Utes Close Home Season This Saturday Against San Diego State

Nov. 5, 2001

SALT LAKE CITY -

Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

QUICKLY

Utah (6-2, 3-1 MWC) plays its final home game of the season this Saturday, hosting San Diego State (2-7, 1-4 MWC) in a Mountain West Conference game that will kickoff at 1:00 p.m. in Rice-Eccles Stadium ... The game will not be televised ... With six wins, Utah is bowl eligible and is assured of a winning season ... Utah is 4-0 in Rice-Eccles Stadium this year ... After this Saturday's game, Utah has two games remaining in the regular season: Brigham Young (Nov. 17) and Air Force (Dec. 1), both on the road ... The Utah-SDSU game can be heard live on KALL 910 (AM) radio and on the Internet (www.kall910.com).

UTES IN BOWL PICTURE

Utah became eligible for a postseason bowl game with its win over UNLV last Saturday. The Mountain West Conference has agreements with three bowls: The MWC champion goes to the AXA Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn. (Dec. 31), the Sega Sports Las Vegas Bowl (Dec. 25) has the second choice and the New Orleans Bowl (Dec. 18) picks third. The win over UNLV also ensured Utah Head Coach Ron McBride of his ninth winning season in 12 years at the helm. It marks the 10th time that a McBride-coached team will have finished at .500 or better.

TOTAL TEAM

The Utes continue to rank in the top two in the Mountain West Conference in both total defense (1) and total offense (2). Utah is ranked in the nation's top 25 in scoring defense (16) and total offense (23). The Ute defense is the best in the conference, ranking No. 1 in total defense and scoring defense and No. 2 in rush defense and pass efficiency defense.

LAST WEEK

The Ute defense smothered a UNLV team that ranked fourth in the nation in rushing entering the game to lead Utah to a 42-14 pasting of the Rebels. UNLV, averaging 250 rushing yards per game, managed just 38 against Utah, which did not allow a defensive touchdown and gave up just 156 yards of total offense. Offensively, Lance Rice overcame two first half interceptions that were returned for touchdowns to direct six scoring drives. He threw two touchdown passes and caught another-a 10-yard pass from Dennis Smith. Michael Richardson caught two touchdown passes, the first of his career, and Dameon Hunter rushed for 137 yards and a score. CR Dwinell had eight tackles, Lauvale Sape had two tackles for loss and Las Vegas native Arnold Parker had a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

HEAD COACH RON MCBRIDE

Ron McBride has an 81-55 record in his 12th year as head Ute coach. He picked up win No. 80 on October 20 against Wyoming. He has the second most wins of any coach in Utah football history. McBride has won a share of two conference titles (1995 and 1999). Including this year's team, his teams have finished at .500 or better 10 times, with nine winning seasons assured with Utah's sixth victory of 2001 last week. He has taken the Utes to five bowl games and has a 2-3 bowl record. Utah's most recent bowl appearance was in 1999, when the Utes beat Fresno State 17-16 in the Las Vegas Bowl. McBride is 4-4 against San Diego State.

MAC IN LEAGUE PLAY

Ron McBride is 54-36 all-time in conference games. Since Utah joined the Mountain West Conference in 1999, McBride's conference mark is 16-11. Against current MWC members, he is 34-27. His record against the other seven MWC schools: Air Force (4-4), Brigham Young (5-6), Colorado State (4-5), New Mexico (8-4), San Diego State (4-4), UNLV (3-0), Wyoming (6-4).

SERIES SHORTS

SDSU leads 10-9-1.Wins have come in 'twos' lately in this series with Utah the most recent two-game winner (1999 and 2000). SDSU won the two previous and Utah the two before that. Utah won the last game played in Salt Lake City, 38-16 in 1999. The first overtime game in Utah football history was at SDSU in 1998 (Aztecs won 21-20). The series is tied 5-5 in Salt Lake City.

BY THE NUMBERS

Utah's offensive line has allowed just four sacks in its eight games (best in the league), while the defense has accumulated 15 sacks ... Utah leads the Mountain West Conference in time of possession, holding a 34:32-25:28 edge over its opponents. Utah has won time of possession in every game but one (CSU) ... Utah's margin in total plays is a whopping 612-523 ... Utah is converting on 41% of its third down attempts (53-129) compared to 26% by its opponents (30-114) ... Utah's defense has recorded two "shutouts" this year. The Utes beat Wyoming 35-0 and did not give up a defensive touchdown in their 42-14 win over UNLV (both TDs came on interception returns).

BALANCING ACT

The Ute offense is equally effective by ground and by air. The Utes are averaging 204.1 rushing yards per game and 227.5 passing yards per game. Nowhere is Utah's balance more obvious than in its four league games. In MWC play, the Utes are averaging 221.2 yards rushing and 219.8 yards passing per game.

GRIDBITS

Utah's 17 seniors will be recognized before Saturday's game. Playing their final game in Rice-Eccles Stadium are: Phil Blackmon, CR Dwinell, Thomas Fortune, Dameon Hunter, Ryan Kaneshiro, Doug Kaufusi, Ma'ake Kemoeatu, Stan Moleni, Scott Price, Michael Richardson, Cliff Russell, Lauvale Sape, Yohance Scott, Dennis Smith, Ed Ta'amu, Adam Tate and Kevin Wilson ... all-time Ute record is 528-393-31 ... Utes are 244-128-10 in home games, 13-8 in Rice-Eccles Stadium (1998-on) and 284-265-21 in road/neutral games.

COMMON FOES

Utah and SDSU have faced three common opponents this year: Colorado State, New Mexico and UNLV. Utah is 2-1 against them, with wins over New Mexico (37-16) and UNLV (42-14) and a loss to Colorado State (19-7). The Aztecs are 1-3 against the trio, with a win over Colorado State (14-7) and losses to UNLV (31-3) and New Mexico (20-15).

RUNNING BACKS' NOTEBOOK

> Senior running back Dameon Hunter (5-11, 223) ranks third in the Mountain West Conference and 11th in the nation in rushing, averaging 122.0 yards per game. He is averaging 5.2 yards per carry, best on the team. In conference only games, Hunter is averaging 142.8 yards per game (third in the MWC) and 6.1 yards per carry.

> Dameon Hunter should cross into 1,000-yard territory this Saturday. Hunter, who has rushed 186 times for 976 yards and 6 touchdowns, needs just 24 yards to reach 1,000.

> Dameon Hunter has six career 100-yard games, which ties him for third in the school single-season record book with Eddie Johnson (1986). The school record is 9, held by Carl Monroe (1982). In second is Mike Anderson (7, 1998). All six of Hunter's 100-yard games have come this year. He had 104 yards vs. Oregon, 164 vs. Indiana, 177 vs. New Mexico, 109 vs. Wyoming, 148 vs. CSU and 137 vs. UNLV. His 177 yards against New Mexico was a career-best and came against a defense that was ranked No. 2 in the nation at the time, allowing just 27.0 rushing yards per game.

> Senior running back Adam Tate (6-1, 230) is Utah's second leading rusher with 98 carries for 469 yards, an average of 58.6 yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry. Tate has a team-best 8 rushing touchdowns. His best game this year was against South Florida (122 yards). He also has 10 receptions for 133 yards, ranking him fourth on the team, and a touchdown catch.

RECEIVERS' NOTEBOOK

> Senior wide receiver Cliff Russell (6-0, 185), the fastest player ever at Utah (runs a 4.27 40), has a team-high 37 receptions for 596 yards and 3 touchdowns. He averages 74.5 yards per game and 16.1 yards per catch, both team bests. He is third in the MWC in receiving yards per game.

> Cliff Russell has five career 100-yard receiving games, two this year. He had 100 yards vs. Oregon and a career-high 157 yards against Wyoming.

> Junior Josh Lyman (6-0, 196) is Utah's second leading receiver with 29 catches for 441 yards, an average of 55.1 yards per game and 15.2 yards per catch. He is the team leader in touchdown receptions with 4.

> Josh Lyman, a one-time walk-on, has two 100-yard receiving games this year and in his career: 117 vs. South Florida and 100 vs. CSU.

QUARTERBACKS' NOTEBOOK

> Starting quarterback Lance Rice (6-2, 200, So.) is completing 57 percent of his pass attempts and has thrown for 1,598 yards and 13 touchdowns (8 interceptions). Rice has completed 131 of 229 passes and is averaging 199.8 yards per game, third in the MWC. His pass efficiency rating of 127.57 ranks second in the MWC. He threw 4 touchdown passes against South Florida, which is tied for third in the school records.

> Lance Rice also has 2 receptions this year: one a pass he threw that was tipped at the line and landed in his hands for a 3-yard gain and one a 10-yard touchdown catch on a ball thrown by tight end Dennis Smith against UNLV.

> Lance Rice is 8-3 as Utah's starter. He is 6-2 this year and was 2-1 in games started as a freshman in 2000.

> Sophomore backup quarterback Ryan Breska (6-4, 209) has seen playing time in four games this year (Oregon, New Mexico, South Florida, Wyoming) and has completed 9 of 22 passes for 186 yards and 1 touchdown (no interceptions). His best game was against UNM, when he was 3 of 4 for 63 yards and his first college touchdown.

LINEBACKERS' NOTEBOOK

> Utah's tackle leader is rover linebacker Sheldon Deckart (6-2, 239, Jr.) with 56 total tackles. He had a career-best 15 tackles in the season-opener against Utah State. Deckart also leads the Utes in pass breakups (6). He has 8 tackles for loss and 3 sacks.

> Two former walk-ons are starting at linebacker and having fine seasons. Senior middle linebacker CR Dwinell (6-1, 228) has 38 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 3 pass breakups. He led Utah with 8 tackles vs. UNLV. Junior strong side linebacker Brooks Bahr (6-3, 219) has 22 tackles, 2 for a loss, and 1 sack.

DEFENSIVE BACKS' NOTEBOOK

> Free safety Antwoine Sanders (6-3, 193, So.) is an all-conference candidate in his first year of Division I ball. Sanders, No. 2 in tackles for Utah (45 total), has a team-best 4 interceptions. His interceptions per game average of 0.50 ranks second in the MWC and 19th in the nation.

> Sophomore strong safety/nickel back Arnold Parker (6-2, 214) is putting up all-conference numbers wherever he plays. He is Utah's starting strong safety when the Utes are in their base 4-3 defense and plays corner when Utah is in its nickel package. Utah's third-leading tackler with 42, Parker has 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 2 pass breakups. He has forced 2 fumbles and recovered 1.

DEFENSIVE LINE NOTEBOOK

> Sophomore defensive end Jason Kaufusi (6-2, 249), the 2000 MWC Defensive Newcomer of the Year, is having an all-conference season this fall. He is tied for first on the team in sacks (4) and is tied for second in tackles for loss (9). He also has 25 tackles and 3 pass breakups. The all-conference candidate's best game this year was against Indiana when he had 7 tackles, 3 for a loss.

> Junior defensive lineman Garrett Smith (6-3, 285), a preseason all-MWC pick, has 32 tackles, 8 for a loss. He also has a sack and 2 pass breakups.

> Senior defensive lineman Lauvale Sape (6-2, 290) is a rarity in that he is an all-league contender who doesn't start. Sape, who plays both noseguard and end, leads the Utes in tackles for loss (10) and sacks (4, tied).

SPECIAL TEAMS 'NOTEBOOK

> Senior Ryan Kaneshiro has taken all 12 of Utah's field goal attempts this year and has made 7. He is 31-32 in PATs, with the lone miss coming against UNM on Sept. 29. He has made two 33-yard field goals, for a season long, and is 7-9 from 39 yards and in. Three of his misses were from 40-49 yards.

> Brian Lewis has punted the ball 44 times for 1,767 yards, an average of 40.2 yards per punt. He has placed 8 punts inside the 20. His 75-yard punt vs. Oregon is tied for the sixth-longest punt in school history.

> Brian Lewis has handled all of the kickoffs this year for Utah. He has 47 kickoffs and 21 touchbacks.

> Freshman Morgan Scalley is Utah's main return man, although he missed last week's game with a sprained knee. He is expected to be back in the lineup this Saturday against SDSU. Scalley has 21 punt returns for 170 yards (8.1 yard average) and 4 kickoff returns for 77 yards (19.2 yard average). His first collegiate kickoff return was for 44 yards against Indiana.

RED ZONE REPORT

Utah OffenseTimes at or inside 20: 36(USU 6, UO 2, IU 3, NM 5, USF 6, UW 4, CSU 4, UNLV 6)Touchdowns: 23(USU 2, UO 1, IU 3, NM 3, USF 3, UW 4, CSU 1, UNLV 6)Field Goals: 7(USU 3, UO 1, IU 0, NM 1, USF 1, CSU 1, UNLV 0)Scoring percentage: 83%TD percentage: 64%
Utah DefenseTimes opponent at or inside 20: 23(USU 3, UO 3, IU 6, NM 3, USF 4, UW 1, CSU 3, UNLV 0)Touchdowns: 12(USU 1, UO 2, IU 4, NM 1, USF 3, UW 0, CSU 1, UNLV 0)Field Goals: 5(USU 2, UO 1, IU 0, NM 0, USF 0, UW 0, CSU 2, UNLV 0)Scoring percentage: 74%TD percentage: 52%

THIS GAME LAST YEAR

Senior wide receiver Steve Smith turned two short Darnell Arceneaux passes into long touchdowns to lead Utah to a 21-7 win over San Diego State in Qualcomm Stadium. Arceneaux hooked up with Smith just twice, but the speedy receiver raced 143 yards with the ball, reaching the end zone both times. Cliff Russell's leaping catch in the corner of the end zone accounted for Utah's other score. On the ground, Adam Tate rang up his third straight 100-yard game, rushing for 104 yards. Defensively, Utah allowed just 250 net yards and forced SDSU to punt 12 times. Linebacker Sheldon Deckart had 9 tackles.

SDSU PREVIEW

2-7, 1-4 MWC ... wins were over Colorado State (14-7) and Division I-AA Eastern Illinois (40-7) ... running back Larry Ned is ranked No. 2 in the nation in rushing, averaging 140.11 yards per game ... Head Coach Ted Tollner is 40-47 in his eighth year at the SDSU helm and 68-67-1 in his 12th year as a head coach. Tollner is 2-3 against Utah.

MCBRIDE SAYS

"Saturday's game will be fun for our seniors. It's the last game they'll play in Rice-Eccles Stadium and they've worked hard over the years and have helped establish an identity for our football program. A lot of these guys could have a future in football when they leave here.

"The game this week gives us a chance to get a seventh win. We've learned from our mistakes and have improved every week so I think this team can still get better. We're learning to adjust to new things every game.

"SDSU will come into here loose and ready to play. Everyone knows they have good personnel and they'll have the attitude that they have nothing to lose. They have come up with huge efforts at certain times during the season, so we know their capabilities.

"The win against UNLV was huge because it got us back on track and made us bowl eligible. It was a big statement game for our football team because we were coming off a disappointing loss to CSU. The defense was just unbelievable (against UNLV). They hustled, played their responsibilities and were just phenomenal. The offense just wore UNLV down. We didn't panic after those two turnovers, got back on track and then jumped on them."

Upcoming Events

Recent Results