Utah Utes vs. Utah State Aggies
Rivals Kick Off Football Season Sept. 3.
The Utes went 13-0 in 2008, and capped the season with a 31-17 victory over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. They’re ranked No. 18 in the USA Today Top 25, after being rated fourth in the same poll at the end of last season.
Coach Kyle Whittingham’s team has won 21 of its last 22 games, its last defeat being a 17-10 setback at Brigham Young in the 2007 regular-season finale.
On Sept. 3, the Utes will meet a longtime rival – and they’ll see an old friend on the opposite sideline – in a season opener slated for 7 p.m. (MST) at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Utah State (3-9 last season) is starting its first season under head coach Gary Andersen, who served the previous five years as Utah’s defensive coordinator. Andersen replaced Brent Guy, who was 9-38 in four seasons, taking over a program that hasn’t enjoyed a winning season since going 6-5 in 1996.
Utah Preview
Andersen was crucial to the Utes emergence into a national power. The Utes ranked 11th nationally in defense, yielding just 289.15 yards per game last year. Utah will also miss defensive end Paul Krueger, who had 7.5 sacks.
But most of the 2008 cast is back, including the four leading tacklers – linebackers Mike Wright and Stevenson Sylvester, defensive end Koa Misi, and safety Joe Dale.
Also returning are defensive linemen Derrick Shelby and Kelape Eliapo, linebacker Kepa Gaison and safety Robert Johnson. Nai Fotu is moving back to defensive end after starting at linebacker last season.
Utah’s offense has bigger holes to fill, the most obvious being the one left by quarterback Brian Johnson, who passed for 2,972 yards and 27 TDs last season while guiding the Utes’ vaunted spread offense.
Freshman Jordan Wynn has been the early leader in workouts, with former junior college All-American Terrence Cain also in the running. Whittingham said “Wynn and Cain are 1 and 1A in no order," the team website reported this week.
In addition, the website reported that speedy Corbin Louks, the most experienced QB, told Whittingham that he’s planning to transfer to Nevada.
Utah has depth at the running back position, with Matt Asiata and Eddie Wide. Asiata led the Utes with 716 yards and ran for 12 TDs in 2008.
Leading receiver Freddie Brown has graduated, but the Utes have experience with David Reed, Aiona Key and Jereme Brooks. A veteran offensive line will feature tackle Zane Beadles, who was recently included on the Outland Trophy watch list.
UtahState Preview
Andersen will not only try to carry Utah-like efficiency over to Utah State’s defense, he’s bringing Utes characteristics to the Aggies offense.
Dave Baldwin, formerly of New Mexico, is the new offensive coordinator, and he’ll have the Aggies running a spread offense.
The catalyst will be Diondre Borel, who led the Aggies in both passing and rushing in 2008. Borel, who took over as starter early in the season, passed for 1,705 yards and 11 TDs, and ran for 632 yards and five TDs. The Utes will try to fire up their running game further with backs Robert Turbin and Michael Smith.
The receiving corps will include receivers Stanley Morrison and Nnamdi Gwacham, while center Brennen McFadden leads the offensive line. Gwacham is the returning leader in receiving yards, averaging 18.5 yards per reception last season.
Utah State’s defense ranked a dismal 99th nationally last season, and will try to mold itself into a high-pressure unit. The Aggies will be powered by linebacker Paul Igboeli and safety James Brindley. Igboeli had 78 tackles in 2008, and Brindley had 75 tackles and three interceptions.
Utah, Utah State will meet for 109th time
The Utah-Utah State series dates back to 1892. The Aggies won that game, 12-0, but the Utes have been dominant since, owning a 76-28-4 advantage. Utah State has not defeated Utah since a 21-14 win in 1997.
Utah's second game is Sept. 12 at San Jose State. Utah State will take a break after its game vs. Utah, and will return to action Sept. 19 at Texas A&M.
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles