Ute Football Team Hosts Rival BYU

Nov. 20, 2000

SALT LAKE CITY -

QUICKLY

Utah (4-6, 3-3 MWC) will close the 2000 season against arch rival Brigham Young (5-6, 3-3 MWC) this Friday in Rice-Eccles Stadium. Game time is 4 p.m. ... The Utes, winners of their last two games, are currently in a four-way tie for third place in the Mountain West Conference ... Utah was off with a "bye" last week ... The Utes need a win over BYU to avoid their worst record since 1990 ... The Utah-BYU game will be televised live on ESPN ... 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 ... 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. It will be the last game for the legendary coach, who announced before the season that he would retire upon its conclusion.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. All practices will be held at the McCarthey Practice Fields. If weather dictates, practice will be moved inside the Bubble. Times could change. Call sports information director Liz Abel (581-3511) for daily schedule updates and interview requests.

LAST ACTION

Utah heated up early on a frigid day in Laramie, Wyo., on November 11, pummeling the Cowboys 34-0 in zero degree temperatures. 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

The winner the Utah-BYU game will take home the "Beehive Boot," which goes to the best football team in the state. Both Utah (35-14) and BYU (38-14) defeated Utah State, setting up the Boot showdown ... This Friday's game 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  NCAASteve Smith, WR/R   All-Purpose Yards   1    22Adam Tate, RB       Rushing YPG         1    n/aSteve Smith, WR     Receiving YPG       2    33Andre Dyson, DB     Interceptions       2    n/aSteve Smith, WR/R   Kick Return Avg.    4    n/aDarnell Arceneaux   Pass Efficiency 4    40

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 (22nd 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 starting debut, 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 4    65Passing Offense 199.1 4    69Total Offense   338.5 5    79Scoring Offense 20.7  5    87

DEFENSIVE DATA

> Utah returned to No. 1 in the nation in pass defense after a week at No. 2. The Utes have been ranked No. 1 in the nation in two of the last three weeks. The Utes are 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 four of five defensive categories (passing defense, total defense, pass efficiency defense and scoring defense). Utah is No. 3 in rushing defense.

> Nationally, Utah ranks No. 1 in pass defense, No. 9 in total defense and No. 11 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 3   39Passing Defense          147.7 1   1Pass Efficiency Defense  104.0 1   21Total Defense            278.7 1   9Scoring Defense          17.3  1   11

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.

> 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)/OK/3Jason Kaufusi, DE  ankle (sprain)/OK/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

5-6 (3-3 MWC) ... in four-way tie for third in MWC ... head coach LaVell Edwards is 256-101-3 in 29 seasons.

BYU BY THE NUMBERS

Category            Avg.    MWC NCAARushing Offense          99.4    7   99Passing Offense          273.7   1   18Total Offense            373.3   3   55Scoring Offense          22.4    4   77Rushing Defense          126.4   2   36Passing Defense          220.7   8   68Pass Efficiency Defense  143.7   7   104Total Defense            347.1   5   43Scoring Defense          25.7    7   64

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

"We'll be ready to play, but the big thing is LaVell's retirement. I was really pleased that they named the (Cougar) stadium after him on Saturday. It was what needed to be done and it's a great way for him to end his career in that stadium. I was extremely happy for him ... I thought BYU played their best game since Florida State. This is the first time I've seen them play like they had a purpose. They're a funny football team. They quit against Colorado State, but in this game, they got on top and stayed on top. The quarterback did a good job ... Regardless of the records of our two teams, you know both teams will play as hard as they can this game. We're playing for the Beehive Boot and bragging rights in the state. Unfortunately, we're not playing for a championship. For the last seven or eight years, there's been something big at stake in this game-either a bowl game or a (MWC) championship. For the first time in forever there isn't a carrot out there ... We practiced outside on Friday, which was important. It was cold out and the field wasn't great but we got some stuff accomplished."

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Event: Football versus Utah State on Sep 19, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Football at Iowa State on Sep 26, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Football versus Kansas on Oct 10, 2026

Upcoming Event: Football at Colorado on Oct 17, 2026

Upcoming Event: Football versus No. 22 Houston on Oct 24, 2026

Upcoming Event: Football at Cincinnati on Oct 31, 2026

Upcoming Event: Football versus No. 11 BYU on Nov 7, 2026

Upcoming Event: Football at Arizona on Nov 14, 2026

Results

Completed Event: Football versus Arkansas on September 12, 2026 , Win , 43, to, 10

Completed Event: Football versus Idaho on September 3, 2026 , Win , 66, to, 14

Completed Event: Football versus Nebraska on December 31, 2025 , Win , 44, to, 22

Completed Event: Football at Kansas on November 28, 2025 , Win , 31, to, 21

Completed Event: Football versus Kansas State on November 22, 2025 , Win , 51, to, 47

Completed Event: Football at Baylor on November 15, 2025 , Win , 55, to, 28

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