Ute Football Team Has Bye This Week.

Nov. 13, 2000

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Utah (4-6, 3-3 MWC) is off with a "bye" this week, giving it extra time to prepare for the season finale against rival Brigham Young (4-6, 2-3 MWC) on November 24 ... The game will be broadcast live from Rice-Eccles Stadium on ESPN starting at 4 p.m. MT ... Utah hopes to end a recent trend in this series: The visitor has won the last five games ... Utah leads the series 48-29-4 (see Series at a Glance and Series Shorts) ... Ute coach Ron McBride picked up his 75th career win against Wyoming on November 11 ... The Utes have won their last two ... Next Friday's game can be heard on KALL 910 (AM) radio and over the Internet (www.UtahUtes.com).

COUGAR KILLER

Utah Head Coach Ron McBride's tenure has brought the end to years of frustration against BYU. In the 18 years leading up to McBride's hiring, Utah won just twice against the Cougars. Conversely, McBride (1990-present) is 5-5 against BYU and has won five of the last seven meetings.

FAREWELL TO A LEGEND

The Utes will honor outgoing BYU coach LaVell Edwards in a pre-game ceremony on November 24. It will be the last game for the legendary coach, who announced before the season that he would retire upon its conclusion.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

This Week: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Next Week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, from 3:30-5:30 p.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

Utah heated up early on a frigid day in Laramie, Wyo., pummeling the Cowboys 34-0 despite single-digit temperatures that dipped to zero by the end of the game. Two touchdown runs by Adam Tate, field goals by both Ryan Kaneshiro (25 yards) and Golden Whetman (55 yards), and a Lance Rice to Josh Lyman TD pass gave Utah a 27-0 halftime lead it never relinquished. The Utes ground out the clock for most of the second half with their lone score coming on a 30-yard interception return by Andre Dyson. Tate and Dameon Hunter combined for 137 rushing yards. Rice was 7 of 16 passing for 146 yards-72 of those yards on his only completion of the night to Steve Smith. Utah's defense stuffed Wyoming for 249 total yards. Andy Bowers and Arnold Parker each had two sacks.

HEAD COACH RON MCBRIDE

Head Coach Ron McBride is 75-52 in his 11 years at the helm of the Ute program. He is one of just two coaches to win at least 60 football games at Utah. Utah had seven straight winning seasons under McBride from 1993-99. He has had just two losing seasons (1990, his first, and 2000). McBride's teams averaged seven wins a year in his first 10 years and went to five bowl games. He won two bowl games: 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 5-5 against BYU.

SERIES SHORTS

Utah leads 48-29-4 ... second-longest series in Utah football history (81 games) ranks behind only the Utah-Utah State rivalry (100 games) ... series dates back to 1896, when BYU was known as the BY Academy ... Utah has won 5 of the last 7 ... Utah leads 33-15-2 in Salt Lake City.

GRIDBITS

Utah's November 24 game against BYU marks the latest regular season game a Ron McBride-coached team has played. Not since 1989, when the Utes closed their season on November 25, has Utah scheduled a game this far into November ... Utah is 0-5 all-time in games televised by ESPN ... Utah must win its final game to prevent McBride from tying his worst record ever at the U. The Utes went 4-7 in 1990, Mac's first year at the helm ... Utah is 240-127-10 (.660) in all-time home games and 9-7 in its third year in Rice-Eccles Stadium ... Utah's all-time record is 522-389-28 (.570).

UTE INDIVIDUALS IN THE RANKINGS

Player Category MWC NCAA Steve Smith, WR/R All-Purpose Yards 1 24 Adam Tate, RB Rushing YPG 1 n/a Steve Smith, WR Receiving YPG 2 33 Andre Dyson, DB Interceptions 2 n/a Cliff Russell, WR Receptions PG 4 45 Steve Smith, WR/R Kick Return Avg. 4 n/a Darnell Arceneaux Pass Efficiency 4 47

SMITH NOTES

Wide receiver Steve Smith (5-8, 182, Sr.) ... > 2nd in the MWC (33rd in the nation) in receiving yards per game (79.4).

> Averaging league-best 22.3 yards per reception.

> In last 5 games, is averaging 30.9 yards per reception.

> Leads Utes in receiving yards (715) and yards per game (79.4 ypg).

> Second on team in receptions (32).

> Utah's leading receiver (yards) in 6 games.

> Career best 143 yards vs. San Diego State came on just 2 catches (71.5 avg.).

> 200 all-purpose yards vs. California.

> 199 all-purpose yards vs. San Diego State.

> Leads league (24th nationally) in all-purpose yards per game (155.6).

> Utah's career leader in punt returns for a touchdown (4, ties the record).

> Had a 46-yard punt return for a touchdown vs. Cal on September 9.

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

> Second all-time at Utah in career punt return yards (813). School record is held by LaVon Edwards (892, 1988-91).

> 68 career punt returns ranks third all-time at Utah. Needs 2 to move into tie for second (70, Reggie Wilson). School record is 112 (LaVon Edwards, 1988-91).

> Leads 2000 Utes in punt returns (39-318-1 TD) and kickoff returns (17-336, 19.8 avg.).

> Voted preseason Mountain West Conference Player of the Year.

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

CLIFF'S EDGE

Expected to return from the injured list for the BYU game is wide receiver Cliff Russell (5-11, 180, Jr.). Russell, who started Utah's first seven games and was its leading receiver during that time, broke a bone in his right arm (non-displaced fracture of the ulna) in the first quarter of the October 21 game vs. CSU. He missed the rest of that game, as well as the three subsequent games. Russell, the fastest Ute in 20 years (runs a 4.25 40), is Utah's leading receiver with 35 catches, even though he has caught a ball in just six games. His 467 receiving yards is second best on team. Russell is averaging 66.7 ypg and 13.3 yards per catch. His best games this year came against Arizona (10 receptions for 141 yards) and Washington State (8 receptions for 131 yards and 2 TDs). His career-best game was last year against Wyoming (6 catches for 155 yards and 1 TD).

THROWING RICE

Freshman QB Lance Rice (6-1, 193) improved his record as a starter to 2-0 with Utah's 34-0 win over Wyoming on November 11. He also won in his first start, leading Utah to a 38-16 win over UNLV on November 4. Rice's first action as a collegian was as a substitute in a loss to New Mexico. His career high passing game was against UNM when he threw for 188 yards. His best overall game was vs. UNLV when he completed 13 of 21 passes for 157 yards and 3 TDs (no interceptions). Rice's season totals are 33 completions in 66 attempts (50%) for 488 yards and 4 touchdowns (2 interceptions). His pass efficiency rating is 126.05. He is the grandson of Bob Rice, a Ute donor whose name is part of Rice-Eccles Stadium.

GREAT TATE

First-year Ute running back Adam Tate (6-1, 230, Jr.) ...

> Leads the Mountain West conference in rushing, averaging 80.6 ypg.

> Has four 100-yard rushing games.

> Had three straight 100-yard games (Air Force, Utah State, San Diego State), tying him for third in the school record books.

> Leads the Utes in rushes (155), net yards (645), yards per carry (4.2), touchdowns (7) and scoring (42).

> Has also caught 5 passes for 54 yards.

> Did not play in the first two games.

> Started against Air Force, and in just over a half, rushed for 112 yards.

> Career-best 133 yards and 3 TDs vs. Utah State.

> Missed Utah's preseason camp while awaiting academic clearance.

HOLY KAUTAI

Two-time all-league linebacker Kautai Olevao (6-2, 267, Sr.)...

> 52 total tackles

> 7 tackles for loss (31 yards).

> 2 sacks (15 yards).

> 7 tackles (1 for loss) against Washington State and Wyoming.

> 2 tackles for loss (19 yards) and 1 sack (12 yards) against Arizona.

> 5 tackles, 1 sack and tackle for loss (3 yards) and one forced fumble vs. UNLV.

> Preseason first-team all-conference selection.

> 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) ...

> School record-tying 3 career TDs off interceptions includes 2 this year.

> 39 career pass breakups is second most all-time at Utah (record is 42 by Sean Knox, 1987-90 and LaVon Edwards, 1988-91).

> 11 career interceptions is tied for sixth in Ute history.

> Has 3 TDs this year (2 interception returns and 1 fumble return).

> 3 interceptions is second most in league.

> 59 total tackles.

> 4 tackles for loss (9 yards).

> Leads Utes with 12 passes defended (9 pass breakups, 3 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.

> Made the Jim Thorpe Watch List.

CHASIN' JASON

Freshman Jason Kaufusi (6-3, 250) ...

> Is a leading candidate for MWC Freshman of the Year honors.

> Missed last 2 games with an ankle injury but is expected to play against BYU.

> True freshman has started all 8 games he has played at open end.

> Utah's tackle leader prior to injury.

> 57 total tackles (7.1 tpg).

> Team leader in tackles for loss with 15 (52 yards).

> 7 sacks (33 yards) is tied for second on team.

> 8 quarterback hurries is tied for second on team.

> 3 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.

> 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss (12 yards), 1 sack (10 yards) and 1 hurry vs. CSU.

> 7 tackles, 3 for loss (11 yards), 1 sack (8 yards) and 1 hurry vs. New Mexico.

OFFENSIVE INFO

> Senior Darnell Arceneaux is pulling double duty as a receiver and QB these days, backing up at both positions. Arceneaux grabbed his first reception since his freshman year vs. Wyoming. It went for 8 yards.

> Junior running back Dameon Hunter had a career-best 65 yards vs. Wyoming. Hunter is now Utah's second leading rusher behind Adam Tate, rushing 76 times for 302 yards (4.0 yards per carry).

> Utah's best scoring quarter is the first (58 points), followed by the second quarter (55 points). Its worst quarter is the third (45 points).

UTAH ON OFFENSE

Category     Avg.  MWC   NCAARushing Offense   139.4 5     66Passing Offense   199.1 4     74Total Offense     338.5 5     78Scoring Offense   20.7  5     86

DEFENSIVE DATA

> Utah, ranked No. 1 in the nation in pass defense a week ago, is now ranked No. 2. The Utes lead the MWC in pass defense, allowing just 147.7 passing yards per game.

> Utah is the MWC's best defensive team. The Utes are No. 1 in the league in three defensive categories (passing defense, total defense and scoring defense) and No. 2 in pass efficiency defense.

> Nationally, Utah ranks No. 2 in pass defense, No. 10 in total defense and No. 12 in scoring defense.

> Utah's defense has accounted directly for 24 points. Andre Dyson has 3 touchdowns, 2 on interception returns and 1 on a fumble return. Brother Patrick Dyson has an interception return for a touchdown.

> Sophomore lineman Garrett Smith leads Utah with 10 sacks (39 yards) and is second on the team in tackles for loss with 13 (41 yards). Smith leads Utah in quarterback hurries (10).

> Senior linebacker Wes Tufaga is Utah's tackle leader with 75 (7.5 tpg).

UTAH ON DEFENSE

Category           Avg.  MWC  NCAARushing Defense         131.0 4    40Passing Defense         147.7 1    2Pass Efficiency Defense 104.0 2    22Total Defense           278.7 1    10Scoring Defense         17.3  1    12

SPECIAL TEAMS

> Junior Ryan Kaneshiro, Utah's primary field goal and extra point kicker, is 4-6 in field goals (67%) with a long of 32 yards (vs. UNLV). Kaneshiro is 19-19 in extra points.

> Junior Golden Whetman, who was Utah's full-time place kicker for the first four games, now handles kickoffs, long field goals and punts. Whetman kicked the second longest field goal (tie) in school history against Wyoming, a 55-yarder. He is now 2-11 in field goals, with his other made kick a 46-yarder against Arizona.

> Whetman has 18 touch backs on 43 kickoffs.

> Whetman has 57 punts for 2,201 yards (38.6 yards per punt) with a long of 67 vs. Wyoming. He has laid 18 punts inside the 20.

> Steve Smith is Utah's leading return man. He has 39 punt returns for 318 yards (8.2 avg.) and 1 TD. He has 17 kickoff returns for 336 yards (19.8 avg.).

> Patrick Dyson has 11 kickoff returns for 284 yards (25.8) and 1 98-yard TD. He does not have enough returns to qualify for the league or national rankings.

> Utah's special teams tackle leaders, all with 9: Anthony White, Brooks Bahr, Thomas Fortune and CR Dwinell.

INJURY REPORT

Player, Pos.      Injury/Status/GMStan Moleni, LB   Achille's (surgery)/out for season/9Sam White, OL     knee (surgery)/out for season/8Cliff Russell, WR arm (broken ulna)/probable/3Jason Kaufusi, DE ankle (sprain)/probable/2

RED ZONE REPORT

Utah Offense Times at or inside 20: 30 Touchdowns: 15 Field Goals: 4 Scoring percentage: 63% TD percentage: 50% Utah Defense Times opponent at or inside 20: 21 Touchdowns: 9 Field Goals: 6 Scoring percentage: 71% TD percentage: 43%

BYU PREVIEW

4-6 (2-3 MWC) ... did not have a game last week ... host New Mexico this Saturday ... head coach LaVell Edwards is 255-101-3 in 29 seasons.

BYU BY THE NUMBERS

Category           Avg.   MWC  NCAARushing Offense         94.4   7    101Passing Offense         266.2  1    22Total Offense           360.6  4    67Scoring Offense         20.9   4    86Rushing Defense         130.0  3    38Passing Defense         225.0  8    74Pass Efficiency Defense 147.9  7    107Total Defense           355.0  6    47Scoring Defense         27.0   7    71

THIS GAME LAST YEAR

Utah made it four straight in Cougar Stadium, beating the Cougars 20-17 to clinch a share of the Mountain West Conference championship. The Utes broke open a low scoring game with touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters. Quarterback T.D. Croshaw started in place of the injured Darnell Arceneaux for the second straight game and threw for 228 yards and 2 touchdowns. Cornerback Andre Dyson snuffed BYU's final drive with his second interception of the game. Kautai Olevao had 8 tackles (2 for loss), a sack, a pass breakup and an interception. Utah's defense allowed just 20 rushing yards and 329 total yards.

MCBRIDE SAYS

"This is a great time to have a "bye." Our byes this year have both come at really good times. It gives us time to look at BYU real hard and also to get some guys back from injuries. We're hoping to have both Cliff (Russell) and Jason Kaufusi back for the BYU game. We'll start preparing for BYU on Tuesday through Thursday of this week ... The guys feel good about what they're doing now. It seems like we've found ourselves offensively. The last two games have been team victories. The offense, defense and special teams all contributed."

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 LEAD PRESEASON ALL-MWC TEAM

At the Mountain West Conference Football Preview, held August 1 in Las Vegas, 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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Recent Results

QUICKLY

COUGAR KILLER

FAREWELL TO A LEGEND

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

LAST WEEK

HEAD COACH RON MCBRIDE

SERIES SHORTS

GRIDBITS

UTE INDIVIDUALS IN THE RANKINGS

SMITH NOTES

CLIFF'S EDGE

THROWING RICE

GREAT TATE

HOLY KAUTAI

DYSON'S CORNER

CHASIN' JASON

OFFENSIVE INFO

UTAH ON OFFENSE

DEFENSIVE DATA

UTAH ON DEFENSE

SPECIAL TEAMS

INJURY REPORT

RED ZONE REPORT

BYU PREVIEW

BYU BY THE NUMBERS

THIS GAME LAST YEAR

MCBRIDE SAYS

SEVENTH TIME AROUND

UTES LEAD PRESEASON ALL-MWC TEAM

Upcoming Event: Football at Baylor on November 15, 2025 at 5 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Football versus Kansas State on November 22, 2025

Upcoming Event: Football at Kansas on November 28, 2025 at 10 a.m.

Upcoming Event: Football versus Idaho on September 3, 2026

Upcoming Event: Football versus Arkansas on September 12, 2026

Upcoming Event: Football versus Utah State on September 19, 2026

Upcoming Event: Football versus Miami on September 4, 2027 at TBA

Upcoming Event: Football versus Utah Tech on August 31, 2028

Upcoming Event: Football versus Nevada on September 9, 2028

Completed Event: Football versus No. 17 Cincinnati on November 1, 2025 , Win , 45, to, 14

Completed Event: Football versus Colorado on October 25, 2025 , Win , 53, to, 7

Completed Event: Football at No. 15 BYU on October 18, 2025 , Loss , 21, to, 24

Completed Event: Football versus No. 21 Arizona State on October 11, 2025 , Win , 42, to, 10

Completed Event: Football at West Virginia on September 27, 2025 , Win , 48, to, 14

Completed Event: Football versus No. 17 Texas Tech on September 20, 2025 , Loss , 10, to, 34

Completed Event: Football at Wyoming on September 13, 2025 , Win , 31, to, 6

Completed Event: Football versus Cal Poly on September 6, 2025 , Win , 63, to, 9

Completed Event: Football at UCLA on August 30, 2025 , Win , 43, to, 10

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