Utes are thinking payback vs. Rams

A year ago, Utah managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory at Colorado State.

The Utes left Fort Collins on the short end of 21-17 decision after failing to reach the end zone on first-and-goal from the Rams' 4-yard line with less than two minutes remaining.

After netting three yards on first down, Utah was stopped on three consecutive plays from the CSU 1.

The goal-line stand capped an otherwise solid outing by the Utes, who racked up 425 yards of total offense and held a 14-3 lead after three quarters.

"Every loss is tough but some are tougher than others," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "The way that came down to the wire and to come up 1-inch short, that's tough to handle."

It remains in memory yet green for the Utes, who host the Rams Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

"We just didn't get the ball across the line and a lot has to do with us up front. But, it's behind us and we just can't wait to get back at it again on Saturday," offensive lineman Tavo Tupola said. "It's been on our mind. It's been part of our work ethic over the summer — a great motivation for us to get better and better ourselves."

Whittingham believes that success in goal-line situations is set up long before games are played.

"I don't want to say it's a willpower issue but it starts way back in January from the weight room," Whittingham said. "Everything you do all year long could have a part in that."

On the field, he added, it's all about getting the surge.

"They beat us to the punch on the goal line. We couldn't get any knock off the line of scrimmage," Whittingham explained. "They did a great job holding the line of scrimmage. They made the plays and we did not."

The Utah coach welcomes another goal-line situation against CSU. He's confident the Utes would score this time around.

In doing so, they might be able to leave the disappointment behind them.

"I thought it was unbelievable initially. It's never happened before in my life — to get stopped on the 1-yard line," Tupola said. "But, you know, it's a learning experience. It's something we can learn from and something we can fix. Hopefully, it won't happen again on Saturday."

EXTRA POINTS: Torn knee ligaments will keep Utah tailback Mike Liti and snapper Pete Aneiro out for the remainder of the season ... Freshman running back R.J. Stanford has been moved to cornerback and could see action there Saturday ... CSU will be without third-leading tackler Jon Radford. The starting linebacker is sidelined with a knee injury.

Utes on the air

Colorado St. (4-5, 1-4) at Utah (5-4, 3-2) Saturday, noon

Rice-Eccles Stadium

TV: Versus (Comcast 34, Dish Network 151, DirecTV 608)

Radio: 700AM

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com