Utah linebacker Mike Wright was named the Mountain West Conference's Defensive Player of the Week and kicker Louie Sakoda earned Special Teams Player of the Week for their efforts in Thursday's 31-28 win over Colorado State. Wright finished with a career-best 15 tackles, five solo, and also had a 9-yard sack and two pass breakups. Sakoda had three field goals against Oregon State, including the game-winner as time expired. He also set the school record for career punt yards (8,729), breaking the previous high set in 1969.
Colorado State's Gartrell Johnson and TCU quarterback Marcus Jackson shared Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors. Johnson had 33 carries for 191 rushing yards in CSU's 41-28 win over UNLV and Jackson had 246 yards of total offense in TCU's 41-7 win over San Diego State.

Here is the story I had in today's edition on Brian Johnson.

Well the polls are out and watch out for Boise State, it's lurking just behind the Utes now.
The Utes moved up one notch in the AP Poll to No. 14 and two places in the USA Today coaches poll to No. 13 and is in the same spot in the Harris poll after rallying to beat the Beavers 31-28 Thursday.
Vanderbilt, which defeated then-ranked No. 13 Auburn, 14-13, jumped ahead of the Utes in the AP poll.
BYU fell one spot in the AP Poll to No. 9 and one spot in the USA Today Coaches poll to No. 8 after Saturday's 34-14 win over the Aggies.
USC, which defeated Oregon 44-10 Saturday, moved ahead of the Cougars in the AP Poll and Texas Tech, which defeated Kansas State 58-28, jumped the Cougars in the Coaches' poll.
BYU and Florida, ranked No. 11 in the AP poll, have the distinction of being the only teams to be ranked in the Top 15 without a win against a team from the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A) that has a winning record. The combined record of BYU's FBS opponents is 5-16.
Utah's only win over a FBS team with a winning record was at Air Force (3-2). The combined record of its FBS opponents is 11-15.
Teams can count wins over Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) teams toward their bowl eligibility, but such contests do little to bolster team's strength of schedules in the voters' eyes.
That is why the Utes and Cougars have to be concerned with Boise State, because only one non-BCS team is guaranteed a spot in the BCS if it is a conference champion and finishes in the Top 12. If Boise State, which has a win over Oregon (4-2) finishes ahead of the MWC champ (assuming that winner is undefeated) I doubt the MWC champion would be extended an invitation. Boise State is No. 15 in the Harris poll and No. 16 in the coaches poll.
In contrast to a week ago, when nine ranked teams lost, there was little change in the polls overall after a weekend of few upsets. South Florida, then-ranked No. 10, was the only Top 10 team to lose, falling to Pittsburgh 26-21.
Oklahoma, Alabama, Missouri, Texas and Penn State are ranked in the Top 5.
New to the AP poll is Ball State, which is off to its best start since the 1965 season when it started 9-0. North Carolina and Michigan State are also ranked for the first time this season.
Fresno State, Oregon, Connecticut and Wisconsin fell out of both the AP and coaches polls.

After last week's long list of upsets, this weekend almost seemed tame, didn't it? I still expect the Utes to move up a couple places with No. 10 South Florida and No. 13 Auburn losing. Interesting day in the MWC. Air Force losing to Navy doesn't help the conference's image even though Navy is an interesting team, losing to Ball State then upsetting Wake Forest.
After a good start, UNLV appears a team headed in the wrong direction and San Diego State loses not only the game to TCU but it's quarterback. Do you think the Aztecs are going to win a conference game this season?
Finally New Mexico shuts out Wyoming 24-0 with its top back sidelined with a shoulder injury. The Cowboys have been outscored 113-16 in its last three games, all losses, and used four quarterbacks Saturday.
Does anyone else think the quarterback isn't the issue in Laramie right now?
Does anyone else think another 50-0 Utah win could be called a 'gentle beating?' The mess that the Cowboys are in right now could mean the Utes could be up 50-0 at halftime.

I did a midseason review in today's edition.

Still shell-shocked from last night? Are your ears still ringing from the on-field celebration? I bet the answer for a lot of you is yes for both questions.
What a wild finish it was for the Utes. I'm sure as the game is rehashed and dissected in the next few days a lot of critics are going to point to that pass interference call on Utah's two-point conversion and say the Utes were given a gift, that it was as bad of a call as the celebration penalty against BYU at the end of its game at Washington.
Personally, I did think it was a bad call because I thought it was an uncatchable ball. The swirling wind caught Brian Johnson's pass and put it behind his intended target, David Reed and Oregon State safety Greg Laybourn. One ref signaled incomplete then many, many seconds later another threw a flag.
But you know what? The difference between being a winner and loser in tight games is taking advantage of the situations you are given and that is what the Utes did better than Oregon State Thursday.
Oregon State probably would have won that game if its kicker Justin Kahut hadn't missed on a PAT or hadn't missed a 43-yard field goal. He also had a bad kickoff of just 45 yards after the Beavers went up 28-20 that gave the Utes the ball on their own 40-yard line. He didn't come through for his team and Louie Sakoda did for the Utes.
Oregon State probably would have won if it played solid defense on the Utes' ensuing possession. Instead Johnson was able to complete a 24-yard pass to Brent Casteel on one play, then throw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Bradon Godfrey on the next. The Utes made the plays and the Beavers didn't.
Same thing can be said of the two-point conversion redo. Johnson found a way to score instead of the Beavers finding a way to stop him.
Oregon State probably would have won if it hadn't played not to lose at the end of the game. Oregon State, a team that went for the Utes' throat at the end of the first half using timeouts and getting out of bounds in a failed attempt to get a few extra points on the board, seemed sloppy and disorganized on its final possession. Were the Beavers playing for the win or playing for overtime? Hard to tell because the offense suddenly seemed disjointed and rattled. Three and out it went, using just 23 seconds to gain four yards.
"I guess they didn't know we had this guy right here," Johnson said sitting next to Sakoda, as he reviewed OSU's poor plays on that drive.
The kicking game got the Beavers again when punter Johnny Hekker managed only a 31-yard punt setting up Utah's dramatic drive at the end.
"I was thinking, just get to the 40, get in Louie's range," Johnson said.
The Utes did better than that, getting down to OSU's 20-yard line to give Sakoda an easy make.
In the end Utah made the plays on the chances it was given and Oregon State didn't. You can't argue that regardless of what you thought of the PI call.

Overall Utah's offense still drives me nuts, and I know it did many of the fans in attendance because I heard the boos directed at Johnson. That is something the Utes have to figure out and get more consistency, enough of the off again, on again stuff. Luckily for the Utes the schedule gives them plenty of time to take care of those problems. Wyoming (2-3), Colorado State (2-2) and New Mexico (2-3) should be easy games for the Utes before they play TCU (4-1) on Nov. 6. I know Wyoming will have revenge on its mind and New Mexico can be a tough place to play even if it lost its starting quarterback for the season, but if the Utes indeed are a top team in the nation worthy of a Top 15 ranking, they need to play like one in those three games and win convincingly.

Here is the link to all of our game coverage.

Here is how the Corvallis Gazette saw the game and another view from The Oregonian.

Well I see Oregon State receiver Sammie Stroughter warming up. He was questionable for the game tonight with an injury. I bet there was no way he would be willing to miss this one, short of a season-ending injury.

Tonight's game is a near sellout, and hopefully should be one by the time the teams kick off at 7 p.m. Could a packed, rowdy Rice-Eccles Stadium give the Utes an advantage? Well, it couldn't hurt. The Beavers have gotten the reputation of being a poor road team, so far they're 0-2 this season and were 3-3 last season on the road, and a hostile atmosphere might be able to rattle them tonight.
Coach Kyle Whittingham seems to like that idea.
"Our home field has been a big bench for us. We expect a sellout, and that is a huge factor for our football team."

What does Utah need to do to win? Get that offense going early, I'd say. I'd like to see quarterback Brian Johnson have his reins loosened a bit and be allowed to run more. The Utes are still being conservative with him after what happened last season and don't want to risk having him get hurt. I think that has made him less hesitant in his decisions and has led to some of the sacks and turnovers we've seen. Sure it's a risk, exposing him to injury, but this could be a big season for the Utes and I think they need to do everything in their capabilities to keep the record perfect, and that might mean letting Johnson run more to win a game against Oregon State.

Speaking of running, here is a story on Oregon State's running back I had in today's print edition.


Two stories from the Corvallis Gazette, one is defending the spread and the other is on Jacquizz Rodgers.

Kicker Louie Sakoda has been named a semifinalist for the National Scholar-Athlete Award and the Draddy Trophy, given by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. The business major has a 3.728 GPA.
He is also on the watch list for the Ray Guy (punting) and Lou Groza (kicking) awards.

I had two items for you in today's edition, one is about the way Oregon State and Utah compete for the same recruits and the other is a notebook in which I talked to the Las Vegas Bowl and Poinsettia Bowl directors about their feelings on how the MWC and the Pac-10 are doing against each other.

I had more from Vegas director Tina Kunzer-Murphy that didn't make the edition, but I thought I'd share with you here. She has some opinions I bet many of you won't agree with her.
She doesn't think the MWC's success against the Pac-10 will translate into a lop-sided bowl game, pointing to last year's 17-16 BYU win over the UCLA Bruins that came down to a blocked field goal in the final seconds. The Las Vegas Bowl gets first pick from the MWC and the No. 4 or No. 5 team from the Pac-10.
"We will have an interesting matchup," Las Vegas bowl director Tina Kunzer-Murphy said. "The way the Pac-10 and MWC has played, we see it as all good news over here. The Pac-10 is a great conference and they'll have a good team."

While acknowledging the MWC has done well this season, Kunzer-Murphy says it's still behind the Pac-10.
"Everyone is talking about BYU and Utah's quests and TCU getting ranked, but it's still cyclical," she said of the MWC's success. "It's not a power conference yet, but with BYU highlights getting on ESPN, everyone is talking about who can run the table.
"It's all about who you play and how you play against them. Some teams have played some good teams and others haven't played good teams. There is a trend of playing better teams and that will help, it's all about getting the rankings up there. People are talking about the Mountain West, and that's all positive."

Like many, she believes BYU has a better reputation nationally, even though the Utes have done more on a national scale in recent years.
"BYU has a tremendous tradition with a rich tradition and they stand alone," she said. "But it helps the whole conference."


Here is a story in the Corvallis Gazette on the two OSU players from Utah, Stephen Paea and Sioeli Nau. Nau talks about how he was never a Utah fan and had hopes of going to BYU. That will make him a fan favorite tomorrow I bet for some razzing.

The Crimson Club is celebrating its 25th anniversary this season, starting with a halftime ceremony Thursday. Families who have been Crimson Club members for 25 years or more are asked to meet in the south end zone so they can be recognized at halftime. For more information contact Crimson Club director Doug Knuth at (801) 585-0446.

Oregon State receiver Sammie Stroughter, safety Al Afalava and corner Brandon Hughes are all questionable for Thursday, OSU coach Mike Riley said today after watching them struggle at practice Monday because of various injuries. "I can't say any of them will play but I'm sure not ruling them out either," he said.
Stroughter has 24 catches for 279 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.

This isn't a good week to be a small running back on Utah's scout team. The Utes are letting its defense, ranked No. 5 nationally, prepare for Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers by going against small running backs in practice. The Utes can emulate Rodgers' 5-foot-6, 180-pound profile, but it's hard to duplicate his talent, Utah defensive coordinator Gary Andersen said.
"It's hard to match that," Andersen said. "What we don't have is that complement of size and strength. USC missed a lot of tackles high but also missed low. You have to be gap sound and be a great backup and have to gang tackle him. If you lose a gap he'll find the crease."

I asked Sean Smith what his thoughts were when he watched Oregon State upset USC. "Get ready for practice," he said. "It was a big win for them and they played hard. Those guys are fast and physical."

I had a couple articles on the game today. One is about the MWC and the Pac-10 going at it, and another on OSU coach Mike Riley's take on things.

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said his team is in sort of a three-day drill to get ready for Thursday's game against Oregon State, and didn't hide the fact that he'd like to have a little longer to prepare.
"It's a big challenge ahead with a compressed amount of time to get ready," he said. "We've had Thursday nights before so it isn't new to us but we have a lot to get done in the next couple of days to compete."
The only day the Utes will work out in pads might be tomorrow he said. He knows there is added hype for this game, but I think he feels his team is at a little disadvantage with the short week.
"It's a good situation to get on TV and play well. We have to perform and make a good showing in that respect I like Thursday games. I don't like where one team has five days and the other has seven. I don't like that at all but it's the situation we're in and we have to deal with it."

Quarterback Brian Johnson doesn't think the short week will have a negative effect on the Utes. "We will be ready," he said. "It's our biggest game, our toughest challenge to this point in the season and we'll be ready."

Listened in on Oregon State coach Mike Riley's press conference today. He said his team is enjoying the attention it has received in recent days and doesn't believe it will have an adverse affect on his team as they prepare to play the Utes.
"There is nothing wrong with enjoying it, it gives a team a chance to build confidence," he said. "There is nothing bad with that as long as it doesn't lead to complacency."

The MWC has gained attention from whipping the Pac-10 this season, and evidently Riley is aware of Utah's reputation, particularly after the 44-6 win over the Bruins last season.
"We've seen wat they've done to Pac-10 teams a year ago and historically at home. We're not only playing a good Utah team but playing them in Salt Lake. We have to be ready to go."

He said receiver Sammie Stroughter, safety Al Afalava and corner Brandon Hughes didn't practice Sunday and are "on the mend." He hopes they'll practice today.

As of this afternoon the ticket office still has about 1,000 tickets left for Thursday. That is kind of surprising, given the hype OSU has earned since beating USC I would have thought it would have sold out by now.

Utah kicker Louie Sakoda was recognized for his three field goals against Weber State Saturday by being named the Mountain West Conference Co- Special Teams Player of the Week. Sakoda made field goals of 33, 47 and 38 yards and four PATs in Utah's 37-21 win. He also punted twice for an average of 33 yards.
Sakoda has 238 career points and 45 career field goals, both school records.
The No. 15 Utes (5-0) host Oregon State Thursday at 7 p.m.
New Mexico kicker James Aho shared the honor with Sakoda by making three field goals in New Mexico's 35-24 win at New Mexico State.
San Diego State quarterback Ryan Lindley was named the Offensive Player of the Week after completing 24-for-38 passes for 433 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-17 win over Idaho. UNLV linebacker Jason Beauchamp was named the Defensive Player of the Week after finishing with 21 tackles in the Rebels' 49-27 loss to Nevada.