Ute Football Team Returns To Action Saturday Against San Diego State

Oct. 7, 2002

SALT LAKE CITY -

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QUICKLY

Utah (2-3, 0-1 MWC) and San Diego State (0-5, 0-0 MWC) will square off in Qualcomm Stadium this Saturday starting at 4 p.m. PDT ... Both teams are coming off 'bye' weeks ... Utah has lost its last three games, most recently 30-26 to Air Force on Sept. 28 ... SDSU is looking for its first win of the season ... The Utah-SDSU game will be televised live on KJZZ-14 ... It will also be broadcast on KALL 910 (AM) radio and on the Internet (www.kall910.com).

BREAKING NEWS

Utah completely shuffled its quarterback lineup during the bye week. Sophomore Brett Elliott (6-3, 194) will start against the Aztecs and true freshman Alex Smith (6-4, 185) is also expected to see action. Lance Rice (6-2, 203, Jr.), Utah's starter for the last 20 games, dating back to Nov. 13, 1999, is now No. 3 on the depth chart.

FAST FACT

Utah's three losses this year have been by a total of 13 points-an average of 4.3 points per loss. Of McBride's 60 career losses at Utah, over half (31) have been by seven points or less.

INTERVIEW REQUESTS

Player and coach interviews are conducted at the conclusion of practice. This week, the Utes will practice Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday starting at 3:40 p.m. There are no interviews on Fridays before a Saturday game. Practices are held at the McCarthey Practice Fields unless otherwise notified. To arrange for phone interviews and to check on practice times, please contact assistant athletics director for sports information Liz Abel at 801-581-3511.

LAST UTE ACTION

Utah blew a 26-6 halftime lead to Air Force and lost its third game in row, 30-26. Brandon Warfield rushed for a career-high 193 yards and three touchdowns, but he and his teammates fumbled seven times, losing the ball four of those times. Utah appeared in control at the half, gaining 233 yards and piling up 26 points. But turnovers, six in all, doomed the Utes in the second half. Offensively, Utah mustered just 54 total yards and zero points in the second half, a half in which everything that could go wrong did. Strong safety Dave Revill matched a career-high by contributing 15 tackles for the second straight week to lead the defense. In his first NCAA game, junior linebacker Ray Holdcraft came up big with seven tackles, an interception and a pass breakup.

HEAD COACH RON MCBRIDE

Ron McBride has an 85-60 record in his 13th year as head Ute coach. 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) and has 10 winning seasons. He has taken the Utes to six bowl games and has a 3-3 bowl record. Utah capped last year's 8-4 season with a 10-6 win over USC in the Las Vegas Bowl on Christmas Day. McBride is 5-4 against San Diego State.

MAC IN LEAGUE PLAY

Ron McBride is 55-39 all-time in conference games. Since Utah joined the Mountain West Conference in 1999, McBride's conference mark is 12-10. All-time against current MWC members, he is 35-30. McBride's record breakdown vs. the MWC schools: Air Force (4-6), Brigham Young (5-7), Colorado State (4-5), New Mexico (8-4), San Diego State (5-4), UNLV (3-0), Wyoming (6-4).

SERIES HISTORY

Utah has won the last three against SDSU, its longest win streak ever vs. the Aztecs. The first overtime game in Utah football history was at SDSU in 1998 (Aztecs won 21-20). Utah won in San Diego in 2000 (21-7). The series is tied at 10-10-1 and SDSU leads 5-4 in San Diego.

GRIDBITS

Utah has lost three straight for the first time in three years and the fifth time in Head Coach Ron McBride's 13 years. The longest losing streak ever under McBride is four games (1990 and 2000) ... Utah is 1-2 on the road this year ... All-time Ute record is 532-398-31. The Utes are 246-129-10 at home, 15-9 in Rice-Eccles Stadium (1998-on) and 286-268-22 in road/neutral games.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Utah is scoring 66% of its points in the second and fourth quarters (75 of 113 total) ... Utah's defense is best in the second quarter, allowing just 12 points all year ... 7 of Utah's TDs have come on the ground, 6 through the air ... Of the opponents' 9 TDs, 7 are by passing, 2 by rushing.

QUARTERBACKS' NOTEBOOK

> Sophomore Brett Elliott (6-3, 194) will get the first start of his career this Saturday at San Diego State. Elliott, who has played briefly in two games (Indiana and Air Force) this year, is 0-1 passing. He came to Utah in 2000 after a sterling prep career at Lake Oswego HS in Lake Oswego, Ore. There, he threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior. He redshirted his first year at Utah and directed the scout teams in 2001 before moving into the two deep this fall.

> True freshman Alex Smith (6-4, 185) will abandon his redshirt plans in favor of playing this year. Smith will see action against SDSU, his first since joining the team in August. A two-time conference offensive player of the year out of Helix HS (La Mesa, Calif.), Smith threw for 1,700 yards and 30 TDs, while completing 66% of his passes as a senior in 2001. He is the nephew of John L. Smith, the head football coach at Louisville.

> Junior quarterback Lance Rice (6-2, 203) has dropped from No. 1 to No. 3 on the depth chart. Rice, who won the starting QB job with three games left in his freshman year back in 1999, is 12-8 as Utah's starter. He has played in 21 games in his career. This year, Rice has completed 83 of 153 pass attempts for 758 yards (54.2%), an average of 151.6 ypg. He has thrown 6 touchdown passes and 4 interceptions. Rice's 208 passing yards against Michigan was his most this year.

RUNNING BACKS' NOTEBOOK

> Juco transfer Brandon Warfield (6-0, 200, Jr.), pulled out of a redshirt year when Marty Johnson was injured in the second game, will get his first NCAA start this Saturday. Warfield rushed for 193 yards and 3 touchdowns against Air Force, after totaling just 16 rushes for 30 yards in his first two games. Warfield now averages 74.3 yards per game, best of the current backs, and 4.8 yards per carry.

> Senior running back J.R. Peroulis (6-1, 207), Utah's starter for the last three games, has rushed 55 times for 246 yards yards, an average of 49.2 yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry. He had a career-high 118 yards against Indiana.

> Freshman Mark Palmer (6-2, 240) was moved from tight end to fullback after injuries depleted that position. Palmer saw his first collegiate action against Air Force, playing quite a bit although he did not get any carries.

RECEIVERS' NOTEBOOK

> Senior receiver Josh Lyman (6-0, 197) is Utah's leading receiver with 23 catches for 240 yards and 2 TDs. Lyman, who is averaging 48.0 yards per game and 10.4 yards per catch, had a season-best 66 yards vs. USU.

> Sophomore Travis LaTendresse (6-1, 191, So.), a starter in the last three games, is Utah's second-leading receiver. He has 15 catches for 150 yards and 1 TD. His first NCAA touchdown catch was a 29-yarder against Michigan for Utah's only score.

OFFENSIVE LINE NOTEBOOK

> Senior offensive lineman Jordan Gross (6-5, 306) made the preseason all-MWC team and is an All-America candidate. He starts at left tackle but is equally adept at guard. He is on the "Watch List" for the Football Writers (FWAA) All-America team and the Rotary Lombardi Award.

> Gross has 60 de-cleaters this year, for an average of 12.0 per game. He had a career-high 20 de-cleaters vs. Air Force. Gross has not allowed a sack this year.

> Junior center Dustin McQuivey (6-3, 294) is on the Rimington Trophy "Watch List," which awards the nation's best center. He missed two games (Indiana and Michigan) with a sprained knee.

DEFENSIVE LINE NOTEBOOK

> Senior defensive tackle Garrett Smith (6-3, 297), a 2001 first-team all-MWC and 2002 preseason all-MWC defender, has started 36 regular season games and 2 bowl games for Utah. On the "Watch List" for the Outland Trophy and the Rotary Lombardi Award, Smith has 14 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 3 pass breakups this year.

> Junior defensive end Jason Kaufusi (6-3, 250), a 2001 first-team all-MWC and 2002 preseason all-MWC defensive end, is Utah's third-leading tackler with 24 (tie). Kaufusi dislocated his elbow in the first half of Utah's game with Air Force on Sept. 28 and missed the rest of the game. He is expected to play against San Diego State.

> Kaufusi leads the team in tackles for loss (6.5) and sacks (3). He has 2 pass breakups and 2 forced fumbles. He is on the Rotary Lombardi Award "Watch List" and was named MWC Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 16 after a career day against Arizona (11 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles).

> Defensive end Josh Savage (6-4, 273, Jr.) is tied for Utah's sack lead with 3 and has 4 tackles for loss.

LINEBACKERS' NOTEBOOK

> Senior Sheldon Deckart (6-2, 240) will move from rover to middle linebacker for San Diego State, assuming his high ankle sprain suffered two weeks ago against Air Force heals enough for him to play. Junior Ray Holdcraft (5-11, 247, Jr.) will switch from middle linebacker to rover. Jeremy Lyman (6-2, 227, Sr.) will back up both positions.

> Deckart (6-2, 240), a returning first-team all-MWC selection and Utah's leading tackler a year ago, is currently tied for third on the team with 24 tackles. He also has 2.5 TFLs, 1 sack and 1 pass breakup. He was named to the preseason all-conference team and is on the "Watch List" for the Bronko Nagurski and Rotary Lombardi awards.

> Holdcraft (5-11, 247, Jr.) played and started in his first game at Utah against AFA on Sept. 28. Holdcraft hoped to redshirt this year but was forced into action when starting MLB Zach Tune separated his shoulder. In his first D-I game, Holdcraft impressed with 7 tackles and an interception.

> Senior linebacker Brooks Bahr (6-4, 228, Sr.), a former walk-on now in his second year as a starter, has 23 tackles and 2 pass breakups. Bahr has a bachelor's degree in biology and is in his second year in the MBA program at the U. He was a 2001 Verizon Academic All-District selection with a 3.95 GPA.

DEFENSIVE BACKS' NOTEBOOK

> Strong safety Dave Revill (5-11, 203, Jr.) is Utah's leading tackler with 51. He has 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 1 fumble recovery. He has put together back-to-back career-high tackle games, getting 15 against both Michigan and Air Force. He was named MWC Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 23 after totaling 15 tackles, including a school record 14 solo tackles, against Michigan. The one-time walk-on also had 2 tackles for loss and 1 sack against the Wolverines.

> Junior free safety Antwoine Sanders (6-2, 200, Jr.), a preseason all-conference selection, has 30 tackles (second on the team), 2 tackles for loss, 1 interception (vs. USU) and 1 pass breakup. Sanders led Utah in interceptions a year ago with 4. > Senior Cody Weight (5-11, 186), Utah's starting right corner, has 18 tackles and leads the team in both interceptions (2) and pass breakups (5). He leads the league in passes defended (7).

SPECIAL TEAMS' NOTEBOOK

> Redshirt freshman kicker Bryan Borreson is 7-9 in field goals and 12-13 in PATs. He has made his last 7 field goal attempts (he did not attempt a field goal vs. Michigan). He had one PAT blocked against USU.

> Borreson tied the school record with 4 field goals vs. Arizona (he was 4-4 in both field goals and PATs). After his great outing vs. Arizona, he became the first U. kicker named MWC Player of the Week since 1995.

> Borreson's career-best 53-yard field goal against Arizona is tied for the fourth-longest in school history. He had a 50-yard FG against Indiana and is 2-2 in attempts from 50 yards or longer.

> Senior punter Brian Lewis has 34 punts for 1,423 yards, an average of 41.9 yards per punt. Lewis has three punts of 60 yards or longer this year. He has placed 6 punts inside the 20. Lewis averaged 56.5 yards on 4 punts against AFA.

> Lewis' 11 punts against Michigan is tied for second in school history and is the most punts in a game by a Ute since 1981. His 465 punting yards Michigan also ranks second in the school record books. His 10 punts against Arizona on Sept. 14 is tied for third all-time.

> Lewis also handles kickoffs for Utah and has 15 touchbacks on 25 kickoffs. > Bo Nagahi leads Utah and the Mountain West Conference with 5 kickoff returns for 156 yards (31.2 yards per return).

> Morgan Scalley is Utah's leader in punt returns with 13-182 yards (14.0 yards per return).

LAST TIME THEY MET

Utah's defense was phenomenal in a 17-3 victory over San Diego State in the final home game of the season. The Utes held Larry Ned, the second-leading rusher in the NCAA, to 79 yards, far less than his 140.1 average entering the game. Utah scored all 17 of its points in the final three quarters after spotting SDSU a 3-0 lead. Adam Tate rushed for a career-high 146 yards and 1 touchdown and Dameon Hunter reached 1,000 yards on the season with an 88-yard day. Josh Lyman caught four passes for 99 yards and 1 TD. Sheldon Deckart led the defense with 13 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and 2 sacks.

MCBRIDE SAYS

"We spent most of Sunday reviewing film of (quarterbacks) Brett Elliott and Alex Smith. We put all of Brett's stuff from last week's practice on one tape and all of Alex's on another and looked carefully at everything. What we're concerned about is putting ourselves in the best position we can to beat San Diego State. We decided Brett was our best option, mostly because he performed the best in the pass under pressure drills. However, Alex is not far behind and he will definitely play against San Diego State and this year.

"I like how Brett reads the hots, the blitzes. He makes good reads and put the ball where he's supposed to. Alex has the best arm strength and really throws the deep ball well. He gets the ball out there quickly and has a lot of confidence for a young guy.

"San Diego State also had last week off so they've had time to prepare for us. Defensively, they appear to be a good football team. Their linebackers get downhill and their secondary is very active. On offense, they have two great wide receivers. We have to find a way to slow those two guys down. This is a very good football team. If they believe they can win, they will start to win a lot of games.

"The bye helped us because we had a tough five weeks and we were coming off a very big negative with that loss to Air Force. It gave us a chance to sit back and figure out what kind of team we can be and to regroup. We also needed to get some guys back from injuries and the rest helped."

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