True tests . . . as Utes face unknown in both AFA and injuries

By Dirk Facer, Deseret News

Published: Monday, Sept. 3 2007 12:30 a.m. MDT

Summary

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham insists the Utes will be ready for Saturday's conference opener against Air Force at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

"We have to be. We've got no choice," said Whittingham, whose squad lost tailback Matt Asiata and quarterback Brian Johnson to injuries in last week's 24-7 loss at Oregon State. "We're ready to move on and get the best 22 guys out there for this game."

Though plenty of questions abound concerning Utah's offense under No. 2 quarterback Tommy Grady and an unpredictable backfield, there may be an even bigger mystery on the horizon — Air Force.

In Saturday's 34-3 victory over South Carolina State, the Falcons took on a new look under first-year coach Troy Calhoun. The option-oriented approach of longtime coach Fisher DeBerry appears to have been tweaked.

"They're certainly different than what they've been in the past," Whittingham said. "They're much more multiple in their offensive approach."

Air Force's passing game has expanded quite a bit, he noted, and the Falcons have incorporated more conventional runs.

"We'll see when we play them," Whittingham explained. "But based on the one game we have to go off of, it doesn't appear to be standard Air Force football."

The Falcons racked up 279 yards rushing and 176 passing in their season opener. They executed the retooled scheme well, not drawing a single penalty until five minutes were gone in the third quarter.

"You can't really put all your stock into one football game," Whittingham

acknowledged. "But they were certainly more wide open than they have been in the past."

Quarterback Shaun Carney completed 11-of-18 passes in the game. Running back Kip McCarthy rushed for 129 yards.

Though not as prevalent as it once was, Air Force still utilizes an option attack — even if it was diminished against South Carolina State.

"You've still got to play the option. They still have the double option they run from shotgun," Whittingham said. "There's enough of a dose of option where you've got to be certainly attentive to it."

Some things, apparently, never change.

EXTRA POINTS: The Utes resume practice today at the McCarthey Practice Fields ... Linebacker Joe Jiannoni and kicker Louie Sakoda were named to the Butkus and Lou Groza Award watch lists, respectively, last week ... Backup tight end Colt Sampson's left MCL sprain will sideline him for approximately four weeks.

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