Ute Football Team Plays at New Mexico This Saturday

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Oct. 23, 2000

SALT LAKE CITY -

QUICKLY

Utah (2-5, 1-2 MWC) plays New Mexico (4-4, 2-1 MWC) this Saturday in Albuquerque ... The game time has been changed to 1 p.m. to accommodate ESPN Regional Television (ESPN+Plus) ... Utah and UNM are two of the Mountain West Conference's best defensive teams. Utah ranks No. 1 in total defense and passing defense, UNM is No. 1 in rushing defense and pass efficiency defense ... The Utes must win their remaining four games to avoid their first losing season under Head Coach Ron McBride since his debut year (1990) ... Utah is 4-0 all-time on ESPN+Plus televised games ... The Utah-UNM game can be heard on KALL 910 (AM) radio and over the Internet (www.UtahUtes.com).

BREAKING NEWS

Starting wide receiver Cliff Russell broke a bone in his right arm in the first quarter of Utah's game with Colorado State and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks. It is a non-displaced fracture of his ulna, the outside bone on the arm. Russell was Utah's leading receiver going into the game with 35 receptions (more on Russell under "Cliff's Edge").

ROAD SWEET HOME

Last Saturday's loss to Colorado State in Rice-Eccles Stadium dropped Utah's mark to 0-4 on its home field this year. Conversely, the Utes are 2-1 on the road, with a close 24-21 loss to Cal their lone setback. In the last three years, Utah is just 8-7 in Rice-Eccles Stadium, compared to 9-5 on the road (10-5 including neutral site victories).

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. All practices will be held at the McCarthey Practice Fields. Times could change. Call sports information director Liz Abel (581-3511) for daily schedule updates and interview requests.

LAST WEEK

Utah jumped to a 10-0 first quarter lead but couldn't hold on against the league-leading Colorado State Rams, falling 24-17. Four minutes into the game, QB Darnell Arceneaux hitting tight end Matt Nickel for a 3-yard touchdown pass. Utah struck again late in the quarter when Ryan Kaneshiro booted a 25-yard field goal, his first of the year, to put Utah up 10-0. After CSU came back to tie the score at 10-10 in the third quarter, Utah's defense got into the scoring column when Patrick Dyson returned an interception 58 yards for a TD. But two CSU touchdowns in the fourth quarter wiped out Utah's lead. Defensively, Utah was marvelous, holding CSU to 68 rushing yards and 275 total yards. The Rams were forced to punt eight times.

HEAD COACH RON MCBRIDE

Head Coach Ron McBride is 73-51 in his 11 years at the helm of the Ute program. He is one of just two coaches to win 60 football games at Utah. Utah has had seven straight winning seasons under McBride and just one losing season (1990, his first year). McBride's teams have averaged seven wins per year and have gone to five bowl games (2-3). His bowl wins were against Arizona, in the 1994 Freedom Bowl, and Fresno State, in the 1999 Las Vegas Bowl. He has won a share of two conference championships (1995 Western Athletic Conference, 1999 Mountain West Conference). Before accepting Utah's head coaching position in 1990, McBride served two previous stints on the Hill. He was Utah's offensive line coach from 1985-86 and its offensive coordinator from 1977-82. McBride is 7-3 against New Mexico (2-0 vs. current head Lobo coach Rocky Long).

SERIES SHORTS

Utes lead 27-12-2 ... The game is being played in Albuquerque for the fifth time in the last seven years ... Utah has won five straight dating back to 1995 ... 3 of the last 5 Ute wins were in Albuquerque ... UNM's most recent win was over then-undefeated and No. 8 ranked Utah, 23-21, in 1994 ... The teams are tied 9-9-1 in Albuquerque.

GRIDBITS

Utah is 2-1 on the road ... Utah has won its last three games in Albuquerque (1995, `96, 98) ... Utah has won five straight against the Lobos, tied for its longest current win streak against a conference opponent (Utah has also won the last five vs. UNLV, but only one was a conference game) ... Both Utah and New Mexico lost their first three games. Utah has since won 2 of its last 3, while UNM has won 4 of 5 ... Utah's all-time record is 520-388-28 (.570).

UTE INDIVIDUALS IN THE RANKINGS

Player                               Category                MWC     NCAAPatrick Dyson                   Kickoff Returns      1              5Steve Smith, WR/R         All-Purpose Yards   1              7Steve Smith, WR             Receiving YPG       2              29Cliff Russell, WR            Receptions PG        5              n/aCliff Russell, WR            Receiving YPG       6              n/aDarnell Arceneaux, QB   Total Offense          1              40Andre Dyson, DB            Interceptions           1              n/aPatrick Dyson, DB          Interceptions            1              n/a

SMITH NOTES

Wide receiver Steve Smith (5-8, 182, Sr.) was voted preseason Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

> Leads Utes in receiving yards (487) and yards per game (81.2 ypg).

> Averaging team-best 22.1 yards per reception. In the last two games, he is averaging 51.3 ypr.

> Second on team in receptions (22).

> Leads league (7th nationally) in all-purpose yards per game (172.2).

> Utah's career leader in punt returns for a touchdown (4, ties the record).

> Had a 46-yard punt return for a touchdown vs. Cal on September 9.

> Has had 2 punt returns for touchdowns called back due to penalties this year (vs. California and WSU).

> Second all-time at Utah in career punt return yards (748). School record is held by LaVon Edwards (892, 1988-91).

> 57 career punt returns ranks third all-time at Utah. School record is 112 (LaVon Edwards, 1988-91).

> Utah's leading receiver in 3 games (143 vs. SDSU, 95 vs. Air Force, 62 vs. CSU).

> Career best 143 yards vs. San Diego State came on just 2 catches (71.5 ypc).

> 200 all-purpose yards vs. California.

> 199 all-purpose yards vs. San Diego State.

> Leads 2000 Utes in punt returns (28-253-1 TD) and kickoff returns (14-299, 21.4 ypr).

> As a junior last year, made all-conference team as both receiver (second team) and specialist (first team).

CLIFF'S EDGE

Wide receiver Cliff Russell (5-11, 180, Jr.) broke a bone in his right arm (non-displaced fracture) in the first quarter of last Saturday's game and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks. The fracture is sometimes called a "nightstick" break because of its location. Smith, the fastest Ute in 20 years (runs a 4.25 40), has been Utah's leading receiver all year.

> Leads Utah with 35 receptions despite playing just one quarter with no catches against CSU.

> Leads Utah in receptions per game (5.0).

> 467 receiving yards is second best on team.

> Averaging 66.7 ypg and 13.3 yards per catch.

> Team-best 3 TD receptions.

> 10 receptions for 141 yards vs. Arizona.

> 8 receptions for 131 yards and 2 TDs against Washington State.

> Career-best game was against Wyoming in 1999 (6 catches for 155 yards and 1 TD).

DARTING DARNELL

After coming off the bench in relief in Utah's first two games, Darnell Arceneaux (6-1, 198, Sr.) has been the starting quarterback in every subsequent game. He is scheduled to start again this week at UNM. Arceneaux is 2-3 as the starter this year and 13-5 in career starts. He is ranked in the top-10 in four Utah career passing categories (see page 7). Arceneaux suffered from cramping and vomiting last Saturday against CSU and was relieved several times by T.D. Croshaw, Utah's starter in games 1 and 2. Arceneaux leads the MWC in total offense (214.6 ypg) and is fourth in passing yards per game (180.0). His passing efficiency is127.87. He has completed 86-153 (56.2%) passes for 1,260 yards and 6 TDs (8 interceptions). He is also Utah's second-leading rusher with 71 carries for 242 yards and 2 TDs. His best game passing was against San Diego State, when he threw for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns. His best game rushing was against Utah State, when he carried the ball 11 times for 82 yards (7.5 ypc) and 2 TDs. In the first two games, Arceneaux came off the bench and played at least a half, finishing both games. His career-best passing game was last year against San Diego State when he passed for 266 yards. He has battled injuries his entire career. In the 1998-99 seasons, he missed games with these ailments: sore lower back, lacerated hand, mid-foot sprain, flu, strep throat and concussion (all in 1999), broken finger and dislocated shoulder (1998).

GREAT TATE

First-year Ute running back Adam Tate (6-1, 230, Jr.) leads the team in rushing, averaging 84.4 ypg overall. He does not qualify for the MWC or NCAA rankings, having played in just four games, but he ranks second in conference games only, averaging 84.0 ypg. He had three straight 100-yard games (Air Force, Utah State, San Diego State), tying him for third in the school record books. Tate leads the Utes in rushes (102), net yards (422), yards per carry (4.1), touchdowns (4) and scoring (24). He did not play in the first two games, then played briefly against Washington State (6 rushes, 37 yards). He started against Air Force, and in just over a half, rushed for 112 yards. He topped that a week later against Utah State, rushing for a career high 133 yards and 3 TDs. Tate missed Utah's preseason camp while awaiting academic clearance.

HOLY KAUTAI

Linebacker Kautai Olevao (6-2, 267, Sr.) is a preseason first-team all-conference selection.

> 36 total tackles (5.1 tpg).

> 3 tackles for loss (22 yards).

> 1 sack (12 yards).

> 7 tackles (1 for loss) against Washington State.

> 2 tackles for loss (19 yards) and 1 sack (12 yards) against Arizona.

> First-team all-conference in 1998 and `99.

> Has started since his freshman year.

DYSON'S CORNER

Preseason all-conference cornerback Andre Dyson (5-10, 175, Sr.) is on the Jim Thorpe Watch List.

> 2 career TDs off interceptions is second most in school history. The school record is 3, held by several people.

> 36 career pass breakups is second most all-time at Utah (record is 42 by Sean Knox, 1987-90 and LaVon Edwards, 1988-91).

> Has 2 TDs this year (1 interception return and 1 fumble return).

> 2 interceptions is tied for first in the MWC.

> 42 total tackles.

> 3 tackles for loss (5 yards).

> Leads Utes with 8 passes defended (6 pass breakups, 2 interceptions)

> Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 9) returned an interception 58 yards for a touchdown vs. California and had 11 tackles and 3 pass breakups.

CHASIN' JASON

Freshman Jason Kaufusi (6-3, 250), Utah's starter at open end, is a leading candidate for MWC Freshman of the Year honors.

> Utah's tackle leader all season long has 50 total tackles (7.1 tpg).

> Team leader in tackles for loss with 12 (41 yards).

> Second on team in sacks with 6 (25 yards).

> 7 quarterback hurries is tied for first on team.

> 3 pass breakups.

> Career game against Cal (9 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 hurries).

> 8 tackles, 2 for loss (8 yards), 1 pass breakup and 1 hurry vs. WSU.

> 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss (12 yards), 1 sack (10 yards) and 1 hurry vs. CSU.

OFFENSIVE INFO

> Senior Chris Christensen will replace the injured Cliff Russell at "Z" receiver. Christensen is

Utah's third-leading receiver with 14 catches for 191 yards (13.6 ypc).

> Sophomore Josh Lyman will replace Christensen as starting slot back.

> Redshirt freshman Lance Rice (6-1, 193) has moved to No. 2 on Utah's depth chart at quarterback, behind senior Darnell Arceneaux. Rice began sharing the snaps with Arceneaux and T.D. Croshaw in practice the week of the CSU game. His reps will increase again this week.

> Utah's best scoring quarter is the first (38 points), its worst is the fourth (28 points).

UTAH ON OFFENSE

Category          Avg.    MWC      NCAARushing Offense        136.9   5        65Passing Offense        214.7   3        57Total Offense          351.6   5        69Scoring Offense        18.9    6        89

DEFENSIVE DATA

> Utah is the MWC's best defensive team. The Utes are No. 1 in the league in two defensive categories (passing defense and total defense) and are ranked in the top three in others (rushing defense, pass efficiency defense and scoring defense).

> Utah's best national rankings come in pass defense (No. 9) and total defense (No. 22).

> Utah's defense has accounted directly for 18 points. Brothers Andre and Patrick Dyson have each returned an interception for a touchdown (Andre vs. Cal and Patrick vs. CSU) and Andre also returned a fumble for a score (vs. Washington State).

> Sophomore lineman Garrett Smith leads Utah with 8 sacks (23 yards) and is second on the team in tackles for loss with 9 (21 yards). Smith is tied for the team lead in quarterback hurries (7).

> Senior linebacker Wes Tufaga is Utah's second leading tackler with 49.

> Senior lineman Andy Bowers has 6 tackles for loss (19 yards) and 3 sacks (14 yards), both third on the team.

> Freshman Arnold Parker starts at either strong safety and nickel back. He has 38 tackles, 4 tackles for loss (13 yards) and 1 sack (7 yards).

UTAH ON DEFENSE

Category                Avg.    MWC   NCAARushing Defense              131.9   3     48Passing Defense              167.7   1     9Pass Efficiency Defense      110.8   3     42Total Defense                299.6   1     22Scoring Defense              21.0    3     43

SPECIAL TEAMS

> Junior Ryan Kaneshiro has handled Utah's place-kicking duties for the last three games, a position he last held as a freshman in 1998. For the season, he is 1-2 in field goals and 10-10 in extra points. His made field goal was a 25-yarder vs. CSU. He missed a 39-yarder vs. Washington State.

> Junior kicker Golden Whetman, who was Utah's place-kicker for the first four games, now handles kickoffs, long field goals and punts. He has made 1-10 field goals. His only made field goal was a 46-yarder against Arizona.

> Whetman has 12 touchbacks on 27 kickoffs.

> Whetman has 39 punts for 1,472 yards (37.7 yards per punt) with a long of 54. He has laid 13 punts inside the 20.

> Steve Smith is Utah's leading return man. He has 28 punt returns for 253 yards (9.0 ypr) and 1 TD, and 14 kickoff returns for 299 yards (21.4 ypr).

> Patrick Dyson leads the MWC and is No. 5 nationally for a second straight week in average kickoff return (28.7 ypr). He has 9 kickoff returns for 258 yards and 1 98-yard TD.

> Utah's special teams tackle leaders, all with 6: Brooks Bahr, CR Dwinell, Thomas Fortune, Marcus Jones.

INJURY REPORT

Player, Pos.             Injury/Status/GMStan Moleni, LB      Achille's (surgery)/out for season/7Sam White, OL        knee (surgery)/out for season/6Cliff Russell, WR    arm (broken ulna)/out/0Ben Allison, TE       chest wound (gun shot)/questionable/7Steve McKane, OL   knee/as tolerates/5

RED ZONE REPORT

Utah Offense Times at or inside 20: 19 Touchdowns: 9 Field Goals: 0 Scoring percentage: 53% TD percentage: 47% Utah Defense Times opponent at or inside 20: 16 Touchdowns: 7 Field Goals: 5 Scoring percentage: 75% TD percentage: 44%

UNM PREVIEW

4-4 (2-1 MWC) ... Picked to finish eighth in the league in the preseason poll ... Have won 4 of the last 5 games after opening year with 3 straight losses ... 2-2 in University Stadium ... Head Coach Rocky Long is 11-20 in his third year at New Mexico ... Long is 0-2 against Utah.

UNM BY THE NUMBERS

Category                Avg.    MWC    NCAARushing Offense              158.5   3      44Passing Offense              123.9   8      108Total Offense                282.4   8      103Scoring Offense              22.0    4      75Rushing Defense              119.9   1      36Passing Defense              187.4   6      27Pass Efficiency Defense      104.6   1      28Total Defense                307.3   2      28Scoring Defense              21.8    5      48

THIS GAME LAST YEAR

Mike Anderson rushed for 204 yards and Steve Smith returned two punts for long touchdowns as Utah blasted New Mexico 52-7 on November 13 in Salt Lake City. Utah's defense allowed the Lobos a touchdown on their very first drive, then blanked them the rest of the way. Smith, though, stole the show with his flashy punt returns. He averaged 40.8 yards per punt return (4-163) and his two touchdowns tied the NCAA record. He also caught 4 passes for 70 yards.

MCBRIDE SAYS

"We need to keep the players in a positive frame of mind. The effort of our team has been very good and we need to takes steps to make sure that continues. We have to get to the leaders of the team. In addition, we just need to improve offensively and play a complete game. We're going to take a good, hard look at the quarterback position, but Darnell (Arceneaux) is still our starter as of today (Sunday). We started working with (redshirt freshman) Lance Rice last week and we'll continue to up his reps this week ... New Mexico is on a high right now and we've destroyed them the last two years, so they'll be ready and waiting for us."

OH BROTHER

Utah has two sets of brothers starting on this year's team. Junior Doug Kaufusi and freshman Jason Kaufusi are starting on the offensive and defensive lines, respectively. Seniors Andre and Patrick Dyson both start in Utah's defensive backfield. Andre and Patrick are the younger brothers of former Ute and current Tennessee Titan starting wide receiver Kevin Dyson. Another brother pair also plays, although doesn't start for Utah: twins Josh and Jeremy Lyman.

SEVENTH TIME AROUND

Senior safety Brandon Dart is in his seventh year at Utah. He was granted a rare two-year extension to his NCAA career prior to last season, which was ended prematurely due to knee surgery. The repeat senior has had three season-ending knee surgeries, one season-ending foot injury and one season-ending back injury since coming to Utah. His injury time line: 1994, back injury, September 1995, knee surgery (lateral collateral ligament), 1996, recurring left hamstring strain, August 1997, first degree concussion and surgery for torn ACL (left knee), August 1998, foot sublexation, September 1999, right hamstring strain, October 1999 surgery for torn ACL (right knee).

UTES LEAD PRESEASON ALL-MWC TEAM

At the Mountain West Conference Football Preview, held August 1 in Las Vegas, Ute senior receiver/returner Steve Smith was named the preseason MWC Player of the Year. He was also a preseason first-team wide receiver and kick returner. Joining Smith on the preseason all-MWC first team were: junior offensive lineman Doug Kaufusi, senior offensive lineman Sam White, senior linebacker Kautai Olevao and senior defensive back Andre Dyson. Utah had more first-team picks (six) than any other team.

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