Utah’s new coach eyes an air attack

Steve Guiremand

Monday, Aug. 25, 2003 | 9:46 a.m.

UTAH AT A GLANCE

Give Utah head coach Urban Meyer some credit.

A former Notre Dame assistant who helped turn Bowling Green into a MAC contender, Meyer knows the honeymoon period for replacing popular Utes head coach Ron McBride ends on Thursday night when Utah opens its 2003 season against in-state rival Utah State at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

"There's no patience in college football anymore," said Meyer, who was the 2001 MAC coach of the year. "You're naive and have your head in the sand if you believe people are going to day, 'Ahh, that's OK. It's his first year.' And that's the approach we're going to take."

Meyer signed a five-year, $2 million contract to replace McBride, who in his 13 years built the program from a WAC cellar dweller and coached the Utes to a 10-6 Las Vegas Bowl victory against Carson Palmer-led USC in 2001.

But Utah athletic director Chris Hill decided to fire McBride following a 5-6 season in 2002, primarily because of dwindling attendance that was caused by what some felt was McBride's predictable offensive game plans. The Utes were known for strong running games and tough defenses under McBride. That would be fine at many schools but was considered boring by some in Salt Lake City who have had to deal with pass-happy BYU's wide open attacks over the years.

Meyer is instituting a spread offensive attack which an eye toward more balance on offense. Bowling Green averaged 219.1 rushing yards and 229.8 passing yards en route to a 9-3 record last season. The problem is many of the players were recruited to fit more of McBride's power running approach.

"Offensively, I worry about the talent level," Meyer said. "I worry about our talent level at wide receiver and our depth at receiver and on the offensive line. Those are the two positions I'm worried about."

The offensive line, which was a McBride specialty, must replace the best tackle in the four-year history of the Mountain West Conference, first round NFL pick Jordan Gross of the Carolina Panthers. Junior guard Chris Kemoeatu (6-4, 325), one of the top returnees, has been hampered by a knee injury and may not start Thursday's opener.

The wide receiver problem may have improved with the development of redshirt freshman Steve Savoy. Projected as a starter before the 2002 season, Savoy was forced to redshirt after injuring his knee in training camp. He has been one of the Utes' top offensive players in fall camp this year.

The big question is who will run the spread option for Meyer. Junior Brett Eliott, senior Lance Rice and sophomore Alex Smith all enter the week listed as co-No. 1's on the Utes depth chart and Meyer said no formal announcement on the starter will be made before Thursday night's opener. Elliott is considered the frontrunner.

Whomever lines up behind center will have two very talented running backs, preseason all-Mountain West first-teamer Brandon Warfield, who rushed for 919 yards and nine touchdowns in just nine games last season, and senior Marty Johnson, who was leading the nation in rushing with 405 yards and three touchdowns in just two games before a season-ending knee injury in 2002. The defense returns two-time all-Mountain West defensive end Jason Kaufusi, who has been slowed in fall camp by shoulder problems, former Cimarron High star Arnold Parker at cornerback and preseason all-conference pick Dave Revill at safety.

Sixth in a series previewing MWC football.