2 p.m. Saturday, Versus
For the record: The Utes are hoping for another BCS-busting season, starting 3-0 (1-0 in the conference) and ranked No. 20 in the Associated Press poll. The Utes easily won an in-state game Saturday, whipping Utah State 58-10 in Logan.
Streaking: Since coming out flat in a Sept. 6 win at UNLV, Utah has put together seven solid quarters, with 11 touchdowns, averaging 12 points per period.
Who’s hot: Junior RB Matt Asiata is recovered from a broken leg that forced him to miss the season after transferring from Snow (Utah) College. He scored three times against the Aggies and is averaging 4.8 yards per carry as the team’s leading rusher, with four touchdowns.
Who’s not: The Utes’ punt returners struggled Saturday. John Peel fumbled one return, which lead to Utah State’s TD, and struggled with another. His replacement, Jereme Brooks, also fumbled but recovered it.
Key stat: The Utes rank eighth in major-college football in total defense, allowing just 202.3 yards. Utah has allowed 34 total first downs in three games.
FYI: Brian Johnson is up to fourth on the all-time Utah passing list, recently moving past Alex Smith. Johnson has 5,573 total yards. The school leader is Scott Mitchell (1987-89) with 8,981.
Injury report: None from the Utah State game
Coachspeak: “We have to start from scratch and look at all possibilities,” Kyle Whittingham, to the Salt Lake Tribune, on the search for a new punt returner
The Denver Post
