Utes open with UCLA

Utah's streak of November games in Wyoming is coming to an end. For the first time since 1998 — a span covering three trips to Laramie — the Utes will visit the Cowboys earlier in the season.

This year's meeting is scheduled for Oct. 14.

"That's a positive," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "We've historically, the last few years anyway, had that Wyoming game up there late in the year — which is always a cold proposition."

The Utes, however, aren't exactly headed to a warmer climate down the stretch. When the MWC unveiled its football schedule Wednesday, it included a Nov. 18 date at Air Force.

The contest comes in the middle of a season-ending stretch featuring home dates with Colorado State (Nov. 11) and BYU (Nov. 25).

It follows the lone open week on Utah's 12-game schedule.

"It comes at a good time for us to regroup and get ready for those last three conference games," said Whittingham.

Utah opens the 2006 campaign with a Sept. 2 date at UCLA.

"We're excited about our opener. I think it's going to be a great challenge for our players. UCLA is obviously one of the premier programs in the country," Whittingham said. "Playing in the Rose Bowl and having a chance to have our alums in the Southern California area, which we have a lot of, have the opportunity to watch us play is a big positive for us."

The contest, though, is part of an opening stretch where the Utes play three of their first four games on the road. They'll host Northern Arizona on Sept. 9 before traveling to Utah State (Sept. 16) and San Diego State (Sept. 23).

After opening conference play against the Aztecs, Utah returns to Rice-Eccles Stadium for a non-league game against Boise State. The Broncos were recently added to the slate in place of Ohio. "I think it's definitely an upgrade in the schedule. I think it's good for our fans," said Whittingham, who acknowledged fans are much more familiar with Boise State than Ohio. "I think it's a very positive thing for that to have happened."

The contest ushers in a short week for the Utes, who'll host defending league champion TCU in a pivotal MWC contest at home on Thursday, Oct. 5. The Horned Frogs, by comparison, will have seven days of preparation for the game.

Road games at Wyoming and New Mexico (Thursday, Oct. 28) follow before UNLV visits Salt Lake City on Oct. 28. The latter commences a season-ending span where the Utes are home for three of their final four games.

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2006 Utah football schedule

Sept. 2 — at UCLA

Sept. 9 — Northern Arizona

Sept. 16 — at Utah State

Sept. 23 — at San Diego St.

Sept. 30 — Boise State

Oct. 5 — TCU (Thur.)

Oct. 14 — at Wyoming

Oct. 19 — at N. Mexico (Thur.)

Oct. 28 — UNLV

Nov. 4 — open

Nov. 11 — Colorado State

Nov. 18 — at Air Force

Nov. 25 — Brigham Young

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E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com