Utes eager to host Ducks

Don't tell Utah coach Urban Meyer that Friday's game with Oregon has lost a little of its luster.

Saturday's shocking 55-16 loss to Washington State may have knocked the Ducks (4-1) to 19th in the latest AP poll and cost the Utes a chance to host a top 10 team for just the fifth time in their history, but it has done little to alter Utah's approach to the ESPN2 tilt.

"Luster? Just watch the tape. There's plenty of luster we have to get ready for," Meyer said before noting their quickness and size. "I think Oregon is faster than we are. They have more team speed. Their receivers are fast and their secondary is fast. That's the biggest concern that we have."

Seven fumbles, two interceptions and a pair of blocked punts grounded the Ducks last Saturday. Meyer isn't sure what happened, but he's not expecting a second occurrence. Without question, Meyer continued, Oregon (4-1) is the most talented team the Utes have faced, thus far.

A victory would likely put Utah (3-1) in the national rankings.

"If not we should be," Meyer said of his team's last non-conference game of the season. "That's a complete measuring stick. I don't know how good we are, but I think we're pretty good. I think we're a team that finds a way to win."

Though a victory over Oregon would be appreciated by all of the Utes, it carries extra weight for wide receiver Paris Warren.

"It's going to be hard for me to keep my emotions down," Warren said. "I'm going to be fired up for this game."

Warren, who leads Utah with 24 receptions, began his collegiate career with the Ducks. Though primarily used on special teams, where he logged six tackles, Warren did take a lateral from quarterback Joey Harrington and complete a 50-yard pass in Oregon's 24-10 win over the Utes in 2001.

That, and 14 plays in the Ducks' Fiesta Bowl victory over Colorado, weren't enough to compensate for a lack of opportunity at receiver. Plays were run for Warren in practice but were never used in games.

Hard feelings between the player and head coach Mike Bellotti developed. Warren opted to transfer, choosing Utah over Utah State and Arizona State — the other schools he seriously considered after a stellar high school career in Sacramento.

Though he still keeps in touch with some of his Oregon teammates, there are no regrets about leaving Eugene for Salt Lake City.