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The University of Utah Athletics
1999 Football Season Outlook
6/21/1999 12:00 AM | Football
June 1, 1999
SALT LAKE CITY - It's a new beginning for Utah football and head coach Ron McBride-an odd situation considering it's McBride's tenth year at the helm of the Ute program. But a new conference and a new stadium can do that to a guy, even a veteran like McBride.
After 37 years as a charter member of the Western Athletic Conference, Utah and seven other schools are breaking new ground by forming the Mountain West Conference. At their home games, the Utes will play on recently broken ground: magnificent Rice-Eccles Stadium just opened for business last September.
McBride's outlook has changed with the times. "The Mountain West Conference is going to be a strong conference immediately. You simply can't have an off week and be successful in this league," says McBride. "All of the teams are quality teams, and from what I can tell, the talent level is pretty level from top to bottom. I could see a team winning this conference with two conference losses. There are six teams that could win the conference this year. We've been a very solid team for the last seven years, with a chance to win the title at the end of the season, but we need to take the next step. We need to win a Mountain West title outright."
His view of Utah's stadium has changed with the times as well. When McBride took charge back in 1990, Utah played its home games in rickety 32,500-seat Rice Stadium. Last year the Utes moved into perhaps the finest all-around stadium in the country: 45,634-seat Rice-Eccles Stadium, with its modern amenities, soaring stadium box and sweeping views is certainly one of the most beautiful, functional stadiums anywhere.
"The stadium is awesome," raves McBride. "It's as nice as any stadium in the country. It's a beautiful complex and a source of pride for University of Utah people. It's a big time deal and has been unbelievable for us in recruiting."
McBride just wishes a few more teams would visit his expansive new "home" in 1999. The Utes have a normal five-game home slate, but face a brutal road schedule. They open the season at Washington State on September 4 and close it at arch-rival Brigham Young on November 20. The Cougars are one of three Mountain West Conference title contenders to host Utah this year. The Utes must also travel to Air Force (Oct. 16) and Colorado State (Oct. 30).
Home or away, McBride likes his team's chances this fall. "We believe this team can contend for the conference championship and go to a bowl game."
Here's a look at the team Utah will put on the field in 1999:
Running Backs
The only thing McBride is unsure of at running back is how to keep everyone happy. He has the best tandem in the league in seniors Mike Anderson (6-0, 232) and Omar Bacon (6-1, 209) and three more top prospects waiting in the wings. Anderson led the WAC in rushing in his first year of NCAA ball, rushing for 1,173 yards for an average of 106.6 yards per game. Fast, smooth and strong, Anderson had seven 100-yard games. Bacon rushed for 718 yards (65.3 ypg) in what was certainly one of the better "backup" performances in the nation. If they continue what they started last year, Utah could be in for its first pair of 1,000-yard rushers ever in a single season.
McBride likens Anderson to another famous Anderson to play for Utah. Jamal Anderson, now an all-pro running back for Atlanta, reminds McBride of his latest star because, "Mike sees his weaknesses and works to fix them. He has a ton of ability and he'll get better with each passing year, just like Jamal." As for Bacon, who along with Anderson was unanimously voted the offensive team captain, "Omar has been our most consistent back for the last four years (he redshirted in 1997)-from pass protection to hitting the hole to reading his keys," praises McBride.
Behind the marquee backs are Nick Morgan (6-0, 237), a burly junior fullback who is often used in goal line situations, big, strong sophomore Thomas Fortune (6-3, 235) and muscular redshirt freshman D'Shaun Crockett (5-7, 189), who has "real breakaway speed."
In addition to their role as understudies to Anderson and Bacon, Morgan and Fortune play key roles on Utah's special teams. Crockett, on the other hand, will go both ways for the Utes. "We can't pigeonhole D'Shaun because we need his athletic ability on the field," says McBride, noting that Crockett will practice at running back and cornerback.
Running Backs (1998 totals, where applicable) Name Yr. Hgt. Wgt. Att. Yds. TD Anderson Sr. 6-0 232 244 1173 12 Bacon Sr. 6-1 209 160 718 9 Crockett Fr. 5-7 189 - - - Fortune So. 6-3 235 8 35 0 Morgan Jr. 6-0 237 11 90 0
Offensive Line
A former offensive line coach, McBride bestows extra favor on this position. Certainly the 1999 line deserves his attention. Two second-team all-conference linemen return in senior tackle Josh Cochran (6-6, 310) and junior guard Sam White (6-3, 285). They are paired with two other returning starters-sophomore tackle Doug Kaufusi (6-6, 305) and senior guard Luis Park (6-2, 304). Utah lost a second-team all-league center and three-year starter in Darren Walker, but McBride thinks junior Steve McKane (6-0, 270) will fill in nicely.
"McKane, in my opinion, has a chance to be an even better center than Darren because he's more explosive," says McBride, who adds, "Cochran, White and Kaufusi are the strength of the line because they've played the most."
But it's the guys behind the starters who really get McBride going.
"Jordan Gross (6-4, 289, Fr.) had a great spring. We could put him in at any time and not see a drop off. He was a complete surprise. Generally it takes those guys a couple of years to develop, but he was a player from the day he walked on to the field," extols McBride.
Gross will back up Kaufusi (who was the surprise gem on the line as a freshman last year) at left tackle. A player who McBride hopes will make the switch from defense to offense with the ease that Kaufusi did is backup center Rod Talaeai. A defensive lineman last fall, Talaeai got the majority of the reps at center in the spring and made a big impression.
"Rod and (freshman) Dustin McQuivey took virtually all of the reps in the spring because Steve McKane and Michael Richardson were hurt. Rod and McQuivey will both be really good," predicts McBride.
"You need three tackles, three guards and three centers who can play to feel good about your offensive line," says McBride. "It looks like we have four tackles and guards and three centers with us right now. And we're adding two players who could help us right off in Siuaki Livai and Sean Souza." Livai and Souza are two highly recruited prep stars out of Hawaii.
Offensive Line (1998 totals, where applicable) Name Yr. Hgt. Wgt. DC Cochran Sr. 6-6 310 66 Gross Fr. 6-4 289 - Kaufusi So. 6-6 305 41 Livai Fr. 6-2 290 - McKane Jr. 6-0 270 4 McQuivey Fr. 6-4 259 - Moleni Sr. 6-3 298 24 Park Sr. 6-2 304 59 Richardson So. 6-3 255 4 Souza Fr. 6-6 285 - Talaeai Sr. 6-0 247 - White Jr. 6-3 285 67 Wilson So. 6-7 303 3
Tight Ends
Utah's lineup is heavy on tight ends, with four in the program right now, but frequent use of a double-tight formation could mean playing time for most of them. The best of the bunch is returning honorable mention all-conference senior Andy Kassotis (6-3, 271). When Kassotis went down with an injury in the spring (he'll be fine by fall), Matt Nickel (6-6, 261, Jr.) and Scott Price (6-4, 248, So.) showed that there is quality depth here.
"Add (sophomore) Tony Dickamore and (freshman) Ben Allison in the fall and this is a solid group," says McBride. "In this offense, a tight end needs to be a blocker as well as a receiver. We like to do some double tight because there's usually a bubble in the defense you can attack, especially if you have tight ends who can block. Ben Allison, once he is cleared to play, will be the first tight end since I've been here with the speed to force defenses to cover him."
Tight Ends (1998 totals, where applicable) Name Yr. Hgt. Wgt. Rec. Yds. TD Dickamore So. 6-5 245 1 29 0 Kassotis Sr. 6-3 271 9 89 1 Nickel Jr. 6-6 261 7 83 0 Price So. 6-4 248 0 0 0
Quarterbacks
The only controversy at quarterback this year involves the backups. Junior Darnell Arceneaux (6-1, 200), Utah's No. 1 signal caller last year before injuries struck, is the starter. Arceneaux's sophomore season was cut short by a broken finger and a dislocated shoulder-both which both required surgery-but he expects to be fully healed by fall camp. When healthy, his running and passing abilities render him nearly unstoppable. In fact, Arceneaux is 6-0 as a starter.
"Obviously, Darnell is the guy," confirms McBride. "The question mark is who will be two, three and four. We need Darnell to play every game. Mentally he knows what's going on, his huddle presence is excellent, he's a great athlete and he knows how to win. Instinctively, he does things that put him in situations where he can get hurt, but we can't worry about that."
McBride worries less after the backup QBs waged a spirited battle in the spring. Junior T.D Croshaw (6-1, 185) had the slight edge over JC transfer Tony Alvarez (6-2, 182), with redshirt Joel Gines (6-1, 203) checking in at No. 3. All that could change come fall, however.
"We really like Alvarez," says McBride. "He has a quick release, good feet and can get himself out of trouble. He just needs to learn the offense better. T.D.'s strength is that he understands the reads and the blitzes and has a solid knowledge of what's going on. We'd like to get some separation between the three top guys, but there's no one, including (freshman) Lance Rice, that I would feel uncomfortable playing."
Quarterbacks (1998 totals, where applicable) Name Yr. Hgt. Wgt. Att. Comp. Yds. Int. TD Alvarez Jr. 6-2 182 - - - - - Arceneaux Jr. 6-1 200 77 43 687 4 5 Croshaw Jr. 6-1 185 1 0 0 1 0 Gines Fr. 6-1 203 - - - - -
Receivers
With the loss of graduated all-conference receivers Daniel Jones and Jerome Anderson, this position will rely on newcomers more than any other. No one expects a drop off from Utah's always potent receiving cast, however, especially since the Utes inked three big time junior college recruits in Dennis Smith, Stevonne Smith (no relation) and Johnny Lundy.
"Receiver is our biggest question right now with just two proven guys (senior slot backs Donny Utu and Boo Bendinger)," admits McBride. "We're counting on Dennis and Stevonne Smith and Johnny Lundy coming in and doing what we think they can. They can all break games open. The only question is how fast they can adapt to a new system. Dennis is a big receiver with a real burst of speed and great athleticism. Stevonne is a pure speed receiver. Johnny Lundy is a combination of the two and can catch it in a crowd," assesses McBride.
Of his returners, only slot backs Utu and Bendinger have measurable game experience. "Donny is probably our best returning receiver," notes McBride. "Overall, Boo had the best spring since he's been here. He has soft hands and runs good routes. He just needs to improve his daily concentration."
Challenging the highly touted incoming JC trio at X and Z receiver are returners Chris Christensen and Cliff Russell. Russell, a sophomore with blazing speed (4.3-second 40) could end up in a foot race with Stevonne Smith to start at the Z.
McBride also likes Philippe Wells, a juco transfer who walked on to the team last fall. "Philippe is the sleeper of the group," says McBride.
Receivers (1998 totals, where applicable) Name Yr. Hgt. Wgt. Rec. Yds. TD Bendinger Sr. 5-11 218 9 146 3 Christensen Jr. 5-11 172 1 34 0 Russell So. 5-11 177 - - - Lundy Jr. 6-1 190 - - - D. Smith Jr. 6-3 215 - - - S. Smith Jr. 6-0 180 - - - Utu Sr. 6-1 208 34 389 3
Linebackers
Just one of Utah's three starting linebackers is back in '99, and he'll be playing a different position. But linebacker coach Fred Whittingham, now a full-time assistant after a year as a volunteer, has plenty of firepower. Whittingham, who returned to the Ute staff after a coaching stint in the NFL, has a potential future NFL draft pick on his hands in junior Kautai Olevao. Olevao, first-team all-WAC last year, has moved from rover to his true position as the "stud."
"Kautai gives us flexibility because he can play all of the linebacker positions," says McBride of his star. "Kautai is the most dominant defensive player in the (Mountain West) conference. He's an All-America candidate, a big time player."
Replacing Phil Glover, Utah's starting rover last year before breaking his ankle (he was later drafted by the Tennessee Oilers), is junior Howard Christianson. McBride liked what he saw of Christianson in the spring. Out all year with an elbow injury in 1998, "Howie is a real smart guy who makes a lot of plays. He can run and he has the athleticism of a safety," says McBride.
At middle or "Mac" linebacker is Taulia Lave, who has an edge in starting experience, but will be hounded by talented junior Wes Tufaga. Tufaga is not the only game-ready backup. Feisty Sitivi Laulu will look for playing time at rover, junior college transfer Matt Ward impressed in the spring at the "stud", and redshirt freshman Sheldon Deckart may play his way into the lineup with his speed and quickness. McBride also likes walk-on returned missionary Brooks Bahr.
Incoming freshmen could impact here as well. Marcus Jones, who signed a letter of intent in 1998 but is just now eligible, is a blue chip recruit, as are Nevada player of the year Arnold Parker and California product Jay Ossai.
Linebackers (1998 totals, where applicable) Name Yr. Hgt. Wgt. Tackles TFL Bird Fr. 6-4 217 - - H. Christianson* Jr. 6-2 224 22 1-5 Deckart Fr. 6-1 252 - - Jones Fr. 6-0 235 - - Laulu Sr. 6-0 212 10 0-0 Lave Sr. 6-1 256 1 1-1 Olevao Jr. 6-2 256 77 9-14 Ossai Fr. 6-2 200 - - Parker Fr. 6-2 205 - - Tufaga Jr. 6-0 228 37 2-5 Ward Jr. 6-3 222 - - *1997 totals
Defensive Line
The defensive line was the highlight of spring ball, which could come as a surprise since just one starter returns. However, he is first-team all-WAC end John Frank (6-4, 271), who according to McBride, "is one of the best defensive ends in the league." Frank will be better yet this year says McBride, in part thanks to the emergence of Andy Bowers, slated to play left end. "Andy has learned to use his body to make plays and his ability to get through lets us leave John at open end where he is most effective."
While Frank is the best known commodity on Utah's defensive front, junior nose guard Maake Kemoeatu (6-5, 298) may prove the biggest threat to opposing offenses. Kemoeatu, who trained under all-WAC nose guard Pene Talamaivao, may surpass his mentor this year.
"Maake is a real specimen," gloats McBride. "He's a big, lean guy who, if he's hurt, doesn't feel pain. He weighs 298 pounds and there's not an ounce of fat on his body. He has great hands and great extension. Maake will absolutely dominate this year."
But McBride's not done with that position. Garrett Smith, Kemoeatu's backup, reminds McBride of former Ute All-American Luther Elliss with his quickness and ability to move from sideline to sideline. At the other tackle, Ed Ta'amu, a big name recruit for Utah three years ago, will start as a junior. "Eddie just needed to mature," says McBride of the former Hawaii player of the year. "He's much closer to the player we thought he'd be when we recruited him."
Behind Frank is Chuck Pine, a relentless pass rusher, while athletic Ed Johnson and big Richard Seals will back up at end and tackle, respectively.
Defensive Line (1998 totals, where applicable) Name Yr. Hgt. Wgt. Tackles TFL Sacks Bowers Jr. 6-6 273 12 0-0 0-0 Frank Sr. 6-4 271 36 8-20 10-56 Johnson Jr. 6-4 287 - - - Kemoeatu Jr. 6-5 298 19 1-1 0-0 Sape So. 6-2 267 0 0-0 0 Seals Sr. 6-2 302 17 1-1 2.5-25 G. Smith Fr. 6-3 265 - - - Ta'amu Jr. 6-2 289 2 0-0 0-0
Secondary
A question mark a year ago, secondary is now a known quantity. "We have three proven corners in Teneil Ethridge, Andre Dyson and Jay Hill," notes McBride. "Last year, we had none at this time." McBride wants a fourth corner to count on come fall and he fingers Jeff Ray, Desmond Davis and Airabin Justin as the three most likely candidates.
Some shifting at safety should be no cause for concern, with two-year starting free safety Kimball Christianson, honorable mention all-WAC last year, sliding over to strong safety. He goes into the fall backed up by Colby Knight, who is best known for his special teams heroics. At free safety, athletically gifted Patrick Dyson came out of spring ball behind Jason Potter, another special teams star from 1998.
Says McBride of that situation, "Patrick has a ton of athletic talent. He just has to grow up."
Secondary (1998 totals, where applicable) Name Yr. Hgt. Wgt. Tackles Int. PBU K. Christianson Sr. 6-3 198 65 0-0 2 Davis Fr. 5-8 174 - - - A. Dyson Jr. 5-10 179 32 3-0 11 P. Dyson Jr. 5-11 191 3 0-0 1 Ethridge Sr. 5-10 188 46 1-0 11 Hill Sr. 6-1 186 28 1-7 7 Justin Fr. 5-9 173 - - - Knight Sr. 5-11 193 18 0-0 2 Potter Jr. 5-11 203 16 0-0 0 Ray Jr. 5-10 160 - - -
Kickers
Only Chris Hunter at punter is a sure thing here. Hunter has one of the best legs around and has been a consistent producer in his two previous years starting. His consistency has not spread to the field goal/PAT team, where senior Cletus Truhe and sophomore Ryan Kaneshiro have both 'booted' their share of kicks. In the spring, they looked good until the final game, when they both misfired.
"Kaneshiro and Truhe competed hard all spring until the last day," says McBride. "We will not split duties again if we can help it. We want a clear cut kicker." Last year Kaneshiro did extra points and short field goals, while Truhe handled kickoffs and long field goals.
"If he gets eligible, Golden Whetman could very well be the guy," admits McBride. Whetman, who has a booming kick, has been on campus since last fall but has yet to receive academic clearance.
Kickers/Punters (1998 totals, where applicable) Name Yr. Hgt. Wgt. FG-FGA PAT Punts Hunter Sr. 6-4 225 - - 59-41.4 Kaneshiro So. 5-10 182 8-13 40-42 - Truhe Sr. 5-11 207 1-4 - - Whetman So. 6-0 201 - - -
Return Teams
Half of the nation's best kick return team returns in junior Patrick Dyson. Dyson, who supported graduated Ute Daniel Jones on a team that averaged an NCAA-best 27.1 yards per return, is one of four candidates to field kickoffs this year. He's joined by fellow defensive backs Desmond Davis and D'Shaun Crockett, Courtney Richins (Utah's top returner in the 1998 preseason before an injury) and incoming junior college All-American Stevonne Smith. Smith, if he lives up to his billing, will also push Dyson for the punt return position, although Andre Dyson is also a possibility there. All of Utah's returners boast blazing speed.
Return Teams (1998 totals, where applicable) Name Yr. Hgt. Wgt. KOR PR Crockett Fr. 5-7 189 - - Davis Fr. 5-8 174 - - A. Dyson Jr. 5-10 179 0-0 0-0 P. Dyson Jr. 5-11 191 11-362-1 0-0 Richins So. 5-9 160 - - S. Smith Jr. 6-0 180 - -
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