Utah Football Hits the Road for Fresno State

9/14/2015 12:00 AM | Football

Sept. 14, 2015

The Game
> No. 21 Utah (2-0, 0-0 Pac-12) vs. Fresno State (1-1, 0-0 Mountain West).
> Saturday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. MT, Bulldog Stadium.
> Televised on CBSSN.
> Search #UTAHvsFRESNO for conversation.

The Utes are ranked 21 in both the @AP_Top25 poll and the Amway Coaches Poll! #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/DWSlzR51c9

- Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 14, 2015

On the Move
> Utah jumped to No. 21 in both polls this week.
> Utah made its first appearance of the year in the national rankings last week at No. 24 AP and No. 25 Coaches.

It's back-to-back @pac12 Def. POTW for the Utes! Congrats Gionni Paul! #goutes @Utah_Football pic.twitter.com/9G0qEQmu3e

- Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) September 14, 2015

Streaks
> With last Friday's win over Utah State, Utah has won its last eight non-conference games, including 17-straight non-conference home games.
> Utah's last non-conference defeat was at Utah State in 2012. The last non-conference team to beat Utah at home was Boise State in 2006.
> Utah has won its last four games against Mountain West teams, beating Utah State (2013, 2015), Fresno State (2014) and Colorado State (2014). Utah's last loss to the MW was in overtime to Utah State in 2012.

California Connection
> There are 40 Californians on Utah's roster.
> Fresno native Tyrone Smith (Edison High), a true freshman wide receiver, started for Utah in the first two games.
> Other Ute starters from California: QB Travis Wilson (San Clemente), RB Devontae Booker (Sacramento), C Siaosi Aiono (West Covina), WR Kenneth Scott (Fontana), LB Jared Norris (Bakersfield), DB Tevin Carter (Los Angeles), DB Cory Butler-Byrd (Compton) and SN Chase Dominguez (Orange).

The Series
> Utah leads the series with Fresno State 6-4.
> The Utes are looking for their first win in Bulldog Stadium, where they are 0-3.
> Saturday's game marks the first time the Utes have visited Bulldog Stadium since 1997.
> Utah has won the last three meetings (1998, 1999 and 2014). For complete series notes, see page 2.

Complete Week
The Pac-12 Conference has declared the week of Sept. 14-19 as "Complete" Week. The goal is to raise public awareness that student-athletes are complete students, who not only participate in athletics, but represent their institutions well in the classroom and in the community. The first two pages of press releases from all Pac-12 schools this week will feature the off-the-field accomplishments of their teams. A social media campaign has also been launched.

To see ALL of our players that come through the program graduate with a meaningful degree. -kw https://t.co/qwIlPmRBU4

- Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) September 14, 2015

Getting Defensive
Utah's five interceptions is tied for third in the nation … Utah is also tied for third in the nation in turnover margin, averaging 2.5 turnovers gained per game (6 gained, 1 lost). Utah's six turnovers gained, which include five interceptions and one fumble recovery, is tied for sixth overall … Utah leads the Pac-12 in rushing defense, holding opponents to 96.5 rushing yards per game.

They're 2-0, and Coach Aliotti likes what he's seen out of @Utah_Football. WATCH LIVE: http://t.co/YfMNDWLu5w pic.twitter.com/TlZwHIURfg

- Pac-12 Networks (@Pac12Networks) September 12, 2015

Two-Minute Drill
The Utes have scored on all seven of their red zone opportunities this season with five touchdowns (71.4%) and two field goals … Utah has scored 24 points in both of its first two games, beating Michigan 24-17 and USU 24-14 … Utah assistant head coach and running backs coach Dennis Erickson was the offensive coordinator at Fresno State from 1976-78 … Fresno State offensive coordinator Dave Schramm coached seven seasons at Utah (2005-11). He was the offensive coordinator in 2009 and the co-OC in 2010. He also coached the running backs (2005-08, 2011), quarterbacks (2009) and tight ends (2010) at Utah … Opponents have yet to score in the first quarter. Utah's best offensive quarters are the second and third (14 points in each).

In the Huddle
Senior linebacker Gionni Paul was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week for his seven tackles (1.0 TFL), fumble recovery and interception in a win over Utah State. Utah has now won the defensive player of the week award both weeks of the season. Nickel back Justin Thomas was cited in week one … True freshman Darrin Paulo enters the two deep for the first time of the season as the backup left guard… Four positions are listed as either/or this week: Quarterback (Travis Wilson or Kendal Thompson), left end (Hunter Dimick or Kylie Fitts), right corner (Cory Butler-Bird or Dominique Hatfield) and slot receiver (Bubba Poole or Britain Covey) … Four true freshmen have played: Covey, Tyrone Smith, Cody Barton and Austin Lee. Smith and Covey have both started at receiver.

Outside the Lines
The Kyle Whittingham radio show is Tuesday at 6 p.m. on ESPN700. The show is broadcast live from the Desert Edge Brewery at Trolley Square and is free to the public … Utah's game at Fresno State is a 'blackout' game for the Bulldogs.