Nov. 21, 2006

LOGAN, Utah - In a vote by the Utah State football team, Riley Nelson, Malik Cin, Frank Maile and Paul Igboeli, have been named permanent season captains.

The Aggies used different captains each game during the year before the team voted on the season captains this week. This foursome will represent USU at the coin toss before Saturday's home game against New Mexico State.

Two of the choices are freshmen in Nelson and Igboeli, while Maile is a junior and Cin is a senior.

Nelson, a true freshman quarterback from Logan, Utah, took over the starting position in game six and promptly led the Aggies to a 13-12 win against Fresno State. In seven games this year, Nelson has thrown for 874 yards, while rushing for 277 yards.

Despite a number of injuries, not only this year, but in his career, Cin has started the last eight games, including seven at right tackle and one at right guard. The Weisbaden, Germany native has started 14 games at three different positions in his Aggie career.

Maile has started eight games at defensive tackle and has recorded 21 tackles, including four for loss this year. Three times this season, the junior from Sandy, Utah has made four tackles, including games against Arkansas, Fresno State and Louisiana Tech.

Igboeli, a true freshman from Grand Prairie, Texas, has become one of the Western Athletic Conference's best freshmen. After seeing very limited playing time in the first four games, he moved into the starting lineup for the last seven games and has moved into second place on the team in tackles with 59 this year.

Igboeli, who should be a candidate for WAC Freshman of the Year, recorded 17 tackles at Louisiana Tech and is coming off a 10-stop performance at Boise State. He has forced two fumbles, which have been returned for USU scores this year.

The Aggies will play their final game of 2006, hosting New Mexico State on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. Tickets are available for $5 in honor of Fan Appreciation Day.