From Deseret News archives:
Meyer still refutes rumor mill
"There's been no contact and I really don't anticipate any," Meyer said after practice Wednesday. "I'm certainly not looking for a job. I love where I'm coaching."
It echoes comments University of Utah president Michael K. Young made earlier in the day.
"I will tell you everything I know, which is nothing," said Young. "I suspect there is a lot less to this than people think. If there had been any conversations going on, (athletic director) Chris Hill and I would know a lot about those."
Speculation, though, has yet to subside.
While appearing on ESPN2's national morning program "Cold Pizza," Denver Post columnist Woody Paige said he was 95 percent sure that Meyer was headed to Florida and that the hiring would be announced on Dec. 13.
"I'm telling you this is it," he said. "Urban renewal at Florida."
Paige's information is similar to that of "Gator Country," a fan-based Web site that posted a story indicating that an agreement has already been reached.
Meyer and Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley denied the report.
The fifth-ranked Utes (10-0), meanwhile, are preparing to face BYU Saturday (5 p.m., ESPN2) at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
"This is about Rivalry Week," he said while declining additional comment on his future.
WAIT IS OVER: Injuries and suspensions have prevented tailback Marty Johnson from playing against BYU in his lengthy career.
"I've been waiting four years to play this game," said Johnson, who is developing a greater dislike for the Cougars as his first on-field experience against them approaches. "I didn't know what it was about. Now that I'm in there, I'm ready to go."
Johnson is Utah's leading rusher with 727 yards and 13 touchdowns in 10 games.
PARKING SITUATION: University of Utah officials encourage fans attending Saturday's game to carpool or take TRAX. Parking in the west lot at Rice-Eccles Stadium will be extremely limited because of the ESPN "GameDay" set.
Utah fans with No. 1 passes will be allowed to park in the Pioneer Theater lot off of 400 South. Others are asked to park near the Huntsman Center and take TRAX to the stadium.
HEISMAN UPDATE: The 923 Heisman Trophy ballots are in the mail. Voters have until Dec. 8 to return them. That's the day Utah quarterback Alex Smith will learn if he'll be invited to the announcement ceremony Dec. 11 in New York City.
"We are very pleased to honor the 2004 Heisman Memorial Trophy Award winner," said William J. Dockery, Heisman Trophy Trust president. "After nearly three quarters of a century, the suspense surrounding the announcement of the winner remains one of the most exciting moments in football."
It'll be broadcast live on ESPN at 6 p.m., MST.
Deseret Morning News reporter Stephen Speckman contributed to this report.
E-MAIL: dirk@desnews.com
