U. looks to avenge '05 defeat at CSU

Memories of last season's loss to Colorado State are still vivid. More than a year has passed since Utah's 21-17 setback in Fort Collins.

A goal-line stand secured the outcome and left the Utes frustrated, extremely frustrated. They were stopped three times inside the 1-yard line in the final minute.

"Traditionally our game with CSU has been a tough, physically contested game," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "That was never more evident than last year when it came down to that goal-line stand that they had on us. We couldn't get the ball in from the 1/10th-of-an-inch line.

"That was a situation that was a pretty tough loss for us last year," he added.

It was the middle segment in a three-game tailspin that wiped out a promising 3-1 start for the Utes.

This time around, things are a bit different.

When Utah (5-4, 3-2) comes off a bye week to host Colorado State (4-5, 1-4) Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium, it's the Rams who are doing most of the reeling.

Including last week's 24-3 home loss to BYU, they've dropped four straight games — a first in Sonny Lubick's 14-year tenure at CSU.

Despite the slide, the Rams are still determined to play an extra game this season.

"We've just got to think of what we can focus on, what we can look forward to," CSU quarterback Caleb Hanie told the Fort Collins Coloradoan. "We've got a bowl game to play for."

Utah can relate. The Utes are also fighting for bowl eligibility as the season draws to a close. As such, they're taking things one game at a time — even if CSU appears to be the easiest part of a season-ending stretch that includes a trip to Air Force and home date with rival BYU.

Whittingham said Utah will have its work cut out for it against CSU.

"Sonny Lubick is a great football coach," he explained. "He does a great job rallying his troops and keeping them hanging together."

---

E-mail: dirk@desnews.com