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SALT LAKE CITY -- It wasn't pretty Saturday night in San Jose but the 16th ranked Utah Utes extended the nation's longest winning streak to 16 games with a 24-14 victory over the Spartans.
"The bottom line Saturday against San Jose there were no style points but we don't care about that," said Utes Head Coach Kyle Whittingham during his weekly press conference Monday. "We got the 'W'. All that matters at the end of the day is whether we got the 'W' or not.
By the numbers, the Utes dominated the Spartans. They had 500 yards of total offense including 251 yards rushing. Quarterback Terrance Cain accounted for 324 yards of total offense while completing 58 percent of his passes. Meanwhile, the defense held the Spartans to just 22 yards rushing and just 264 yards of total offense. But mistakes by the Utes kept the Spartans in the game. Offensively, they fumbled twice while driving down the field, missed three field goals, and also struggled in the red zone. And on defense, they gave too many long pass plays and committed too many penalties.
The test will be going on the road to face Pac-10 power Oregon at Autzen Stadium, considered one of the loudest college football stadiums in the country.
"Autzen Stadium is a hostile environment and a very difficult place to play," said Whittingham. "They've had a great home field advantage for a lot of years there but our guys will be ready."
Playing in loud and hostile stadiums is nothing new for Utah. They won games last year at the Big House against Michigan and in the Superdome against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
"I know from my experience, the guys returning from last year really thrive under pressure in hostile environments," said junior center Zane Taylor. "So I'm definitely excited to play in that loud stadium and be able to show them what we got."
Notes: Running Back Matt Asiata is listed as questionable for Saturday's game with a shoulder injury and will be a game-time decision. Offensive Lineman Caleb Schlauderhaff is also listed as questionable with a knee injury... Freshman defensive tackle Latu Heimuli will miss the rest of the season with a broken foot and will redshirt... Utah beat Oregon in 2003 but trails the overall series 17-8... Utah last won at Autzen stadium in 1994... Since 2003, Utah is 6-2 against the Pac-10.
E-mail: jjensen@ksl.com
