Jeff Fleming

Well, he's going to get the nod Week 1 against the University of Idaho as the Aggies' starting quarterback.

It's funny, last week I put on the blog that I liked Trevor Walls in the quarterback competition. The next day, the passing game looks bad in practice, with Walls throwing two interceptions. Then that Saturday, Fleming came out and looked better during the team's scrimmage. He looked a lot better, throwing two touchdowns and moving the team into scoring position on three or four occasions. After that game, it was obvious. Fleming would start for the Aggies, and why not? He stood out when in mattered most.

Whoever is going to be under center will have to stick to a blueprint we have talked about on the blog since the spring. Play smart, move the first-down markers and show leadership. Again, the QB doesn't need to be a gamebreaker, but they need to play
within the confines of the offense and step up when the time is right.

I think Fleming can do this, particularly if the Aggie running backs stay healthy. If Colston or Glynn get hurt, it will put more pressure on the QB to play above his head. When the game situation is reasonable, play smart, efficient football.

Alphonso Powell: Powell will start at strong safety, next to Stephon Hatchett who is at free.

When Powell first got here, he was a cornerback. Last year, he was asked to be a playmaker in the 3-3-5 as a bandit. He did well, making over 70 tackles and mixing in some of big plays.

This year, he's at safety. At the beginning of spring camp, he wasn't even in the conversation to be a starter. When fall rolled around, he was in the top-four on the depth chart and now will get the nod Week 1.

"How could you not be proud?" safeties coach Mike Rutenberg said. "Alphonso went from backup to first string and back to backup again. Now, he's first string. He's emerging."

Powell sounds happy in his role.

"Oh, it's very exciting for me," he said. "I'm kind of the quarterback of the defense back there. And I get to make plays. Which is always fun."

Saturday's practice: The Aggies are prepping for the University of Idaho.

The team ran a fast and efficient practice on Saturday night. Everyone was moving and into it, coaches and players alike.

"I'm really happy," DeWayne Walker said. "We're working for Idaho, that's it. We're learning there schemes here in a short period of time. But I think both the offense and defense looked comfortable."

Just let the games begin already.

Injury updates: Walker said that both Kyle Nelson and Davon House (House sat out Saturday's practice) will be ready to go against the Vandals.