Ute Sports

 Want to see the Utes' basketball team tomorrow but need a ticket? You can either show your football ticket to gain entry or print off the coupon from coach Jim Boylen's twitter account.

Offensive lineman Zane Beadles has been named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District first-team, which makes him a candidate for Academic All-America honors.

 He is also one of 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior Class Award.

 According to Utah's stats, he has "won" 436 of his 500 total plays this year for a team-best 87 percent overall grade.

 He holds a 3.5 GPA and is studying mechanical engineering and is writing a weekly blog for the Sporting News.

 Beadles has always been a strong leader for the Utes, very well spoken and insightful. He's a quiet guy, not cocky, and seems to be very respected by his teammates for his hard work. Basically, I don't think there is anything he doesn't do well!

 Co-worker Steve Luhm had a story today on New Mexico's troubles and the troubles the program has given the Utes over the years.

 Interesting note, the Utes are 2-2 against New Mexico when nationally ranked. The Utes lost to the Lobos in 1994 when they were ranked No. 9 and in 2003 when they were No. 23. The Utes won in 2004 when ranked No. 14 and in 2008 when they were No. 10.

 Why all the issues? Utah gives New Mexico's 3-3-5 defense a lot of credit and coach Kyle Whittingham said the Lobos are always physical.

 "They've been physical every year we've played them," he said.

 The 3-3-5 defense went away with Rocky Long and the Lobos are using a base defense this year. It'll be interesting to see if the Utes have better success Saturday because of the changes.

 Course, the Utes aren't escaping Long's defense altogether, he is using it at San Diego State, where the Aztecs ranked 52nd nationally in total defense, up from 113th a year ago. The Aztecs visit Nov. 21.

 Fans who have bought tickets for Saturday's New Mexico game can get into the exhibition basketball game against Findlay at noon for free by showing their ticket.

 Jim Boylen was pushing for more followers on Twitter so tickets to Saturday's exhibition game would be free. Looks like he got his number, but follow him anyway if you are into those kinds of things.

Utah's Shaky Smithson has been nominated for the FedEx Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award after becoming the legal guardian for his 15-year-old brother, Anthony.

 The two live together in Salt Lake City. Anthony attends Highland High.

 The winner of the award, created to honor a player displaying courage on the field or off, will be announced in December.

 The Wyoming game showed more variety from the Utes with Luke Matthews running the wildcat and DeVonte Christopher getting some snaps. Altogether, eight receivers caught passes. Was Aaron Roderick's play calling the difference or just the emergence of some new talent?

 Possibly a little bit of both. While Roderick has his own tendencies, as Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has put it, Utah's younger players have also improved making them better possibilities in the schemes.

 "A lot of younger guys are starting to develop," he said. "It's all about production. The more they give, the more playing time they get."

 Obviously the freshman to make the biggest impact Saturday was quarterback Jordan Wynn, who replaced Terrance Cain for the second half.

 Whittingham has fielded numerous questions as to why he is keeping the starting quarterback a secret which has stirred interest that much more even if he has to keep answering questions about it.

 He was a little relieved to hear New Mexico coach Mike Locksley agreed with his decision, acknowledging it did indeed make it harder for the Lobos to prepare for the Utes.

 "At least somebody is backing me up," Whittingham said.