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Utah Utes football: Special teams, defense lead Utes to 7-0 record

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danburtreynolds | 7:56 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
Disappointed in 2 things:

1. Spinning off the road at 65 mph 30 miles out of evanston at 7:30 this morning then getting back on the road only to hit a blizzard 40 miles later and having to turn around so we could catch the game on t.v.

2. Would have liked the rushing attack to be more dominant. wind was brutal as the game went on, but, I would have expected the O to be better early on.


Now that the bad is out of the way, the good.

The 1st string defense was lights out.
The offense didn't put the defense in any bad situations.
Utah now has played 2 games with very few penalties.

The last 2 points are very important areas of improvement. Hopefully, the offense can find some consistency. But the important thing is utah is 7-0.

Now, let's get ready for CSU.
Ute Eater | 8:05 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
BYU's shellacking of Wyoming was better than your defensive win today. Face it...BYU is better.

HAHA!!! The Ute Eater strikes again!!!
Controversial TD??? | 8:39 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
I guess it would not be a UTE Board without their own intrepretation of what happened on the field. 7 points is 7 points, and Ute fans use their own scoring system. If they disagree, it doesn't count. Feet were in, TD, extra point, 7 points!!!

Utes could not pitch a shutout against a team just about everyone else in the MWC will. Utah offense only scored one more TD than WYO offense. Ute offense is weak. Picked up first 3rd down conversion and scored first offensive TD late in first half.

Controversial is overturning the touched punt in the first period when the MWC head official said "The Referee could not find enough evidence to support the call on the field". I thought they needed irrefutable evidence to overturn a call. The TD was good enough for the officials, why not Ute fans.

Very weak.

Utes have a weak offense, can't score offensively, can't prevent a TD, complain about the other teams TD, and now watch the fans think they are better than everyone else.

If you saw the game, you know how weak the Utes are.



Comments continue below
Anonymous | 8:40 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
re:"SoCalUtahFan | 2:02 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
It looks like Utah offense finally gets going.
34-0 with plenty of time left in 3rd quarter."

Third Quarter.

Priceless.

Against Wyoming.

Go u.t.e.s...
Anonymous | 8:50 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
re:"danburtreynolds | 7:56 p.m."

I'm only disappointed in one thing. Ute offensive.

Utes have struggled against teams with an offensive.

Every week it's more obvious TCU and BYU will blowout Utah..,

there will be a deep silence in rES Nov. 22, as Utes settle for third in conference... again, where they belong.
Wilbur | 9:06 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
I feel Bad that TCU will get to beat the Y before we do but I will still find joy in their win. Just save enough of Hall for our D to knock around.
re:Wilbur | 9:22 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
First Ernest T, now Mr. Ed....

Yep, too bad, but wait till you see BYU take out TCU, then you lose to both BYU and TCU, taking your rightful place as third in conference... Again, just like last year.

Harline, 4th and 18 without a win.

Play defense, then post there, Willlll-burrrr.
Utes are it | 9:37 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
Nobody can stop us. Utes are going to the BCS, baby! BYU is the next Vandy!
wYo8 | 9:39 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
Re:Danburt so you are the one that caused all the accidents on I-80 this morning trying to get back to Yewtville. had the road closed for hours. Made me rush back home to watch BYU great defense hold NM to 3 points. just wish you utah drivers would slow down in bad weather.
Bad Clout System | 9:48 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
Utah wins over Oregon State and is undefeated and is not in the top 10? Utah will still be behind USC after this weekend--no clout in MWC--it will take two losses by every other team before a MWC team gets into top 2. BYU does not play and moves up 4 spots? Then it takes Utah State two touchdowns just to lose by 20 and BYU moves down two spots? Why don't we just have the swim suit competition and at least call it what it is, a pageant.
The MTN | 9:57 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
Did anyone else notice when the MTN was showing the Utah defensive starting lineup they had Asiata as one of the DB's???? That network is hilarious. There were other mistakes I noticed- can't remember them right now.
Utes are awesome | 9:58 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
The Utes are looking great! 4O points against powerhouse Wyoming! That's great. And to see Michigan lose at home...again...wow that makes the Utes look even better! They are soooo good. I just love my Utes.
Strength of Schedule? | 10:11 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
Gee, every week that Michigan win is looking more and more impressive. Way to consistently struggle against less-than-mediocre teams, Utes! You sure deserve that ranking!
Utah Grad | 10:16 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
I am a Utah grad living in NY. I read the Des news sports to keep up on what is happening in Utah. Lately I have started reading the comments and it seems that accompanying every Utah or BYU article will be an endless string of childish sniping and rediculous attempts to show why one team or the other is better. I am reminded of my days in junior high. THIS IS PATHETIC! Show some class and stand up for your fellow MWC members. The teams will eventually settle it on the field and we can all get behind the winner to do some damage in a BCS bowl. Until then, lets all stop embarassing the state, our schools, and the conference with this childish behavior (unless you are still actually in Jr. High - then go right ahead with your postings).

Al Gore would be sickened reading this comment string, seeing his brainchild (the Internet) being wasted like this.

There, I feel much better.
Uncle George | 10:24 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
I agree with Wyoming should leave MWC. They have a totally pathetic athletic program. Utes rule.
TucsonUte | 10:25 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
Let's face it, a win is a win is a win. Wyoming is horrible and both BYU and Utah hammered them. Enough of my team this and my team that. The only thing that is going to settle this is the big game in November between the both of them. However, BYU will be lucky if they can beat TCU on the road. TCU has a great defense.
MWC Best in the West | 10:30 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
6-1 vs. Pac10 and BYU, TCU and Utah all have tougher schedules because of themselves than USC, Boise St. or anyone in the West.
Nice going MWC!!!!
danburtreynolds | 10:36 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
to wYo8:

Sorry man, wasn't me. Utah drivers were zipping around, but I'm Idaho, and no, I don't camp in the left lane. glad you made it safe, it was bad out there
re: Controversial TD??? | 10:39 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
You are the definition of a "Zoobie." According to 90% of BYU fans they have never lost a game, the refs lose it for them every time. The Utes are 7-0, let's see if the Cougs can get there this Thursday.
BYU fan | 10:51 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
I am a BYU fan, and I am pretty sure Utah is better. I still hope we kill them, but I am getting nervous. Nice win, Utes.
Strength of Schedule? | 11:11 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
That one point win over Washington is looking pretty SWEEEEEEET!
Mark in Peoria | 11:13 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
Wyoming will not get kicked out of the MWC. They are a founding member. For all you fickle fans out there don't you recall why they formed the MWC? It was because the WAC had grown to mammoth proportions. 16 Teams. A gazillion time zones. It was unbearable. Was there good teams that they left behind? Sure TCU(which came back to the fold), Tulsa, and Fresno State. But they did it for regional purposes and to restore common rivalries. The Pokes have been in the MWC, WAC, and Skyline conference if memory serves. The Pokes are rivals---not arch enemies---but rivals.

Plus, like BYU, they have a Las Vegas Bowl win over UCLA in recent years (2004).

Real crazy zoobies will remember Wyoming as the team that kept BYU from playing in the Holiday Bowls of 1988 and 1999.

So, occasionally, they make it to bowl games. Occasionally they make it to the NCAA tourney.

So cut the Wyoming-needs-to-go-to-Div 1-aa crud.

Go Utes! 7-0. Make it eight v CSU!
Mark in Peoria | 11:15 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
err 1989...
Utah is good. | 11:15 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
They beat Michigan.

"Struggling Michigan takes first loss to MAC team, off to worst start in 41 years"


TOLEDO (2-4) 13
MICHIGAN(2-4) 10

So, Toledo came into the Big House (1-4) and beat Michigan (2-3) by 3 points, Utah beat them by two on a missed Michigan 2 point conversion.

But, hey, Michigan beat Wisconsin by three!!!

Penn State 48, Wisconsin 7.

Spin this one Utes, you are good at the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon thing, what does this say.

It would have been a least almost decent if Utah had shut out Wyoming like BYU did, not let Wyoming break their streak of quarters without a touchdown.
ALTAFAN | 11:16 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
RE UTE EATER,
"BYU's shellacking of Wyoming was better than your defensive win today. Face it...BYU is better.

HAHA!!! The Ute Eater strikes again!!!"

Ok so by your reasoning aren't the teams equal actually? You did do better against Wyoming, yet you struggled more against Utah St. then the Utes. The whole who beat who by more line of thinking doesn't work here. Sorry clown.
re:re: Controversial TD??? | 11:26 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
"You are the definition of a "Zoobie.""

Jolley Utah Man Sir, you are the definition of a "Clueless Ute".

"Great win | 4:05 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
Now that The Utes called of the dogs against Wyoming and did not review a controversial Wyoming Td".

I guess neither did the officials in the review booth, or did they? How was the TD Controversial? Only, and just only, because Wyoming scored against Utah and BYU shut them out... therefore making it a controversial TD.

Utes, get a clue. Just because you BYU has a 16 game win streak, beat you twice in a row, went undefeated MWC twice in a row.

See, I even showed the respect of calling calling the U of U "Utes", not going with the whole third grade name calling like most Utah fans posting.

I guess it takes a man to understand football.
re:re: Controversial TD??? | 10: | 11:30 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
I guess that stating the facts of the game make someone a "Zoobie", because Utes never seem to understand facts.

They just read the talking points from the Alumni House, review the "logic of 6 degrees of separation of Kevin Bacon", and go post.

I know, been there, seen it.
BJ Looked lousy Today | 11:33 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
What happens when Utah plays a real team (you know, real offense,real defense, like a TCU, or a BYU?
Toledo Fan on google | 11:58 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
Toledo Beat Michigan in the Big House.

Toledo must be a good team.

I'm sure there might be some well recognized names ahead and behing them in the MAC...

2008 MAC Football Standings

West Division MAC Overall
Western Michigan 4-0 6-1
Ball State 3-0 7-0
Central Michigan 3-0 4-2
Northern Illinois 2-1 3-3
Toledo 1-1 2-4
Eastern Michigan 1-2 2-5

East Division MAC Overall
Bowling Green 1-1 3-3
Akron 1-2 3-4
Buffalo 1-2 2-4
Ohio 1-2 2-5
Temple 1-3 2-5
Miami OH 0-2 1-5
Kent State 0-3 1-6

Teams Better than Toledo, therefore Michigan:
Western Michigan 4-0 6-1
Ball State 3-0 7-0
Central Michigan 3-0 4-2
Northern Illinois 2-1 3-3
Bowling Green 1-1 3-3

Michigan did beat Miami OH 0-2 1-5 in a come from behind in the Big House.we did what the University of Utah did, but we did it later, after Michigan improved.
Doesn't Matter | 12:38 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
BYU is still better than Utah. The score today shows that BYU will beat you guys bad when they play in November. You couldn't even throw for 300 yards or have a reciever catch like 8 passes. The stats matter, and show who is the better team. BYU stats today were better, and when they played Wyoming our stats were better so we are a better team. Defensive stats don't matter as much as offensive stats. I wonder how many yards our lovely Max will put up on Utah. I am betting 386 yards and he will complete 74% of his passes. Good luck with that one Utah fans.
From a Cougar Fan- | 12:49 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
Congratulations Utes on the win today! Hope we both stay undefeated until Nov 22nd.

Good luck against New Mexico. I'm impressed with the way you continue to win. Wyoming is not an easy place to play.
Nice Win for the Utes | 1:01 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
Defense and special teams win another one.

But, 7 games into the season it's apparent that Brian is never going to be anything more than an average quarterback.

Today's comparison:

Brian Johnson--10-19 (52.6%), 110 yds., 1 TD, 0 Int
Max Hall--22-34 (64.7%), 258 yds, 3 TDs, 0 Int
To "Toledo fan on google" | 1:04 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
Your post makes you look silly. You spent that much time on such a terrible post.
Who cares how much each team wins by. They are going to play each other and then we will find out which team is better. When both teams win it helps everyone. This is a great year for football in the state. Neither team would do much in the SEC/Big 12/PAC-10. (that's right, I included the PAC-10. Both schools narrowly beat bottom feeders from that conference. If the MWC played tougher teams every week, we would both have multiple losses).

And any idea of a championship game is a fantasy. When the BCS rankings come out, we will be lucky to be in the top 15.
Anonymous | 1:07 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
"Defensive stats don't matter as much as offensive stats."

What?!?! Are you dumb? wait dumb question you're a BYU fan obviously haha Yeah defensive stats will matter when Unga won't get more than 50 yards and Hall can't get an open receiver and gets pounded all day. Please don't talk ever again. Makes you look stupid so go take your juice cup to the basement of your mom's house and play your NCAA 08' thinking you know football.
4 more days of nonsense! | 1:25 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
TCU will knock the chips off the zoobie shoulders on Thursday ! After Thursday the zoobs will only have the Utes opponents to cheer for. The chest pounding will turn into tail tucking and Ute envy!

TCU will be the first decent team that the zoobs have played this year.

Enjoy your 4 days of 16 in a row.......

TCU 24 byU 7
Toledo Fan | 1:42 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
re:To "Toledo fan on google" | 1:04 a.m

We owned Michigan today. We came in 1-4, Big house, yet the U of U is ranked and we're not. We'll play and beat you down anywhwere.

Bo back to Utah.

No justice.
6 teams in the MAC could beat your sorry little team.

Michigan was easy.
so to clarify.... | 1:52 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
Using "Yewt" logic, byu beat wyoming 44-0 and had our starters out just after half time, and utah wins 40-7....so your telling me that BYU is superior to UTAH!! wow your thinking really works well when it benefits the team your pulling for. haha As for myself i really feel no need to argue stats and beauty contests because i know that BYU fields a more competitive team than the U. I fully expect a cougar win nov 22 and an invite to the elitist bcs. I will however watch U play in the vegas bowl:-)
re: "it don't matter" | 5:04 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
Sam is taller than Joe, so Sam is better at basketball than Joe.
Haven't you heard the saying, "Offense scores points, Defense wins championships"?
strength of schedule | 7:15 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
Utah 49
BYU 126

(the lower the number the tougher the schedule)
Anonymous | 7:52 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
Offenesive struggles, I'm a huge Utah fan and yes I do think BYU is a better team this year, but the reason why so many BYU fans are bashing the UTES this year aside from the rivalry is because they hate the fact Utah is trailing them in the polls. It makes them nervous and insecure. If BYU goes to the BCS I will route for them but won't care if they lose. IF BYU beats TCU it will be a scary one. I'm guessing Utah will lose once again to BYU in November unless they get their offense going. Both BYU and Utah are great schools. But I think BYU's winning streak will end this year. Either to TCU, Utah or their bowl game. The Utes haven't looked very impressive on offense but it is very clear BYU struggles on the road and they have ALOT to lose which will make them make mistakes in coming games. Best of luck to both teams.
Solid win | 8:16 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
That was asolid win - but let's face it. The wind wasn't the factor against Wyoming. And if it was, then why didn't we just run it out? Why attempt poor passing plays if the wind were too strong?
All I know is that the offense was much more fluid when Louks was in the game.
In Denial | 8:45 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
This team and coaching staff seem to be in denial according to post game remarks. The lackluster performance of this offense is going to hurt us sometime. I do not understand how all this talent on that side of the ball cannot put it together. Ludwig is boring and not creative in his play calling. I watch other teams on Saturday and I am entertained by their offense and creative play calling. Ludwig needs to be replaced as soon as someone else becomes available. I cannot believe I am complaining when we are 7-0. I just expected more domination from this offense because of all the hype and talent I see out there not living up to their potential. Come on Utes! Get it together for a complete game.
SoCalUtahFan | 8:48 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008


Not much change in Sagarin rankings for the top 3 in MWC:

12. Utah (SOS 72)
13. BYU (SOS 121)
14. TCU (SOS 91)
re: Give offense a break | 8:54 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
I can't give the offense a break; it's been totally inconsistent all season long. The wind wasn't so bad that Sakota was able to make a 50 yard field goal. The Utes had the ball enough times that he punted 9 times. There were hoards of 3 & outs by our offense and in the end Wyoming had more yards than we did. Granted they got about half of them on their last two drives when we had a lot of 3rd and 4th string defense in the game, but we should have completed a lot more of the short passes and our line should have opened up many more gaps for the backs to run through.
BYU is good | 8:57 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008

BYU is good.
Their opponents combined records: 12-25
The highest ranked opponent is UCLA (#73)

Utah is not good --BAAAAAAAD
Their opponents combined records: 20-24
The highest ranked opponent is OSU (#17)

End of story --those are Utah fans have to realize that their team is BAAAAAAD. OK?

Matt on Defense | 8:57 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
I too noticed that Matt Asiata was listed as a DB during the defensive starters announcement. I immediately was chuckling, and realizing that they just looked at this number (4) and did not realize that there is a defensive player (Sean Smith) with the same number. The .MTN is always good for a laugh.
re: Controversial TD??? | 9:11 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
That TD was a gift - his feet were definitely out - your probably watching on some old 13" black and white t.v. with rabit ears which is why you couldn't tell.

As far as the "touched" punt - there was no way it touched Cole (the punt returner). If you looked at the two camera angles - again, I know it's hard to make out on your 13" black and white - that were the most prevalent, you can use a little geometry to figure that the ball did not touch him.

It is easy to see, however, even on your black and white t.v. that our offense does need some work; specifically it needs a new offensive coordinator and it needs a different quarterback.
IowaUte | 9:55 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
4 things:
1-Brian Johnson is HORRIBLE
2-the mtn is a joke
3-Coach Whit can't motivate
4-cougar fans need to grow up and make my french-fries(btw, strenghth of schedule is RANKED. LOWER the number the stronger the schedule...nice try)
TheHailstorm | 10:04 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
Utah Grad.. Thank you for your insight.
I have maintained all along that the exposure Utah is receiving nationally far supercedes the worthless banter and sniveling between BYU and Utah fans.
Stop this nonsense football lovers !
Consider the following;
The State of Utah has 2 teams in the NCAA I-A class in the top 15 , Weber State is ranked 22nd. among the 1-AA schools nationally, and Snow College is the 2nd ranked team in the nation among Junior Colleges.
That written, it is my opinion that we should be whooping it up for the future recruits who absorb the reality of this positive exposure that this state offers for quality football --- that thought alone should prove to be for the overall good for football and the future of the game within the state of Utah.
Doubtful | 10:16 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008
Our Ute defense is the real deal.. the offense is doubtful in every game. I shutter to think what will happen when we play byu next month.

We need to get some REAL offensive coaches who can develope a winning team.

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Utah wide receiver Aiona Key (9) celebrates after blocking a punt and recovering it for a touchdown.

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