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

Utah (8-3, 5-2) at No. 23 BYU (8-2, 6-0)

Saturday, noon

LaVell Edwards Stadium

Radio: 700AM, 1160AM, 102.7FM

TV: The mtn./CSTV/Versus

RIVALRY FACT

This rivalry has produced some memorable plays when it comes to the kicking game. It all started with Chris Yergensen's 55-yarder that beat the Cougars in 1993. In 1998, with the Utes trailing by nine points late in the game, Daniel Jones had a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, but the Utes fell short when Ryan Kaneshiro's 32-yard kick bounced off the upright. The following season, Utah's margin of victory was a field goal in a 20-17 win that featured a missed 38-yard field-goal attempt by the usually reliable Owen Pochman in the second half. Two years later, after Luke Staley's run down the sideline gave BYU a 24-21 lead, Matt Payne missed an extra point that kept the margin at three, giving Utah the opportunity to tie the game with a field goal. That contest ended, though, after Jernaro Gilford intercepted Utah quarterback Lance Rice.

THE MATCHUPS

SPECIAL TEAMS: Utah will have the most pronounced advantage between the two teams in this phase of the game. Kicker Louie Sakoda is almost automatic (18-for-21) on field goals and is the best punter in the conference. The Utes also tend to involve him with trick plays, meaning the Cougars will have to guard against fake kicks. BYU has stabilized its kicking game, but it's far from spectacular. Mitch Payne has only nine attempts this season (he's made six), and the Cougars can't rely on the freshman the way Utah can on Sakoda. Meanwhile, BYU punter CJ Santiago (40.7 yards) has the worst per-punt average in the conference. Utah's Derrek Richards leads the conference in punt returns, while Austin Collie ranks second in kickoff returns, though Utah is No. 1 in the MWC in kickoff coverage. The Utes, however, rank 96th nationally in kickoff return average (19.5).

UTAH PLAYERS TO WATCH

Derrek Richards, PR — The senior averages 15.5 yards per return and took one punt in the Utah State game 75 yards for a touchdown.

Louie Sakoda, P/K — The junior averages 44.8 yards per punt, which is eight-best in the country.

BYU PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin Collie, KR — Injuries have limited the number of kicks he's returned, but the sophomore is capable of breaking a big return.

Bryce Mahuika, PR — He's only averaging 8.3 yards per return, but fielding Sakoda's kicks will be key.

PERFORMANCES TO REMEMBER

Lost in the fact that Utah's Ryan Kaneshiro sent the game-winning kick off the upright in 1998 was Owen Pochman's performance in BYU's 26-24 win. The sophomore hit four field goals from 40-plus yards. Regarding Kaneshiro, Pochman said, "You hate to see that happen as a kicker, but as a BYU Cougar you love to see that happen."