McCae Hillstead Will Start For Utah State In Return From Concussion
Oct 21, 2023, 4:55 PM
USU freshman quarterback McCae Hillstead looks downfield against James Madison at Maverik Stadium on Saturday, September 23. It was Hillstead's first career start.
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State freshman quarterback McCae Hillstead will start for the Aggies today after missing the past two games due to a concussion. Senior Cooper Legas will serve as Hillstead’s backup.
Utah State (3-4, 1-2) is in San Jose facing the Spartans (2-5, 1-2) in a Mountain West matchup on Saturday, October 21.
USU head coach Blake Anderson announced Hillstead as the starter in a pregame interview with KSL Sports Zone personality and voice of Utah State Athletics Scott Garrard.
RELATED: Head Coach Blake Anderson Breaks Down Aggies Quarterback Battle
Beautiful weather here in San Jose – it’s the Aggies and the Spartans. Pregame begins at 4; kickoff at 5 on 1280 AM and online at @kslsports pic.twitter.com/TRsfbcVG75
— Scott Garrard (@ScottyGZone) October 21, 2023
“McCae will go,” Anderson said.
Hillstead has not played since suffering a concussion on the Aggies’ first drive of the second half against UConn on September 30. In four games, including two starts, the true freshman completed 52-of-90 passes for 730 yards, eight TDs, and five INTs.
Legas has played well, topping 300 yards in both starts since taking over for Hillstead against UConn. The senior has ten passing touchdowns in that time. For the season, Legas is 101-of-153 for 1,338 yards, 13 TDs, and six INTs.
With his first snap, Hillstead will lose his redshirt option this season.
RELATED: Utah State Takes On Confident San Jose State In Mountain West Battle
Week Eight Captains
Utah State named five captains ahead of their game against San Jose State.
𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙲𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜 🫡#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/1rn6yiDu19
— USU Football (@USUFootball) October 21, 2023
Senior linebacker Anthony Switzer; senior defensive lineman Hale Motu’apuaka; senior wide receiver Terrell Vaughn; junior tight end Broc Lane; and junior wide receiver Kyrese Rowan.
RELATED STORIES
Utah State Aggies vs. San Jose State Spartans
Saturday, October 21 – CEFCU Stadium | San Jose, CA
The Aggies will rekindle the fifth-longest series in school history when they meet SJSU. Utah State is 20-20-1 all-time against the Spartans and 8-11-1 on the road despite winning the last ten games between the two programs.
Radio: Aggie Sports Network
Scott Garrard & Kevin White
Online: KSLSportsZone
RELATED: Utah State Hopes To Build On Complete Game Effort In Fresno State Loss
TV: CBS Sports Network
John Sadak, Randy Cross, & Tiffany Blackmon
• Xfinity (Utah): Ch. 269/753HD
• DISH: Ch. 158
• DirecTV: Ch. 221
Stream: utahstateaggies.com/watch/
Following The Aggies With KSL Sports Zone
Utah State (3-4, 1-2) is taking on the San Jose State Spartans (2-5, 1-2) on Saturday, October 21.
Utah State football games are found on KSL Sports Zone with Scott Garrard and former Aggie quarterback Kevin White (1988-89) on the call.
KSL Sports coverage of Utah State University Athletics can be found here.
