Ute Football Hopes To Rebound Against Cal This Week

Sept. 3, 2000

QUICKLY

Utah (0-1) will face its second of three straight Pacific-10 foes this Saturday when the Utes meet the California Golden Bears (0-0) for the first time in 36 years ... Game time is 3:00 p.m. (PT) in Memorial Stadium (75,028) ... It's the 2000 season opener for Cal ... After last Saturday's 17-3 loss to Arizona, Utah Head Coach Ron McBride is 7-8 against the Pac-10 ... The 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 at the McCarthey Practice Fields, starting at around 3:30 p.m. Utah has a scheduled "walk through" at Cal's Memorial Stadium Friday night. Call sports information director Liz Abel (581-3511) for daily schedule updates and interview requests.

LAST WEEK

Utah won on paper, but lost 17-3 on the field, to Arizona before a crowd of 41,352 in Rice-Eccles Stadium in its season opener last Saturday. The Utes racked up 370 yards of total offense to Arizona's 146 yards, had 12 more first downs, did not give up a single third down conversion (Arizona was 0-12 on third down) and held the ball for nine more minutes on offense. However, five turnovers, including a lost fumble that was scooped up and run into the end zone by a UA defender, negated the statistical edge. Senior quarterback T.D. Croshaw started the game and played slightly more than a half, before he was replaced by fellow senior Darnell Arceneaux. The two combined for 310 passing yards. Utah managed just 60 yards on the ground. Junior receiver Cliff Russell was Utah's lone offensive highlight, making 10 receptions for 141 yards to lead the offense. The defense kept the Wildcats in check, holding them to 11 passing yards. The only UA touchdown scored against the defense came after another Ute fumble put Arizona on the Utah 20 yard line. True freshman Jason Kaufusi, in his first collegiate game, led Utah with eight tackles. Senior linebacker Kautai Olevao had two tackles for loss and a sack.

HEAD COACH RON MCBRIDE

Head Coach Ron McBride is 71-47 in 10 years at the helm of the Ute program. McBride is one of just two coaches in school history to win 60 games. 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 has never faced Cal as a head coach.

SERIES SHORTS

California leads 3-1 ... Utah and Cal haven't met on the gridiron since 1964, the year of Utah's only win (14-0) ... Cal leads 2-1 in Berkeley, although the Utes have the most recent win there (in 1964).

GRIDBITS

Utah is 34-23 on the road in Ron McBride's 10-year head coaching term ... Utah's 17-3 loss to Arizona last Saturday marked the first time the Utes failed to score a touchdown since a 38-0 loss to Arizona State back in 1993 ... This Saturday's game is the first of a home and away arrangement that will bring Cal to Rice-Eccles Stadium in 2003 ... The 1964 Ute team that shut out Cal went on to win the Western Athletic Conference and compile a (then) school-best 9-2 record, which concluded with a Liberty Bowl win over West Virginia ... Utah's all-time record is 518-384-28 (.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 38" vertical jump

* 2 receptions for 40 yards vs. Arizona (20.0 ypc)

* 3 punt returns for 12 yards vs. Arizona

* 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)

CLIFF'S EDGE

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

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

* Utah's nominee for MWC Offensive Player of the Week for Sept. 2 game

* Has now led Utah's receivers in three straight games dating back to last year (95 yards vs. BYU, 96 yards vs. Fresno State in the Las Vegas Bowl)

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

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

* 2 tackles for loss (19 yards) vs. Arizona

* 1 sack for 12 yards vs. 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

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

* 6 tackles vs. Arizona included 2 for loss (4 yards)

* 1 pass breakup vs. Arizona

* Second-team all-conference in 1999

SHARING TIME

Reminiscent of last year's 9-3 season, Utah utilized two quarterbacks in its season-opener against Arizona. Senior T.D. Croshaw started the game, and in slightly more than a half, completed 10 of 29 passes for 159 yards. Croshaw (6-1, 182), who is likely to get the starting nod again this Saturday, is now 3-2 as the Ute starter (0-1 this year). He has been hampered by a strained abdominal muscle since preseason camp. Croshaw's best game was last year at Colorado State, when he threw for 241 yards on 18 of 29 passing. Against Arizona, fellow senior Darnell Arceneaux (6-1, 198) relieved Croshaw on the third drive of the second half and finished the game. Arceneaux was 11 of 22 passing for 151 yards, but also threw two interceptions. He scrambled for 28 rushing yards. Arceneaux 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. 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).

OFFENSIVE INFO

* Sophomore running back D'Shaun Crockett (5-7, 186) got his first start last Saturday and rushed for a career-best 41 yards on 17 carries (2.4 yards per carry) against Arizona.

* In his first game at Utah, sophomore walk-on receiver Josh Lyman (Skyline HS, Dixie JC) caught 3 passes for 50 yards (long of 31).

* In his first game back since breaking his leg in game three of 1999, senior slot back Chris Christensen caught 3 balls for 38 yards.

* Backup right guard Dustin McQuivey (6-3, 279, Fr.) should be OK to play at Cal after missing the Arizona game with a knee sprain, but the starter at that position, Sam White, is questionable with a knee injury.

DEFENSIVE DATA

* Utah held Arizona to a 20% pass completion rate (3-15), which is tied for eighth best in Ute history.

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

* True freshman Jason Kaufusi (6-3, 250) led all Ute tacklers in his collegiate debut. Kaufusi, who started at open or "rush" end, was Utah's nominee for MWC Defensive Player of the Week. He had 8 total tackles, including 1 for a loss of 3 yards, 1 pass breakup and 1 hurry.

* Senior safety Brandon Dart kicked off his seventh year of NCAA eligibility with 4 tackles vs. Arizona. The oft-injured Dart's first year at Utah was back in 1994.

* Utah found safety in pairs vs. Arizona, subbing in seniors Brandon Dart (free safety) and Kimball Christianson (strong safety) as a team for junior Jason Potter (free safety) and freshman Arnold Parker (strong safety).

SPECIAL TEAMS

* Junior kicker/punter Golden Whetman had a tough night against Arizona, making just 1 of 4 field goal attempts.

* Whetman made a 46-yard FG for Utah's only score, but missed from 34, 50 and 28 yards out.

* Whetman had more success as in his debut as an NCAA Division I punter. He averaged 44.8 yards (long of 49) on four punts. He had 1 punt inside the 20.

* Whetman had one touchback on two kick offs. His other boot was a "squib" kick.

* Senior returner Patrick Dyson averaged 23.5 yards on 2 kickoff returns (long of 34).

BEAR SCOUTING REPORT

Cal opens its 2000 season this Saturday against Utah. Below are its final numbers from 1999, when California was the Pac-10's worst offensive team (10th in rushing, passing, total offense, scoring) and its best defensive team (first in total defense, scoring defense).

CAL'S NUMBERS IN `99

Category   Avg.Rushing Offense 99.7Passing Offense 151.1Total Offense   250.8Scoring Offense 16.4Rushing Defense 117.9Passing Defense 234.7Total Defense   352.6Scoring Defense 23.1

MCBRIDE SAYS

"Arizona was good but so is every team on our schedule. Cal is an excellent defensive team. We need to get a whole lot better in our run game, our red zone offense and our special teams. Our defense can't play much better than it did against Arizona, but we lost in three critical areas: turnover margin, red zone offense and special teams. We need to look at our schemes and at how we're playing people in the run game. Our run game was non-existent (vs. Arizona). If we have to throw 51 times, we're not going to win. This week we'll need to pay more attention to the run game, from the backs themselves to the offensive line. The line needs to push guys out of position and sustain their blocks."

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.PRACTICE SCHEDULE Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the McCarthey Practice Fields, starting at around 3:30 p.m. Utah has a scheduled "walk through" at Cal's Memorial Stadium Friday night. Call sports information director Liz Abel (581-3511) for daily schedule updates and interview requests.

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