Ute Football Team Takes The Week Off From Competition

Oct. 2, 2000

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SALT LAKE CITY -

QUICKLY

Utah (1-4, 0-1 MWC) is off with a "bye" this week and the players will enjoy a light practice schedule. They'll practice on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and then take Friday, Saturday and Sunday off ... Utah's next action is October 14 at San Diego State (0-4, 0-0 MWC) ... Kickoff will be at 12 noon PT in Qualcomm Stadium ... The Utah-SDSU game will be televised by ESPN+Plus, which can be viewed locally on KJZZ-TV ... It can be heard on KALL 910 (AM) radio and over the Internet (www.UtahUtes.com).

OH-FER OVER

Utah stopped its winless streak at four with its September 30 win over Utah State (35-14). The win saved the Utes from losing five straight for the first time in Head Coach Ron McBride's 11-year tenure.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, starting at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at 9 a.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

Senior quarterback Darnell Arceneaux turned in his best game of the year and the Utes got their first win, 35-14 over Utah State in Logan. Arceneaux threw for 186 yards and ran for 82 yards and 2 touchdowns. After Utah State tied the score at 14 early in the third quarter, Arceneaux directed scoring drives of 72 and 89 yards to put Utah back on top, 28-14. He capped both drives by rushing for a touchdown (from 2 and 17 yards out). Junior running back Adam Tate had his second straight 100-yard game, rushing for a career-best 133 yards and 3 TDs. Five receivers caught passes, led by Cliff Russell's five receptions for 66 yards. Utah held the ball for 36 minutes of the contest. Defensively, Jason Kaufusi had six tackles and a sack and Kimball Christianson had five tackles, a pass breakup and an interception, which he returned 44 yards. Three Utes intercepted passes: Christianson, Patrick Dyson (who also had 7 tackles) and Andre Dyson.

HEAD COACH RON MCBRIDE

Head Coach Ron McBride is 72-50 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 3-4 against San Diego State.

SERIES SHORTS

Utah is the most recent winner (38-16 in 1999), but SDSU has won 6 of the last 10 ... An exciting series since its inception back in 1978, nine of 19 games have been decided by a field goal or less ... Utah's 38-22 win in San Diego in 1994 shot the 5-0 Utes into the Top-20 in the coaches poll (No. 18) and No. 21 in the AP poll ... The Aztecs lead 5-3-1 in San Diego.

GRIDBITS

Utah and SDSU are both 0-1 against Arizona, their only common opponent. Both teams lost 17-3 to UA ... Utah is 3-0 all-time in games broadcast by ESPN+Plus ... The first overtime game in Ute football history was vs. San Diego State in 1998-a game Utah lost 21-20 in San Diego ... Sophomore Al Johnson, who has played for special teams this year, calls San Diego home. Johnson prepped at Crawford High School ... Star receiver/returner Steve Smith served a one-game suspension against Utah Stat. Smith will play against SDSU. Smith's career-best receiving game was against the Aztecs last year (131 yards) ... Utah's all-time record is 519-387-28 (.570).

UTE INDIVIDUALS IN THE RANKINGS

Player                 Category            MWC  NCAAPatrick Dyson          Kickoff Returns     1    4Steve Smith, WR/R      All-Purpose Yards   1    32Cliff Russell, WR      Rec. Per Game       1    19Adam Tate, RB          Rushing YPG         1    30*Cliff Russell, WR      Rec. Yards Per Game 3    23Darnell Arceneaux, QB  Total Offense       2    38Steve Smith, WR/R      Punt Returns        5    49

*Inadvertently left off NCAA stats, which had him playing in 4 games vs. 3

SMITH NOTES

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

* Averaging team-best 15.7 yards per reception.

* Second on team in receiving (18 catches for 282 yards).

* Averaging 70.5 yards per game receiving, second on team.

* Leads league in all-purpose yards per game (164.5).

* Utah's career leader in punt returns for a touchdown (4) tied the record first set by Steve Odom (4, 1971-73) on a 46-yard punt return vs. Cal on September 9.

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

* Third all-time at Utah in career punt return yards (644). He needs 2 yards to tie Erroll Tucker (646, 1984-85) for second. School record is held by LaVon Edwards (892, 1988-91).

* 45 career punt returns ranks sixth all-time at Utah. He needs 1 to tie Scott Robbins (45, 1969-71) for fifth. School record is 112 (LaVon Edwards, 1988-91).

* Led Utah with 8 catches for 95 yards vs. Air Force.

* 200 all-purpose yards vs. California.

* 3 punt returns for 57 yards and 1 TD vs. Cal.

* Leads 2000 Utes in punt returns (16-149-1 TD) and kickoff returns (12-233, 19.4 ypr).

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

* Career-best 131 yards vs. San Diego State in 1999.

CLIFF'S EDGE

* Wide receiver Cliff Russell (5-11, 180, Jr.) is the fastest Ute in 20 years (4.25 electronically timed 40).

* Leads Utah with 30 receptions for 430 yards (14.3 yards per catch) and 2 TDs.

* 6.0 receptions per game leads league (19th in the nation).

* Third in conference and 23rd nationally in receiving yards per game (86.0).

* 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 employing two quarterbacks in its first two games, Darnell Arceneaux (6-1, 198, Sr.) has been the man for the last two games. He is 1-2 as the starter this year and 12-4 in career starts. Arceneaux is ranked fifth in the MWC in passing efficiency (115.9), completing 66-119 (56%) passes for 896 yards and 2 TDs (5 interceptions). He is also Utah's second-leading rusher with 52 carries for 181 yards and 2 TDs. His best passing game was against Washington State (219 yards). 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. The starter in those games was T.D. Croshaw, who is 16-46 passing for 235 yards, an average of 47.0 ypg. Croshaw's passing stats reflect the AFA game, when he saw action only as the holder. Utah has used both quarterbacks for the last two years, in part due to the Arceneaux's tendencies toward injuries. Arceneaux left the USU game late in the fourth quarter after injuring his foot and both knees. He is expected to play against San Diego State. 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.) has played in just three games but leads the Mountain West Conference and ranks 30th nationally in rushing, averaging 94.0 ypg. He leads the Utes in rushes (59), net yards (282), yards per carry (4.8), touchdowns (4) and scoring (24). He is the MWC's leader in points per game (8.0). Tate 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. Tate topped that against Utah State on September 30, rushing for a career high 133 yards and 3 TDs. He 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 and is on the Butkus Award Watch List.

* 26 total tackles (5.2 tpg).

* 3 tackles for loss (22 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.

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

* 35 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 touchdowns this year (1 an interception return and 1 a fumble return).

* 2 interceptions

* 33 total tackles.

* 2 tackles for loss (4 yards).

* Leads Utes with 7 passes defended (5 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 has 37 (7.4 tpg).

* Leads Utes in tackles for loss with 9 (26 yards).

* 5 hurries ranks second on team.

* 2 sacks for 10 yards and 2 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.

OFFENSIVE INFO

* Senior offensive lineman and honor candidate Sam White will undergo season-ending knee surgery on Wednesday (Oct. 4). White will apply for a medical redshirt year.

* Senior center Steve McKane should be available against San Diego State. McKane injured his knee against Cal and has missed the last three games.

* The offensive line's starting lineup is up in the air for the upcoming SDSU game. Left guard Ed Ta'amu is questionable to play with a sprained knee. If he's out, Michael Richardson could slide to left guard, Dustin McQuivey to right guard and Steve McKane will return to center. That scenario assumes McKane will be healthy enough to play.

* Michael Richardson has played three positions this year: tight end, right guard and center. He has started at tight end and guard.

UTAH ON OFFENSE

Category          Avg.   MWC  NCAARushing Offense   149.8  5    58Passing Offense   226.2  3    43Total Offense     376.0  4    57Scoring Offense   18.8   6    84

DEFENSIVE DATA

*Sophomore defensive tackle Garrett Smith is Utah's second-leading tackler with 33 (6.6 tpg). Smith is also second in tackles for loss (7-20 yards) and sacks (3-9 yards).

* Tied with Garrett Smith for second place on the team is senior linebacker Wes Tufaga and senior defensive back Andre Dyson, each with 33 tackles.

* Utah has experimented with moving Garrett Smith to end and inserting Lauvale Sape at tackle. Sape also backs up Ma'ake Kemoeatu at nose guard.

* Kimball Christianson's 17-tackle game against Air Force makes him the league's leader in tackles per game (conference games only).

* Patrick Dyson started at right corner across from his brother Andre vs. USU. Replacing Patrick at nickel back was safety Arnold Parker.

UTAH ON DEFENSE

Category Avg. MWC NCAA Rushing Defense 152.4 3 66 Passing Defense 267.7 1 15 Pass Efficiency Defense 123.9 6 77 Total Defense 314.4 2 31 Scoring Defense 23.2 5 62

SPECIAL TEAMS

* Junior Ryan Kaneshiro regained the starting place-kicking spot he held as a freshman against Utah State and made all 5 of his PATs. He did not attempt a field goal. Kaneshiro is 0-1 in field goal kicking this year, missing a 39-yarder vs. Washington State.

* Junior kicker Golden Whetman is now sticking with kickoffs and punts. In the first four games, Whetman made 1 of 9 field goals. His only made field goal was a 46-yarder against Arizona.

* Whetman has 8 touchbacks on 19 kickoffs.

* Whetman has 25 punts for 919 yards yards (36.8 yards per punt) with a long of 54. He has laid 7 punts inside the 20.

* Steve Smith is Utah's leading return man. He has 16 punt returns for 149 yards (9.3 ypr) and 1 TD and 12 kickoff returns for 233 yards (19.4 ypr).

* Patrick Dyson leads the MWC and is No. 4 nationally in average kickoff return (31.7 ypr). He has 7 kickoff returns for 222 yards and 1 98-yard TD.

* Brooks Bahr and Marcus Jones are Utah's top tacklers on special teams, each with 5.

INJURY REPORT

Player, Pos.          Injury/Status/GMStan Moleni, LB       Achille's (surgery)/out for season/5Sam White, OL         knee (surgery)/out for season/4Ben Allison, TE       chest wound (gun shot)/out/5Ed Ta'amu, OL         knee/questionable/0Steve McKane, OL      knee/probable/3Thomas Fortune, RB    shoulder/probable/2Ma'ake Kemoeautu      ankle/probable/0Josh Savage, DL       shoulder/questionable/0

RED ZONE REPORT

Utah OffenseTimes at or inside 20: 16Touchdowns: 7Field Goals: 0Scoring percentage: 44%TD percentage: 44%Utah DefenseTimes opponent at or inside 20: 12Touchdowns: 6Field Goals: 4Scoring percentage: 83%TD percentage: 50%

SDSU PREVIEW

0-4 (0-0 MWC) ... Had a "bye" last week ... Will play at Wyoming on October 7, before hosting Utah the next week ... 3 losses were to Pac-10 teams (Arizona State, Arizona and Oregon State) ... Other loss was to Illinois ... Head Coach Ted Tollner is 37-36 in 7 years at SDSU and 63-55-1 in 11 years as a head coach. He is 4-3 against Utah.

SDSU BY THE NUMBERS

Category                    Avg.        MWC        NCAARushing Offense             85.5        7          98Passing Offense             162.5       6          88Total Offense               248.0       8          107Scoring Offense             6.5         8          113Rushing Defense             176.8       7          85Passing Defense             175.3       2          27Pass Efficiency Defense     112.89      3          52Total Defense               352.0       5          63Scoring Defense             27.8        6          80

THIS GAME LAST YEAR

Defensive end Garrett Smith recovered a fumble in the end zone to break open a close game and lead Utah to a 31-16 win over the visiting Aztecs. Smith's big play happened with 3:08 left in the game and Utah holding on to a 24-16 lead. Mike Anderson made the game look more lopsided than it was with a 32-yard TD run with 1:21 remaining. Both teams piled up the yards: SDSU had 497 total yards, Utah 440.

MCBRIDE SAYS

"The win over Utah State really got us back on the right track. It shows that if we play hard and stay with it for four quarters, we can make good things happen. We didn't let the peaks and valleys of that game affect us. Our offensive line keeps improving, despite injuries, and Adam Tate and Damien Hunter have made our run game solid ... We changed the way we practiced last week and it seemed to help. One change we made was to emphasize our play in the red zone ... Moving Ryan (Kaneshiro) to place kicker really helped (Golden) Whetman's confidence. He just got out and kicked that ball. Before, he was trying to aim ...With Air Force losing to UNLV, the conference race is up for grabs. We're at square one with everyone else ... We'll take some time off this week, but when we're practicing, we'll try to develop some of our players and work on our weaknesses. We'll let the injured people rest and work with the other guys."

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 PICKED TO WIN MWC

At the Mountain West Conference Football Preview, held August 1 in Las Vegas, Utah was picked to defend its conference title by both the coaches and the media. The Utes received four first-place votes from the coaches and 17 from the media. Colorado State was picked second in both polls, gathering three and 10 first-place votes, respectively. 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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