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The University of Utah Athletics
Ute Trio Is Headed To MWC Football Preview
7/25/2003 12:00 AM | Football
July 25, 2003
SALT LAKE CITY -
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UTES AT THE MWC MEDIA PREVIEW
Representing Utah at the Mountain West Conference Football Preview in Las Vegas, July 27-29, will be Head Coach Urban Meyer, senior defensive end Jason Kaufusi and senior offensive tackle Thomas Herrion. Meyer is making his first appearance at the MWC Football Preview, having been hired at Utah in December of 2002. Both players are returning starters and honor candidates. Kaufusi is a two-time first-team all-conference pick.A NEW ERA
New Utah Head Coach Urban Meyer is widely considered one of the up-and-comers in the college coaching ranks. Meyer, 39, was hired by Utah on Dec. 12, 2002 after leading Bowling Green to a two-year record of 17-6. At BGSU, Meyer went 5-0 against BCS teams, including two wins over ranked opponents, and his team cracked the AP Top 20 after starting the 2002 season with eight straight wins. Named the 2001 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year as a first-year head coach in 2001, Meyer went 8-3 and 9-3 in his two years at BG. His previous coaching stops included assistantships at Ohio State (graduate assistant), Illinois State, Colorado State and Notre Dame.MEYER STYLE
The adjective most frequently ascribed to Meyer is "intense." His intensity is reflected in all aspects of his coaching style, from his approach to discipline and academics, to his insistence on team unity. "Aggressive and fast," are the two words he uses to describe his style. In terms of 'X's and O's', he employs a spread formation. The quarterback frequently operates out of the shotgun, but the offense is balanced between the run and pass game. Utah's base defense will remain a 4-3.UTAH'S PRESEASON SCHEDULE
The Ute newcomers and veterans are scheduled to report to preseason camp on Sunday, Aug. 3. The first day of practice is Aug. 4 and the first day in full pads is Aug. 8. The first double-day practices will be held on Aug. 9. Utah will practice a total of 26 times between Aug. 4 until the end of preseason camp on Aug. 27. (Teams are permitted 29 total practices in 35 days, but Meyer plans to give the team Sundays off.) Classes begin on Aug. 20. Utah's first game is on Thursday, Aug. 28 vs. Utah State in Salt Lake City.SINGLES AND DOUBLES
The NCAA has passed new legislation that limits two-a-day practices for Division I-A teams to every other day. Utah's scheduled "double days" are Aug. 9, Aug. 11, Aug. 13, Aug. 15 and Aug. 18. The new rule does not apply to the Ute coaches, who will also be on the field for two practices-one for the newcomers and one for the returners-on Aug. 4, 5 and 6.GETTING ACCLIMATED
The NCAA requires a five-day acclimation rule, which will work like this in the case of the Utes: shorts and helmets on Aug. 4-5; shorts, helmets and shoulder pads on Aug. 6-7 and full pads on Aug. 8.PRACTICE TIMES
The schedule for two-a-day practices (Aug. 9, 11, 13, 15, 18) is 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 4:35-6:10 p.m. The single day practices will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. once the complete team starts practicing together on Aug. 7. From Aug. 4-6, the team will be divided into newcomers and returners and there will be one morning and one afternoon practice. Call the sports information office at 581-3511 for practice times on those days.COVERING THEIR BASES
Most of Utah's preseason practices will be held on Ute Baseball Field rather than the McCarthey Practice Fields. Meyer wants to preserve the grass practice fields for the regular season, hence the move to the baseball field. Some practices and scrimmages, to be determined, will be held at Rice-Eccles Stadium.PRACTICES ARE OPEN & CLOSED
All of Utah's practices and scrimmages will be open to the media but closed to the public. Please note that televisions may tape only the first 30 minutes of practice.INTERVIEW POLICIES
Interviews for Utah football players and coaches are conducted at the conclusion of practice. During the preseason, this can be after either the morning or afternoon session. Assistant Athletics Director Liz Abel or a sports information designee will attend the practices and arrange for interviews. A 24-hour advance notice is suggested for interview requests involving a particular athlete or coach. Please call Abel at 581-3511 to arrange interviews.EARLY STARTERS
Utah's Aug. 28 game vs. Utah State marks the earliest season-opener in school history for the Utes. The decision to play the game on Thursday, rather than the traditional Saturday kick-off, was made to allow fans an opportunity to take advantage of the Labor Day weekend. Game time is 7 p.m. in Rice-Eccles Stadium.SUPER SCHEDULE
The 2003 Utes will face one of the tougher schedules in school history. Utah has three quality BCS schools on its schedule: California and Oregon of the Pacific-10 and Texas A&M of the Big 12. Utah's games with Cal and Oregon will be televised live by ESPN and ESPN2, respectively. Things won't ease up in conference play, with the Utes playing perennial league leaders Colorado State, Air Force and Brigham Young on the road.A
LL-MWC UTES
Senior defensive end Jason Kaufusi is a two-time first-team all-MWC choice. Kaufusi was also named MWC co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a true freshman in 2000. Ute returners who made the 2002 all-MWC second team are senior strong safety Dave Revill and senior running back Brandon Warfield.PRESEASON HONORS
Several Utes have received preseason notoriety from the annual college football publications. They include: Athlon: Kaufusi, running back Marty Johnson, Revill and kick returner Bo Nagahi. The Sporting News: Tabbed Kaufusi as the nation's No. 13-ranked defensive end and Revill as the No. 19-rated strong safety. Phil Steele's College Football Preview: Kaufusi, Johnson, Nagahi, defensive back Arnold Parker and offensive guard Chris Kemoeatu made the first team. Punt returner Morgan Scalley made the second team. Lindy's: Kaufusi and running back Brandon Warfield made the first team, while Kemoeatu and Revill were placed on the second team. College Football News: Picked Kaufusi as an honorable mention All-American.WATCH THIS
Kaufusi was named to the 2003 "Watch List" for both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Rotary Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded to the nation's top defensive player, the Rotary Lombardi Award honors the best down lineman and the Outland Trophy goes to the best interior lineman. Last year, Utah senior offensive lineman Jordan Gross was one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy.TEAM CAPTAINS
The Utah football elected five team captains, all seniors, for the 2003 season: Kaufusi, Revill, Josh Savage, Ray Holdcraft and Thomas Herrion.UTE ASSISTANT COACHES
New Ute head coach Urban Meyer retained two assistants from the previous staff and filled the other seven full-time positions with newcomers to Utah. Returning are defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Kyle Whittingham and defensive backs coach Bill Busch. In their first year on the Hill are Kurt Barber (defensive ends), Billy Gonzales (wide receivers), John Hevesy (offensive tackles/tight ends), Dan Mullen (quarterbacks), Brent Myers (assistant head coach, offensive guards/centers), Mike Sanford (offensive coordinator/running backs) and Mike Tuiasosopo (defensive tackles).PRE-CAMP NOTES
All practices and scrimmages will be closed to the public, however the public is invited free of charge to the annual Ute Fan Fest on Saturday, Aug. 23 in Rice-Eccles Stadium. All of Utah's varsity athletic teams will take part in the interactive Fan Fest ... 38 lettermen and 12 full or part-time starters return from last year's 5-6 Ute team ... 6 offensive starters are back: Brett Elliott, QB (6-3, 205, Jr.), Matt Hansen, TE (6-5, 245, Sr.), Thomas Herrion, OL (6-3, 315, Sr.), Marty Johnson*, RB (6-0, 230, Sr.), Chris Kemoeatu, OL (6-4, 339, Jr.), Brandon Warfield*, RB (5-10, 210, Sr.) ... 5 defensive starters return: Ray Holdcraft, LB (5-11, 242, Sr.), Jason Kaufusi, DE (6-3, 250, Sr.), Arnold Parker, DB (6-2, 210, Sr.), Dave Revill, DB (5-11, 205, Sr.), Josh Savage, DE (6-4, 276, Sr.) ... Last year's starting kicker is also back in Bryan Borreson.
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