Utres are bowl eligible, but another win would solidify a bid.
Nov. 13, 2006
SALT LAKE CITY -
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> Utah (6-4, 4-2 MWC) makes its final road trip of the season, traveling to Colorado Springs, Colo., for a Saturday game with Air Force (4-5, 3-2 MWC) ... kickoff is 5:30 p.m. (MST) in Falcon Stadium ... The game will be televised by the mtn., which can be found in Salt Lake City on channel 37 ... It can also be heard on Sports Radio 700 the Zone.
> Utah became bowl eligible with last week's win over Colorado State. The Utes have played in three straight bowls and have qualified for postseason play in four of the last five years. Utah is 4-0 in bowl games since 2001.
> Four of the last eight games between Utah and Air Force have been decided by a field goal or less, including one-point difference in 1995 and 2001, and a 45-43 triple overtime victory by the Utes in 2003 (the last time they played in Colorado Springs). More series information can be found in the boxed inset on page two, and under "Triple Play."
> Utah is ranked No. 1 in the league and No. 2 in the nation in net punting (40.8). The Utes also lead the league in kickoff returns (24.1, No. 13 nationally). Utah leads the MWC and is tied for No 8 in the nation in turnovers caused (26).
LAST WEEK
Brett Ratliff passed for 296 yards and two touchdowns, and Brent Casteel accounted for a career-high 92 receiving yards and the game's first score, to lead Utah to a 35-22 win over Colorado State. Utah never trailed in the game and led 35-16 before a last-minute touchdown by the Rams. Cornerback Eric Weddle pitched in six tackles (assisting in a tackle for loss), but it was his play on offense that drew the most attention. He rushed for Utah's second touchdown and completed the first pass of his Ute career--a 25-yarder to Casteel in the last play of the first quarter that placed Utah on the CSU 6-yard line. Weddle then ran the ball into the end zone on the first play of the second quarter. Steve Tate led the defense with 9 tackles, while J.J. Williams and Joe Jiannoni had eight apiece. Jiannoni and Brice McCain each intercepted a pass.WEDDLE'S CORNER
Ute defensive back Eric Weddle, a semifinalist for the Thorpe and Bednarik awards, is also a Midseason All-American by SI.com (Sports Illustrated), CBSSportsline.com and Collegefootballnews.com. Sportsillustrated.com lists Weddle as the "nation's premier cover corner" and he is ranked No. 6 in ESPN.com's "Midseason Hot 100." He has six interceptions this year, and his 17 career interceptions is tied for the most in the nation by an active player (with Duke senior John Talley). He has scored five touchdowns this season: 3 on interceptions, 1 on a fumble recovery and 2 on offensive rushes. He was the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week, as well as the MWC Defensive Player of the Week, on Sept. 25.|
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