Smith throws (thrice) and runs (once) for TDs

LARAMIE, Wyo. — Alex Smith still prefers not to talk about the Heisman Trophy, but he produced another Heismanlike performance in Saturday night's 45-28 victory over Wyoming at War Memorial Stadium.

Smith finished with 244 yards passing on 17 of 27 completions with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for season-high 90 yards on 14 carries with one touchdown.

And the rest of the Ute offense was nearly flawless.

The Utes finished with 488 yards of total offense, despite only holding the ball for four minutes and getting 21 yards in the fourth quarter. Only a fumble on an ill-advised lateral on a kickoff following Wyoming's third touchdown in the final minute kept the Utes from going the whole game without a turnover for the fourth time this season.

Marty Johnson rushed for 105 yards on 14 carries, tying his season best of 105 yards against Arizona, although that effort came in 18 carries.

Steve Savoy caught six passes for 61 yards and a touchdown and also picked up 44 yards rushing with another touchdown. Travis LaTendresse caught four passes for a season-best 87 yards, while Paris Warren also caught four passes for 57 yards and a touchdown.

Smith put the Utes on the board early after the Ute defense forced a fumble. Smith took off around the right end and sprinted toward the end zone on a 27-yard jaunt.

In the second quarter he connected with Warren with a 26-yard pass on a laser strike down the left sideline and then hit Savoy for a 10-yard TD pass. His third touchdown pass on the last play of the third quarter was a 15-yarder to John Madsen.

Savoy scored on a reverse from 15 yards out for the Utes fifth touchdown to make it 38-7 midway through the third quarter. The other touchdown was a 1-yard run up the middle by Johnson, his 13th of the season.

With three more touchdown passes, Smith increased his touchdown-pass total to 27 and left his interception total at two. He hit his season average of 244 yards right on the money. He now has 529 yards rushing on the season, second on the team behind Johnson's 727.

With Wyoming controlling the ball for 11 minutes in the fourth quarter, the Ute backups saw little action on offense. Backup quarterback Brian Johnson got in with 30 seconds left and was allowed to put his knee down for the final play of the game.

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