The big game: A closer look Saturday's Utah at BYU matchup

Saturday, noon

LaVell Edwards Stadium

Radio: 700AM, 1160AM, 102.7FM

Countdown — 3 days

RIVALRY FACT

While this contest is usually close, it is not necessarily always high scoring. In fact, Utah's defense held the Cougars without a touchdown for two straight seasons. After Luke Staley's run down the sideline in the fourth quarter gave BYU a 24-21 win in 2001 at LaVell Edwards Stadium, the Cougars didn't find the end zone again until 2004. In 2002, BYU managed just a pair of field goals in a 13-6 loss. In that game, the Cougars lost the football on the goal line when Lance Pendleton tried a quarterback sneak. The following year, Utah pitched its legendary shutout on a snowy day in Provo, beating BYU 3-0 and ending the Cougars' 361-game scoring streak. BYU didn't score a touchdown until the second quarter of the 2004 game at Rice-Eccles Stadium, when John Beck hit Todd Watkins with a 5-yard scoring pass.

THE MATCHUPS

BYU RUN GAME vs. UTAH RUN DEFENSE: Utah gave up 165 rushing yards to Oregon State's Yvensen Bernard, 334 total to Air Force and 193 to UNLV's Frank Summers. But, just like their season, the Utes have turned their run defense around. Last week, Utah surrendered only 57 yards to New Mexico's Rodney Ferguson, and the Utes have been able to take away the run and force teams to beat them with the pass. Utah may choose not to stack the box against the more balanced Cougars, which could give Harvey Unga, Manase Tonga and Fui Vakapuna an opportunity to produce on the ground. BYU has an offensive line capable of dominating at times when the Cougars (137.7 ypg) commit to the run. This could be the most compelling matchup of the game.

UTAH PLAYERS TO WATCH

Gabe Long, NT — Utah's turnaround in run defense seemed to coincide with Long getting healthy. The senior has four tackles for loss in nine games played this year.

Steve Tate, DB — The Utes' leading tackler (94 total) will play a prominent role, especially if the Utes bring him close to the line in an effort to stop the Cougars' run game.

Harvey Unga, RB — The freshman is No. 2 in the conference and 24th nationally in all-purpose yardage, averaging 148.2 yards per game. On an offense with so many options, he's the most dangerous.

Joe Semanoff, RB — The senior has proven to be a capable blocking back and has become a viable receiving option on play-action passes.

PERFORMANCES TO REMEMBER

BYU punished Utah with its ground game in a contest at Rice Stadium in 1996. Brian McKenzie and Ronney Jenkins led a rushing attack that gained 366 yards. Said quarterback Steve Sarkisian, who did not have to throw many passes: "When something works, why go away from it?"