POSTGAME BLOG: (9) Utah 59, Colorado State 6

Final
Score: (9) Utah 59, Colorado State 6
SALT LAKE CITY -- Jordan Wynn didn't let the rain keep the Utes from having a good game. Wynn completed 23 of 29 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns as Utah (7-0, 4-0 MWC) defeated Colorado State 59-6.

The win extends Utah's Mountain West Conference record home winning streak to 21 games, the second longest home winning streak in school history.

The Utes were dominant on offense, amassing 648 total yards, 427 of which were through the air.

Utah's defense held Colorado State to just 28 yards rushing, the 5th time this season that Utah held an opponent to under 100 yards rushing.

Utah outscored Colorado State 35-0 in the second half.

Next up for the Utes: at Air Force (Saturday Oct. 30)
Next up for the Rams: vs. New Mexico (Saturday Oct. 30)

Time Remaining: 1:27 Fourth Quarter
Score: (9) Utah 59, Colorado State 6

Utah DB Conroy Black intercepts a desperation pass by Pete Thomas, and Utah will take over on their own 3 yard line. Utah drives the length of the field, capped off with a 72 yard TD run by Sausan Shakerin. Utah leads 59-6.

Time Remaining: 8:59 Fourth Quarter
Score: (9) Utah 52, Colorado State 6

After the CSU punt, Coach Whitt has officially called off the dogs, putting the second team offense (although Cain was in last drive, he was leading the first team offense). Highlight of the drive: a broken play in which Cain scrambles to the right, throws a short pass to Shaky Smithson, and Smithson turns it into a big 32 gain. Two plays later, Cain hits Griff McNabb on a screen pass and McNabb runs it in from 5 yards out. The score is McNabb's first career touchdown. Utah 52, Colorado State 6.

Time Remaining: 0:29 Third Quarter
Score: (9) Utah 45, Colorado State 6

Terrance Cain is in at quarterback for the Utes to finish this one out (4:45 mark 3rd quarter). After a great touch pass over a CSU defender by Cain to Dallin Rodgers, Eddie Wide rushes for a 36-yard touchdown. Utah 45, Colorado State 6.

Next CSU drive: 3 plays, -2 yards. Another punt. Shaky Smithson with the fair catch at the Utes 38 yard line.

Time Remaining: 4:45 Third Quarter
Score: (9) Utah 38, Colorado State 6

Great halftime adjustments by the Utah coaching staff. After CSU quarterback Pete Thomas had all day to throw in the first half, the Utes have been relentless here in the 3rd quarter. Thomas is sacked, fumbled, and Christian Cox recovers for the Utes. Four plays later, Matt Asiata takes the direct snap from 1 yard out for a Utah touchdown. Utah 38, Colorado State 6.

Colorado State manages one first down - their only one so far of the half - but the Utes hold on their second series, forcing another Ram punt. The punt takes an incredible CSU bounce and the Utes will start all the way back on their own 11 yard line.

Time Remaining: 10:28 Third Quarter
Score: (9) Utah 31, Colorado State 6

Colorado State will start the second half on their own 25 yard line. On 2nd down, Utah CB Lamar Chapman sacks Pete Thomas and forces a fumble. The Rams recover, but the loss of yards are too much for the Rams to dig out of. Utah forces a punt and will start on their own 14 yard line after the punt took a great CSU bounce.

Who says you can't use the same trick plays? Utah uses the same flea flicker used last week against Wyoming - and Jordan Wynn completes the pass to Luke Matthews for a gain of 48 down to the CSU 20 yard line. Three plays later, Jordan Wynn completes an 18 yard touchdown pass to Shaky Smithson in the corner of the end zone. Utah leads 31- 6.

Halftime
Score: (9) Utah 24, Colorado State 6

Jordan Wynn didn't let the rain keep him from having a great first half. Wynn completed 19 of 24 passes for 243 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Utes lead the Colorado State Rams 24-6 at the half.

While both teams have been effective at moving the ball through the air, both run defenses have been outstanding. Colorado State has 20 rushing yards, while the Utes just have 27.

Utah took their opening drive 71 yards, capping it off with a 1 yard touchdown run by Matt Asiata. After driving inside the Colorado State 10 yard line through the air, Utah had to convert on 4th and inches at the goalline to get the score.

Shaky Smithson fumbled a punt early in the second quarter, which led to a 27-yard field goal for Colorado State.

Time Remaining: 0:11 Second Quarter
Score: (9) Utah 24, Colorado State 6

Utes strike back quickly, as DeVonte Christopher catches a quick slant pass by Jordan Wynn and takes it 71 yards for another Utah touchdown. Great read by Wynn and great run by Christopher. Utah leads 24-6.

After letting CSU drive once again into Utah territory, Utah's defense holds on a CSU 4th down attempt and Utah will take over on downs. The sun is finally coming out here in Rice-Eccles and a beautiful rainbow has formed right over the stadium. Picture perfect shot.

Time Remaining: 4:39 Second Quarter
Score: (9) Utah 17, Colorado State 6

Utah takes advantage of CSU special teams - kicking an onside kick after their TD. Utah kicker Joe Phillips squib kicks it and easily recovers it at the Utah 41 yard line. Everyone on the CSU return team turned around to set up the kick return. Great job by the Utah coaching staff. After a nice pass from Jordan Wynn to tight end Kendrick Moeai, Joe Phillips makes a 36 yard field goal. Utah leads 17-3.

Freshman quarterback Pete Thomas has Colorado State driving deep in Utah territory. Thomas has completed passes of 15, 19 and 18 yards to put the Rams on the Utah 10 yard line. Thomas has had plenty of time to make good throws as Utah can't get any pressure on him. Utah's defense does hold CSU to a 26 yard field goal by Ben DeLine. 17-6 Utah leads.

Time Remaining: 10:11 Second Quarter
Score: (9) Utah 14, Colorado State 3

Derrick Shelby knocks down a Pete Thomas pass on third and 8, and CSU is forced to punt. Shaky Smithson fumbles the return, and Derek Good recovers the fumble for CSU. Colorado State will have it on the Utah 16 yard line.

Utah's defense does hold, however, and force a 27 yard field goal attempt. Ben DeLine makes the kick and CSU is on the board, 7-3.

Utah's offense finds some life as Eddie Wide takes a screen pass from Jordan Wynn 30 yards for a touchdown. Utah answers the Ram field goal, and extends their lead, 14-3. Utah has outscored opponents 124- 10 in the 2nd quarter so far this season (117-7 coming into today's game).

Time Remaining: 1:49 First Quarter
Score: (9) Utah 7, Colorado State 0

A holding penalty wipes out a big gain by Matt Asiata, and the following play Jordan Wynn is sacked. It is only the second time Wynn has been sacked this season. Utah is forced to punt, and CSU will take over on their own 21 yard line. The holding penalty was an untimely one, as Asiata's run would have put them in CSU territory.

Time Remaining: 5:58 First Quarter
Score: (9) Utah 7, Colorado State 0

Colorado State will start their first offensive possession on their own 22 yard line. CSU freshman quarterback Pete Thomas so far not affected by the aggressive Utah pass rush, completing two passes to set up a first and 10 on the Utah 45 yard line. Utah's defense is able to hold the Rams, and Utah will have the ball on their own 12 yard line following a punt.

Time Remaining: 10:37 First Quarter
Score: (9) Utah 7, Colorado State 0

Colorado State wins the coin toss and Utah will get the ball first. Utah will be going from south to north here in Rice-Eccles. Shaky Smithson returns the kickoff to the 29 yard line where Utah will start 1st and 10.

Utes start in 5-wide receiver set, and Jordan Wynn completes a pass to Jereme Brooks for a nice 15 yard gain. Utes are trying to utilize their speed - another pass to speedy wideout Jereme Brooks gives them another first down. Utes move down the field with ease as Jordan Wynn completes another pass to DeVonte Christopher down to the CSU 12 yard line. Colorado State's defense plays physical, and the Utes have to convert a 4th and inches at the goal line to get the touchdown (Matt Asiata TD run). Utes up early, 7-0 over Colorado State. It looks like Utah has a definate advantage when it comes to speed - as the passing game worked so well for the Utes. However, when they got near the goalline, Colorado State was able to use their physical, aggressive defense to their advantage.

Last minute Pregame thoughts

Steady rain is falling here at Rice-Eccles Stadium ... just 16 minutes before kickoff. Most fans are holding out until the last minute before entering the stadium. Utah will be wearing the same uniforms that they wore against UNLV earlier this season - red jerseys with white pants. CSU is dressed in all white uniforms.

With Utah's ball security issues this season, it will be interesting to see how the rain effects Utah's game plan - will the Utes put the ball the air or keep it on the ground?

Pregame Blog

Undefeated Utah looks to continue their second longest win streak in school history while burnishing their BCS resume when they host Mountain West foe Colorado State on Saturday.

The No. 9 Utes (6-0, 3-0 MWC) have won the past four meetings against the Rams (2-5, 1-2 MWC), including last year's 24-17 victory in Fort Collins. Utah leads the all-time series 54-22-2.

Off to its third 6-0 start in seven years, Utah didn't play its best in last week's 30-6 win over Wyoming. Quarterback Jordan Wynn threw three interceptions, two in the end zone. But it didn't matter as the defense allowed just 183 total yards while making an incredible 11 tackles for loss.

Running back Matt Asiata ran for 109 yards, giving Utah its first 100- yard performance this year.

For the season, Utah ranks fourth nationally in scoring (45.8) and ninth in points allowed (14.0).

The Utes are lethal on special teams.

They rank first nationally in kickoff returns (29.2 yards per return) and second in punt returns (21.7). Shaky Smithson has four games this season in which he's broken 100 yards in punt returns. He had four punt returns for 111 yards against Wyoming. He has been named MWC Special Teams Player of the Week three times this season.

Kicker Joe Phillips, meanwhile, has made 17 straight field goals after nailing a 48-yarder against the Cowboys.

Game 7 Notes
No. 9 Utah (6-0, 3-0 MWC) vs.
Colorado State (2-5, 1-2 MWC)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010
Time: 4:00 p.m. (MT)
Site: Rice-Eccles Stadium (45,017/Fieldturf) Salt Lake City, Utah
TV: The Mtn. Radio: ESPN700, SIRIUS XM (Ch. 91)
Series Record: Utah leads 54-22-2
Last Meeting:2009 (UTAH 24, CSU 17)
Kickoff Weather: Thunderstorms; Temps: around 60

With difficult games at Air Force (Oct. 30) and against No. 4 TCU (Nov. 6) looming, Utah must be careful not to overlook Colorado State.

The Rams rolled up 496 total yards in whipping UNLV 43-10 last week. It was a much-needed win after Colorado State started 1-5, losing all five by at least 21 points. It was the Rams' first Mountain West victory since they beat Wyoming in November 2008.

Quarterback Pete Thomas threw for 233 yards and three scores on 10 of 14 passing, tight end Eric Peitz caught two touchdowns and tailback Leonard Mason gained 121 yards on just 14 carries.

Defensive tackle Guy Miller was a one-man wrecking crew, getting a school-record 4.5 sacks after entering the game with just two.

Despite the breakout performance, Colorado State ranks 109th in scoring (17.9) and 101st in points allowed (32.3). The Rams are giving up 411 yards per game.

Both teams have struggled with turnovers. Colorado State is minus-7, Utah minus-6. It's just that the Utes have far more talent to overcome those mistakes.

Utah is playing its final season in the Mountain West before moving to the Pac-10. Interestingly, several scenarios exist in which the Utes could play in this season's Rose Bowl, traditionally a destination for the Pac-10 champion.

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Keys to the Game for Utah

• Control the line - Utah has held four of six opponents to under 100 rushing yards - only allowing 2.7 yards per rush. Last week, CSU tailback Leonard Mason gained 121 yards on just 14 carries - if the Utes' can control the line and stop the run, freshman quarterback Pete Thomas will have a hard time fooling anyone with the play-action pass, a staple for the CSU offense
• Hold on to the ball - Utah can't give the Rams any life via an early turnover. Hold on to the ball and build some confidence going into the final 5 games of the regular season.

MY PREDICTION: Utah 45, Colorado State 13. Let me know what you think. Email me your predictions/questions rojackson@ksl.com

Your predictions:

• Joseph Noall: Utah 44, Colorado State 21

Team Stat Comparison

	 Colorado State	Utah	Advantage
Points (Per Game)	17.86	45.83
Passing Yards (Per Game)	223.71	248.33
Rushing Yards (Per Game)	117.86	188.67
3rd Down Conversions (Season)	35%	52%
4th Down Conversions (Season)	29%	75%
Time of Possession (Per Game)	28:59	28:48
Red Zone Scores (Season)	86%	87%

Utah (4-1, 1-0 MWC) was down 17-3 in the third quarter before finally clicking on offense as Terrance Cain hit David Reed from 47 yards out to cut the lead to 7.

Eddie Wide III did a great job in his first start in replacing injured Matt Asiata, gaining 102 yards on 17 carries and scoring two touchdowns, one on the ground and the second on an 8 yard pass from Terrance Cain.

Colorado State (3-3, 0-2 MWC) seemed to have all the momentum in the 2nd and 3rd quarter as Leonard Mason ran all over the Utah defense. Mason finished the game with 130 yards on 24 carries.

Utah Miscellaneous Stats

• Utah puts a 20-game home win streak on the line against CSU. It is the third-longest active win streak in the nation, the second-longest in school history and the longest in MWC history
• Utah leads the nation in kickoff returns (29.2 average) and TFL yardage allowed (47). The Utes rank in the top 10 nationally in several categories, including scoring offense (No. 4/45.8 ppg) and scoring defense (tied for No. 9/14.0 ppg).
• With 17-consecutive made field goals, dating back to last season, Utah's Joe Phillips is tied for the longest field goal make streak in the nation. Phillips also owns the school record for consecutive field goals.
• Utah has scored 42.5% of its total points in the second quarter, when it is outscoring its foes 117-7.
• Utah ranks fifth in the nation and first in the MWC in pass efficiency offense (169.49).
• Co-starting seniors Matt Asiata and Eddie Wide have combined to average 115.3 yards per game with 137 rushes for 692 yards.
• Utah is tied for second in the nation in sacks allowed with two. The first string offensive line did not allow a sack until game six (vs. Wyoming).
• Utah is ranked in the top 10 in the nation in scoring defense, pass defense, total defense, third down defense and opponent first downs.
• Opponents are averaging just 2.7 yards per rush and four of six have rushed for less than 100 yards

Colorado State Miscellaneous Stats

• CSU plays its third ranked team over a four-week stretch, and its second top 10 opponent in that span.
• The nation's leading kickoff returner, Derek Good, meets the nation's No. 1 kickoff coverage team, Utah.
• TE Eric Peitz has caught touchdowns on three consecutive passes.
• QB Pete Thomas enters this week having thrown just one interception over his last 110 passes, dating to the first quarter in the win vs. Idaho (Sept. 27).
• Since the beginning of the Sonny Lubick era in 1993, CSU has played 37 ranked teams (13-24 record). CSU's most recent win over a ranked team on the road was in 1998 at No. 23/16 Michigan State.
• The team's most recent victory over a top 25 foe came in 2002, a win over No. 7/6 CU.
• Steve Fairchild's team-wide focus for his third Colorado State football team is UNITY. Throughout the team's meeting areas and offices are banners presenting the theme:
  • "All your strength is in union, all your danger is in discord." —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
  • The strength of the team is each individual. The strength of each individual is the team.
  • "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity." —Psalm 133:1

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