Upcoming Event: Football versus No. 21 Texas Tech on September 20, 2025 at 10 a.m.
10 a.m.
Football
vs No. 21 Texas Tech
.png&width=31&height=31&type=webp)
Anderson Speaks!
10/19/1999 12:00 AM | Football
Mike Anderson, preseason Mountain West Conference offensive player of the year, participated in chat that ESPN.com ran in cooperation with FANSonly on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 21, 1999. He talked about playing at Utah, the Utes success to date and much more. Read about it below.
Erick: What do you think so far of the new Mountain West Conference?
Anderson: I think it is great. There are some old rivalries from the old WAC. Each week is a good challenge and we have to get up and ready to play each week. Any team in the conference can beat anybody on a given day no matter what their record says. It is also great that we are on TV with the ESPN package so we are getting exposure all over the country and that is a great aspect of the new conference.
Scott P.: Mike, Do you feel that if you were healthy and in the line-up for the Boise St. game the outcome would have been different? Also how do you feel the Boise St. lose will affect your national recognition, even after upsetting No.25 Airforce and for the rest of the season? You guys have a solid team. Good Luck the rest of the year. I'll be waiting to see the MWC Championship determined by your game against BYU.
Anderson: That is hard. I was pretty healthy at the start of the game but got injured. We had confidence leading into the game with a good week of practice. But they did a lot of stuff during the game that we didn't practice and it created a lot of problems. They slowed out run game down and it threw us off track.
Even though we did beat a ranked team, the Boise State loss is still hurting our recognition. No matter what our record is people will always look at our one loss and say 'you lost to Boise State.
Assassin: How far do you think your team can go this year?
Anderson: I think we can go all the way. We have the potential but we have to stay focused and take one game at a time. We have a lot of games left so we can't look too far down the road. But I like our chances.
Bela: Utah is a pretty unique place in terms of natural beauty and especially, culture. What's it been like for you playing football and going to school in Utah?
Anderson: It has been great and a great experience. Except for the winter, it is already getting cold. But the winters are nice and it is beautiful around here.
Ute fan in Phoenix, AZ: Your running style reminds me of Curt Warner. Which running back do you most liken yourself to?
Anderson: That is a good question.
I don't want to get too far ahead of myself but I like Jim Brown. He had speed and power and liked to hit people and get as many yards as he could.
DGM: Mike, great year so far! Are you surprised at your teams success? and what is the outlook for the rest of the year? Go Utes!
Anderson: No. We worked hard in the offseason and it set the pace for the beginning of the season. Everyone spent the summer here instead of going home and worked their tails off. We wanted to start out well in the new conference and so far, so good.
David T.: How is the overall health of the team heading into Saturday's game? Good luck on the rest of the season?
Anderson: As a team we are pretty healthy. Most guys have made their way back from earlier injuries. We do have a couple of key injuries but overall we are pretty healthy. We do have great backups and we haven't missed a beat.
Brad Hunsaker: Are you interested in playing at the next level?
Anderson: Yes, if the opportunity comes about.
Big Al: Do you think your experience in the marines helped you to mature and be ready for the position your in now playing with the Utes?
Anderson: It has helped me in a lot of ways. The biggest has been mentally. I am able to stay focused on the task at hand and not lose track of what I am trying to accomplish.
Cougfan: BYU and Utah are a combined 2-0 this year and have beaten some pretty big Pacific 10 schools. How do you fell you match up with BYU, a very tough team to beat, especially at home?
Anderson: We matchup well with BYU. The talent level at most positions is about equal but the rivalry is what gets the guys up for that game and makes it a hard fought game. It is for the bragging rights for a year and no one wants to lose.
M. Gealta: Mike, Who s going to be your toughest opponent this year? Do you think a schedule like BYU's would be better for the UTEs in order to gain national attention?
Anderson: Right now it is always the next game. Every game is a conference game and means a lot to achieve our goals. The BYU will be even a greater game just because they are BYU.
As far as the schedule, people notice when you go out of our conference and have success. The voters get to see you play big-time opponents and that always helps.
UnHoly Ram?: Mike Last week you played in snow at AF, what do you do Differently to adjust to playing on snow?
Anderson: You have to get your mind right. It is not an easy thing to do -- to play four quarters in conditions like that. We just had to get our priorities straight and remember why we were there. We didn't want to let anything deters us from going in there and getting a win. But first off we had to get our minds right.
Anderson: That is all the time I have for now. Thanks for all the questions and sorry I couldn't get to them all. I appreciate all the support.
Keep an eye on us, we expect big things from the Utes this year. Take care.
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Keith Kelley, voice of the Wyoming Cowboys
Tuesday, September 09
Ute greats Ron McBride and Roy Jefferson Ring of Honor Induction
Monday, September 08
Utah: 63, Cal Poly: 9 | POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Saturday, September 06
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Ron McBride
Wednesday, September 03