Ute Football Team Has A Bye This Week
11/20/2001 12:00 AM | Football
Nov. 20, 2001
SALT LAKE CITY -
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Utah (7-3, 4-2 MWC) will take a break from competition this week before resuming play on Dec. 1 against Air Force (5-5, 2-4 MWC) in Colorado Springs ... The Utah-Air Force game will start at 12:00 p.m. MT in Falcon Stadium ... It is the final regular season game for both teams (Air Force plays at Hawaii this Saturday) ... Utah needs to beat Air Force to secure a share of second place in the final conference standings ... The Utah-AFA game was originally scheduled as Utah's conference opener on Sept. 15. It was postponed after the events of Sept. 11 ... The Utah-AFA game will be televised live back to Utah on KJZZ-TV and can be heard on KALL 910 (AM) radio and on the Internet (www.kall910.com).READY TO BOWL
With a 7-3 record, Utah will be playing in a postseason bowl game. The Mountain West Conference is guaranteed a berth in three bowls: The MWC champion goes to the AXA Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn. (Dec. 31), the Sega Sports Las Vegas Bowl (Dec. 25) has the second choice and the New Orleans Bowl (Dec. 18) picks third. Bowls with at-large bids include the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise (Dec. 28) and the Silicon Valley Bowl (Dec. 31).TOTAL TEAM
As the season winds down, the Utes remain the only team ranked in the top two in the Mountain West Conference in both total defense (1), scoring defense (1), total offense (2) and scoring offense (2) in the Mountain West Conference.AND THE BEST DEFENSE IS ...
Under the direction of defensive coordinator Kyle Whittingham, Utah again boasts the best defense in the Mountain West Conference and one of the best defenses in the nation. Utah currently ranks No. 1 in the league and No. 9 nationally in scoring defense, allowing 16.6 ppg. The Utes are also No. 1 in the MWC and No. 18 nationally in total defense (311.6 ypg). They are No. 2 in the league and No. 17 nationally in rushing defense (105.7 ypg). The Utes have led the conference in scoring defense since 1988, ranking No. 13, 12 and 18 nationally from 1998-2000. Last year, Utah led the league in total defense, scoring defense and pass defense and finished third in the nation in pass defense. Whittingham is in his eighth year on the Utah staff and his seventh year as defensive coordinator.POCKET PROTECTORS
Utah's offensive line has allowed just five sacks all year, which ranks second in the nation behind No. 1 ranked Miami (3 sacks allowed). Starting for arguably the best offensive line in Utah football history are: left tackle and All-America candidate Doug Kaufusi (6-6, 300, Sr.), left guard Ed Ta'amu (6-2, 320, Sr.), center Dustin McQuivey (6-3, 285, So.), right guard Sean Souza (6-6, 296, So.), right tackle Jordan Gross (6-5, 308, Jr.) and tight end Michael Richardson (6-2, 271, Sr.). Virtually the entire line is up for all-conference honors.LAST WEEK
Utah held a commanding lead over No. 8 ranked Brigham Young until the final minutes of its Nov. 17 showdown in Provo. However, the Utes would lose the lead and the game in the stretch run, 24-21. Utah went up 21-10 when Adam Tate scored on a 1-yard run with 9:53 left. The score held until the final three minutes when Utah's failure to produce a game-ending first down and two subsequent BYU touchdowns averted a Ute upset bid. After BYU scored at 3:22 and 1:16 to take the lead, Utah marched down the field, aided by a 13-yard reception from offensive guard Jordan Gross. But a pass intended to move the Utes within field goal range was intercepted and Utah lost in Provo for the first time since 1991. Dameon Hunter had all but two of his carries and 97 of his 106 rushing yards in the first three quarters. A sensational defensive showing against the nation's best offense was spearheaded by an 18-tackle night by safety Antwoine Sanders and big efforts from linebackers Sheldon Deckart (9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL) and CR Dwinell (6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 interception).HEAD COACH RON MCBRIDE
Ron McBride has an 82-56 record in his 12th year as head Ute coach. He picked up win No. 80 on Oct. 20 against Wyoming. He has the second most wins of any coach in Utah football history. McBride has won a share of two conference titles (1995 and 1999). Including this year, his teams have finished at .500 or better 10 times. He has taken the Utes to five bowl games and has a 2-3 bowl record. Utah's most recent bowl appearance was in 1999 when the Utes beat Fresno State 17-16 in the Las Vegas Bowl. McBride is 4-4 against Air Force.MAC IN LEAGUE PLAY
Ron McBride is 55-37 all-time in conference games. Since Utah joined the Mountain West Conference in 1999, McBride's conference mark is 17-12. All-time against current MWC members, he is 35-28. His record against the other seven MWC schools: Air Force (4-4), Brigham Young (5-7), Colorado State (4-5), New Mexico (8-4), San Diego State (5-4), UNLV (3-0), Wyoming (6-4).SERIES SHORTS
Air Force leads 11-6 ... AFA won seven straight from 1985-91, but the Utes have won four of the last seven ... The Utes have won just twice in Falcon Stadium (1992, 1999) ... both road wins were under McBride ... AFA leads 6-2 all-time in Falcon Stadium.THE NUMBERS' GAME
Utah has a 34:08-25:52 edge in time of possession, a statistic it has won in every game except one (CSU) ... The Utes have run almost 100 more plays than their foes (755-657) ... Utah is converting on 41% of its third down attempts (66-162) compared to 29% by its opponents (41-143) ... Utah's offensive statistical breakdown in is almost flip-flopped in regards to overall and conference games. In all games, Utah is averaging 202.6 rushing and 214.7 passing yards per game. In league play, the Utes are averaging 213.0 rushing and 201.0 passing yards per game.GRIDBITS
Utah's game on Dec. 1 will be the first game in a tripleheader broadcast by KJZZ-TV. The women's basketball game against UCLA will be shown on KJZZ starting at 4:30 p.m. and the men's basketball game vs. Pepperdine will be aired at 7:00 p.m. ... This Saturday's game will be "homecoming" for Utah senior fullback Thomas Fortune. Fortune, a native of Colorado Springs, prepped at Harrison High. The Utes have two other Colorado natives on their roster, both from Grand Junction: junior running back J.R. Peroulis and freshman wide receiver Justin Walterscheid ... Utah's all-time record is 529-394-31. The Utes are 245-128-10 in home games, 14-8 in Rice-Eccles Stadium (1998-on) and 284-266-21 in road/neutral games.BOUNTIFUL BRAINS
Two Utah football players have been named to the 2001 Verizon Academic All-District VIII Football Team. Junior linebacker Brooks Bahr was named to the first-team and sophomore center Dustin McQuivey made the second team. Both are natives of Bountiful, Utah, and starters for Utah's 7-3 team. As a first-team district nominee, Bahr will now be placed on the national ballot, which will be released Dec. 10. He has already received his undergraduate degree in biology and is currently in Utah's MBA program. He has made the Dean's List four times and received the President's Award once. Bahr, who carries a 3.95 GPA, has another year of playing eligibility remaining after this season. McQuivey, who has started every game this year at center and also started as a freshman last year, has a 3.57 GPA in business.COMMON FOES
The shared opponents between Utah and Air Force this year are all conference schools. Here's how MWC teams have fared against Utah and AFA this year:UNLV-lost to Utah (42-14), beat Air Force (34-10)New Mexico-lost to Utah (37-16), beat AFA (52-33)Brigham Young-beat Utah (24-21), beat AFA (63-33)San Diego State-lost to Utah (17-3), lost to AFA (45-21)Colorado State-beat Utah (19-17), beat AFA (28-21)Wyoming-lost to Utah (35-0), lost to AFA (24-13)
NON-CONFERENCE COMPARISON
Utah went 2-1 in non-conference play, beating Utah State (23-19) and Indiana (28-26) and losing to then No. 7 Oregon (24-10). Air Force is 3-1 (prior to the Nov. 24 game at Hawaii) vs. non-MWC teams. The Falcons lost to Oklahoma (44-3), then beat Tennessee Tech (42-0), Navy (24-18) and Army (34-24).LATE GAMES
Utah's upcoming Dec. 1 game vs. Air Force marks the latest regular season game of Head Coach Ron McBride's career, beating out last year's Nov. 24 game vs. BYU. The Utes have closed their regular season against Air Force one other time: In 1989, the year before McBride took over the program, Utah lost to Air Force 42-38 on Nov. 25 in Salt Lake City. The last time Utah played a regular season game in December was back in 1978 when the Utes beat San Diego State 20-18 in San Diego on Dec. 2. In games played on Dec. 1, Utah is 0-2 (the most recent loss was in 1973 against Hawaii in Honolulu).POSTPONED PAST
The Utah-Air Force game that was originally scheduled for Sept. 15 is the fifth postponed or canceled game in Utah football history. The others involved Utah State (once) and Hawaii (three times). Those scenarios follow: The Utes were to play Utah State on Thanksgiving Day in 1919, but the game was postponed for two days due to high winds in Salt Lake City. Newspapers reported that head Ute coach Thomas Fitzpatrick kicked a football toward the east end zone and the ball landed in the west end zone seats, at which point the decision to postpone the game was made. Utah beat the Aggies two days later, 10-0. Utah was scheduled to host Hawaii for Homecoming on Nov. 14, 1936, but the Rainbows could not depart the Islands due to a ship strike. Texas A&M filled in on one week's notice and beat Utah 20-7. In 1941-42, Utah was scheduled to play two games in Hawaii, the first on December 20, and the second (the Pineapple Bowl) on January 1. Both games were canceled due to the bombing of Pearl Harbor.RUNNING BACKS' NOTEBOOK
> Senior running back Dameon Hunter (5-11, 223) ranks third in the Mountain West Conference and 17th in the nation in rushing, averaging 117.0 yards per game. He has 229 carries for 1,170 yards, an average of 5.1 yards per carry, and 7 touchdowns. In conference games, Hunter is averaging 127.5 yards per game (third in the MWC) and 5.6 yards per carry.> Dameon Hunter is Utah's first 1,000 yard rusher since Mike Anderson gained 1,173 yards in 1998. With 1,170 net yards, Hunter needs just 3 yards to tie Anderson for second place in Utah's single season records. The school record is held by Carl Monroe (1,507 in 1982).
> Dameon Hunter's 229 rushes this season ranks third all-time at Utah. He needs 15 more to tie Mike Anderson (244 in 1998) for second. The school record is held by Carl Monroe (309 in 1982).
> Dameon Hunter has seven 100-yard games this year, the second most ever in a season by a Ute, tying him with Mike Anderson (7 in 1998). The school record is 9, held by Carl Monroe (1982). Hunter had 104 yards vs. Oregon, 164 vs. Indiana, 177 vs. New Mexico, 109 vs. Wyoming, 148 vs. CSU, 137 vs. UNLV and 106 vs. BYU. His 177 yards against New Mexico was a career-best and came against a defense that was ranked No. 2 in the nation at the time, allowing just 27.0 rushing yards per game.
> Utah's senior running back duo of Dameon Hunter and Adam Tate have the two longest runs from the line of scrimmage in the MWC this year. Hunter (74 yards vs. New Mexico) and Tate (73 yards vs. SDSU) rank 8-9 in school history for longest rush. > Senior running back Adam Tate (6-1, 230) is Utah's second leading rusher with 134 carries for 679 yards, an average of 67.9 yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry. He also has 10 receptions for 133 yards and 1 TD.
> Adam Tate's 10 rushing touchdowns is best on the team and ranks fourth in Utah's single-season record books. Two past players had 11, two had 12 and two (Del Rodgers, 1981, and Mark Stevens, 1984) share the school record of 13.
> Adam Tate has two 100-yard games this year: a career-best 146 yards vs. San Diego State and 122 yards vs. South Florida.
RECEIVERS' NOTEBOOK
> Senior wide receiver Cliff Russell (6-0, 185), the fastest player ever at Utah (runs a 4.27 40), has a team-high 48 receptions for 685 yards and 3 touchdowns. He averages 68.5 yards per game and 14.3 yards per catch.> Cliff Russell has five career 100-yard receiving games, two this year. He had 100 yards vs. Oregon and a career-high 157 yards against Wyoming.
> Junior Josh Lyman (6-0, 196), a one-time walk-on, is Utah's second leading receiver. Lyman has 34 catches for 564 yards, an average of 56.4 yards per game and 16.6 yards per catch. He is the team leader in touchdown receptions with 5.
> Josh Lyman has two 100-yard receiving games this year and in his career: 117 vs. South Florida and 100 vs. CSU. He had 99 yards against SDSU.
QUARTERBACKS' NOTEBOOK
> Starting quarterback Lance Rice (6-2, 200, So.) has completed 157 of 281 passes for 1,925 yards and 15 touchdowns (9 interceptions). He is averaging 192.5 passing yards per game, which ranks third in the MWC. He is second in the MWC in pass efficiency (124.63). Rice threw 4 touchdown passes against South Florida, which is tied for third in school history.> Lance Rice also has 2 receptions this year: one a pass he threw that was tipped at the line and landed in his hands for a 3-yard gain and one a 10-yard touchdown catch on a ball thrown by tight end Dennis Smith against UNLV.
> Lance Rice is 9-4 as Utah's starting QB. He is 7-3 this year and was 2-1 in games started as a freshman in 2000. He has played six complete games this year.
> Sophomore backup quarterback Ryan Breska (6-4, 209) has seen playing time in four games (Oregon, New Mexico, South Florida, Wyoming) and has completed 9 of 22 passes for 186 yards and 1 touchdown (no interceptions). His best game was against UNM, when he was 3 of 4 for 63 yards and his first college touchdown.
LINEBACKERS' NOTEBOOK
> Utah's tackle leader is rover linebacker Sheldon Deckart (6-2, 239, Jr.) with 78 total tackles. He had a career-best 15 tackles in the season-opener against Utah State and had 13 against SDSU. Deckart also leads the Utes in pass breakups (6), tackles for loss (13) and sacks (6, tied). He is third in the league in tackles for loss and fourth in sacks.> Two former walk-ons are starting at linebacker and having fine seasons. Senior middle linebacker CR Dwinell (6-1, 228) has 51 tackles, which is tied for third on the team. He also has 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery and 4 pass breakups. He led Utah with 8 tackles vs. UNLV. Junior strong side linebacker Brooks Bahr (6-3, 219) has 30 tackles, 3 for a loss, and 2 sacks. Bahr, a 3.95 student in Utah's MBA program (he has already earned an undergraduate degree in biology), was named to the Verizon Academic All-District VIII team.
DEFENSIVE BACKS' NOTEBOOK
> Free safety Antwoine Sanders (6-3, 193, So.) is an all-conference candidate in his first year of Division I ball. Sanders, No. 2 in tackles for Utah (70 total), has a team-best 4 interceptions. He also has 3 pass breakups. Sanders had 18 tackles in Utah's narrow loss to Brigham Young on Nov. 17, which is the most tackles by a Ute this year.> Sophomore strong safety/nickel back Arnold Parker (6-2, 214) is putting up all-conference numbers wherever he plays. He is Utah's starting strong safety when the Utes are in their base 4-3 defense and plays corner when Utah is in its nickel package. Parker has 51 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 2 QB hurries and 3 pass breakups. He has caused 2 fumbles and recovered 1.
DEFENSIVE LINE NOTEBOOK
> Utah has four defenders ranked in the MWC's top five in tackles for loss, including three linemen: Garrett Smith (12 TFLs, 4th), Jason Kaufusi (11 TFLs, 5th-tie) and Lauvale Sape (11 TFLs, 5th-tie). Ute linebacker Sheldon Deckart is third in the MWC with 13 TFLs.> Junior defensive lineman Garrett Smith (6-3, 285), a preseason all-MWC pick, is living up to his all-conference billing. Smith has 46 tackles, exceptional for a lineman, 12 tackles for a loss (fourth in the MWC), 3 sacks and 2 pass breakups. Against San Diego State, he had 10 tackles, 2 for a loss, and 1 sack.
> Sophomore defensive end Jason Kaufusi (6-2, 249), the 2000 MWC Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, is having another season worthy of all-conference recognition. He has 5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss, which ranks him seventh and fifth, respectively, in the MWC. He also has 30 total tackles, 4 pass breakups and 2 quarterback hurries. His best game this year came against Indiana when he had 7 tackles, 3 for a loss.
> Senior defensive lineman Lauvale Sape (6-2, 290) is a rarity in that he is an all-league contender who doesn't start. Sape divides his time between noseguard and end and has 11 tackles for loss and 5 sacks, both which rank fifth in the MWC. He has 23 total tackles.
SPECIAL TEAMS' NOTEBOOK
> Senior Ryan Kaneshiro has taken all 14 of Utah's field goal attempts this year and has made 8. He is 36-37 in PATs, with the lone miss coming against UNM on Sept. 29. He made a 37-yard field goal against SDSU, his longest of the year, and is 8-10 from 39 yards and in. Four of his misses were from 40-49 yards.
> Brian Lewis has punted the ball 55 times for 2,229 yards, an average of 40.53 yards per punt. He has placed 13 punts inside the 20. His 75-yard punt vs. Oregon is tied for the sixth-longest punt in school history.
> Brian Lewis has handled all of the kickoffs this year for Utah. He has 55 kickoffs and 26 touchbacks.
> Freshman Morgan Scalley is Utah's main return man, despite missing the UNLV game with a sprained knee. Scalley had a 56-yard punt return in his return to the lineup against SDSU before exiting the game with a migraine. He has 25 punt returns for 259 yards. His 10.4 average return ranks fourth in the MWC. He has also returned 4 kickoffs for 77 yards (19.2 yards per return). He ran back his first collegiate kickoff 44 yards against Indiana.
THIS GAME LAST YEAR
Utah dropped to 0-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play after a 23-14 loss to Air Force on Sept. 23 in Rice-Eccles Stadium. The bright spot was junior running back Adam Tate, who got his first real taste of NCAA Division I playing time and responded with 112 yards and a touchdown. Utah came as close as 17-14 in the second quarter when Patrick Dyson returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. Neither team scored in the third quarter. Air Force extended its lead to the final nine-point margin with a fourth-quarter TD. Defensively, Kimball Christianson had 17 tackles, most in the MWC in 2000. Then-freshman Arnold Parker had 12 tackles, 2 for a loss, and 2 pass breakups.AFA PREVIEW
5-5, 2-4 MWC ... play at Hawaii this Saturday ... seven consecutive winning seasons dates back to 1994 ... Head Coach Fisher DeBerry is 140-77-1 in his 18th year ... DeBerry is 9-5 against Utah and 4-4 vs. McBride.MCBRIDE SAYS
"It's good whenever you play Air Force to have a couple of weeks to prepare for them. It's also helpful for this team to have a week off after the disappointing loss to BYU. Our goals are now to play in a bowl game and finish the regular season with eight wins and a second-place conference finish."We need to put the BYU loss behind us and go forward. We can no longer dwell on that game, it is done. We have reset our goals and the first one is to beat Air Force on December 1. Air Force has a solid team and we'll need to play well to beat them there.
"Our team has played hard all year. This is a good football team. We are still young and we are learning each game. We learned against BYU that we have to make the plays late in the fourth quarter when it's gut check time."
