Estimated read time: 7-8 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
No. 9/10 Utah (8-0, 4-0 MWC) plays at New Mexico (4-5, 2-3 MWC) on Saturday, Nov. 1. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. MT in University Stadium. The game will be televised live on The Mtn. Radio is KALL 700 AM.
Utah has cracked the top 10 for the first time since 2004, climbing to No. 9 in the USA Today Coaches' Poll and No. 10 in the Harris and Associated Press polls. The Utes are also No. 10 in this week's BCS standings, which includes a tie for No. 7 in the average computer rankings.
tah leads the series with New Mexico by a 30-17-2 count, but it's all tied up in Albuquerque, 12-12-1.
Louie Sakoda has been named a 2008 Midseason All-America place kicker by CBSSports.com, The Sporting News Today and Rivals.com. Defensive end Paul Kruger made the CBSSports.com Midseason All-America team.
Senior Brian Johnson has tied the school record for most wins by a starting Ute quarterback with 21. Johnson, who is 21-7 as the starter, matched the record set by Alex Smith (21-1 in 2003-04).
Utah's last two games against TCU (Nov. 6) and Brigham Young (Nov. 22) are sold out, which will guarantee a school record for ticket sales for the 2008 Utah football team.
LOS-TO LOBOS
Utah's history against New Mexico as a ranked team has been spotty. In 1994, Utah was 8-0 and ranked No. 8 (Coaches) and No. 9 (A.P.) when it lost at New Mexico, 23-21. In 2003, a 6-1 Ute team with wins over Cal and No. 19 Oregon, had just broken into the national rankings (No. 23 Coaches, No. 24 A.P.), only to lose to the Lobos 47-35. The No. 14 Utes broke the jinx in 2004 when they improved to 5-0 with a 28-7 win over UNM in Albuquerque.
GOOD BYE
As the head coach, Kyle Whittingham is 3-0 coming off bye weeks. Utah's byes have all been at approximately the same time in his four years, falling on Oct. 29, 2005, Nov. 4, 2006, Nov. 3, 2007 and Oct. 25, 2008. Wins after the bye weeks came against Wyoming in 2005 (43-13) and 2007 (50-0), and Colorado State in 2006 (35-22).
LAST UTE ACTION
Utah's offense erupted for 49 points against Colorado State in a 49-16 win in Rice-Eccles Stadium on Oct. 18. The Utes, who scored on their first drive when Brian Johnson found Freddie Brown for a 32-yard touchdown pass, piled up a season-high 549 yards of total offense. Led by backup quarterback Corbin Louks' career-high 109 rushing yards, the Utes also produced a season-best rushing game with 327 net yards. Everyone from the offense got into the act, with Johnson throwing for 185 yards and two touchdowns, Louks scoring on touchdown runs of 21 and 69 yards, receivers Brown (78 yards) and David Reed (73 yards) having career days, and running back Matt Asiata scoring two touchdowns. Utah's defense got tough after giving up a touchdown on its first series and held CSU to three points in the second half. Stevenson Sylvester had nine tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup and CSU converted on just 3-of-15 third down attempts.
OUTSIDE THE LINES
The Utes are on a record pace for home attendance, averaging 45,274 through four games. Three crowds have exceeded the seating capacity (45,017) of Rice-Eccles Stadium, including 45,599 against Oregon State--the third-biggest attendance ever for a Utah home game. Utah's final two home games are already sold out.
INSIDE THE HUDDLE
Nose tackle Kenape Eliapo is expected to return to action this week. Eliapo broke his foot in the season-opener against Michigan and has missed the last seven games. He was the starter before the injury ... 15 different players have scored a touchdown for Utah this year. Utah has scored touchdowns by rushing (20), receiving (14), punt return (1), interception return (1) and fumble return (2) ... Six Utes have completed a pass this year: quarterbacks Brian Johnson (137-208), Corbin Louks (3-5) and Chad Manis (3-4); receiver Jereme Brooks (1-1); punter/kicker Louie Sakoda (1-1) and running back Matt Asiata (1-1) ... Two true freshmen have played in games: OL Tony Bergstrom and DT Sealver Siliga. Six redshirt freshmen have played, including starting nose tackle Derrick Shelby.
Quotes from Kyle Whittingham's Weekly Press Conference
Opening Statement:
Going back to CSU for a minute, I thought we played our most complete game of the season. On offense we were able to be very productive with over 500 yards. It was a positive offensive display and we spread the ball around. I thought Brian (Johnson) and the offensive line played well. It's what we have been looking for this season and we will continue to build on that. We played well on defense and special teams were solid as well. It was almost two weeks ago but it was a good effort and another positive step towards the goals we want to accomplish.
The bye week was productive. We got the travel squad guys healed and refreshed while keeping them sharp. We had light practices Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and we will be able to get some guys back for our upcoming game this Saturday. The developmental squad got some good work in four hard practices. We also spent some time recruiting and got caught up there. That is obviously the lifeblood of our program.
We go to New Mexico this weekend. It's historically a tough place to play. We were in very similar circumstances in 1994. We had the exact same record and were ranked close to where we are now and got beat. Two years ago we built a halftime lead and let it slip away. We have to stay focused. Our mind is on New Mexico, that is the task at hand. As long as we continue that approach, week-by-week and game-by-game, I think we will play well.
On the challenges of playing at New Mexico:
A lot of it is Coach Long. He is a competitive, tough, hard-nosed football coach, and his teams personify his personality. Ever since he has been there his teams have played a physical brand of football. They are one of the more athletic teams in the conference. Whatever the reason, New Mexico has been a team we have had some great battles with over the years.
They are a run-first team. They are running the ball better than anyone in the conference in terms of yards per carry and defending the run effectively. Anytime you can do that you are going to be in every game. They lost their quarterback early in the season, which was a big blow. Rodney Ferguson is leading the conference in rushing. That is their forte and you have to stop him if you're going to have a chance to beat them.
Defense is their bread and butter. Coach Long is a defensive guy from way back. It hasn't changed much in the last 15 years - a high pressure scheme, 3-3-5, get after the quarterback. They play man-to-man in the secondary, although they are playing more cover 2 this year. They will beat you with defense and control the clock with the run game.
On injuries:
Kenape Eliapo has been doing very well and been practicing. We will know by Wednesday if he will be available or not. It will be a big plus if he is back - that is the area we've been the thinnest in this season with those early hits. That will be a big plus.
On improvements that Utah needs to make:
Our turnover margin has been so-so all year long. That is something that we need to improve upon. We need to be on the plus side of that ledger. Where we come out in turnover margin is No. 1 in my mind.
On being undefeated and ranked:
It's a positive for our players and program to be recognized. But it's still early. We have four games to go. Are we where we want to be? Sure. But we have some tough games on the horizon. The recognition we have received is a plus for the program, no doubt. We're not oblivious to it, but our focus is on our upcoming opponent.
