Ute Football Team At Home Against Washington State

Sept. 11, 2000

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QUICKLY

Utah (0-2) closes its "Pac-10 season" this Saturday against Washington State (0-1) ... Game time is 6:00 p.m. Mountain Time in Rice-Eccles Stadium ... Utah and WSU are meeting for the second time in as many years. The Utes beat the Cougars 27-7 in the season opener for both teams last September in Pullman, Wash. ... Washington State had a "bye" last week ... Utah is coming off losses to Arizona (17-3) and California (24-21) ... Utah Head Coach Ron McBride is 7-9 all-time against the Pac-10 ... Utah last opened a season with two losses in 1995, again to Pac-10 teams (Oregon and Stanford). The Utes bounced back to grab a share of the Western Athletic Conference title that year ... Utah has not lost three straight to start a season since 1986. That team, coached by Jim Fassel, lost its first seven games ... The Utah-WSU game will be televised live by KJZZ and can be heard on KALL 910 (AM) radio and over the Internet (www.UtahUtes.com).

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, starting at around 3:30 p.m. The first three practices of the week will be held at the McCarthey Practice Fields. Thursday's practice will be in Rice-Eccles Stadium. Times could change. Call sports information director Liz Abel (581-3511) for daily schedule updates and interview requests.

BREAKING NEWS

Utah will try something new at quarterback this week, with senior Darnell Arceneaux replacing senior T.D. Croshaw as the starter ... Ute sophomore tight end Ben Allison, hospitalized after suffering a gunshot wound to the chest at a wedding on August 25, has been released from the hospital for a second time. Allison returned to the hospital several hours after he was initially released (less than a week after the incident) due to further complications. He is expected to miss the entire 2000 football season.

LAST WEEK

A fourth-quarter comeback fell short last Saturday, with Utah succumbing 24-21 to California in Berkeley. The offense didn't click through three quarters and Utah fell behind 21-7, with its only touchdown courtesy of a defensive interception. A 14-point fourth quarter rally helped Utah finish with 297 total yards, most under the direction of quarterback Darnell Arceneaux, who replaced starter T.D. Croshaw at the start of the second quarter. The Utes had two touchdowns called back: one on a pass play to Steve Smith that was waved off after being signaled a touchdown by one official, and one on an 85-yard punt return by Smith that was negated by a clip. Andre Dyson scored Utah's first TD on a game-tying 58-yard interception return in the second quarter. Running back Nick Morgan scored Utah's first offensive TD of the season in the fourth quarter on an 18-yard run. Utah's final score came on another Smith punt return to the end zone, this one a 46-yard return. The U. defense again performed well, holding Cal to 329 total yards and just 3 of 13 third down conversions. Dyson led the way with 11 tackles, 3 pass breakups and an interception.

HEAD COACH RON MCBRIDE

Head Coach Ron McBride is 71-48 in 10 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 1-1 against Washington State and its head coach Mike Price. McBride lost 31-28 in the 1992 Copper Bowl and beat Price 27-7 last year in Pullman.

SERIES SHORTS

Utah has won the last two regular season games, including last year's 27-7 win in Pullman on Sept. 4 ... The Utes also won back in 1985 in Salt Lake City (44-37) ... Between those regular season contests, WSU beat the Utes 31-28 in the 1992 Copper Bowl in Tucson, Ariz. ... The teams are 2-2 against each other in Salt Lake City ... This is the first meeting between Utah and WSU in Rice-Eccles Stadium.

GRIDBITS

Utah's first four games are against teams with lots of preparation time: The Utah-Arizona game was the season opener for both teams, Cal opened its season on Sept. 9 against then 0-1 Utah, Washington State is coming off a bye and Air Force (on Sept. 23) will also be coming off a bye ... Utah is 0-1 in Rice-Eccles Stadium this year, losing 17-3 to Arizona in the season-opener on Sept. 2 ... Utah is 239-124-10 (.660) in all-time home games and 8-4 in its third year in Rice-Eccles Stadium ... Utah's all-time record is 518-385-28 (.575).

SMITH NOTES

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

* 4.35 40 speed and a 38" vertical jump.

* 8 receptions for 120 yards (15.0 ypc, 60 ypg) is second on team and eighth in MWC.

* Leads team and ranks third in league in all-purpose yards per game (126.0).

* Became Utah's career leader in punt returns for a touchdown (4) against Cal. Tied record set by Erroll Tucker (4, 1984-85) on 46-yard return vs. Bears.

* Needs just 7 punt return yards to move into tie for fourth in career punt return yards. Smith has 541, fifth right now, behind Gay Adelt (548, 1940-41).

* 36 career punt returns is eighth all-time at Utah. Needs 2 to tie for seventh with Erroll Tucker (38, 1984-85).

* Led Utah with 6 receptions for 80 yards vs. California.

* 200 all-purpose yards vs. California.

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

* Utah's nominee for MWC Offensive and Special Teams Player of the Week for Cal game also had 4 kickoff returns for 63 yards.

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

* Averaged 78.2 yards per game receiving in 1999-second in MWC and eighth all-time at Utah.

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

* Led conference in all-purpose yards per game (140.5 ypg) in 1999.

* Led conference and fifth in nation in punt return average (17.1 ypr).

* Set school mark for most punt return yards in a season (495 in 1999)

CLIFF'S EDGE

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

* Leads Utah with 13 receptions for 186 yards (14.3 ypc), an average of 93.0 ypg.

* Leads conference in receptions per game (6.5)

* Second in MWC in receiving yards per game (93.0).

* Led Utah with 10 receptions for 141 yards vs. Arizona.

* Left Cal game with thigh contusion. Expects to play this week vs. WSU.

* Career-best game was against Wyoming in 1999 (6 catches for 155 yards and 1 TD)

QUARTERBACK DERBY

Reminiscent of last year's 9-3 season, Utah has utilized two quarterbacks in its first two games. Senior T.D. Croshaw (6-1, 182) got the starting nod in both, before giving way to senior Darnell Arceneaux (6-1, 198). Arceneaux finished both games, playing almost the entire second half of game one and the last three quarters of the Cal game. Arceneaux is expected to make his first start of the year this Saturday against Washington State. He has started at least part-time since his freshman year and is 11-2 as the starter. He had a career-best 266 yards against San Diego State in 1999. This year, Arceneaux has thrown for 296 yards (148.0 ypg) and is completing 53 percent of his passes (25 of 47). He has thrown three interceptions (0 TDs). His pass efficiency rating is 93.33. Arceneaux is also Utah's second-leading rusher, carrying the ball 21 times for 63 net yards (3.0 ypc) for an average of 31.5 yards per game. The injury-prone Arceneaux has missed games in last two years 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). Croshaw is 4-3 as a starter (includes the 1999 Las Vegas Bowl, where he was injured in the first quarter). Croshaw's best game was against Colorado State in 1999, when he had 241 passing yards. Croshaw has completed 12 of 33 passes (36%) for 172 yards (86.0 ypg), with no interceptions and no touchdowns. His pass efficiency rating is 80.15.

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.

* 9 total tackles (4.5 tpg).

* 2 tackles for loss (19 yards) and 1 sack (12 yards) were both against Arizona.

* First-team all-conference in 1998 and `99.

* Has started since his freshman year.

* Utah's 1998 Defensive MVP.

DYSON'S CORNER

* Preseason all-conference cornerback Andre Dyson (5-10, 175, Sr.) is on the Jim Thorpe Watch List.

* 4.31 electronically timed 40 yard dash and 34" vertical jump.

* Returned interception 58 yards for a touchdown vs. California, his second career TD off an interception return, which is second most in school history. The school record is 3, held by several people.

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

* Tied for Utah's tackle lead with 17 (13 solo).

* Leads conference with 5 pass breakups

* Tied for eighth in MWC in total tackles (17).

* 2 tackles for loss (4 yards).

* Second-team all-conference in 1999.

CHASIN' JASON

* Freshman Jason Kaufusi (6-3, 250) is Utah's starter at open end is an early candidate for MWC Freshman of the Year honors.

* Tied for Utah's tackle lead (eighth in MWC) with 17 (8.5 tpg).

* Leads Utes in tackles for loss with 4 (12 yards).

* Tied for third in league in TFLs (4).

* Also has 1 sack for 7 yards.

* 1 pass deflection and 2 hurries.

OFFENSIVE INFO

* There may be a change this week at running back, where sophomore D'Shaun Crockett has started the first two games. Senior Nick Morgan is favored to replace him this week, with either Crockett or JC transfer Dameon Hunter backing up.

* D'Shaun Crockett (5-7, 186) rushed for a career-high 50 yards (3.3 yards per carry) against Cal. Crockett has rushed 32 times for 91 yards (2.8 ypc), an average of 45.5 ypg.

* Junior college transfer Dameon Hunter (5-11, 231, Jr.) got his first taste of NCAA action against Cal and averaged 6.3 yards per carry on 6 rushes (38 yards).

* Senior running back Nick Morgan (6-0, 234) scored his first collegiate touchdown vs. Cal on an 18-yard fourth-quarter run.

* Junior wide receiver Dennis Smith, who had never played an offensive down for Utah, started at slot back vs. Cal.

* Redshirt freshman Dustin McQuivey (6-3, 279.), who missed the opener with a knee injury, got his first collegiate start vs. Cal. McQuivey, son of former Ute assistant coach Wayne McQuivey, started at right guard in place of the injured Sam White (knee). McQuivey will be the starter again this week.

* A decision will be reached on whether to perform arthroscopic surgery on Sam White's knee will be made on Tuesday.

DEFENSIVE DATA

* MWC's best defensive team two weeks into the season: 1st in total defense and pass defense and 2nd in rush defense.

* After two games, opponents are converting on just 12% of their third down attempts (3-25).

* Arizona did not convert on a single third down attempt (0-12) and was 0-1 on fourth downs.

* Utah is employing a four-person safety rotation. Against Arizona, Jason Potter and Arnold Parker started at free and strong safety respectively. Against Cal, Brandon Dart and Kimball Christianson got the start. The plan is to start each pair every other game. They always sub in and out in pairs.

* Sophomore tackle Garrett Smith (6-3, 276) had a big game against Cal, with 5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, a sack, a fumble recovery and a hurry.

SPECIAL TEAMS

* Junior kicker Golden Whetman is 1 of 5 in field goal attempts. Whetman's only made field goal was a 46-yarder against Arizona.

* Whetman has 1 touchback on 6 kickoffs.

* Whetman is also Utah's punter and has 11 punts for 419 yards (38.1 yards per punt) with a long of 49. He has laid two punts inside the 20.

* Steve Smith is Utah's leading return man. He has 7 punt returns for 69 yards (9.9 ypr) and 1 TD (46 yards vs. Cal). He has 4 kickoff returns for 63 yards (15.8 ypr).

* Patrick Dyson has 3 kickoff returns for 65 yards (21.7 ypr).

* Thomas Fortune is Utah's top tackler on special teams (4).

INJURY REPORT

Player, Pos.           Injury/Status/GMStan Moleni, LB           Achille's (surgery)/out for seasonBen Allison, TE           chest wound (gun shot)/out for seasonJoe McCullum, OL foot (fractured)/out/2Sam White, OL           knee/questionable/1Ed Johnson, DL         foot (fractured)/OK/2Cliff Russell, WR   thigh contusion/OK/0

RED ZONE REPORT

Utah OffenseTimes at or inside 20: 6Touchdowns: 1Field Goals: 0Scoring percentage: 17%TD percentage: .000Utah DefenseTimes opponent at or inside 20: 6Touchdowns: 4Field Goals: 1Scoring percentage: 83%TD percentage: 67%

WSU PREVIEW

0-1 ... Lost to Stanford at home 24-10 on Sept. 2 ... Off with "bye" last week ... Cougar coach Mike Price, who coached at Weber State from 1981-88, is 59-67 in 11 years at WSU and 105-111 in 20 seasons overall ... Price is 1-1 against Ute head coach Ron McBride.

MCBRIDE SAYS

"We're in a must win situation now. We have to beat this team (Washington State). The one positive from the Cal game was that the team battled back and had the opportunity to win the game in the fourth quarter. Up until then, the offense wasn't generating anything. I was pleased with the defense again, although we must get better in the red zone. We'll make some changes with our run game and get Nick Morgan and Dameon Hunter more time. They both ran strong against Cal. We'll gradually try to get Dameon more involved in the offense. Washington State plays a wide open game. In the past, they've done a lot of one back, empty set stuff and play with four wideouts. They have a bye coming into this game, so they've had some extra preparation time."

WATCH OUT!

Two Utes have been named to preseason "Watch Lists" for annual national awards. Kautai Olevao is one of just 11 candidates making a second appearance (there are 70 total prospects) on the prestigious Butkus Award Watch List. The Butkus Award, which honors the nation's top linebacker, will trim its watch list to 10 on October 19. Andre Dyson is one of 40 players named as preseason candidates for the Jim Thorpe Award, which honors the nation's top defensive back.

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.

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.

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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