After forcing Texas A&M to punt for the sixth consecutive series, the Utes marched downfield again. A 38-yard touchdown pass from Smith to John Madsen increased the lead to 27-0 (kicker Bryan Borreson's PAT attempt hit the left goal post and missed) with 3:52 to play in the half.

The Aggies responded this time around and became the first team since Wyoming last November to score on Utah's defense. The shutout streak lasted 292 days and spanned games against the Cowboys, BYU and Southern Mississippi. It came to an end with 3:02 remaining in the second quarter when Texas A&M quarterback Reggie McNeal scrambled 59 yards for a touchdown on a third-and 4 situation.

The play increased the Aggies' total offense to 140 yards. They managed just 81 over their first 28 plays — much of which came against a depleted Utah defense. Safeties Eric Weddle and Kawika Casco, as well as nose guard Steve Fifita, left the game with knee injuries early in the game.

Weddle (MCL tear in his left leg) and Casco (blown right knee) wound up watching the rest of the game in crutches. Fifita, however, returned to play in the third quarter—as did Savoy, who had an X-ray taken of his ribs just before halftime.

Despite the lopsided score, Meyer said the Utes had some major issues to overcome.

Utah regained its momentum following the intermission when Smith finished a six-play drive with a 37-yard touchdown run.

The defense also got rejuvenated.

Linebackers Corey Dodds and Tommy Hackenbruck stopped Texas A&M running back Courtney Lewis at the goal line on fourth down just before the third quarter came to a close.

And though Utah's new shutout streak proved to be shortlived — the Aggies scored on short runs by McNeal and Jason Carter down the stretch — it failed to tarnish a stellar effort.

"We deserved this one. We worked so hard," said Scalley. "People go down and people step up. This game says a lot about our character."

Between the A&M scores, Smith teamed with Jerome Wright on a 13-yard touchdown pass to keep the game well out of reach.

"I'm glad we're done with them," Meyer said of the two-year series with the Aggies. "I don't want to see A&M again for a long time because I know what they're going to look like in the next year or two."

The Utes will take today off before begin preparations for next week's game at Arizona.

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com