Football Opens Season At Michigan

8/25/2008 12:00 AM | Football

Aug. 25, 2008

SALT LAKE CITY -

> Utah (0-0, 0-0 MWC) kicks off the 2008 season against Michigan (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten) on Saturday, Aug. 30 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Game time is 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time (1:30 p.m. Mountain Time) in Michigan Stadium. The game will be televised regionally on ABC and ESPN 2.

> Utah and Michigan were both mentioned in the preseason rankings. Among the "Others Receiving Votes," Utah was ranked No. 28 in the coaches' poll and No. 29 in the A.P. poll. Michigan was ranked No. 24 in the coaches' poll. The Wolverines also received votes in the A.P. poll - ranking No. 32.

> Michigan won the only previous meeting between the two schools in 2002, 10-7 in the Big House. The Wolverines were ranked No. 14 at the time and finished the season ranked No. 9 in both polls.

> Head Coach Kyle Whittingham was the defensive coordinator for the 2002 Utah team that lost by a field goal to Michigan. Whittingham's defense shut out the Wolverines in the second half. For more on that game, see `Series' inset on page 2.

> Utah is 6-8 all-time against Big Ten teams. During Whittingham's tenure as an assistant coach, the Utes went 2-2, with wins over Indiana in 2001 and 2002, and losses to Wisconsin (1996) and Michigan (2002).

> Whittingham is 4-3 against BCS schools as a head coach. He has wins over Arizona, Georgia Tech, UCLA and Louisville. Losses were to North Carolina, UCLA and Oregon State.

THIS 'N THAT

Utah is 64-49-1 all-time in season-openers - 17-30 when the season opener is on the road ... The Utes are 2-2 in the last four openers, with wins against Texas A&M (2004) and Arizona (2005), and losses to UCLA (2006) and Oregon State (2007) ... Utah owns the second-longest current bowl win streak in the nation at seven. Whittingham has coached in all seven games of the streak, including three as the head coach ... Utah is 10-1-2 in ABC-televised games and 10-4 on ESPN2 ... The Utes are wearing new Under Armour uniforms this year after agreeing to a five-year partnership with the performance apparel company in the spring.

LAST YEAR

Utah finished 9-4 (5-3 in the Mountain West Conference) and beat Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl. The Utes won eight of their last nine games - coinciding with the return of quarterback Brian Johnson to the starting lineup from a shoulder injury. Louie Sakoda was named a first-team All-America punter by the FWAA and CBSSports.com. He also won recognition as an All-America place kicker.

KYLE STYLE

Entering his fourth season as Utah's head coach, Kyle Whittingham is 24-14 overall and 3-0 in bowl games. Including 11 years as a Ute assistant, he has participated in more wins than anyone in Utah football history. Since he joined the staff in 1994, Utah has won 67-percent of its games (110-55). Utah has played in nine bowl games during Whittingham's tenure - winning eight. Prior to becoming Utah's head coach in 2005, he spent one season as the defensive line coach and 10 years as the defensive coordinator.

OUTSIDE THE LINES

Utah has sold more than 29,000 season tickets for the first time in school history - shattering the old record of 24,750 set last season. Utah has set a new season ticket record every year since Kyle Whittingham became the head coach in 2005 and season sales have increased by 10,000 tickets during that time. The Red Zone is sold out and less than 500 bleacher seats remain, along with a limited number of chair back and scholarship box seats. To purchase tickets, call 581-UTIX or go online to utahutes.com ... The U. Alumni Association will host a tailgate party on Aug. 30 at the UM golf course starting at noon. More than 600 people have already purchased tickets. Registration closes on Tuesday, Aug. 26. For more information, go to www.alumni.utah.edu.

TEAM CAPTAINS CHOSEN

The players elected Brian Johnson and Robert Conley as offensive team captains, and Stevenson Sylvester and Brice McCain as defensive team captains. The coaches appoint the special teams captain and plan to do so on a rotating basis this fall. The first designated special teams captain is Louie Sakoda.

INSIDE THE OFFENSIVE HUDDLE

Quarterback Brian Johnson is healthier than he has been since 2005, when he led the Mountain West Conference and finished No. 4 in the nation in total offense ... Running back Darrell Mack, whose 1,204 rushing yards a year ago ranked third in school history, was named the starter last week. For the first two weeks of camp, he shared the No. 1 spot with junior Matt Asiata, who is now No. 2 ... Wide receiver Brent Casteel, a 2006 second-team all-MWC selection, is back in the starting lineup after recovering from a knee injury suffered in the second game of last season. He will also see time returning punts and kickoffs ... Seniors Bradon Godfrey and Freddie Brown are penciled in to start at receiver with Casteel, but watch for JC transfer David Reed to see a lot of action ... Four of five starters return on the offensive line, led by preseason all-conference guard Robert Conley. Getting his first start at Michigan will be sophomore center Zane Taylor. Sophomore Caleb Schlauderaff beat out senior Corey Seiuli for the starting job at left guard in one of the tightest battles of fall camp ... Tight end Chris Joppru is playing his best football as a Ute. Joppru's brother Bennie was an All-America tight end at Michigan.

INSIDE THE DEFENSIVE HUDDLE

Utah led the nation in pass efficiency defense a year ago, was fifth in scoring defense and 13th in turnover margin, while leading the league in all three categories ... Senior corner Brice McCain and junior free safety Robert Johnson were both named to the preseason all-MWC team ... Strong safety is the only position in the defensive backfield that does not return a starter. Taking over there will be 2007 Poinsettia Bowl Defensive MVP Joe Dale ... Joining McCain as the starting corners are juniors Sean Smith and R.J. Stanford (at nickel) ... Utah may have the best set of defensive ends in the league in preseason all-MWC sophomore Paul Kruger and junior Koa Misi. Kruger was a Freshman All-American a year ago. Misi is playing at his natural position after starting at tackle in 2007 ... Rover linebacker Stevenson Sylvester, recently named to the Butkus Award Watch List, started the last eight games a year ago and is Utah's leading returner in tackles (86) and tackles for loss (10).

INSIDE THE SPECIAL TEAMS HUDDLE

Utah has arguably the best dual punter/kicker in the nation in All-America senior Louie Sakoda. A first-team All-America punter (FWAA, CBSSports.com) and kicker (Rivals.com) as a junior, Sakoda averaged 44.3 yards per punt and made 86.4% of his field goals (19-of-22). He ranked third in the nation in field goals made from beyond 40 yards (10) in 2007 ... Clint Mower will start for a third year at both short and long snapper. Returning at holder is Bradon Godfrey ... Utah is loaded with good returners. Junior college transfer David Reed has jumped to the front of the pack of kickoff returners, along with Elijah Wesson. Punt returns will go to Jereme Brooks, with Brent Casteel and Reed on his heels.