From Deseret News archives:
U. making rare trip to Academy, needing to stop Falcons' option
"That was a good thing. It's a tough place to play. Falcon Stadium has always been a place where they have played well," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "So it was a pleasant thing to be able to be (home) the last couple of years."
The last time the Utes visited Falcon Stadium, they escaped with a thrilling 45-43 triple-overtime victory.
"It's obviously going to bring back some memories," said senior cornerback Shaun Harper, who considers the '03 game one of the best in Ute history. "Hopefully we don't end up in the same situation."
The Utes (6-4, 4-2), for obvious reasons, would like to settle the issue much earlier this time around. That, however, is easier said than done.
Four of the past eight meetings have been settled by a field goal or less. Last season in Salt Lake City, Utah held on for a 38-35 win.
The Falcons (4-5, 3-2) and their famed triple-option attack are well known for never giving up.
"It's a different kind of animal," Harper said. "It's not an offense you see every weekend."
As such, the Utes dedicate a lot of time preparing for the Falcons. They capped things off this season with a spirited workout Thursday at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
"We had a great week of practice. They're focused. We've had excellent concentration," Whittingham said. "We've got to transfer it to the game field. The option we see in practice is nowhere near the speed at which we'll see it in the game.
"That's always the concern — making that transition," he added.
Air Force leads the MWC and is third in the nation with 259.4 yards rushing per game. On defense, linebacker Drew Fowler leads the league with 10.1 tackles per game.
Like the Utes, the Falcons are still in contention for both a share of the MWC title (if BYU loses to New Mexico and Utah) and a bowl bid.
"As always, Air Force presents unique challenges with its triple-option game. We need to be both disciplined and assignment-sound defensively if we hope to slow them down," Whittingham said. "The best way to defend their option attack is to keep it on the sidelines by controlling the ball with our offense."
A promising possibility with the Utes coming off a season-high 526 yards of total offense is last week's 35-22 win over Colorado State. Whittingham said numerous players, including quarterback Brett Ratliff and wide receiver Brent Casteel, had their best games of the year.
