Utah Football Will Play Wyoming Next
10/29/1999 12:00 AM | Football
Oct. 29, 1999
SALT LAKE CITY -
QUICKLY
Utah (6-2, 3-1 MWC) hosts Wyoming (4-3, 1-2 MWC) on Sat., Nov. 6 in an ESPN2 televised game that will kick off at 7 p.m. in Rice-Eccles Stadium ... Utah is 4-1 all-time in games broadcast on ESPN2 and 1-0 this year (vs. Air Force on Oct. 16) ... Both Utah and Wyoming will be well rested: Utah's last game was a Thursday night ESPN special on October 28, while Wyoming has been off since October 23 ... The last opponent for both Utah and Wyoming was Colorado State ... A 31-24 loss to Colorado State on Oct. 28 dropped Utah to second in the MWC with a 3-1 record ... Utah is 4-2 in night games and 3-0 at home this year ... A crowd of 33,000 is expected for the Utah-Wyoming game ... In addition to the ESPN2 telecast, the Utah-Wyoming game can be heard on K-news radio (KNRS 570 AM) and KALL 910.
WINNING WAYS
Utah Coach Ron McBride is guaranteed his seventh straight winning season and ninth straight year at .500 or better. A Ute team has not had seven straight winning seasons since Ike Armstrong's teams had 15 straight winning seasons from 1928-1942. McBride's only losing season was his first, when Utah went 4-7.
UTES AND ESPN
Utah's final three games will be televised on either ESPN2 or ESPN+Plus, bringing Utah's total number of national or regional television appearances this year to six. It is the most network appearances ever by Utah in a season. Utah's game with Wyoming on Nov. 6 will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2?the Utes' second time on the Deuce this year. The final two games?New Mexico at home on Nov. 13 and BYU on the road on Nov. 20?will both be televised by ESPN+Plus, which is aired locally on KJZZ.
NINETIES TV
In addition to a fine local television package with KJZZ, the Ute football team will have made 20 network television appearances in the ?90s by this season's end. Since 1992, Utah has appeared on ESPN five times, ESPN2 six times (includes the Nov. 6 Wyoming game), ESPN+Plus three times (includes Nov. 13 and 20 games with UNM and BYU), ABC four times and Raycom twice.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday starting at 3:30 p.m. at the McCarthey Practice Fields. Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Call sports information director Liz Abel (581-3511) for daily schedule updates and interview requests.
LAST WEEK
A valiant comeback by Utah against Colorado State before a live national television audience came up short on October 28, with the Utes falling 31-24 in Ft. Collins. Utah spotted the Rams a 24-3 halftime lead but roared back with 21 unanswered points in the third and fourth quarters. Junior quarterback T.D. Croshaw, who started in place of the ill Darnell Arceneaux, directed the comeback. Croshaw's 59-yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith tied the game at 24-24 with 11:24 remaining. Mike Anderson (86 yards) scored Utah's first touchdown on a 1-yard run in the third quarter. Cornerback Andre Dyson made it a game by scooping up blocked field goal attempt (batted down by Colby Knight) and racing 53 yards for a touchdown. The Ute defense, which got a big game from tackle Richard Seals (7 tackles, 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss), gave up just two touchdowns and a field goal. Two CSU scores, including the game winner, came on punt returns.
HEAD COACH RON MCBRIDE
Head Coach Ron McBride is 68-45 in nine years at the helm of the Ute program. McBride, the school's second winningest coach, is one of just two coaches in school history to win 60 games. He has coached Utah to seven straight winning seasons, including this year, and has suffered just one losing season (1990, his first year). McBride's teams have averaged seven wins per year. With four bowl appearances, McBride is the only head coach to take Utah to more than one bowl game. He is 1-3 in bowl games. McBride led Utah to the 1995 WAC Championship (tie)?Utah's first conference title in 31 years. 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 4-3 against Wyoming and 0-1 against current Poke coach Dana Dimel.
SERIES SHORTS
The Ute-Cowboy series is the third longest in Utah's gridiron history ... The two schools have played 71 times, with Utah holding a 41-29-1 lead ... Only Utah State (99) and BYU (80) have played Utah more than Wyoming ... Series was continuous for 50 years, from 1946-95, before the schools were separated by divisions in their former conference (the Western Athletic Conference). Last year, while still in different divisions, they met in a "crossover" game ... Utah won or tied (once) the first 23 games of the series and has won four of the last six, although Wyoming won last year ... They have not played in Salt Lake City in five years (Utah won 41-7 in 1994) ... Utah has a 26-10-1 advantage over Wyoming in Salt Lake City.
GRIDBITS
Utah's six wins have been by an average of 24.6 points, while its two losses were by an average of 6.5 points ... The Utes have twice this year had a win streak snapped at three games ... Utah's record in its second year in Rice-Eccles Stadium is 7-2 (3-0 this year). The Utes' last home loss was Nov. 21, 1998 to BYU (26-24) ... Utah's all-time record in games played on the site of Rice-Eccles Stadium (formerly Ute and Rice Stadium) is 238-122-10 ... Utah's all-time record is 517-382-31.
THE BALL STOPS HERE
Utah's defense has allowed just 10 touchdowns through eight games this year (5 passing and 5 rushing). The Utes are especially tough in the "red zone," where their opponents have come away with just six touchdowns in 21 trips inside the 20-yard line?a 30% success rate. The U. defense has been great offensively as well, scoring five touchdowns. Cornerbacks Jay Hill (2 interceptions) and Andre Dyson (1 interception, 1 return of a blocked field goal) have each scored two touchdowns.
MIKE CHECK
* Running back Mike Anderson (6-0, 232, Sr.), the preseason Mountain West Conference offensive player of the year and a Doak Walker candidate, is averaging 92.6 ypg, best on the team and second in the MWC.* Anderson is now the 10th leading rusher in school history with 1,821 net yards in his 18-game Ute career.
* Despite missing a game (Louisiana-Monroe), Anderson leads Utah in rushes (121), yards (648), touchdowns (10), yards per carry (5.4) and scoring (60). He is second in all-purpose yards (670).
* He is Utah's scoring leader, averaging 10.0 ppg.
* Anderson rushed for a season-high 124 yards against San Diego State on Oct. 23.
* Anderson's 10 rushing touchdowns this year is tied for fourth in Utah's single season records. Last year, he rushed for 12 TDs, which is tied for second all-time at the U.
* His four rushing touchdowns against UNLV on Sept. 25 tied the school record.
* Anderson was named the USA Today Player of the Week in the Mountain West Conference (Sept. 25).
* Anderson has 10 career 100-yard games (three this year). One more will tie him for third in the school books with Tony Lindsay (11, 1977-80) and Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (11, 1995-97).
* He has 22 career rushing TDs?tied for fourth with Juan Johnson, 1994-97, and Fuamatu-Ma'afala, 1995-97. He needs one more to tie for third (23 by Mark Stevens, 1983-84).
* Anderson was first-team all-WAC last year and its leading rusher (20th in the nation), averaging 106.6 ypg. He rushed for 1,173 yards, which ranks second in Ute history, and he is one of just four Utes ever to average 100 yards per game rushing. In his first year of NCAA ball, Anderson carried the ball 244 times and had seven 100-yard games. His 12 rushing touchdowns was the second best single season tally ever at Utah.
* His career-best rushing game is 163 yards vs. San Jose State in 1998.
FRANK TALK
* Senior defensive end John Frank (6-5, 277) is a preseason all-Mountain West Conference pick.* Frank leads the MWC in sacks with nine (65 yards).
* He is tied for the MWC lead in tackles for loss with 14 (79 yards).
* Frank is second on the team in total tackles (48) and first in quarterback hurries (11).
* His best game was against Boise State on Oct. 2, when he had 12 tackles (9 unassisted), four sacks for 29 yards and five tackles for loss (30 yards).
* Frank now has 23 career sacks, which ranks third all-time at Utah, behind Filipo Mokofisi (26, 1982-85) and Jeff Reyes (25, 1980-83)/Jimmy Bellamy (25, 1990-91).
* Frank's 153 career yards in sacks is tied for second all-time at Utah with Bronzell Miller (153, 1993-94). The school record is 172 yards by Jimmy Bellamy (1990-91).
* He has 23 career tackles for loss, also third all-time at Utah. He needs one to tie for second with Dave Chaytors (24, 1989-92). The school record is 29, held by Luther Elliss (1991-94).
* Frank has the school record for both single season (79 yards) and career (103 yards) tackles for loss yardage.
* Frank, first-team all-WAC last year, finished second in the league in sacks with 10 in 1998.
ARCENEAUX'S ARSENAL
* Junior quarterback Darnell Arceneaux (6-1, 194), 11-1 as a starter, has started part-time since his freshman year (2 games in 1997, 4 games in 1998, 6 games in 1999).* Arceneaux did not start and made just a cameo appearance against CSU due to the flu and strep throat. He is probable for the Wyoming game.
* He has missed time this year with an assortment of ailments, including a sore lower back, a lacerated hand, a mid foot sprain, the flu and strep throat.
* Arceneaux was the MWC Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 23 after completing 15 of 21 passes for a career-best 266 yards and two touchdowns against San Diego State. He was not intercepted or sacked.
* His string of games with at least one touchdown pass was snapped at nine after he attempted just one pass (incomplete) against Colorado State on Oct. 28.
* For the season, he has completed 77 of 144 passes (53.1%) for 1,206 yards (150.8 ypg) and 10 touchdowns (5 interceptions).
* Arceneaux's pass efficiency rating is 138.83
* He's had two of his best passing games this year: 266 yards vs. SDSU and 249 yards vs. Washington State.
* Arceneaux's best rushing game was against UTEP in 1998 (115 yards)
SMITH NOTES
* Juco transfer Steve Smith leads the Ute receivers in every category. He has 31 catches for 649 yards (81.1 ypg) and eight touchdowns. He has a ninth touchdown from a reception, but it wasn't his. He scooped up a fumble by Matt Nickel and ran 54 yards for a touchdown against San Diego State.* He has two 100-yard games, including a career-best 131 yards against SDSU. He had 110 yards against UNLV.
* Smith's eight touchdown receptions is tied for fifth at Utah in a single season. His next TD grab will tie him for fourth with Jack Steptoe (9 in 1976).
* Smith is in school record territory in yards per reception. He's averaging 20.9 yards per catch?within reach of school record holder Steve Odom's 22.1 average back in 1972.
* Smith leads the Utes in all-purpose yards per game (136.1 ypg).
* He led the nation in punt return average for two straight weeks (Oct. 16-23), averaging 19.8 yards per return.
* Smith now has a team-best 16 punt returns for 251 yards, an average of 15.7 ypr.
* He is second on the team in kickoff returns with six for 169 yards. His 28.2 yards per return average is best on the team.
* Smith was named the MWC Special Teams Player of the Week for his game against Air Force on Oct. 16, when he returned two punts 110 yards?one for a 61-yard touchdown. He also caught two touchdown passes in that game to account for all three of Utah's scores.
* He was named the USA Today Mountain West Conference Player of the Week and won the Compaq award for best punt return in the nation the week of Oct. 16.
* Smith won the Compaq award for Most Unusual play of the week for his 54-yard touchdown "reception", resulting from a teammate's fumble, on Oct. 23.
OFFENSIVE INFO
* Backup junior quarterback T.D. Croshaw has played in all but the season-opening game. Croshaw got his first career start at Air Force and completed four of six passes for 13 yards before Arceneaux replaced him late in the first quarter. Croshaw started and played most of the game in Utah's 31-24 loss to Colorado State on Oct. 28.* Croshaw had a career game against CSU, completing 18 of 29 passes for 241 yards and 1 TD.
* In seven games, Croshaw has completed 40 of 68 passes (58.8%) for 555 yards (79.3 ypg) and 6 TDs (1 interception).
* His pass efficiency rating is a team-best 153.56.
* Croshaw has been intercepted just once this year and has gone four games without a pick.
* He threw for 166 yards and four touchdowns vs. Louisiana-Monroe.
* Boo Bendinger is second on the team in receptions with 23 for 279 yards (12.1 yards per catch). His three TD receptions are second most on the team.
* Cliff Russell is second in receiving yards with 315 (14.3 ypc) and receiving yards per game (52.5). He is third in receptions (22).
* Senior running back Omar Bacon is Utah's second-leading rusher with 105 carries for 339 yards (42.4 ypg) and 2 TDs. He is averaging 3.2 yards per rush. Bacon's best games were against UNLV (92 yards) and Louisiana-Monroe (72 yards). He started against ULM.
DEFENSIVE DATA
* Utah has the two best corners in the Mountain West in senior Jay Hill and junior Andre Dyson. Hill leads the league and in interceptions with five, while Dyson is tied for third in the MWC with three.* As of Oct. 23, Hill was second in the MWC in passes defended with 12, while Dyson was tied for third (10).
* Hill is tied for the league lead in fumbles forced (3).
* Hill has returned two interceptions for touchdowns, which is tied for second in school history?both single-season and career.
* Junior free safety Jason Potter is Utah's leading tackler with 49.
* Senior tackle Richard Seals has eight tackles for loss (second on the team) and five sacks (third).
* Junior strong safety Kimball Christianson, the MWC Defensive Player of the Week for the week of Oct. 16 (vs. Air Force), is Utah's leading third tackler with 48, despite missing the CSU game with a sprained knee.
SPECIAL TEAMS
* Utah's return teams have been exceptional, mostly thanks to Steve Smith, who is averaging 15.7 yards per punt return. He is also averaging 28.2 yards per kickoff return.* Cletus Truhe has taken over the PAT-field goal duties and is perfect in both. Truhe has made 17 of 17 PATs and both of his field goal tries?from 32 and 42 yards out.
* Golden Whetman now handles only kickoffs. He was 17 of 18 in PATs and 4-7 in field goals (long of 48) before Truhe replaced him as place kicker.
* Senior punter Chris Hunter has 46 punts for 1,893 yards, an average of 41.2 yards per punt, with a long of 63 (vs. ULM). Fifteen of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line and 10 have resulted in fair catches.
* Freshman Sheldon Deckart has blocked two punts this year (vs. UNLV and ULM).
* Colby Knight blocked a field goal attempt by CSU that was picked up by teammate Andre Dyson and taken for a touchdown.
INJURY REPORT
Player, Pos. Injury/Status/GM Brooks Bahr, LB knee (dislocation)/out for season/6 Brandon Dart, DB knee (torn ACL)/out for season/6 Courtney Richins, PR knee (torn ACL)/out for season/5 Chris Christensen, WR leg (broken fibula)/out for season/5 Chuck Pine, DE leg (broken tibia)/out for season/1 Nick Morgan, RB knee (scope Oct. 27)/out/3 Rod Talaeai, OC knee (MCL sprain)/out 2-4 weeks Andy Kassotis, TE knee (MCL sprain)/doubtful/6 Kimball Christianson, DB knee/questionable/1 Tony Dickamore, TE foot (mid foot sprain)/questionable Matt Ward, LB hamstring/questionable Sam White, OG knee(MCL sprain)/probable/4
RED ZONE REPORT
Utah Offense Times at or inside 20: 21 Touchdowns: 16 Field Goals: 3 Scoring percentage: 90% TD percentage: 76% Utah Defense Times opponent at or inside 20: 21 Touchdowns: 6 Field Goals: 8 Scoring Percentage: 67% TD percentage: 30%
