise State and Air Force by one-half game. To have any chance of reaching the Mountain West Conference championship game, the Aggies must beat the Falcons.
Like Wells, Filiaga knows controlling Air Force quarterback Karson Roberts and an offense that averages 34 points per game will be critical.
"It's no different from what we saw against New Mexico, just a lot faster and smarter," he said. "The quarterback knows when to give the dive, when to take it and when to pitch it. We have to shut down their run game. It's as simple as that."
Twitter: @sluhm —
About LT Filiaga
High School • Bingham
Previous school • Utah
Position • Linebacker
Height: 5-11; Weight • 245
Career highlights • First team all-state at Bingham in 2008. … Signed with Utah. … Redshirted in 2009. … Played in 20 games over two years for the Utes with 35 tackles. … Graduated with a degree in education. … Started nine of 10 games at Utah State last season after transferring. … Finished with 61 tackles, including a sack. … Tore his Achilles tendon at Wyoming on Nov. 7, 2014. … Has started all nine games this season. … Has 58 tackles, including 12 against Utah on Sept. 11. —
Utah State at Air Force
P Saturday, noon
Online • ESPN3