A good, long look at … Utah

By Ryan Greene

Friday, Sept. 5, 2008 | 3:04 a.m.

Each Friday during the 2008 season, the Sun will take an in-depth look at the Rebels' upcoming weekend foe, giving you a crash course on what you need to know, plus what you might not have known already.

A good, long look at ... Utah (Saturday, 5 p.m. PST, The Mtn.)

The rep ... It goes without saying that Utah can be considered by many as the class of the Mountain West when you're talking about football. The Utes have won seven straight bowl appearances (including a BCS appearance in the Fiesta Bowl in 2004). In nine MWC seasons, they've sported a winning record in league play in seven of them. Before Kyle Whittingham took over in 2005, the Utes were led for two seasons by current Florida head coach Urban Meyer (for whom UNLV coach Mike Sanford worked as an offensive assistant). Utah's stud players in recent years (i.e. Alex Smith, Eric Weddle, Travis LaTendresse, Louie Sakoda) have typically been the versatile types, filling several roles and keeping opponents off-balance. The Utes lead the all-time series with UNLV 11-2. The two defeats came in the first meeting in 1979 and in the last, with the Rebs shocking them last year in Las Vegas, 27-0.

Last week ... The Utes made more noise last week than just about anyone else in college football in terms of winning as a road underdog. Looking back on paper, maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that Whittingham's crew went into Ann Arbor and spoiled Rich Rodriguez's Michigan debut, but, winning there still does carry weight.

The 25-23 margin doesn't look impressive against a Michigan team that will be lucky to win six games this season. But look more at what Utah did in the first half in particular, in terms of answering Michigan's early push, filled with emotion, a quick 7-0 lead and a brutally loud crowd backing them.

What stood out in the final box score was the day had by senior quarterback Brian Johnson. As a sophomore in 2005, Johnson rushed for 478 yards and eight touchdowns on 152 attempts. He sat out 2006 due to injury, and rushed just 85 times in 10 games a year ago. Saturday? No carries. Instead, he put up his typical solid passing numbers, going 21-of-33 for 305 yards, a score and a pick. While he didn't technically rush the ball, he was able to scramble with relative ease at times to buy time to throw.

Instead, doing most of the backfield work was junior Matt Asiata, who played just a portion of one game last year for Utah before breaking his leg. The former juco transfer, built much like UNLV's Frank Summers (and looks a bit like him, too), racked up 77 yards on just 13 carries.

Defensively, the Utes' greatest accomplishment came in the trenches. The Wolverines, typically the model for how to run the football and win by doing predominately that, finished with just 36 yards on 25 tries. Yeah. Take that in.

Special teams-wise? No one in the Mountain West has a more sure leg than Utah does with Louie Sakoda. He casually plugged four field goals (including a 53-yarder) and averaged 40-plus yards on seven punt attempts. He'll be kicking on Sundays for a reason.

The significance of this week ... This game is big for Utah on a couple of levels.

First, no matter how anyone wants to say the media blows up the whole 'revenge' angle, there's just no denying that it's there. The Utes have even hinted at it at times this week with their local media.

Last season, Utah had an 11-game winning streak snapped at Sam Boyd Stadium, as UNLV entered as eight-point dogs and ended up with a shocking 27-0 win.

This year, not only do the Utes probably want a bit of payback, but after clearing the biggest of their non-conference hurdles, now they have to do what BCS busters of the past (i.e. Hawaii, Boise State, Utah in '04) have done, and that's take care of opponents who, on paper, they should. UNLV probably qualifies as one of them.

The added motivation of this being the home opener at Rice-Eccles Stadium is also there.

Why Utah can beat UNLV ... The Rebels bring a mostly experienced offense to town, but at the most key position - quarterback - Omar Clayton is making his first career start on the road. Don't be surprised if Utah is making it a point to try and rattle his cage. The most likely candidate there would be sophomore end Paul Kruger, who had seven tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss last weekend.

On paper, Utah has several edges. Of course, that was the case last year, too, but it needs to be taken into account heading in.

Should it be a close game late, you've got to like Utah's chances with Sakoda on the sidelines. UNLV is going field-goal-kicker-by-committee this year. It was fine in game one. What happens on the road?

Why UNLV can beat Utah ... Frank Summers pretty much had his coming out party a year ago against Utah, with 219 total yards and three scores coming on three touches.

He touched the ball just 16 times last week against Utah State, and you'd have to assume is pretty fresh.

If Sanford decides to take some more pressure off of Clayton's shoulders and run with Summers for the bulk of the afternoon (behind a veteran offensive line with four of five starters back this year), UNLV has a great chance to not necessarily lull Utah to sleep, but keep its offense from finding much of a rhythm.

In terms of the passing game, UNLV's solid receiver set against Utah's secondary could wind up a wash, with both sides finding smatterings of success.

Infirmary report ... The Utes lost defensive tackle Kenape Eliapo was lost during the second quarter at Michigan with a broken foot ... several key players are listed as questionable - tight end Brad Clifford (hip flexor), safety Robert Johnson (hamstring), backup quarterback Corbin Louks (shoulder) and o-lineman Zane Beadles (knee).

A name which could creep up for the Utes ... Don't sleep on Louks - if he plays. While not nearly the passer Brian Johnson is, Utah likes to throw the sophomore in there as a change of pace for his ability to run. He was Utah's third leading rusher last year with 162 yards on 33 tries. Last week, he got in the game a bit and had just one carry - which went for an eight-yard score. He's a red zone threat for sure.

Be sure to log onto www.lasvegassun.com both leading up to, during and after Saturday's game at Utah. You'll find ongoing numbers and analysis in our game day blog, plus postgame analysis, reactions from the Rebels, photos, video highlights and much more.