Oct. 10, 2005
SALT LAKE CITY -
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> The 85th-annual Homecoming game is Saturday, Oct. 15 starting at 5 p.m. MT in Rice-Eccles Stadium ... Utah (3-3, 1-2 MWC will host San Diego State (2-4, 1-2 MWC) ... The game will be regionally televised by ABC (Channel 4 in Salt Lake City) ... In addition to the Homecoming festivities, it is Reunion Week at the U.--a first-time function for former Ute varsity athletes that is slated to become an annual event.
> Utah is 3-0 in Rice-Eccles Stadium this season, with wins over Arizona (27-24), Utah State (31-7) and Air Force (38-35). The Utes are 0-3 on the road, losing to TCU (23-20 in overtime), North Carolina (31-17) and Colorado State (21-17).
> The Utes have won 17 of their last 20 conference games, dating back to the final three games of 2002. Utah's current two-game losing streak is the longest since 2002, when it lost six straight.
> More than 300 former Utah varsity athletes and coaches celebrating Reunion Week will be recognized as a group at halftime. Former Ute and Atlanta Falcons' star running back Jamal Anderson will spend the game in the TV booth, where he will handle the color commentary for ABC.
LAST WEEK
A goal-line stand by Colorado State sent Utah to its second straight loss, 21-17, in Fort Collins. The Utes, who led 14-3 entering the fourth quarter, had three chances from inside the CSU 1-yard line with under a minute left, but couldn't punch home the game-winning touchdown. Quinton Ganther's 20-yard rush on fourth down with two minutes remaining, gave the Utes first and goal on CSU's 4-yard line. His next carry brought Utah to the 1-yard line, where its drive then stalled. Ganther finished with 112 rushing yards. Brian Hernandez had the first 100-yard receiving game of his career, catching 3 balls for 112 yards, an average of 37.3 yards per catch. Brian Johnson completed 15 of 27 passes for 255 yards and a touchdown (2 interceptions) in a game where Utah out-gained CSU in total offense (425-377 yards) and ran 16 more plays. Spencer Toone's 11 tackles (1 for a loss) led the defense.
KYLE STYLE
Kyle Whittingham (3-3, 1st year) made history in his first game as head coach when he helped Utah break a 75-year-old school win streak record with a victory over Arizona. He and his team extended the record streak to 18 games a week later against Utah State. Named head coach on Dec. 8, 2004, Whittingham has been a member of the Ute staff since 1994, when he coached the defensive line for Utah's 10-2 Freedom Bowl champion team. He was promoted to defensive coordinator a year later--a position he held until his promotion to head coach. In his 11 years as a Ute assistant, the program compiled an 86-41 record and played in six bowl games (winning five). He served as co-head coach at the 2005 Fiesta Bowl, helping to lead Utah to a 35-7 victory over Pittsburgh. The Ute defense recorded 14 top-20 statistical rankings during Whittingham's 10 years as the coordinator. Utah led the league in scoring defense in four of the last six years (placing second the other two).
HOMECOMING HISTORY
Utah is 52-28-4 all-time in homecoming games. San Diego State has been Utah's homecoming foe five times, with Utah holding a 4-1 edge. Utah has won its last two homecoming games, including a 27-6 win vs. SDSU in 2003. Last year, Utah recorded its first homecoming victory against Air Force. San Diego State spoiled Utah's homecoming in 1991 (24-21).
FOURTH AND LONG
The fourth quarter has been a long one for the Utes, who have scored just 16 points in six games, while allowing 53. In comparison, Utah has relinquished a total of just 51 points in the first half (14 in the first quarter). The Utes have dominated the second and third quarters on both sides of the ball, owning a 110-68 edge in that span. The first quarter is a toss-up, with Utah holding a one-TD lead (21-14).
GRIDBITS
Utah is holding the ball about four minutes longer a game than its foes (32:06-27:54) ... Third down conversions are almost even: Utah 38% (36-of-95) and its opponents 39% (32-of-83) ... Utah is winning the statistical battle in total yards (422.2-363.2). For complete statistical information on Utah, see page 3 of this release (San Diego State numbers are on page 5).
UTAH VS. THE MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE
Utah's record against Mountain West Conference schools is 208-124-10. Utah's series mark against the MWC schools: Air Force 9-13, Brigham Young 51-31-4, Colorado State 50-22-2, New Mexico 29-15-2, San Diego State 12-11-1, TCU 2-1, UNLV 9-1, Wyoming 46-30-1.
COMMON OPPONENTS
Utah and SDSU have played just one common opponent: Air Force. Utah beat the Falcons 38-35 in Salt Lake City on Sept. 22. The Aztecs lost to AFA 41-29 in Colorado Springs on Sept. 10.
