college football www.sltrib.com/sports Phases &Stages Veteran Kyle Whittingham, rookie Kalani Sitake and middleman Matt Wells lift the cover on what it’s like to lead their programs

Taysom Hill Troy Williams Kent Myers The BYU QB will be under The USU senior who spotlight as fans hope quarterback doesn’t to see production that gets to have know the equals the hype he starting spot word ‘quit’ had coming to Utah all to himself 2 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Table of contents

IN THIS ISSUE •

What they’ve learned P. 41

Kyle Whittingham, Kalani Si- take and Matt Wells each are at different stages of their coaching careers. With each of those stages brings a different set of perpsectives. The columnists’ views Kurt Kragthorpe looks to two players at two schools with the same last name who will be key to their teams’ hopes; Gor- don Monson predicts how Utah, BYU and Utah State will fare. Utes on the offensive It’s all about the passing at- tack for the Utes, whether it Breaking down USU be at quarterback with Troy Williams, the wide receivers P. 50 Utah State enters the year with Tim Patrick, the offen- knowing the margin between sive line with newcomer Gar- success and failure is razor-thin; rett Bolles or the tight end Kent Myers gets the chance rotation; meanwhile, Andy he’s been waiting for to be Phillips keeps on kicking and the undisputed starting quar- the much-renowned defense terback; the Aggies lineback- is led by Ute legend Morgan ers are inexperienced and Scalley; what Utah needs to P. 6 have big spots to plug; the do to succeed this season and renovations at Maverik Stadi- team roster plus depth chart um are expected to make a and schedule analysis, and a big splash for fan satisfaction Pac-12 breakdown of every and recruiting; Travis Seefeldt team with in-depth analysis by returns to the defensive line Tribune staff writer Kyle Goon. after being told he may nev- er play again; what Utah State So much new at BYU needs to do to succeed this season and team roster plus So much newness surrounds depth chart and schedule the BYU program with a coach- analysis, and previewing the ing staff that has deep connec- Mountain West, in which San tions to the team; Kalani Sita- Diego State is the favorite. ke has been preparing for the chance to lead a major pro- High hopes at Weber gram for a long time; Taysom Hill gets another chance to fin- Weber State has high hopes ish out his senior season; Ja- with several returnees in the maal Williams returns to BYU Big Sky Conference, while with added perspective; more Southern Utah has several information on BYU’s search holes to fill; plus previews on for reliable performers at wide Dixie State and Snow College. receiver, tight end and defen- sive back; a new formation in Around the country defense allows for multiple opportunities to create hav- Clockwise from top left: A series previewing the oth- oc; Fred Warner has the look Utah’s Troy Williams, Utah er Power Five Conferences: of a future star at linebacker; State’s Braelon Roberts, We­ The SEC, Big Ten, ACC and Big what BYU needs to do to suc- ber State’s Eric Wilkes and 12. Plus a look at the Heisman ceed this season and team ros- BYU’s Taysom Hill. Trophy prognostications, plus ter plus depth chart and sched- P. 28 FILE PHOTOS | The Salt Lake Tribune schedules for every Football ule analysis. and The Associated Press Bowl Subdivision team. WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 3

Around the state The things they’ve seen Kyle, Kalani and Matt lord over their coaching kingdoms, different though they may be.

By GORDON MONSON Meyer’s follow-up in surrounding the our football program.” The Salt Lake Tribune 2005, Whittingham program, positive re- And then … last fall USU struggled at first, ab- sults are what really fell backward, finishing at 6-7. Three schools. Three teams. sorbing information matter. To that end, During this offseason, Wells Three situations. Three stag- as he went. Early on, he’s warmed up the lost six assistants to other es. Three coaches. his players wanted to BYU environment, programs. Although he says All of them different, all strangle him because made it demanding he feels no more pressure of them at different places in his old school ways but comfortable for now than he ever has, 2016 is the head coaching cycle: Kyle were a bit too rigid. He Whittingham Sitake Wells his assistants and a significant year for him and Whittingham, Kalani Sitake, got the message and his players. his Aggies. With new facili- Matt Wells. started listening to them, and Whittingham a “strict and “I believe in what our coach- ties in Logan and fan expecta- Whittingham has been the winning, a process that culmi- disciplined football guy, a es are doing and the players tions, he has to come through lead dog at Utah for 11 sea- nated in that unblemished re- man’s man,” but he says have all bought in,” he says. with something better. Think sons now, going on 12. Sitake cord in 2008. Those are les- there’s a flipside to him, too: “It’s not all fun and games, but about it this way: What hap- is the neophyte, entering his sons, changes made, that have “The great thing about Kyle is when you’re able to be happy, pens if USU has another sub- first season driving the boat at bolstered him through the how humble he is. His attitude be who you are, you can work .500 season? BYU. Wells hovers in the mid- transitional years from the is that he and we don’t have all hard. The guys feel comfort- Cache Valley wouldn’t be a dle, having won 25 games over Mountain West to the Pac-12. the answers. We’ll never have able, and so do I. It’s all work- happy place. his opening three seasons. “I hope I’m farther down all the answers.” ing well right now. I’m not “I’m very happy with what Sitake, who is 40 and was the road, a better coach than Adds quarterback Tyler panicked at all … but the sea- our program has accom - born in Tonga, and Wells, when I first started,” he says. Huntley: “He’s a cool guy. He son hasn’t started, yet. I saw plished — the wins, the bowl born in South Carolina 43 “You’re never a finished prod- knows how to engage with the how Kyle and Gary [Andersen] wins, the player graduations,” years ago, are coaching at uct. There’s always a better players. He knows how to talk and LaVell [Edwards] looked Wells says. “But there’s a ma- their alma maters. Whitting- way to do things. I’m still in to us and how to teach us.” over everything. I’m trying to jor sense of urgency that it’s ham, 56, born in California, is that category and always will do all of that. I’m a collection not good enough. There’s a at his alma mater’s rival. All of be. But I’m hopeful that I’m a The rookie of other people, borrowing trophy still missing in our tro- them feel at home. better coach than when I first from all of them. And leaning phy case.” Whittingham has taken started this thing.” Sitake, who counts Whit- on guys like I. Tuiaki, Ty Det- What Wells has learned on the challenge of coaching Whittingham says he now tingham as a mentor, having mer and Ed Lamb.” over his first three seasons is in the Pac-12. Sitake is coach- understands how critical it is worked for him as Utah’s de- this: he has more to learn. ing an independent team that to have a good rapport with fensive coordinator, came to The man on the spot “I know that every day is a wishes it were in the Big 12. his players. “I probably under- BYU from Oregon State. His new day,” he says. “Every day And Wells is attempting to estimated that when I first got transition to the Cougar head Matt Wells is a smart, de- I walk in, there’s something make his name and stake his the job,” he says. “It was just, coaching job has been, he says, tailed coach who is now in a unexpected that I had no idea claim in the Mountain West. hey, let’s go out and let’s go. I rather seamless: “There’s weird place, teetering back about. It might have to do with Wells replaced the man don’t care what you’re think- been nothing here that’s re- and forth, having made Utah football, it might be off the who changed the direction ing, how you’re feeling, let’s ally surprised me.” State’s program his, going 25- field, something in a kid’s life. of Utah State football — Gary just go to work and get it done. Through the first few weeks 16 over his time as head coach When you have 113 players and Andersen. Whittingham re- “But you’ve got to be part of his first fall camp as BYU’s and continuing much of the other staff members, you plan placed the man who bumped psychologist to do this job coach, Sitake says he’s all right: momentum from Andersen’s everything out and then you up the possibilities of Utah the right way,” Whittingham “I love what I’m doing, the peo- reign. His early success — the get thrown curveballs. I don’t football — Urban Meyer. Si- adds. “And I think that’s some- ple I’m with and I’m grateful Aggies went 9-5 and 10-4, de- have all the answers. Some- take replaced the man who thing that’s definitely been im- for the preparation that got spite numerous injuries at times, there are no answers. hauled BYU football out of pressed upon me, the second me here. I thought I’d be more key positions — stirred spec- Sometimes, it’s just life. I’m al- a temporary mess and then half of my tenure. My theory on edge, more ornery, but I’ve ulation that Wells might head ways looking for more knowl- kept it in a kind of holding is, if you’ve got 10 guys in the found myself at peace because elsewhere. He went on to sign edge, more wisdom.” pattern for the better part of a room who all think the exact of the players and coaches I’m two contract extensions, but In Utah, then, there’s the decade — Bronco Mendenhall. same way, you don’t need nine with … you know, being a first- everyone knows what those established coach, trying to of them. I like new ideas. I like time head coach, and it’s com- are worth when bigger schools kick down the door to a Pac- The veteran coaches to defend what they forting. Now, all I’ve got to do with bigger wallets call. 12 title, the new coach, excit- believe in. The key is, when is win.” After signing the second ed about his opportunity on a Whittingham’s trajectory you leave the room, they all Sitake is fully aware of that one, Wells released a state - team without a home, and the is classic: Young coach takes have to be on the same page. last part. With all the excite- ment that said: “I am ex - coach trying to reestablish his over, learns some hard lessons, But I love to hear differing ment stirred by his hiring, and tremely honored to coach here position, attempting to win a masters his domain, takes on opinions. What they’re think- the arrival of former Cougar at my alma mater and I’m as league championship. a new one, and steadily builds ing.” great Ty Detmer as offensive motivated as ever to reset the All in different places, all from there. Defensive coordina- coordinator, he knows that, culture daily that has been es- under pressure to do what ev- When he emerged as tor Morgan Scalley calls regardless of the good feel tablished here at Utah State in ery coach must: win. 4 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Commentary It’s all about the Williamses

Utah’s Troy Williams, left, and BYU’s Jamaal Williams, right.

FILE PHOTOS | The Salt Lake Tribune

Fans sure hope so. As the Tennessee on Nov. 1, 2014 — a Colorado and BYU after defenses in a weakened West- season unfolds, the most inter- week after Troy Williams' 24- Devontae Booker was injured ern Athletic Conference, in esting Williams & Williams to 10 loss to the Sun Devils. last year, projecting to 1,729 the last season of WAC foot- watch in this state will play for The struggles of Utah's yards over a 13-game season. ball competition. rival schools: Troy, the Utah passing game in five years of Maintaining that pace is un- Williams' brother, Kenne- quarterback, and Jamaal, the Pac-12 membership were not likely, because Utah wants dy, is now an Aggie receiver BYU running back. entirely Travis Wilson's fault. more offensive balance and and Anthony Williams is a That's partly because Mar- Yet the new T.W. in town is Troy McCormick and other USU linebacker. So that adds KURT cus, the Utah all-conference expected to give the Utes backs will get some carries. up to six Williamses playing KRAGTHORPE safety, and Joe, the Ute run- the kind of quarterback play But as long he avoids fum - for Utah's three FBS schools. bling, Joe Williams will get a Williams is by far the most lot of work. common name in Utah Jazz illiams & Wil - Utes, Cougars hope these most So will Jamaal Williams. franchise history, dating to liams & More BYU's quarterbacking will the New Orleans era: Aaron, Williamses will common of names yield some be more than adequate, with Deron, Duck, Elliot, Freeman, have a lot to say exceptional results this season. Taysom Hill backed up by Marvin, Mo, Nate and Rickey. about the suc - Tanner Mangum. The vari- Deron was the only All- cess or failure of able is Williams, who with - Star in a Jazz uniform, among Wthe 2016 college football sea- ning back, proved enough last they've lacked since the mid- drew from school prior to the those nine players. The Utes son in Utah. season to answer any ques- dle of the 2010 season, when 2015 season. Offensive coor- and Cougars need Troy, Mar- Much like the law firms, tions about their potential im- they were unbeaten until Jor- dinator Ty Detmer wants to cus, Joe and Jamaal to per- real estate experts, nametag pact in 2016. dan Wynn's shoulder prob- run the ball, and Williams is form at D-Will's level — or at manufacturer and funer- Troy and Jamaal are dif- lems initially surfaced. the featured back. The abili- least meet the standards of the al home named Williams & ferent stories, at the moment. Troy Williams has made ty of Williams and BYU's of- "exceptional and cost-efficient" Williams around the country, The Utes' new QB has one a very good impression with fensive line to thrive against Williams & Williams law firm a bunch of players named Wil- game of starting experience his throwing ability and lead- Power 5 opponents is critical in Bakersfield, Calif., and the liams will play valuable roles in the Pac-12, and his debut ership, and he just might be to the Cougars. "respected, responsive" work of in their programs. Will they for Washington against Arizo- the dynamic QB who ele - Joe Williams and Jamaal the Williams & Williams attor- fulfill the promise of "super- na State in the rain in Seattle vates Utah's offense in the Williams would do well to neys in Orangeburg, S.C. star service," like Williams in 2014 did not go well. BYU's Pac-12. If that happens, Joe match the 2012 performance Those are the expectations & Williams Realtors of Den- running back should become Williams will become even ef- of Utah State running back for all of the football-playing ton, Texas? Will they remain the school's career rushing fective, with opposing defens- Kerwynn Williams, who Williamses in Utah, as they "committed to your satisfac- leader sometime in Novem- es no longer preoccupied with rushed for 1,512 yards during try to live up to the advertising. tion," like Williams & Wil- ber, but he has not carried stopping the run. an 11-2 season on his way to liams Funeral Home of Sa- the football in a game since He ran for 399 yards in his the NFL. The asterisk is that [email protected] vannah, Ga.? injuring his knee at Middle three starts against UCLA, Williams was running against Twitter: @tribkurt WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 5

Commentary Looking into my There are always expectations in the preseason. Will they be crystal ball ... realized in the regular season?

hat great thinker/philosopher/receiver Terrell Owens once said: “If you align expectations with reality, you will never be disappointed.” The problem comes in that correct alignment. Setting expectations at the start of any season is complicated. Place them too low and self-fulfilling limitations shad- ow everything. Place them too high and disappointment is barreling your way. Maybe the answer is to aim high and take whatever you get. Optimists supposedly live longer than pessimists, so dealing with the disappointment, or looking at it Tunder the glow of substantial sunshine, might be a goal worth shooting for. After all, somebody not named Terrell Owens once said, “It’s better to shoot for the stars and land in the trees than to shoot GORDON for the trees and land in the mud.” MONSON With that in mind, then, we glance at the coming seasons for BYU, Utah and Utah State:

BYU Utah

The only sure thing about the Cougars is they are The Ute defense might be one of Utah’s best ever. Kyle Whittingham has already made a major state- starting in on one of the toughest schedules the pro- ment that, in his view, this defensive front — led by Lowell Lotulelei, Hunter Dimick, Kylie Fitts and Fi- gram has ever faced. And they’re doing it with a new lipo Mokofisi, among others — could be the best he’s had. Add into that the back end, a seasoned group head coach — Kalani Sitake — and a new offensive projected to be one of the better secondaries in the Pac-12, and the only uncertainty on that side is the coordinator — Ty Detmer — and a new defensive co- linebackers. ordinator — Ilaisa Tuiaki. And there’s more newness Coordinator Morgan Scalley is more than willing to shoot for the stars with this defense, expecting it throughout the coaching staff. to be an intelligent, physical bunch: “It will be fun to watch,” he says. No problem, says Sitake: “I completely trust these That, naturally, leaves the offense to do better than finish at the bottom of the Pac-12 standings, as men. They are smart football guys who know what has been its habit in recent seasons, especially the beleaguered passing attack. Quarterback Troy Wil- they’re doing.” liams has looked good in camp, and a newly confident group of receivers seems to believe that its best That may be true. Who can question the brain of days are ahead. Joe Williams is a speedy, gifted running back, and the offensive line appears to be a bet- Detmer, a former quarterback who not only won the ter-than-solid collection. Heisman at BYU but spent 14 seasons in the NFL, “We’ve made huge progress in the passing game this camp,” co-offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick where coaches counted on him as a player/coach to says. “The receivers are better, and Troy has separated himself at quarterback. To win a championship, help train other quarterbacks? Nobody. But even he we have to have more explosive plays. It’s hard to score always going 13-, 14-play drives. We’re aiming for acknowledges that, at the major college level, he’s bigger chunks. You’ll see more play-action passes. It looks good.” never coordinated and formulated a game plan, nev- er called all the plays, never done what he’s about to do. Can he pull it off? “We’re gonna find out,” he says. Utah State He laughs when he says it, believing, of course, that it’s within his considerable reach. Coming off a 6-7 season, the Aggies are eager to regain the positive momentum of Matt Wells’ first Under Sitake’s watch, Detmer will take the Cou- two seasons at the head of the program, when they won a total of 19 games. Offensive inconsistency hurt gars back to a pro offense, having junked the go- Utah State last season, and many of those starters will be back. It raises the classic question: Is that a hard-go-fast mantra from past seasons, favoring good or a bad thing? instead an attack meant to take advantage of what With Kent Myers back, it’s a good thing. He’s a quarterback who can be accurate and can move. And defenses put in front of it. And the quarterback se- with the pile of running backs, including Devante Mays, in the fold and some vets up front, that offense lected to do the reading and decision-making is should be better. Taysom Hill, a bright fifth-year senior who certainly On defense, which was, with only a few exceptions, stellar last season, the Aggies lost almost every- seems equipped to lead that specific kind of offense, body. They have three starters returning. although, again, he’s never before actually done it. What does that mean? It means winning a Mountain West title, Wells’ main goal every season, will That’s a good bet, that he will master it. Still, fac- be difficult. “I haven’t gotten that, yet,” says Wells, now starting his fourth season. “The focus this year ing this schedule will require everything Hill’s got is on chemistry and leadership. There are some positions where we are playing new guys. We have to — most significantly, adequate health — and may- play our very best.” be some of what Tanner Mangum can bring, too. It The Ags likely will have a steady team, just not a great one. will also require a defense with some questions sur- rounding it to answer those questions positively and GORDON MONSON hosts “The Big Show” with Spence Checketts weekdays from 3-7 p.m. on 97.5 FM and definitively. 1280 AM The Zone. Twitter: @GordonMonson. 6 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Utah Utes

Passing grade

Quarterback Troy Williams and his receivers must come through if Utah is to take next step in the Pac-12.

By KYLE GOON The Salt Lake Tribune

Kyle Whittingham said it best in Los Angeles last month: "We haven't done anything yet — we haven't won a champi- onship." The Utah football program is long finished with its “ad- justment period” from the Mountain West era. It has grad- ually morphed from its role as a Pac-12 expansion team to legitimate contender in the South that finished in the Top 25 the last two seasons. But the one thing that remains for a program that has depth, experience and a chip on its shoul- der is to actually start hanging conference championship banners. As the Utes have learned painfully the last two years, the difference between contender and champion is being able to pass the ball. And that's where Utah will have to make its biggest strides to deliver on its promise. Over the last two seasons, the Utes are 11-7 in conference play — a relatively strong showing in perhaps the nation’s most cannibalistic league. But tucked in those seven loss- es are a series of one-score heart-breakers — Washington State and Arizona State in 2014, and UCLA and Arizona in 2015 especially — in which the Utes could have prevailed by either building on an existing lead, or simply being able to score points in the fourth quarter. With the ascension of newcomer Troy Williams to start- ing quarterback and an overhauled receiving corps, there is rising hope internally that Utah will have the passing attack it takes to win those games. "Expect a competitor," senior receiver Tim Patrick said of Williams. “He’s ready to lead us to a championship. I'm Please see PASSING, PAGE 7

SCOTT SOMMERDORF | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah quarterback Troy Williams carries the mantle of being expected to energize the Utes’ passing game. WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 7

Utah Utes

Passing ≥ Continued from PAGE 6

going to be right there with him catching passes." While the Utes themselves may be confident, others ar- en’t so sure. Utah narrowly missed the Associated Press' preseason Top 25, finishing third in the "others receiving votes" category. But if Utah can find a passing game that can finish better than ninth in the league (Utah’s best rank- ing), the rest of the program is built to win now. On defense, the Utes re- turn two first-team all-confer- ence players in defensive tack- le Lowell Lotulelei and safety Marcus Williams. Six other starters are back, and the unit is particularly in good hands up front (with Hunter Dimick and Kylie Fitts as ends) and in the back (with Reggie Porter, Dominique Hatfield and Jus- tin Thomas as multi-year de- fensive back starters). The main question mark is at line- backer, where a mix of Sunia Tauteoli, Cody Barton and Ka- vika Luafatasaga will be given the tough task of replacing a pair of great seniors — Gion- ni Paul and Jared Norris. Assuming Williams is ready to sling it, the Utes front line is set to protect him. Led by senior J.J. Dielman, a tack- le-turned-center, the offensive line has four returning start- ers. The one newbie is expect- ed to be Garett Bolles, a five- star junior college prospect. The tight end group is deep, as are the running backs, led by senior Joe Williams who took over starting duties at the end of 2015. A buzzsaw of a schedule awaits in conference play, starting at home with anoth- er contender in USC. The Utes don't get a bye until Novem - ber, which could mean they'll be beat up for key games at UCLA and against Washing- ton. But as another Whit- tingham saying goes: “No one cares about excuses.” They only care if you win.

CHRIS DETRICK | The Salt Lake Tribune [email protected] Utah is counting on this being the stuff of quarterbacks’ nightmares: defensive tackle Lowell Lotulelei bearing down on them. Twitter: @kylegoon 8 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Utah Utes

LEAH HOGSTEN | The Salt Lake Tribune

By KYLE GOON The Salt Lake Tribune Picking They met for the first time last March, min- Garett Bolles utes before midnight. at a glance Garett Bolles, a lumbering 6-foot-5, 300-pound goliath of a man, approached Natalie • Slated to start at left Williams and asked her for a kiss. It was True tackle for the Utes this fall. Badger Night, an annual tradition at Snow Col- • Rated a 5-star lineman himself lege in Ephraim when such bold requests are not by Scout in 2016 recruit- just innocent and part of a campus ritual, but ing class. charming. • First-team NJCAA She accepted. He had a wide, goofy smile. His All-American in 2015 for baritone sounded like the earth rumbling from Snow College. back up some deep, secret place. They kissed, and made • Played at Westlake High plans to meet later that week. as a defensive lineman. At that time, Natalie didn’t know much about A troubled adolescence gives Garett — not that he was an offensive lineman for the Badgers, on his way to becoming a five- way to family, stability — and star recruit who would play at the University of marriage — for Utes offensive Utah the next year. She decided to Google him. The first picture that came up was a mugshot. lineman Garett Bolles. Please see BOLLES, PAGE 9 WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 9

Utah Utes

SCOTT SOMMERDORF | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah offensive lineman Garett Bolles writes lots of motivational messages on his shoes.

help him finish classwork. business. He still likes the took the same spirit to his curb. Grove now is a regular Bolles As Garett got older, his hab- idea of tinkering on garages school work. He went to class, guest of Garett and Natalie’s, ≥ Continued from PAGE 8 its and problems got worse. to this day. and was spending late hours and a frequent presence at Ga- He used drugs, cut class and But what he really loved at the library. rett’s games. On their first date, she ran afoul of the law. As a se - were the car rides he had “I had to do those things,” And yet, he holds the Free- asked Garett about his life, nior at Westlake High, he with Greg. While he usual- he said after a recent practice, mans close, and calls Emily hoping an explanation would was arrested for vandalizing ly slept through them in the “otherwise I wouldn’t have Freeman his mom. They gave arise. Over the next hour and Lehi’s campus in 2010, and mornings, they talked a lot been able to be here.” him a chance when he was a a half, he told her everything — as an adult, he had to spend during the year-and-a-half troublesome teenager, gave making her weep and chang- time in jail. when they worked together. Coming around him guidance, beckoned him ing both their lives forever. “I was a lost kid,” he said. “We talked about life, how to to the church, and celebrated “I was confused, angry, like be better person,” he said. “I’m After learning about Ga- the painstaking steps he took ‘The whole package’ ‘What am I doing in here? just super grateful and hon- rett’s life, Natalie was tak- to get to Utah. This isn’t who I really am.’” ored that I had him and my en with the big-hearted giant He writes a number of say- To look at Bolles is to see It came to a head in 2011, mom [Emily] in those years as who had laid out his flaws on ings and inspirational phras- his potential. He’s tall, wide, when his father, Grove Bolles, mentors. I miss that job.” their first date. It took nine es on his cleats in black mark- strong — everything anyone kicked him out of the house. He took a break from the months from their first meet- er, among them: “Bolles and could want physically out of He was on the street with working world to serve an ing to their wedding day, but Freeman — Family Forever.” an offensive tackle. From his a few bags of clothes to his LDS Church mission in Colo- “when you know, you know.” Whenever he looks down, he’s second day in Utah fall camp, name when Freeman found rado Springs, which he cred- He structured their court- reminded of their bond. he’s taken repetitions with the him and picked him up. its with steeping him in his ship carefully. Though Natalie He couldn’t be more excit- first-string offense and not The Freemans, Greg and faith. Coming back to Utah, noticed that football coaches ed about another generation looked back. his wife Emily, laid out strict he wanted to give football an- called him constantly, Ga- to come: He and Natalie are “He’s got the whole package,” rules for Garett to live under other shot, and he found one rett set up blocks of time just expecting a son to arrive in coach Kyle Whittingham said. their roof: He couldn’t hang at Snow College. for school, and just for her. January, which Emily proud- “He’s got the height, the length, out with his old friends. He Emily said she worried at Though he was nasty on the ly calls “my first grandbaby.” the feet, the hips, he’s flexible, had to go to church. He had to how Garett would take to col- football field, he was gentle The Freemans still worry he can bend, he’s strong, he’s pay tithing (and therefore had lege — would he cut corners when he was around her. He at times. Is there any chance athletic. to work). If he broke any rule, in classwork and lose himself made her feel safe. that Garett could revert? “He lacks nothing.” he could be kicked out with - again? But she was relieved Shortly after getting mar- Could he stumble back into His gifts were evident when out warning. when coach Britt Maughan, in ried in December, Garett his old, bad self, and make a he was growing up in Lehi, a “I remember going to bed one of his first meetings with made his decision to come mistake? But even if he does fast-growing football and la- that night, and my husband Garett, laid down the law. to the Utes in January — the slip up someday, Emily said, crosse player. and I talked about it,” Emily “He said, ‘This is not wheth- highest-rated recruit in Utah’s Garett’s capacity to better But a troubled and stress- Freeman said. “I thought he er you can play football — this class, and less than an hour himself gives her hope. ful home life from a young would last a few weeks. Greg is whether you can cut it at col- away from his hometown and “A champion picks himself age translated to problems for thought he would make it lege,’ ” she recalled. “He said both his families: the Bolles up everytime he falls,” she Bolles, who was suspended or three days.” school was going to come first.” and the Freemans. said. “Every single day I worry kicked out of five schools as a For the first time in his life, Through time and lots of for that kid, but I don’t worry teenager. His lacrosse coach, Honest work Garett took school seriously. difficult conversations, Garett, that he won’t pick himself up.” Greg Freeman, formed a He pasted up posters of Mi- now 24, said he’s repaired his group of neighborhood fam- For about two years, Ga- chael Oher, the hero of “The relationship with the father [email protected] ilies who would host him and rett was in the garage repair Blind Side,” as an idol, and who once kicked him to the Twitter: @kylegoon 10 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Utah Utes Student of the game

CHRIS DETRICK | The Salt Lake Tribune Junior QB Troy Williams has inspired — and won big — everywhere he’s played. Utah quarterback Troy Wil­ liams, recently named the starter, spends much of his By KYLE GOON what he is. And he’s not do- offensive coordinator Aaron in front of their house, they time watching game footage The Salt Lake Tribune ing it to show off to his team- Roderick calls him a “pure stop passers-by to chat. Troy at the Spence and Cleone Ec­ mates. It’s just that Troy nev- football junkie.” Williams Sr. — aka “Big Troy” cles Football Center. Post-practice media avail- er wants to lose, and he never At just about every stop — is an affable man who can ability at Santa Monica Col- wants to waste a moment.” he’s made, he’s had team- still be found outside the lege is a low-key affair. There In only eight months, the mates ready to follow him to stadium at Narbonne High might be a reporter or two on Utes have picked up on Wil - the brink — including at the School on Friday nights, of- The Williams record hand, but most practices end liams’ ambition as well. The school where he’s only just fering chicken, ribs and burg- with a slow trickle into the 6-foot-2 junior quarterback arrived. He’s consistently ers hot off the grill, and has a When Utah quarterback Troy locker room out of the Cali- has ascended to starter and proven himself, in the eyes job at the school opening the Williams has gotten a chance fornia sunshine. team captain without play- of peers and coaches, with a gym to let neighborhood kids to start for a whole season, Last summer, Troy Wil- ing a game in a Utah uniform. relentless work ethic. practice and play. Theirs is a wins have stacked up: liams started running wind The team’s success is widely “I feel like I’ve been family that believes in com- 2011, Narbonne HS • 11-3, sprints as the rest of his understood to hinge on how through a lot,” Williams said munity. won LA City Section DI title, teammates were walking Williams will lead — or fail after a recent practice. “My But the tenet of hard work threw for 3,247 yards, 34 TDs off the field. Not long after, to lead — the Utes’ passing dad always tells me hard runs just as deeply. When 2012, Narbonne HS • 14-1, three teammates were run- game back to respectability. work pays off, so I’ve just Troy Jr. was growing up, his won LA City Section DI ti- ning with him. Then five. Williams’ fast rise in the tried keeping up with that.” sleep was interrupted by his tle, lost in CIF SoCal Regional “Pretty soon, it’s 20 little program implies a certain father waking up at 3 a.m. to Open Division final, threw for ducklings following Troy on kind of demeanor. Kaub calls Becoming ‘the best’ go to his job as a receiver at 2,886 yards, 39 TDs, 6 INTs these wind sprints,” said Tim him “a total alpha.” Former a grocery store. Kim Wil- 2015, Santa Monica College • Kaub, Williams’ former of- teammate Marquis Lomax The Williams family is the liams would make her son 11-0, threw for 2,750 yards, 31 fensive coordinator. “That’s calls him “a grinder.” Utah kind that when they are out Please see WILLIAMS, PAGE 11 TDs, 4 INTs WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 11

Utah Utes

Narbonne didn’t The Corsairs’ intim- said. “We have to kick him out. Williams win that day, but idation factor was Literally have to kick him out, ≥ Continued from PAGE 10 they made it a game undermined when ‘Go home, go to bed, get some worth remembering. many of their jerseys rest. Go to the cafeteria, get breakfast and drop him off Williams account- didn’t match as they something to eat.’ ” at school before heading off ed for 367 yards and took the field. Even But the coaching staff to her job as a courtroom ste- three touchdowns his commute from hasn’t had any problem get- nographer. Troy Jr. spent a through the air, and his parents’ home to ting Williams up to speed, or lot of time with his grand- added 105 on the school was challeng- to work harder in practice. mother who lived down the ground. Kaub told ing. He’s often found doing push- street when his parents were him to run read-op- Williams made the ups or running wind sprints busy, and he learned to work tion, and Williams’ best of it. Despite the after Utah’s sessions, squeez- on homework early when his decision-making led long drives, he would ing every minute out of the father drew out his old report the Gauchos all the arrive at 5 or 6 a.m. time he has on the field. That’s cards and challenged him to way back to a 34-all to lead the team in something he learned from be an even better student. tie in the final min- workouts. junior college: It’s not guar- “I guess he just saw the ute before Corona “Troy don’t play,” anteed that he can be on that hours we put in,” said Big Centennial won in said Lomax, a line- field forever, so he uses the Troy. “We kind of showed him the closing seconds. backer who played time he has. by example.” “He took the game with Williams at Teammates seem to appre- Troy Jr. quickly channeled over,” Kaub said. Narbonne and Santa ciate it. Of Utah’s five team his energy into sports: He “I’ve never seen any Monica. “He makes captains, Williams is the only earned the nickname “sporty” of that from a quar- practice so much one who hasn’t yet played a by showing up around town in terback. I coached harder than it has to down for the Utes. Roderick full gear, but also playing with him for a long time, be. Troy was always isn’t surprised. older kids in football, basket- but I didn’t make prepared.” “He’s earned the kind of re- ball and baseball. He excelled Troy: He made me. I With Williams spect from me that if I had in everything he tried. knew that day he was “ at the helm, San - a vote, I would’ve voted for It didn’t take long for Troy the best I had ever ta Monica cruised him too,” he said. “It says a lot Jr. to start getting atten - been around.” We have to kick him out. Literally through an 11-0 year. about how much respect he’s tion for his quarterback play. have to kick him out, ‘Go home, go to Williams threw for earned from his teammates in When he arrived at Narbonne, Starting over bed, get some rest. Go to the cafete­ 2,750 yards and 31 a short amount of time.” he practiced with the varsity. in Santa touchdowns against Those who know Williams Then-Washington head coach ria, get something to eat.” four interceptions — from his Narbonne or Santa Steve Sarkisian offered him a Monica a clear cut above his Monica days said Utah has scholarship in 10th grade, and If Williams was AARON RODERICK competition. Kaub landed a winner, someone Utah offensive coordinator, on QB Troy Williams’ after Williams committed, he such an unflappable long hours spent studying film of opponents estimated that Wil- who has the potential to fun- remained steadfastly loyal — winner, how come liams played in the damentally shake up what has even after he was rated the it didn’t work out at fourth quarter only been a stagnant passing game. No. 1 dual-threat quarterback Washington? three games during His mere presence has bred in the country by Rivals and It’s hard to pry the story which heavy wind gusts and the run. confidences in his teammates other offers poured in. out completely, in part be- the Sun Devils blitz doomed But the biggest transition that the Utes’ offense will fi- He inspired the same kind cause both sides have moved him from the start. Even after Kaub saw was in Williams’ nally earn its keep. of devotion from teammates. on so cleanly. Aside from say- he left, some Huskies faith- mindset. When he started “He came in with the right The Gauchos were 25-4 un- ing he looks forward to play- ful were left with the feeling at Santa Monica, he still was mindset, knowing everything der WIlliams as a quarter- ing the Huskies on Oct. 29, that Williams never truly got stewing. By season’s end, all is a business and that every- back, and former teammate Williams doesn’t talk much a shot. of his fear, his uncertainty, his thing had to be on point about A.J. Richardson said Williams about his days in Seattle. A He ended up back at home doubt were completely erased. his game and his mentals,” was the unquestioned leader preseason darling with a in Carson, getting a reunion “First week or so, he wasn’t said receiver Tyler Cooper- on and off the field. promising sophomore quar- with Kaub at Santa Monica. having fun, then something wood, one of Williams’ room- Perhaps his finest hour terback, the Huskies don’t Still, it was hard not to stew just switched,” he said. “Troy mates. “I see him as a young came in the toughest game of have much to say either. over leaving the program. was Troy again. I’m sure there Cam Newton, just because of his career. In the 2012 South- In one sense, it can be “It was a humbling experi- was a point where there was the swag he’s got, the way he ern California Regional Open viewed as a perfect storm: ence for him,” Big Troy said. that fear where he was oper- commands the offense, the Division final against pow- Williams was hurt when “But we taught him when ating without a net. But af- way he’s built — real strong erhouse Corona Centenni- Sarkisian left for USC, and things get tough, you gotta dig ter that switch, there was no and powerful.” al, the Gauchos fell to a 27-8 then never quite seemed to deep. I can tell he was a little doubt that he was going to get It’s perhaps an unwieldy halftime deficit. Frustration fit in to Washington’s plans. down, but if you’ve got 90 per- right back to where he belongs.” comparison, given what Wil- boiled in the locker room. In 2014, when both passers cent negativity and 10 percent liams has left to accomplish. Williams, who had sprained ahead of him struggled, Hus- positivity, hang on to the posi- Another shot But wherever he has gone so his shoulder the week before, ky fans started growing an in- tivity and run with it.” far, his teammates have been blamed himself. terest in seeing the touted re- It wasn’t an easy drop from Roderick does have a prob- willing to follow. And Utah is “Things wasn’t going our cruit play. Division I to junior college. Af- lem with his starting quar- hopeful that success might just way,” Richardson remem- He got his shot against Ar- ter two years of dining at the terback: Williams spends too follow this time, too. bered. “Troy came out and izona State: a 24-10 loss that UW training table, Williams much time watching film. said, ‘This is our last game. was, by several accounts, learned to subsist on peanut “He’s in there for hours and [email protected] Let’s go out with a bang.’ ” an unwinnable situation in butter-and-jelly sandwiches. hours and hours,” Roderick Twitter: @kylegoon 12 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Utah Utes

He promises WRs Morgan Scalley said. “After that, his strength — he’s able will be ‘something Patrick: Utes to push smaller corners off the ball. He’s able to go over special’ this year. the top of your shorter cor- ners. He just presents a lot of By KYLE GOON issues because of how big and The Salt Lake Tribune are not some explosive he is.” On one hand, Patrick seems Receivers coach Guy Holli- an unlikely leader. He missed day recently called senior Tim the latter half of 2014 after Patrick “the complete package” passing fancy breaking his leg against Ore- at wideout. gon, and missed all of last year Apparently, that package in recovery from the injury. includes some big talk. When Entering the third year of his asked about what stood out Utah career, he has a grand to- about the receiving group this tal of 16 career receptions for fall, Patrick said, “our domi- 177 yards. nance.” And yet, of all the returners If “dominance” seems like a at the position, he only trails strong word for Utah’s passing sophomore Tyrone Smith (18 attack, you’re probably look- catches) in production. He’s ing back at the record book. spent the last year-and-a-half The Utes haven’t finished bet- working on his strength (he’s ter than ninth in Pac-12 pass- gained 20 pounds since 2014), ing since joining the league, waiting for his moment to ar- and have only one 1,000-yard rive again. receiver in that time (Dres “I could dominate the Pac- Anderson in 2013). 12,” he said. “When I first got But Patrick isn’t about to here, everything was so fast, I let a little thing like histo- was just trying not to do stuff ry cramp his vision of what wrong. That Oregon game was Utah’s receivers could be this when I started to get a handle year. on the speed.” “It’s all about confidence be- Then? Snap. ing a receiver,” he said. “You Patrick’s injury made him can have all of the tools but more appreciative of his you need confidence.” opportunities for football. Sure, the fans say, but what Sophomore receiver Raelon about catches? Singleton, one of Patrick’s Utah’s receiving corps en- roommates, said he sees Pat- tered camp as perhaps the rick’s determination daily. biggest question mark posi- “He works every day,” Sin- tion outside of quarterback — gleton said. “He does extra a mix of unproven (and some work, everything. He makes oft-injured) veterans with us better, because he helps us a few new faces in the mix. compete, and he’s the oldest of With new coach Holliday, the group.” much is expected to change, Now 22, Patrick is more and many of those expecta- aware of his senior status in tions fall squarely on Patrick, the program. By the time his who has been talked up as the career is up, he wants to leave top receiver in the group. an impression. “He’s got length, but for as He knows that fans and long as he is, he’s very quick- critics alike have skepticism twitch,” defensive coordinator about Utah’s passing game. But if things go the way he be- lieves they’ll go, it won’t mat- The Tim Patrick file ter. “I know people might say • Played football and basket- we’ve said it before,” he said, ball at Grossmont College (Ca- “but I’m telling you, we’re go- lif.). ing to be something special • Had 16 catches for 177 yards this year.” as a junior in 2014. • Listed on top of depth chart [email protected] at Z-receiver. SCOTT SOMMERDORF | The Salt Lake Tribune Twitter: @kylegoon WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 13

Utah Utes Tight ends ready to step up Moeai and Handley will carry the Harrison Handley to stand we’re out here in pads, I get figured into Utah’s offensive out at the position, particu- better and better.” game plan each of the last load after Fakailoatonga goes down. larly since the Utes want to What Moeai is working on two years before he was in- use more two-tight-end sets is a little more intangible. jured. Safety Chase Hansen this year. He spent the spring rehab- said Moeai is one of the hard- By KYLE GOON getting a waiver over the sum- Returning as Utah’s lead- bing his ankle and getting est receivers to cover, decep- The Salt Lake Tribune mer, he talked over the deci- ing receiver from last year (21 in shape, but his confidence tively quick and shifty in the sion with his wife at length. catches, 286 yards, four TDs took longer to heal. Tight ends open field. On the first drive, on his “She has mixed feelings in 2015) Handley had a mis- coach Fred Whittingham no- He changed his number — first catch, Evan Moeai went about football, of course. It’s sion in mind: become a bet- ticed on the first day of fall from 84 to 18 — in case the old down as his left ankle buckled understandable out of con- ter blocker. He’s up from 240 camp that Moeai looked “ten- one was giving him bad luck. and gave way beneath him in cern for my well-being,” he pounds last year to 255 this tative” on the field. Each day and each prac- Utah’s season opener against said. But at the end of the day, year, and he said he’s worked “I talked to him a little bit tice inches Moeai closer to Michigan last September. He a big part of my decision was on his blocking technique about it, and the best thing he where his head needs to be. wouldn’t play again that year. knowing I would regret it if I and mechanics ad nause - can do is just let it rip and not He’s talked with Fakailoat- The next day, even before didn’t.” um — which makes him well- think about anything other onga — who now joins Moeai word was out on the severity After another devastat- positioned to help replace than playing football,” Whit- with two season-ending in- of the senior tight end’s inju- ing injury to one of his fel- Fakailoatonga’s contribution. tingham said. “He’s done that. juries in two years — and of- ry, Samantha Moeai, his wife, low tight ends, the Utes need At a recent practice, Hand- You’ve seen him get better and fered his support, but he has tweeted: “I bet no one hates Moeai as much as ever. ley showcased his added bulk better, and now he’s playing his own progress to continue. football more than me.” Senior Siale Fakailoatonga by shaking off defenders after really good ball.” “You can’t help but feel bad A year later, Evan remem- has torn his ACL for a second a catch. At his best, Moeai is a that you haven’t been able to bers the tweet and laughs a straight season, putting him “Blocking is definitely still a crafty receiving threat. Offen- be out there and produce on little uncomfortably about it. out for the year. The loss puts big emphasis for me,” he said. sive coordinator Aaron Rod- the field like you hoped to, Back for his sixth year after the onus on Moeai and junior “But I think every single day erick said Moeai prominently and the coaches hoped you to,” he said. “But then again, you can’t plan for an injury. There’s nothing you can real- ly do. I’m just out here to work hard and do my best.”

[email protected] Twitter: @kylegoon

Utah’s tight end depth chart Senior Evan Moeai • Coming off consecutive season-ending injuries in 2014, 2015; Snow College alum in sixth year of eligibility. Junior Harrison Handley • Utah’s leading returning re- ceiver from 2015 (21 catches, 286 yards); added 15 pounds in the offseason. Freshman Chad Hekking • For- mer HS quarterback joined team in spring; had seven catches for 63 yards in spring game. Freshman Bapa Falemaka • Judge Memorial standout walked on to team; state cham- pion shot putter in high school.

FILE PHOTOS | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah tight ends Evan Moeai, left, and Harrison Handley 14 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Utah Utes

Kicker Andy Phillips’ confidants since Bolles learned his own wife was pregnant. Phillips experience in sports tweeted public support of senior re- ceiver Cory Butler-Byrd after his re- Aging like and life is invaluable cent criminal charges: “We all make mistakes, can’t wait to see how you for teammates. bounce back!” Senior guard Isaac Asiata said Phil- By KYLE GOON lips accompanied him this summer a fine wine The Salt Lake Tribune when he went to the Salt Lake Tem- ple for the first time in four years. No, he doesn’t have a Social Secu- “He’s been there for me in times rity number in single digits. No, he when I thought nobody else was,” Asi- doesn’t keep a jar full of butterscotch ata said. “That guy is a captain to me. candies at home. That guy is Utah football. I don’t think And no, Utah kicker Andy Phillips anyone cares more about the team doesn’t mind if you want to make an- than Andy does.” other “old man” joke at his expense. But Phillips does care about a great “There are times after a long condi- many other things besides football — tioning session or a long lift, I think, particularly the NCAA. Among the ‘Man, if I was 18, I’d be doing a lot bet- Utes, no one is more critical of what ter,’” he laughed. “But 27, that’s just my he sees as a hypocritical structure. prime.” As a skier, his likeness was a potential The internet has recently picked on source of income. As a football play- BYU starting quarterback Taysom Hill er, Phillips is bothered by the idea that (26) for being old, but Phillips has him the athletes don’t get the same oppor- beat. He’s the only player on Utah’s tunities. roster born in the 1980s; runner-up Last year, Phillips tweeted direct- Sunia Tauteoli, 25, is nearly two full ly to the NCAA, “Dear @NCAA My years younger. teammates and I would also like to Phillips lives an older man’s life profit from our hard work and support with an older man’s experiences: He’s our families,” and he hasn’t backed already left his skiing career behind. down — tweeting to the NCAA since He went on a two-year LDS Church with additional criticism. mission to Norway. He’s been mar- While he said he’s learned to tem- ried for several years. He has a son, per his voice, he isn’t about to clam Max, who is about to turn 2 years old up. Much of his stipend goes to pay- — and Megan Phillips is soon due to de- ing for wipes, diapers, doctor’s visits liver their second son next month. and more for his son. With another on But like a wine or a painting, he’s the way, it’s often on his mind. gained respect with his years. He “We don’t really get a crash course was selected to ESPN’s preseason on how our likeness is used, and how All-American list on Monday, a sign we don’t benefit from that,” he said. of being both Utah’s most prolific “I might be more frustrated than the field goal kicker ever, as well as a three- next guy who isn’t worried about pay- time Lou Groza semifinalist. ing for a wife and kids.” Perhaps most telling of Phillips’ ma- But don’t picture Phillips as stand- turity: He said it makes no difference. ing around with his palm sticking out: “I learned that lesson from Tom He spent four months this summer in- [Hackett],” he said. “The last couple terning with Full Circle Group, a con- years, he’s been on that list. Preseason sulting firm. accolades are just that: While it’s great Why come back at all? Phillips said to be recognized, you have a season to it made sense to get his master’s de- play. That’s the bottom line.” gree in business, help the Utes win, As a senior, Phillips finds himself and play another guaranteed year of in a different position. He’s without football. Hackett, one of his best friends, and “NFL scouts told me age doesn’t re- adjusting to a new holder in Mitch ally matter,” he said. “They told me Wishnowsky. He’s working on his why don’t I go out and show I can be graduate degree. After serving two as consistent as I’ve been over the last years as a special teams captain, there three years.” was a changing of the guard this year: It’s a nice thought: At least someone Safety Jason Thompson was elected. out there is telling Phillips that being And yet, that hasn’t stopped his old isn’t a bad thing. teammates from going to him for ad- vice. Junior tackle Garett Bolles said [email protected] CHRIS DETRICK | The Salt Lake Tribune Phillips has been one of his closest Twitter: @kylegoon Kicker Andy Phillips has packed two athletic careers into one stay at Utah. WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 15

Utah Utes Luafatasaga gets to show his gifts, grit The four-star juco linebacker has made a big impression early on.

By KYLE GOON About Kavika The Salt Lake Tribune Luafatasaga Over Kavika Luafatasaga’s • A four-star recruit by left brow, a patch of purple Scout, picked Utes over skin was rising — an unsight- Ole Miss ly souvenir from incidental • 93 tackles, two forced SCOTT SOMMERDORF | The Salt Lake Tribune helmet-to-helmet contact fumbles, INT, blocked with an offensive lineman. kick as a sophomore at While he was one of Utah’s monster being fought over by “I love battle scars,” he said. Arizona Western top-rated additions in the 2016 the Utes and Ole Miss. “It’s all good. I’m going to take • All-conference hon- signing class, it wasn’t that long Utah hopes he can have a it.” ors in 2015 for Mata- ago that Luafatasaga had no ap- similar impact at this level More accurately, perhaps, dors parent future in football. and help replace the produc- the 20-year-old, 6-foot-4 • Played football and Born in Samoa, then living tion of departed backers Gion- linebacker loves battle. While basketball at Farrington in Hawaii and Seattle, Luafa- ni Paul and Jared Norris. The Utah’s four-star addition from High in Hawaii tasaga moved around in his coaching staff had to sweat Arizona Western was working youth. It may have played a out some last-minute academ- on his conditioning after ar- role in being disinterested ic catch-up before Luafatasa- riving in mid-July, he already secondary, Ena said, but has in school: While he played at ga could officially join, but ex- made an early impression grown into a prototypical Farrington High in Hawaii haled when he finally made it. with his hits, his length and linebacker. for his senior year, he dropped “It’s always scary when his ability. The Utes were eager to flip out before graduation. you’re dealing with academic In practice, he stands about him from his Ole Miss com- While Luafatasaga did end guys, but he’s very driven and five inches taller than stocky mitment in the winter. While up earning his G.E.D., he said knew what he wanted to do,” counterpart Sunia Tauteo- Luafatasaga told Tauteoli (his he sat out “for about a year Ena said. “He came a little li when the two line up side- host) on his official visit that looking for a job.” He didn’t later than most, but he’s done by-side. The Utes didn’t have a he wanted to come to Utah, have many prospects, and cer- a good job with the three or linebacker with Luafatasaga’s the decision wasn’t made un- tainly wasn’t being considered four weeks he’s had to train size before he arrived. til Signing Day itself. to play for a football team. with the guys and get better.” “He’s blessed in a lot of ar- “I liked Ole Miss, but it just That changed, he said, He’s working on getting used eas,” Tauteoli said. “You see didn’t feel like the right place when he attended a football to the elevation, and coach Kyle the size, the speed. He’s got a for me,” Luafatasaga said. “I camp in Hawaii. He got the at- Whittingham said he’d like to lot of good attributes as a line- really loved the guys I met tention of someone from Ari- see Luafatasaga’s conditioning backer.” here, and how they talked to zona Western, but still ended improve. If he tackles it the way The Utes saw that prom- me and how they said they up begging for a chance. There he has the past few years, he’s ise when linebackers coach needed me. The Ole Miss was little to go off of from the hard to count out. It helps to Justin Ena went to Arizona coaches were kinda salty coaching staff’s perspective, have Tauteoli at his side — an- Western last year to scout a about it, but they understood.” only that Luafatasaga was a other junior-college linebacker running back, but was quick- The Rebels had poured a lot mobile, 6-foot-4 athlete. who can understand where he ly taken in by Luafatasaga. of investment into Luafatasa- “I would email the coach came from. He was a force for the ga, but the culture at Utah has and everything, and tell him “We’ve got a great bond,” Matadors’ defense last year, enabled him to fit in snugly, ‘I’m going to work hard for Luafatasaga said. “He push- leading the team in tackles particular the “jam sessions” you,’ ” he said. “ ‘If I get an of- es me a lot when I’m at my (93) and adding sacks and a with other Polynesian play- fer, I will do my best.’ ” breaking point. He picks me blocked kick for good measure. ers on the team. Luafatasaga, Luafatasaga delivered, up on a tough day, and says, Luafatasaga’s fluidi- Tauteoli and others can often adapting quickly and be - ‘We’ve gotta make it.’ ” ty comes from his days as a be found singing Common coming a steady player as a high school cornerback. He Kings or Bob Marley in their freshman. As a sophomore, [email protected] has the hips of a player in the free time, they said. he turned into a tackling Twitter: @kylegoon 16 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Utah Utes He is a Utah man

SCOTT SOMMERDORF | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley, center, will call the plays for a defense regarded by many as one of the best in the country.

First-year By KYLE GOON That victory — in front of a sold- misdirection, the disguises, the in- The Salt Lake Tribune out home crowd — rightly belongs nuendo and bringing guys out of the defensive to the players who picked off those box — that’s Morgan.” He’s taking his hard knocks now passes: Gionni Paul, Marcus Wil- By now, Scalley’s stubbled, firm- coordinator in NFL training camp, but so far, the liams and Justin Thomas. It belongs jawed mug is a familiar one to Utah toughest night Jared Goff ever had to Dominique Hatfield, who had a fans, both those who know him as Morgan Scalley on a football field was at Rice-Eccles pair of interceptions. the hard-hitting safety from High- has roots that Stadium last October. But the man pulling the strings of land High School who was a leader The man who would be the first Utah’s secondary that night, the ar- on the 2004 Fiesta Bowl team, or germinated overall NFL draft pick the next year chitect behind the grand plan that those who know him more recent- couldn’t stop throwing to the other flummoxed the top-rated quarter- ly as one of Utah’s young coaches. in the Utes team. With a career-high five picks back in college football: That was This year, the 36-year-old has tak- program more against the Utes, the Cal quarterback Morgan Scalley. en on a role for which he’s been long fell back to earth in a 30-24 win for “People always say it’s [Kyle Whit- groomed: defensive coordinator. than a decade the home team. He never threw more tingham’s] defense, and basically, On the practice field, the shift has than two interceptions in any other they’re right,” former defensive co - been a subtle one. There’s no great ago. game. ordinator John Pease said. “But the Please see SCALLEY, PAGE17 WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 17

Utah Utes

Scalley ≥ Continued from PAGE 16 schematic or organizational shifts — Scal- ley is as much apart of the fabric of the program as the turf on which he sweats and shouts. But even before the Utes kick off a game, it’s clear to those within the program that he’s as prepared as anyone who has ever taken the job, and he started putting his stamp on the vaunted Utah de- fense long before he took its reins. “The most important thing is he hasn’t missed a beat,” coach Kyle Whittingham said. “No drop-off in effort, intensity, focus and concentration. He’s got those guys play- ing hard, and that’s 90 percent of it.” As a player, that effort and intensity de- fined Scalley. When Urban Meyer arrived in 2003, he quickly learned that if there was a problem with a player — someone was missing class, or wasn’t getting in the film room — Scalley was a teammate who would fix it. He was a coach’s dream in every way: the conference defensive player of the year on the field, and a 3.96 GPA student off of it. Weber State coach Jay Hill, who was SCOTT SOMMERDORF | The Salt Lake Tribune a graduate assistant when Scalley was a player, said Scalley’s self-motivation was unique. Morgan Scalley but the play was called in the game, re- He coached up in the box and learned “When Morgan made a mistake, Urban is Mr. Utah sulting in a sack by Eric Rowe. how to place some emotional distance be- wasn’t really extra hard on him,” Hill said. In another game against Oregon State, tween himself and what was happening on “You knew Morgan was already going to be • Born in Salt Lake City, the Utes faced third and short. Scalley had the field. He grew his knowledge base, in- hard on himself.” and attended Highland noted one of the Beavers tendencies, shal- cluding some tricks of Pease’s NFL tenure. What stood out then was also what High low crossing routes, and determined that This past offseason, it was natural for stands out now: Scalley is a stickler for • Four-year letterman a Cover 2 would stop them in that situa- Pease to retire, and for Scalley to assume being prepared and organized. That plays as a safety and returner tion. Right before the snap, Whittingham the role he’s long been slated for. into how he studies game film and notices for the Utes asked then-defensive coordinator Kalani “Not only did it teach him patience, but tendencies, but also how he recruits. Hill • 2004 co-Mountain Sitake why they were running the scheme. it was amazing to learn from Coach Pease,” recalled seeing pages and pages of infor- West defensive “Kalani said, ‘Hey, it’s OK, Morgan said Shah. “It’s something to have now, to mation Scalley would collect before re- player of the year scouted it out,’” Hill said. “So they ran the be able for Morgan to keep that calm while cruiting visits, more than anyone else on and second-team AP play, they didn’t get [a first down]. Those still having a motivational edge.” staff. All-America were some of the moments early in Mor- The transition has been smooth. Scalley Similarly, he forces players to try to rise • Captain on 2004 gan’s career when Kyle really started to shouts less on the field than he used to — to his level. At the beginning of defensive 12-0 Fiesta Bowl- trust him.” Pease said he’s become “more of an assas- meetings, Scalley will often post questions winning team When Sitake left after the 2014 season, sin, more selective with it.” He’s left a part about situational football on the meeting • Graduated magna many observers figured Scalley’s time to of the exuberant, emotional player behind room board and call out individual play- cum laude from Utah ascend had arrived. But Whittingham, still to become the grounded, confident coach. ers to answer them. Those who don’t want with degree in business wanting to wait to give him the nod, sur- Players say it suits him. to be publicly stumped had better study in 2004/master’s in busi- prised by pulling Pease out of retirement. “He’s like a father on the field: Tells their playbooks. ness administration in While his colleagues said Scalley never you the things you need to be doing, and “He wants all of his defensive players to 2006 let it show at work, he was disappointed. makes you feel comfortable on the field,” be the smartest players on the field,” cor- • Joined the Utes as an But one of the first calls he got was from junior safety Marcus Williams said. “He nerbacks coach Sharrieff Shah said. “Scal- administrative assistant Pease, who called to tell him about how he encourages me. He never gets me down. ley says it all the time: ‘I didn’t run 4.3, I in 2006 was passed up three times in his NFL ca- He just keeps me grinding.” wasn’t the biggest, but I put myself in po- • Has since served as a reer for a defensive coordinator job before Scalley, too, will continue to grind. sition to make plays by being smart.’” graduate assistant, safe- he finally got one. That’s what’s gotten him here. He’s not Scalley’s smarts have been a tool for the ties coach, special teams “I told him, ‘If you learn something from changing now. coaching staff since he joined 10 years ago. coordinator and defen- me, I’m 72 and not going to be around for- “I love Utah, I want to stay here, I’ve al- Always a film rat, he built credibility as a sive coordinator ever,’” Pease said. “You will be the guy. I ways loved it here,” he said. “As long as we coach for studying tendencies. think he knew that. That’s probably a keep doing what we’re doing, it will bear Against UCLA in 2011, Scalley suggest- credit to how smart he is.” out.” ed the staff install a safety blitz that would By many accounts, Scalley learned a lot require leaving a tight end uncovered. Not in that year, which he later called “invalu- [email protected] all the coaches were on board, Hill said, able.” Twitter: @kylegoon 18 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Utah Utes ‘We’re all ready to go’ Linemen Tupai, Fotu and Anae draw raves. By KYLE GOON The Salt Lake Tribune

He’s used to the gawking stares by now. At 6-foot-5, 300 pounds, 17-year- old Leki Fotu knows how unbelievable his age sounds to people. Even his own teammates don’t believe him. “During rugby season last year be- fore our state game, they asked twice for my birth certificate,” said the long- maned teenager, who is built like a refrigerator. “Everyone’s always sur- prised. But I’m just here, like anybody else.” However, Fotu and two of his fresh- men teammates in camp — Bradlee Anae and Maxs Tupai — aren’t your run-of-mill newcomers. Despite ar- riving at Utah to compete for playing time at the team’s deepest position, they’ve created a buzz, thanks to both their size (a combined 18-and-a-half feet and 800 pounds) and their hype (combined 10-star rating). Boasting offers from all around the country, the trio decided to come to Utah. And while they might have lim- ited action this year behind a group of potential All-Americans, it’s been tough for even coaches to contain their excitement about a potentially special class of linemen. “I see a lot of upside,” coach Kyle AL HARTMANN | The Salt Lake Tribune Whittingham said. Utah freshman defensive linemen Leki Fotu and Bradlee Anae, inset The three have each gotten plenty of reps on the defensive line’s second unit, with Fotu at tackle and Tupai traits that drew Utah’s attention in yards down field to pull him down be- the play.” and Anae at either end spot. the first place: Incredible athletic gifts, fore he scored. The trio now has the benefit of be- The other place they spend a lot of soft-spoken humility and drive for the “People who watch his tape don’t un- ing under the wing of all-conference time together: their dorm room, which game. derstand how many plays he made in linemen, including Lowell Lotulelei they share with Utah lineman Tuck- Tupai, the most-heralded of the the fourth quarter after playing in ev- and Hunter Dimick. Defensive line er Scott. Common activities include three and the last to commit, had an ery snap of the game,” Richmond said. coach Lewis Powell said his job is easy watching TV together, ordering a small unconventional recruiting process by “We didn’t take him off the field, and this year — he shows the freshmen tower of pizzas for themselves or fight- any measure. When other recruits of he still played hard all the time.” film of the upperclassmen to teach ing over what’s playing on the stereo his stature were holding Signing Day A similar motor helped Fotu lead technique. speaker. news conferences, he was still weeks state champion Herriman with 85 Tupai said he doesn’t have any ex- “It’s actually a really expensive away from making his choice. For- tackles and 9.5 sacks as a senior only pectations for playing time this year, Bose speaker that’s pretty big, and it mer Murray coach Mike Richmond a year after skipping football in favor something both Fotu and Anae echoed. belongs to me,” Anae said. “[Fotu] al- said the recruiting trip that Tupai of rugby. And while there were jokes But he is excited to see where his ways tries to steal it.” spoke most favorably about was the in the Mustangs’ coaching room on group — and his fellow newcomers — And Anae isn’t afraid to stand up one where he and his host spent Fri- how huge Fotu was for his age, coach go from here. to Fotu? day night lifting weights. Dustin Pearce thinks that wasn’t what “Bradlee and Leki, they’re fun- “Of course,” he said. “I got him any But that’s Tupai, Richmond said. made him great. ny, they’re goofy,” he said. “But when day. But he’s got big ol’ legs.” He’s the same player who, during a “Honestly, his work ethic in prac- we’re on the field, we’re all ready to go.” But the forces that bind them are game against Tooele, slipped past a tice was the most impressive thing,” he much stronger than their divisions. running back he was attempting to said. “I never had to get [on] him about [email protected] The three share many of the same tackle, turned around and ran 50 chasing down the ball or not finishing Twitter: @kylegoon WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 19

Utah Utes Utah breakdown DEPTH CHART • OFFENSE LT • Garett Bolles, Jr., 6-5, 300; Jackson Barton, Soph., 6-7, 310 The Utes will succeed if ... LG • Isaac Asiata, Sr., 6-3, 323; Johnny Capra, 6-6, 300 C • J.J. Dielman, Sr., 6-5, 300; Lo Falemaka, Jr., 6-5, 300 Troy Williams, right, and his receivers are RG • Salesi Uhatafe, Jr., 6-5, 315; Nick Nowakowski, Sr., 6-1, 295 the real deal. The junior-college transfer RT • Sam Tevi, Sr., 6-6, 305; Jackson Barton, Soph., 6-7, 310 needs to show both the promise he had in TE • Harrison Handley, Jr., 6-5, 250 OR Evan Moeai, Sr., 6-2, 235 high school, and the consistency he showed QB • Troy Williams, Jr., 6-2, 200; Tyler Huntley, Fr., 6-1, 190 in camp. If he can, opponents won’t be able RB • Joe Williams, Sr., 5-11, 205; Troy McCormick, Jr., 5-9, 178 to stack the box against running back Joe WR • Tyrone Smith, Soph., 6-4, 205; Caleb Repp, Soph., 6-5, 210 Williams. The secondary will need the same SR • Kyle Fulks, Jr., 5-9, 178; Demari Simpkins, Fr., 5-10, 184 ballhawking ability it had last year, and the WR • Tim Patrick, Sr., 6-5, 210; Raelon Singleton, Soph., 6-3, 215 pass rush needs to get home more often. SCOTT SOMMERDORF | The Salt Lake Tribune DEFENSE LE • Kylie Fitts, Sr., 6-4, 265; Bradlee Anae, Fr., 6-3, 243 The Utes won’t succeed if ... DT • Filipo Mokofisi, Jr., 6-3, 278; Pasoni Tasini, Sr., 6-3, 295 DT • Lowell Lotulelei, Jr., 6-2, 310; Alani Havili-Katoa, Soph., 6-3, 295 There’s more of the same on offense. If RE • Hunter Dimick, Sr., 6-3, 272; Pita Taumoepenu, Sr., 6-1, 245 Utah’s conservative mode of ball con- LB • Sunia Tauteoli, Jr., 6-0, 226; Donavan Thompson, Fr., 5-10, 230 trol continues and erases the threat of the LB • Cody Barton, Soph., 6-2, 232 OR Kavika Luafatasaga, Jr., 6-4, 237 passing game, then Utah will struggle to CB • Dominique Hatfield, Sr., 5-10, 175; Tavaris Williams, Soph., 5-11, 185 win against high-scoring teams, especially CB • Reginald Porter, Sr., 5-11, 185; Brian Allen, Sr., 6-3, 205 on the road. Linebacker is an obvious ques- NB • Justin Thomas, Sr., 5-8, 180; Boobie Hobbs, Jr., 5-10, 180 tion mark on defense, and if the players FS • Marcus Williams, Jr., 6-1, 195; Andre Godfrey, Jr., 5-10, 191 aren’t ready for prime time, there will be SS • Chase Hansen, Soph., 6-3, 216; Jason Thompson, Sr., 6-2, 208 holes in the scheme. SPECIAL TEAMS P • Mitch Wishnowsky, Soph., 6-2, 220 K • Andy Phillips, Sr., 5-10, 210 The bottom line LS • Chase Dominguez, Sr., 6-5, 240 PR • Boobie Hobbs, Jr., 5-10, 180 You don’t need to be told: It’s the pass- KR • Joe Williams, Sr., 5-11, 205; Troy McCormick, Jr., 5-9, 178 ing game. Williams needs to be good. Tim Patrick, Tyrone Smith, left, and Kyle Fulks, right, need to be good. The Utes have proven talent in virtual- Utah ly every area of the team running except the passing game. back Joe It’s what has separated Williams — and could continue to separate — Utah from its goal of finally winning the South Associated CHRIS DETRICK | The Salt Lake Tribune and getting a shot at the Pac-12 title. Press file photo

SCHEDULE ANALYSIS •

Sept. 1 vs. Sept. 10 Sept. 17 at Sept. 23 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 vs. Oct. 15 at Oct. 22 at Oct. 29 vs. Nov. 10 at Nov. 19 vs. Nov. 26 at Southern vs. BYU, San Jose vs. USC, at Cal Arizona Oregon UCLA Washing­ Arizona Oregon Colorado Utah, 5:30 p.m. State, 7 p.m. With Rich Ro- State Another ton State The Ducks Could be 6 p.m. The rival- 8:30 p.m. A prime- a new driguez The Bea- premier If the Hus- The Utes have a lot a make- The T-Birds ry resumes Spar- time home quarter- always vers are re- battle kies live up have been of moti- or-break gave Utah with Kyle tans’ pass- game back, can seems to building, against to presea- bedeviled vation af- game for State a run Whitting- ing attack should set Golden be able but figure Josh Rosen son hype, in Tempe in ter Utah Mike Mac- last year, ham tak- should the tone Bears pay to move to improve and com- this could the past, disman- Intyre, as but Utes ing on his give Utes for Utah’s back the the ball in Gary pany with be the big- but ASU tled them Buffs try shouldn’t one-time a trial run expecta- Utes for against Andersen’s South gest home might be in Eugene to climb expect protege. for Pac-12 tions this GameDay Utah’s second title impli- game of caught re- last year. from the trouble. offenses. season. loss? defense. year. cations. the year. building. basement. 20 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Utah Utes

No. Name Yr. Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/Previous No. Name Yr. Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/Previous 1 Boobie Hobbs Jr. DB 5-10 180 New Orleans, La./Landry-Walker 37 Christian Drews Jr. LB 6-1 230 Ramona, Calif./Ramona 1 Tyler Huntley Fr. QB 6-1 190 Dania, Fla./Hallandale 38 Sam Whittingham Fr. LB 5-10 210 Folsom, Calif./Folsom HS 2 Philip Afia Fr. DB 6-1 195 Chino Hills, Calif./Ayala 39 Andy Phillips Sr. K 5-10 210 Draper/Winter Sports School 2 Zack Moss Fr. RB 5-10 213 Hialeah Gardens, Fla./Hallandale 40 Kendall Huey Jr. DE 6-4 245 Tacoma, Wash./Pima CC 3 Donavan Thompson Fr. LB 5-10 230 Miami, Fla./Miami Central 41 Hauati Pututau Fr. DT 6-3 275 Salt Lake City/Cottonwood 3 Troy Williams Jr. QB 6-2 200 Carson, Calif./Santa Monica CC 42 Marcus Sanders-Williams Sr. LB 5-11 236 Las Vegas, Nev./Durango 4 Troy McCormick Jr. RB 5-9 178 Katy, Texas/Mayde Creek 43 Tyson Doman Fr. DB 6-0 192 Alpine/Lone Peak 5 Tavaris Williams So. DB 5-11 185 Fort White, Fla./Fort White 44 Jake Jackson Fr. LB 6-3 230 Encinitas, Calif./La Costa Canyon 6 Tyson Cisrow Fr. DB 5-10 190 Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas 45 Filipo Mokofisi Jr. DT 6-3 278 Woods Cross/Woods Cross 6 Kyle Fulks Jr. WR 5-9 178 Katy, Texas/Blinn CC 46 MacKay Dunn So. DB 5-10 182 Draper/Alta 7 Andre Godfrey Jr. DB 5-10 191 Miami, Fla./Miramar 46 Connor Haller Fr. DB 6-3 185 Salt Lake City/Olympus 7 Devonta’e Henry-Cole Fr. RB 5-8 192 Boca Raton, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas 46 Tyler Bell Jr. TE 6-4 242 Fountain Valley, Calif./Fountain Valley 8 Alec Dana So. WR 6-2 186 Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Chaffey CC 47 Caleb Repp So. WR 6-5 210 Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Los Osos 9 Davir Hamilton Fr. LB 6-2 223 Compton, Calif./Long Beach Poly 48 Gerrit Choate Fr. LB 5-11 225 Dallas, Texas/Parish Episcopal School 8 Chris Hart Fr. DE 6-2 245 Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas 49 Hunter Dimick Sr. DE 6-3 272 Syracuse/Syracuse 10 Jason Thompson Sr. DB 6-2 208 Renton, Wash./Wyoming 50 Pita Taumoepenu Sr. DE 6-1 245 Provo/Timpview 10 Riley Richmond So. WR 5-7 169 Salt Lake City/Snow CC 52 Hayden Clegg Sr. DE 6-1 235 Laguna Nigel, Calif./Neb-Omaha 11 Kylie Fitts Sr. DE 6-4 265 San Bernardino, Calif./UCLA 52 Sam Tevi Sr. OT 6-6 305 Euless, Texas/Trinity 11 Raelon Singleton So. WR 6-3 215 Crosby, Texas/Crosby 53 Alani Havili-Katoa So. DT 6-3 295 Stansbury Park/Stansbury 12 Tim Patrick Sr. WR 6-5 210 San Diego, Calif./Grossmont CC 53 Tucker Scott Fr. OL 6-4 292 San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente 12 Justin Thomas Sr. DB 5-8 180 Orange, Texas/West Orange-Stark 54 Isaac Asiata Sr. OL 6-3 323 Spanish Fork/Spanish Fork 13 Bapa Falemaka Fr. TE 6-3 239 Grantsville/Judge Memorial 55 Kavika Luafatasaga Jr. LB 6-4 237 Honolulu, Hawaii/Ariz. Western 13 Jordan Fogal Jr. DB 5-10 186 San Leandro, Calif./San Mateo CC 56 Bradlee Anae Fr. DE 6-3 243 Laie, Hawaii/Kahuku 14 Brian Allen Sr. DB 6-3 205 La Marque, Texas/La Marque 57 Justin Tatola Fr. LB 5-11 211 South San Francisco/Junipero Serra 14 Drew Lisk Fr. QB 6-1 202 Draper/Jordan 58 Vaha Vainuku Fr. DT 6-3 295 Salt Lake City/East 15 Logan Bateman Fr. QB 6-1 190 Simi Valley, Calif./Royal 59 Pasoni Tasini Sr. DT 6-3 295 Ephraim/Snow College 15 Dominique Hatfield Sr. DB 5-10 175 Los Angeles, Calif./Crenshaw 62 Aaron Amaama So. OL 6-1 332 Kearns/Bingham 16 Cory Butler-Byrd Sr. WR 5-10 180 Compton, Calif./Los Angeles Harbor College 63 John Aloma Fr. K 6-0 200 Simi Valley, Calif./Simi Valley 17 Conner Charles Fr. DB 5-11 175 Boise, Idaho/Bishop Kelly 64 Mark Kruger Fr. DT 6-2 295 Orem/Pleasant Grove 17 Demari Simpkins Fr. WR 4 5-10 18 Carol City, Fla./Hallandale 65 Paul Toala So. OL 6-4 324 Burien, Wash./Dixie State College 18 Nygel King Fr. DB 6-0 171 Tomball, Texas/Klein Oak 66 Kyle Lanterman Fr. OL 6-2 280 Long Beach, Calif./Woodrow Wilson 18 Evan Moeai Sr. TE 6-2 235 Provo/Snow CC 67 Nick Carman Fr. OL 6-3 276 Tempe, Ariz./Mountain Pointe 19 Tyler Cooperwood Sr. WR 5-9 163 Long Beach, Calif./East L.A. CC 68 J.J. Dielman Sr. OL 6-5 300 Ahwatukee, Ariz./Desert Vista 19 Sunia Tauteoli Jr. LB 6-0 226 Salt Lake City/Snow CC 69 Lo Falemaka Jr. OL 6-5 283 West Valley City/Cottonwood 20 Marcus Williams Jr. DB 6-1 195 Corona, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt 70 Jackson Barton So. OL 6-7 310 Salt Lake City/Brighton 20 Lahi Kautai So. WR 5-8 195 Euless, Texas/Trinity 71 Daniel Heller Fr. OL 6-2 290 Las Vegas, Nev./Palo Verde 21 Tyrone Smith So. WR 6-4 205 Fresno, Calif./Edison 72 Garett Bolles Jr. OL 6-5 300 Lehi, Utah/Snow College 22 Chase Hansen So. DB 6-3 216 Highland/Lone Peak 73 Johnny Capra Fr. OL 6-6 300 Auburn, Calif./Placer 23 Julian Blackmon Fr. DB 6-1 180 Layton/Layton 74 Salesi Uhatafe Jr. OL 6-5 315 Euless, Texas/Trinity 23 Armand Shyne So. RB 5-11 214 Oakland, Calif./American River CC 75 Nick Nowakowski Sr. OL 6-1 295 Castaic, Calif./West Ranch 24 Kenric Young Jr. WR 6-1 189 Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville 76 Scott Peck Fr. OL 6-6 310 Spokane Valley, Wash./Central Valley 25 Casey Hughes So. DB 5-11 195 North Las Vegas, Nev./Legacy 77 Darrin Paulo Fr. OL 6-5 310 Sacramento, Calif./Grant 26 Terrell Burgess Fr. DB 6-0 182 San Marcos, Calif./San Marcos 78 Jake Grant Fr. OL 6-3 290 Scottsdale, Ariz./Horizon 26 Jordan Howard Jr. RB 5-10 209 Redlands, Calif./Riverside CC 79 Keven Dixon Fr. OL 6-5 277 Buena Park, Calif./Buena Park 27 Marcel Manalo Fr. RB 5-11 220 Rio Linda, Calif./Rio Linda 80 Siaosi Wilson Fr. WR 6-2 188 Tustin, Calif./Tustin 27 Nick Mika So. DB 6-2 190 Katy, Texas/Cinco Ranch 81 Dimitri Salido Jr. WR 5-11 190 Pleasant Hill, Calif./Diablo Valley CC 28 Joe Williams Sr. RB 5-11 205 Allentown, Pa./ASA CC 82 Ken Hampel Sr. TE 6-3 250 Mountain View, Calif./Mountain View 29 Reginald Porter Sr. DB 5-11 185 Amite, La./Amite 83 Jameson Field So. WR 5-11 185 Long Beach, Calif./Mater Dei 29 Gage Cook Fr. WR 5-11 192 Kaysville/Davis 84 Dakota Baker Fr. WR 6-2 175 Idaho Falls, Idaho/Idaho Falls 30 Cody Barton So. LB 6-2 232 Salt Lake City/Brighton 85 Andrew Santiago Sr. WR 6-0 195 Provo/Plano West (Texas) 30 James Gray So. RB 5-9 174 Tokyo, Japan/Waseda University 86 Wallace Gonzalez So. TE 6-5 255 San Gabriel Valley, Calif./Bishop Amat 30 Quinn Meier Fr. RB 5-11 188 Salt Lake City/Olympus 88 Harrison Handley Jr. TE 6-5 250 Sandy/Alta 31 Evan Eggiman Jr. LB 6-2 215 Hillsboro, Ore./Liberty 89 Chad Hekking Fr. TE 6-4 240 Vacaville, Calif./Vacaville 32 Ty Murrell Fr. RB 5-8 175 Cornelius, N.C./William Amos Hough 90 Pita Tonga Fr. DT 6-1 256 Taylorsville/Highland 32 Sharrieff Shah Jr. Sr. LB 6-1 225 Sandy/Utah State 92 Hayes Hicken Fr. K 5-11 185 Salt Lake City/Highland 33 Mitch Wishnowsky So. P 6-2 220 Gosnells, Australia/Santa Barbara CC 92 Maxs Tupai Fr. DE 6-1 257 Taylorsville/Murray 33 Damian Greene Jr. DB 5-8 182 Sammamish, Wash. /Santa Monica CC 93 Lowell Lotulelei Jr. DT 6-2 310 South Jordan/Bingham 34 Alex Whittingham Jr. LB 5-10 208 Salt Lake City/Brighton 94 Chase Dominguez Sr. SN 6-5 240 Orange, Calif./Lutheran 35 Samson Nacua Fr. DB 6-3 182 Provo/Timpview 95 Trace Hobbs Fr. TE 6-2 180 Anaheim, Calif./Canyon 35 Jordan Howard Jr. RB 5-10 209 Redlands, Calif./Riverside CC 96 Nick Heninger Fr. DE 6-2 229 South Jordan/Bingham 36 Mackay Dunn So. DB 5-10 182 Draper/Alta 99 Leki Fotu Fr. DE 6-5 300 West Valley City,/Herriman WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 21

PAC-12 PREVIEW

PLAYERS AND COACHES TO WATCH • BY KYLE GOON

MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER • HUNTER DIMICK, UTAH While Lowell Lotulelei and Kylie Fitts have dotted Pac-12 and even All-Ameri- ca preseason lists, has the world for- gotten about Snacks? When he last played a full season, he had 10 sacks. He has 15.0 for his ca- reer, as well as 24.0 tack- RICK EGAN | les for a loss, The Salt Lake Tribune and he also does his share in the run game. While it helped in 2014 that he was paired with Nate Orchard on one side, does he not have a chance to thrive with Lotulelei, Fitts and Pita Taumoepenu rushing the passer as well? A team captain and a senior leader, expect a bounce-back season from Dimick, as- suming he can stay healthy. MARK J. TERRILL | The Associated Press Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey will be one of the most celebrated players in college football this year. MOST OVERRATED PLAYER • DAKOTA PRUKOP, OREGON Can lightning strike twice with an FCS MVP • RB CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY, JR., STANFORD transfer coming in at quarterback? I mean, come on. Could it be anyone else? The nifty-footed running The Ducks are about to find out. COACH OF THE YEAR • CHRIS back took the league by storm last year as a rusher, receiver and return- They’ll be stacked on offense, built PETERSEN, WASHINGTON er. WildCaff torched the competition to smash a hallowed record: Bar- around Royce Freeman and a cou- Despite losing several NFL first- and ry Sanders’ yards from scrimmage, which he bested by more than 600 ple ridiculously fast weapons (Dev- second-round draft picks in 2015, the yards (3,864). The only thing he couldn’t manage was to snag was the on Allen literally just ran in the Olym- Huskies still had one of the league’s Heisman Trophy, which West Coast observers will tell you is thanks in pics). They’ll put up some points for best defenses and part to SEC bias. No one affected a game in more ways than McCaffrey, sure. But it’s hard to see Prukop rep- a winning record. who made kick and punt returns must-see TV. His line will be weak- licating what Vernon Adams did at They had a prolif- er this year. His quarterback will be new. But the son of an NFL receiver his best (and healthiest) last year. It’s ic freshman quarter- and a college soccer star is still fast, still shifty in the open field, and still the second straight riverboat gamble back, and a 1,000- sure-handed. He has arguably the best coach in the Pac-12, who trusts for Oregon, which needs to start de- yard freshman him explicitly to handle whatever he gets thrown at him. While Stan- veloping quarterbacks within its own running back. They ford may depend more on McCaffrey this year to produce wins on the program. Wasn’t there a guy named bring back most of field, it’s hard to see him not being ready for it. Mariota there just a few years back? their playmakers. The fact that many football observers expect a 7-6 team to step into con- tending for the league title is a sign of how Coach Pete has groomed this FUTURE HOUSEHOLD NAME • program. QB MAX BROWNE, USC. Once best known as Jake Heaps’ successor at Sammamish, COACH ON THE HOT SEAT • Wash., the top-graded prospect finally beat out freshman MIKE MACINTYRE, COLORADO Sam Darnold for the Trojans’ starting job. Browne has always Most agree that Colorado is much had arm talent and an ability to find open receivers. Now better than it was after the disastrous he’ll be working with weapons that include JuJu Smith- Jon Embree era, and the program Schuster and Darreus Rogers. He’ll have a backfield with stel- has taken forward leaps in talent and lar runners Justin Davis and Ronald Jones III. He’ll be playing facilities. But at the end of the day, behind a line seen as the best in the league, and with a head Coach Mac is 2-25 in Pac-12 games, coach who helped groom him. The environment is complete- which isn’t good enough. JAE C. HONG | The Associated Press ly right for him to be a star — all he must do is perform. 22 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

PAC-12 PREVIEW

TEAM BREAKDOWN • BY KYLE GOON COLORADO •

TEAM TO BEAT • STANFORD TEAM YOU DON’T WANT OK. They’ve graduated their start- TO PLAY • UCLA ing quarterback, their offensive line, Next to USC, no team has better ath- Spot under center some key receivers and defenders. letic talent than the Bruins, who are And yet: Stanford has won three of consistently in the upper tier of the the last four conference champion- conference but just shy of winning a concern of Buffs ships, going on a run of dominance it. While they lost a ton of receiv- in the league that rivals only USC. ing weapons, Josh Rosen is viewed There’s a reason for that, and not as probably the best sophomore Spurned by Webb, the just that they have a Heisman quarterback prospect in the coun- runner-up. David Shaw consistent- try, and showed brilliance in flash- Buffs hope Liufau is ly gets his team reloaded and ready es last season. The defense returns to compete at the highest level. The some hard-hitting players like DL Ed- healthy. Cardinal have some tough games die Vanderdoes and LB Jayon Brown. early on against USC, UCLA and There are holes to fill, sure, but UCLA Boulder, Colo. • Davis Webb’s Washington. If they finish 3-0 in that can battle with anyone. change of heart might lead to a stretch, watch out. change of fortunes for the Colora- TEAM WITH NO CHANCE • do football team and coach Mike Associated Press file photo DON’T SLEEP ON • OREGON STATE MacIntyre in 2016. Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau WASHINGTON STATE Gary Andersen had a rough first The Texas Tech quarterback With their passing attack alone, the year, and here’s a guess that the sec- spurned the Buffs at the last min- Cougars are a threat. Logan native ond will be tough, too. He replaced ute when the graduate transfer de- What you should know Luke Falk returns after throwing for both coordinators (Kalani Sitake cided to play his final season at Cal over 4,500 yards and connecting on left for BYU, and Dave Baldwin got instead. Without Webb, there’s add- DE-FENSE! DE-FENSE! Senior de- 38 touchdowns against eight inter- demoted). He probably has a bet- ed urgency for senior Sefo Liufau to fensive back Chidobe Awuzie will ceptions. He’s got a candidate for ter starting quarterback with Utah come back from the season-ending lead a reinforced defense this sea- best receiver in the country in Gabe State transfer Darell Garretson, but foot injury he sustained Nov. 13. son. “I expect to be really good on Marks, as well as numerous other he’s got to replace some key players “He’s made all of his bench - defense,” coach Mike MacIntyre weapons. But the real improvement in both trenches. From a talent per- marks and done everything he’s said. “Chido is definitely a leader here may be on defense, where spective, the Beavers are still a long been asked. He even trimmed on defense, he’s what you would there are several key returning start- way from competing even with oth- down some more. He lost a little call a true playmaker on defense. ers in the secondary and newcomers er low-end Pac-12 teams. Maybe he more body weight and gained a lit- People come up to me all the time who will bolster the front. didn’t have it so bad in Madison. tle more muscle,” MacIntyre said. and say, ‘Golly, he’s all over the “He’s taken advantage of the situa- field.’ Well we put him all over the tion. We’ve had no issues so far, but field and he also has the ability to I need to knock on wood for sure.” make plays all over the field. He’s a MacIntyre is counting on Liufau key ingredient in our defense and KYLE GOON’S PREDICTIONS • coming back better than ever this we definitely build things around year, however. him depending how we play cer- “I look for him to have an excel- tain teams.” NORTH DIVISION SOUTH DIVISION lent year,” MacIntyre said. “In his KEY GAMES: Colorado State, Sept. ORDER OF FINISH ORDER OF FINISH sophomore year, he threw the ball 2; at Michigan, Sept. 17. The first 1. Stanford • The best player, the 1. UCLA • If Rosen matures in Year well. Last year, he was running the is the big rivalry, the second a best coach, and the best recent histo- 2, he could help the Bruins break ball well. ... I think that this year chance to kick-start the program ry of winning the league. through their recent ceiling. he’ll put all of it together and have against a perennial national pow- 2. Washington • The hype is not 2. Utah • As long as passing im- a phenomenal year and walk out of er. “The opening game is always without merit: The secondary might proves, Utah is built to win in the here the way he should with what a lot of fun; there’s always a lot of be the best in the country. trenches and the secondary. he’s earned and the victories he hype for the opening game any- 3. Washington State • Luke Falk will 3. USC • Always a threat with the needs to get.” where in the country,” MacIntyre lead a prolific Cougar offense, brim- conference’s top talent, but still re- MacIntyre’s future could depend said. “That’s always exciting, but ming with confidence after last year. building at key positions. on it. Reaching a bowl game for the when you play a rival in the very 4. Oregon • Always an explosive 4. Arizona State • Sun Devils’ fiery first time since the 2007 season first game at a neutral site, it’s a threat, but have the Ducks improved preseason rhetoric has been toned could go a long way toward turn- unique experience and puts a lit- defensively after losing DeForest down considerably this year. ing around the moribund program. tle more hype and emotion on Buckner? 5. Colorado • The Buffs have a lot of “I’ve heard that since the first it. Playing that football game is 5. Cal • Replacing the No. 1 NFL draft veterans and might finally start win- year I got here. When you hav - a big deal. It’s one that our play- pick, but also receivers, coaches — ning some close ones. en’t gone to a bowl game in a while, ers hear about for 365 days a year. and still lackluster on defense. 6. Arizona • They’ve got a lot to iron that’s always the first thing said. You don’t hear about every oth- 6. Oregon State • Rebuilding in Cor- out after turning over a lot of defen- Our goal for our players is tomor- er game 365 days a year. That puts vallis will take more than one season. sive staff. row’s practice,” MacIntyre said. a little more of an emotional tie to “We want to win every game we play, the game than most games.” we really do. I definitely feel like we PREDICTION: 4-8. Although, this Pac-12 Championship Game: Stanford over UCLA have the opportunity to do that.” team does have that we’ll-show- — The Associated Press you look. WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 23

PAC-12 PREVIEW

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA • UCLA • Expectations high With Rosen back, as always for USC Bruins feel Rose-y

Helton takes over Star quarterback will as the latest interim be one of the nation’s coach to be elevated. most watched players.

Los Angeles • Although Clay Hel- Los Angeles • From early in - ton is beginning his first full season juries to a late-season flop, UCLA as Southern California’s head coach, couldn’t seem to catch a break last this transplanted Southerner has Associated Press file photo year. Associated Press file photo been around the West Coast’s most USC coach Clay Helton Coach Jim Mora is hoping the UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen glamorous college football program Bruins’ luck was just building up long enough to know it’s already for this fall. time to start winning again. What you should know And the best reason to believe What you should know “At USC, the bar is set high,” Hel- UCLA’s fortunes will change is the ton said. “It’s about championships. CAM’S BACK: One breakout star on sophomore behind center. HEALTHY AND HAPPY: UCLA never And if you don’t like that bar, don’t last season’s defense was playmak- Josh Rosen is back to run a new- really recovered from losing three take the job.” ing linebacker Cameron Smith, but look offense for the Bruins, whose of its best defensive players to in- After six years as a steadying in- the freshman missed the last four promising 2015 campaign was be- juries early last season. Lineback- fluence on the Trojans during the games with a knee injury. He re- set by injury woes and disappoint- er Myles Jack didn’t even wait un- tenures of fired coaches Lane Kiffin turns to provide steady play on a ing performances. UCLA still went til the year ended before bolting and Steve Sarkisian, Helton is final- unit that must replace several ma- 8-5, but lost two home games, two for the NFL, but the other two are ly in charge of a program that hasn’t jor parts, including a defensive line rivalry road games and its bowl back: run-stuffing defensive line- won a Pac-12 title since 2008. missing six of its top seven players game. man Eddie Vanderdoes and corner- That’s the longest drought since from last year. “We’re coming off a season that back Fabian Moreau. They rejoin 1968, and the Trojans’ thirsty fans KEY GAMES: After losing his final was, in our estimation, a little bit dis- a defense already returning eight aren’t eager to wait through anoth- two games last season as the Tro- appointing to us, especially the way starters, although their 2015 unit er rebuilding season. Neither is new jans’ permanent coach, Clay Helton that it ended,” Mora said. “We’d like was porous at times. athletic director Lynn Swann — who will continue his tenure on Sept. to make amends for that.” TAILBACK TRIO: Paul Perkins bolted took over after Helton had been giv- 3 with a trip to Arlington, Texas, The disappointment of last sea- early for the New York Giants, but en the permanent job by departing to play defending national cham- son, which was capped by dispirit- three gifted tailbacks are still in uni- Pat Haden. pion Alabama at the Dallas Cow- ing losses to USC and Nebraska, ob- form. Soso Jamabo, Nate Starks and Luckily for them, USC already has boys’ palatial stadium. September scured the fact that Mora has built a Bolu Olorunfunmi all showed star plenty of pieces in place for a resur- alone includes visits to Stanford and durable winner in Westwood. UCLA potential last season while combin- gent season. The Pac-12 South’s lack Utah, and the Trojans have back- hasn’t won the Pac-12 since 1998, but ing for 923 yards. They’ll compete of a clear favorite leaves the Trojans to-back road games at Washington the Bruins have been a contender for aggressively for carries — and there with reason to believe they can reach and UCLA in November before re- four straight seasons, which hadn’t should be plenty, if the Bruins’ new the Pac-12 title game — where Stan - turning for the annual rivalry game been true in the previous two de- offense is running properly. ford routed them last year. with Notre Dame. “Play Alabama, cades. KEY GAMES: Stanford visits the Helton doesn’t have much of a play Notre Dame, play the Pac-12 The Bruins also have Rosen, who Rose Bowl on Sept. 24, giving Jim rebuilding job to do. His offense is schedule,” Helton said. “It’s what certainly seems to be the type of Mora his next chance to stanch stocked with a veteran offensive line, dreams are made of.” quarterback who can turn a good his 0-5 record against David Shaw; JuJu Smith-Schuster’s fleet of receiv- PREDICTION: After the tumult of team into a powerhouse. Washington State, which beat ers, and tremendous tailbacks Justin the past six seasons, USC could ben- He passed for 3,670 yards and 23 UCLA last season, hosts the Bruins Davis and Ronald Jones II. efit from a calm, sensible fall of touchdowns as a freshman, but he’ll on Oct. 15; and USC visits for the Returning defensive coordinator steady growth, even if it doesn’t have to hook up with a largely new 86th crosstown showdown Nov. 19. Clancy Pendergast also has plenty of culminate in a Pac-12 championship. set of receivers this fall. PREDICTION: Given how many im- five-star pieces, but Pete Carroll was Helton knows all about the Trojans’ New offensive coordinator Kenne- portant things broke poorly for the the last coach to turn all that tal- lofty expectations, and he realizes dy Polamalu is building a run-based Bruins last season, perhaps it’s time ent into a powerhouse when it real- Lynn Swann will be looking close- offense utilizing tight ends and full- for things to run in the other direc- ly mattered. Helton realizes he’ll be ly at a coach he didn’t hire. Giv- backs. The change will be significant, tion this fall. With Josh Rosen at the compared to those dynastic teams of en their sadistic schedule, it would but it could mean big opportunities controls, anything seems possible the past decade until he creates his be optimistic to expect more than for Rosen, who will have the chance for the new offense. If the defense own identity for the Trojans. eight wins — but that still might to direct the Bruins’ approach to a can avoid last season’s ridiculous The clock is already ticking. put USC in position to win its divi- greater degree. injuries, UCLA is capable of a trip — The Associated Press sion. — The Associated Press back to the Pac-12 title game. 24 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

PAC-12 PREVIEW

CALIFORNIA • STANFORD • New QB is under QB is an issue, but a bright spotlight RB? Not a problem

Bears hoping that McCaffrey will transfer Webb eases help whomever the Goff’s departure. Cardinal play at QB.

Berkeley, Calif. • Davis Webb Stanford, Calif. • Stanford heads made an immediate impression into the season with questions about when he arrived at California this which player will touch the ball first summer with his tireless work ethic. Associated Press file photo after the snap. Where it ends up Associated Press file photo He was usually the first player Cal transfer QB Davis Webb from there is less in question. Stanford coach David Shaw in each morning and last to leave. While Keller Chryst and Ryan Webb organized frequent throw- Burns battle it out to replace four- ing sessions with teammates and What you should know year starter Kevin Hogan at quar- What you should know was more than willing to adjust his terback, the Cardinal offense will schedule to make sure all his receiv- CATCH THE BALL: The Bears lost again revolve around Heisman Tro- STAYING IN SCHOOL: Michael Rec- ers got involved. their top six receivers from last sea- phy runner-up Christian McCaffrey. tor’s decision to return for his fifth That kind of leadership helped son, meaning Davis Webb will have After shattering Barry Sanders’ year and wait for the NFL gives the him quickly win over his teammates to break in a new set of pass catch- record for all-purpose yards with Cardinal offense a big boost with a and earn the starting quarterback ers. The group definitely doesn’t 3,864 yards last season, McCaffrey deep threat on the outside. Rector job after joining the Golden Bears as lack talent. Five-star freshman is back for his junior season as a fast- has averaged 18.3 yards per catch a graduate transfer in May. The task Demetris Robertson is Cal’s most er, stronger and more knowledgeable for his career and has become more doesn’t get any easier as Webb must heralded recruit in years and early player, coach David Shaw said. than just a vertical receiver. “Look- now master the offense and build a enrollee Melquise Stovall impressed He also has plenty of other play- ing at the team we were going rapport with his teammates as he in spring ball. Raymond Hudson makers to help. Dynamic back Bryce to have I saw it could be a special replaces No. 1 draft pick Jared Goff. and Chad Hansen have some ex- Love is expected to get significantly team,” Rector said. “I wanted to be “I feel like I’ve been here for more perience and will likely start in the more time alongside McCaffrey than a part of that.” than two months,” Webb said. “I feel spread-out Bear Raid offense. he did as a freshman when he was IN THE TRENCHES: The Cardinal lost like it’s been a couple of years, the HOLD THE LINE: Cal returns four used mostly as a spot replacement. plenty on both lines this past off- way we bonded on and off the field starters on the offensive line, which Michael Rector and Frances Ow- season and return just two starters throughout summer workouts. I feel should make the job easier for usu give the Cardinal two talented in Casey Tucker and Johnny Caspers really comfortable with this team.” Webb. Senior guard Chris Borrayo senior receivers and Dalton Schul- on the offensive side. The defen- Webb’s transition is helped by the leads a talented group that should tz is the latest in a line of dangerous sive line lost stalwarts Aziz Shittu fact he ran a similar offense at Texas help the Bears run the ball with a tight ends for the Cardinal. and Brennan Scarlett but gets tal- Tech, where he threw for 5,557 yards trio of backs led by Vic Enwere, Tre “The quarterback’s job is to deal ented Harrison Phillips back from a and 46 touchdowns while making 14 Watson and Khalfani Muhammad. the cards,” Shaw said. “Don’t make serious knee injury to team with re- starts and playing 23 games. KEY GAMES: If the Bears want to it any more complicated than that. turner Solomon Thomas to anchor Cal coach Sonny Dykes said he return to a bowl game, they bet- How fast can I get the ball out of my that group. wasn’t seeking a grad transfer but ter pile up some wins early because hands into somebody else’s hands. KEY GAMES: A tough stretch to made the move to add Webb when the second-half schedule is brutal. The guy, or guys, who do that the end September featuring a home his former player and current Red Cal faces five teams picked to fin- best will play.” game against USC and trips to Raiders coach Kliff Kingsbury called ish in the top three in their division Shaw said he’s in no hurry to pick UCLA and Washington will deter- Webb one of the hardest-working in the final six games, although a starting quarterback. The two have mine whether the Cardinal will players he had been around. That four of those games come at home 10 career combined passes as Hogan be able to stay in the hunt for the quickly became evident once he en- against Oregon, Washington, Stan- led the team to three Rose Bowls in playoff. The schedule also includes rolled at Cal when he brought his re- ford and UCLA. Logistics were the four seasons as he became the win - tricky road games against Notre ceivers in for long film-watching ses- biggest challenge in the open- ningest QB in school history. Dame and Oregon, as well as a visit sions and hours of throwing before er when the Bears traveled more “Their job is not to compete with to rival California in the Big Game. fall practice even started. than 7,000 miles to take on Hawaii the other guy,” Shaw said. “Their job The two-quarterback system should “He’s elevating everybody’s game in Sydney, Australia on Aug. 26. Cal is to play the best they can play and get a fairly tough test to start the to a higher level,” receiver Raymond left a week early to try to lessen let us make the decision beyond that. season when Stanford hosts Kan- Hudson said. “It’s crazy the confi- the effects of the long travel and If we play two guys, great. If we play sas State. The Wildcats were a bowl dence that he has where he comes in will have a week off to recover af- one guy, great. If we play one guy a team last year and have four defen- and takes control. He knows what he ter the return home. lot and have a role for the other guy, sive players who were selected to wants and everybody has bought in.” PREDICTION: Four wins would be a that’s fine, too.” the preseason all-Big 12 team. — The Associated Press capable benchmark for the Bears. — The Associated Press PREDICTION: 10 wins is doable. WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 25

PAC-12 PREVIEW

OREGON • OREGON STATE • A big hole left to Garretson ready fill for the Ducks to take over at QB

Oregon prepares for Former USU player season with a QB sat out last year, but competition. now is healthy.

Eugene, Ore. • The quarterback Corvallis, Ore. • After last sea- competition at Oregon will sort itself son’s quarterback carousel at Ore- out sooner rather than later. gon State, Darell Garretson heads Oregon coach Mark Helfrich says Associated Press file photo into this season as the established Associated Press file photo he hopes to have a decision before Oregon coach Mark Helfrich starter. Oregon State QB Darell Garretson the team’s season opener against Garretson sat out last season un- UC Davis at Autzen Stadium on der NCAA rules after transferring Sept. 3. What you should know from Utah State. For the Aggies in What you should know Although many have looked to 2014, he threw for 1,140 yards and graduate transfer Dakota Prukop GREAT EXPECTATIONS: Royce Free- eight touchdowns in five games RECEIVERS: Jordan Villamin led the to lead the way, Helfrich said the man is understandably getting when starter Chuckie Keeton was Beavers last season with 660 yards job is far from sewn up. Redshirt some preseason Heisman buzz. As injured. Garretson himself missed receiving and five touchdowns. Vic- freshman Travis Jonsen and fresh- a sophomore last season he broke seven games that season with a wrist tor Bolden, now a senior, caught man Terry Wilson are also in the LaMichael James’ single-season injury. 46 passes for 461 yards and three mix. rushing record with 1,836 yards. Garretson emerged in the Beavers’ touchdowns while also spending “You want it to be obvious and He’s 1,881 yards away from James’ spring game and coach Gary Anders- time on special teams, where he glaring and everybody kind of looks career record (5,082) at Oregon. en didn’t waste time, naming him as was Oregon State’s go-to on kick at each other and goes, ‘Yeah.’ Like BEST EXCUSE EVER: Wide receiver starter shortly thereafter. returns with 580 yards and a score. last year was a unanimous vote,” Devon Allen missed fall camp. But “On the field, I think he handled NEW STAFFERS: Gary Andersen Helfrich said. “No question about he had a good excuse: He was at spring well. He’s progressed. How has named Chuckie Keeton to his that.” the Rio Olympics competing in the good a Pac-12 quarterback is he go- coaching staff, along with former Prukop came to the Ducks from 110-meter hurdles. ing to be? We’ll see. We’re not real Aggies offensive lineman Funaki Montana State, where he passed for NEW COACHES: Oregon has several interested in talking about a lot of Asisi. They’re not the only newcom- 3,025 yards and 28 touchdowns with new coaches making their Duck de- things, we’re interested in getting ers. Oregon State’s new defensive 10 interceptions last year. He also but this fall, including new defen- out and executing and moving for- coordinator is Kevin Clune, while rushed for 774 yards and 11 touch- sive coordinator Brady Hoke, who ward,” Andersen said. the new co-offensive coordinators downs for the Big Sky’s Bobcats, who was head coach at Michigan from Garretson said he felt the year are Kevin McGiven and T.J. Woods. finished 5-6. 2011-14, and new offensive coordi- off learning the system was ben- BIG REMODEL: This season will de- He looks to follow Vernon Adams, nator Matt Lubick, who was pro- eficial. but a $42 million remodel of the another graduate transfer who start- moted from wide receivers coach Seth Collins, Nick Mitchell and Valley Football Center and the ed for the Ducks last season but was after Scott Frost took the head Marcus McMaryion all saw time at north end of Reser Stadium. The hampered by injuries. coaching job at Central Florida. starter for the Beavers, who went “Victory Through Valley” campaign Jonsen is a dual-threat quarter- Also among the newcomers is 2-10 last season in Andersen’s first expanded the locker rooms and back from Anaheim, Calif., who quarterbacks coach David Yost, with the team. other player and coach facilities, injured his toe last fall and re - who coached receivers at Washing- Mitchell has since transferred. and created a new fan area called quired surgery. Wilson enrolled ton State under Mike Leach. Collins announced that he was leav- the Terrace which will highlight lo- early last spring at Oregon to get PREDICTION: Oregon has too many ing, too, but then returned to Ore- cal food and drink. Because of the a head start. question marks — the competi- gon State. McMaryion remains, and construction project, Oregon State Taylor Alie and Jeff Lockie, who tion at QB and the adjustment to looks to be Garretson’s backup head- moved the start of fall practice off both saw playing time at quarter- a new defensive scheme — to sug- ing into the season. campus for the first time ever to back last season when Adams was gest they might overcome Stanford Collins started at quarterback in the central Oregon city of Bend, hurt, were moved to receiver in the in the Pac-12 North. But the fact seven games last season as a fresh- about 125 miles southeast of Cor- spring game. that the Ducks get both the Cardi- man but was hampered by injury. vallis. The Beavers had to get per- Oregon went 9-4 last season, nal and Washington at Autzen Sta- In the season-ending Civil War, he mission from the NCAA to hold the the first time the Ducks finished dium goes in their favor, at least in lined up at quarterback, receiver and first six days of fall practice at Sum- with fewer than 10 wins since terms of conference play. Oregon running back. Collins is listed at re- mit High School before returning to 2007. The season was capped by a again plays a challenging non- ceiver for the Beavers, although An- campus on Aug. 11. triple-overtime loss to TCU in the conference schedule, including dersen said he could fill a variety of PREDICTION: The Beavers were Alamo Bowl. a visit to Nebraska. Look for the roles. picked to finish last in the Pac-12 — The Associated Press Ducks to finish 9-4 again. — The Associated Press North in the preseason poll. 26 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

PAC-12 PREVIEW

WASHINGTON • WASHINGTON STATE • High expectations Could Heisman be for UW this season in Spokane, Wash.?

Huskies hope this Falk’s ability to put up is the year that they huge numbers leads return to prominence. to national visibility.

Seattle • When Chris Peters - Spokane, Wash. • Washington en decided to come to Washington, State quarterback Luke Falk, a Lo- there was no set timetable on re- gan HS graduate, could blossom into turning the Huskies to prominence. Associated Press file photo a bona fide Heisman Trophy candi- Associated Press file photo Headed into his third season, the Washington QB Jake Browning date this season. Washington St. QB Luke Falk Huskies seem poised — between tal- Coach Mike Leach thinks Falk ent and a favorable schedule — for a should have won the award last year, return to the top of the Pac-12 Con- What you should know when he threw for 4,566 yards and What you should know ference and perhaps the national 38 touchdowns in leading the sur- stage. SECONDAR TO NONE: There may prising Cougars to a 9-4 finish. DEFENSIVE STRENGTH: A big rea- “We expect to win every game we not be a deeper secondary in the “There was a time when the son for the Cougars’ improvement play. And so the outside noise that country than Washington’s, led by Heisman went to the guy who had last year was the defense. New de- might have changed their expecta- safety Budda Baker, and corner- the biggest impact and effect on fensive coordinator Alex Grinch tions, that doesn’t change anything,” backs Darren Gardenhire and Sid- their team, and if that was the case, oversaw a unit that went from al- Petersen said. ney Jones. They’re athletic, physi- he probably would have won it last lowing 38.6 points per game to Gone is the patience of waiting for cal and have a knack for the ball. year or should have,” Leach said. just 27.7 points last year. Grinch Washington’s potential. This is the How successful that secondary is in Despite their dramatic improve- was rewarded with a three-year year the Huskies should graduate the pass game may be predicated ment last year, the Cougars are pro- contract extension after the sea- from hovering around .500 and be- on whether Washington is able to jected to finish just fourth in the Pac- son. ing stuck in the middle of the Pac-12 find pass rushers to replace Travis 12’s northern division, a prediction QB DEPTH: The Cougars have a le- discussion. With a defense that could Feeney and Cory Littleton and get that is something of a surprise as gitimate star in Lucas Falk at quar- be among the better ones in the Pac- pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Washington State returns most of terback, but not much behind him. 12 and a sophomore backfield combo It does help that the Huskies re- last year’s key performers. Backup Peyton Bender, who played of quarterback Jake Browning and turn middle linebacker Azeem Vic- A major returnee to Pullman is some last year when Falk was in- running back Myles Gaskin, Wash- tor, who led the team with 95 tack- receiver Gabe Marks, who is back jured, transferred out of the pro- ington at least has the pieces in place les last season. for his senior year after catching 104 gram. That leaves untested Tyler Hi- to potentially find itself in the na- KEY GAMES: The only real test be- passes for 1,192 yards and 15 touch- linski if Falk is injured. tional conversation. fore the start of Pac-12 play comes downs last season. KEY GAMES: The Cougars host No longer having that label means in the Sept. 3 opener against Rut- Marks believes Falk is more than Eastern Washington of the Big Sky greater expectations for Browning gers. All the focus will be on an just Heisman material. Conference on Sept. 3. The Eagles to build on a solid freshman season. eight-day stretch in late September “I call him the ‘Messiah of the are no pushover, playing tough Browning threw for nearly 3,000 and early October that will deter- Palouse,’ and also the CEO of Wash- against Pac-12 teams in numerous yards and 16 touchdowns last sea- mine the arc of Washington’s sea- ington State football, because he games in recent years. Last year, son, but improving on those num- son. The Huskies host Stanford on runs the show,” Marks said. Washington State opened the sea- bers will rely heavily on the devel- Sept. 30 then travel to rival Ore- “Without a quarterback that peo- son with a shocking loss to FCS opment of wide receivers slim on gon on Oct. 8 having not beaten ple follow, and that’s a leader, you Portland State, a defeat that ul- experience and another huge season the Ducks in their previous 12 meet- can’t win,” Marks said. timately cost them a 10-win sea- from running back Myles Gaskin. ings. The end of Washington’s sea- Falk, a junior, was an All-Pac-12 son. Washington State and Boise But Petersen will be the last per- son isn’t easy either with USC and first-team selection last season af- State square off on Sept. 10 in Boi- son to buy into the hype. Arizona State at home, before fac- ter leading the country in passing at se in an intriguing non-conference “If we can slow this thing down ing rival Washington State in the 380.5 yards per game. He completed matchup. and pay attention to building skill Apple Cup. 69.4 percent of his passes in Leach’s PREDICTION: The Cougars are and getting better and getting our PREDICTION: Washington may be a Air Raid offense as the Cougars won picked by media to finish fourth in competitive spirit where it needs to year away. Of their projected start- six more games than the season be- the Pac-12 North, behind Stanford, be, then I think we’ll feel good about ers, there are only four or five se- fore. Washington and Oregon. Gabe things,” Petersen said. “But that’s niors depending on training camp. “I guess one of his best qualities is Marks is not impressed by the ath- where we are. We’re in good shape. But the schedule is favorable and if he doesn’t have a glaring weakness,” letic pedigree of the media pan- They trained hard. But we still have the Huskies can shake their 12-year Leach said. “But, like anybody, he el. “I bet over three-quarters of the a lot of work to do.” losing streak to Oregon, this could needs to improve.” people that vote on this thing nev- — The Associated Press be a special season. — The Associated Press er even played football,” he said. WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 27

PAC-12 PREVIEW

ARIZONA • ARIZONA STATE • Emotional season More action and ahead for Wildcats less talk expected

Arizona enters 2016 Sun Devils hoping with heavy heart after to rebound after an lineman’s death. underachieving 2015.

Tuscon, Ariz. • Arizona went into Tempe, Ariz. • Arizona State preseason camp with numerous is- coach Todd Graham made bold sues to address. There was a new statements before the 2015 season, defensive coaching staff installing a Associated Press file photo touting the Sun Devils as national ti- Associated Press file photo new system, a quarterback competi- Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez tle contenders. Arizona St. coach Todd Graham tion despite a returning starter and After those aspirations fell flat, new faces on special teams. Graham has changed the notes this All of that became secondary What you should know season. No boasting, no bravado. What you should know on Aug. 8 when the team learned Just play hard and do the talking of the death of offensive lineman WILSON’S RETURN: Running back with actions on the field. QBS IN FOCUS: Except for his first Zach Hemmila. The senior died in Nick Wilson had a strong freshman “The key for us is getting back to season in the desert, Arizona State his sleep, leaving a hole in the Wild- season, using his combination of playing Sun Devil football,” Graham has been steady at quarterback cats’ line and a much bigger one in power and speed to break Arizo- said. since Todd Graham’s arrival. Tay- their hearts. na’s freshman rushing record with Graham wasn’t the only one lor Kelly won the job and kept it “Everybody in our program is 1,375 yards and 16 touchdowns. to predict big things for the Sun for three years, then Mike Bercovi- hurting,” Arizona coach Rich Ro- Last season, he struggled with inju- Devils last season. Coming off con- ci took over last season after fill- driguez said. ries and missed four games, finish- secutive 10-win seasons, Arizona ing in for an injured Kelly the year Hemmila’s death came early in ing with 760 yards and nine touch- State became a sleeper pick in the before. This season, the Sun Devils camp and is something the Wild- downs. Having Wilson healthy will national-title conversation. have no quarterbacks on their ros- cats will carry with them into what force teams to play against the dive Those predictions disappeared ter who have thrown a collegiate already had the potential to become option in Rick Rodriguez’s offense, by the fourth game and the season pass. Arizona State started with a a difficult season. opening up holes to the outside. sputtered away with a three-game four-man race, but that could be Anu Solomon has two seasons SPECIAL TEAMS: Arizona had to conference losing streak. down to two after an injury to red- of experience as Arizona’s starting replace its kicker and punter from The Sun Devils could have had shirt freshman Bryce Perkins. Soph- quarterback, but Rodriguez was not last season. One player could end a completely different outcome to omore Manny Wilkins has worked ready to automatically hand him the up getting both jobs. Sophomore their 2015 season had they been able with the first team in camp, but ball. Solomon struggled with injuries Josh Pollock is the only scholarship to finish games. Arizona State had redshirt freshman Brady White last season and wasn’t as effective as special teams player on the ros- a difficult time holding second-half changes things if he plays well. he had been as a freshman when he ter and could handle placekicking, leads last season and lost three DEFENSIVE STOPS: Arizona State was healthy. Rodriguez went into punting and kickoffs. That’s a lot games by a combined 11 points. Win has played an attacking-style de- spring football saying he wanted to handle, so the Wildcats could those and it would have been nine fense since Graham arrived, using competition for the starting job and use someone else to handle punt- wins, not six. The Sun Devils must blitzes and pressure up front to cre- Solomon will have to beat out Bran- ing duties — if anyone steps up in do a better job closing out this sea- ate havoc in the opposing team’s don Dawkins and freshman Khalil camp. son to have success. backfield. The Sun Devils’ plan Tate to get it. UNUSUAL OPENER: Arizona starts This season could be as difficult. backfired last season as they were Arizona has consistently been against BYU on Sept. 3 at Universi- The Sun Devils will start a quar- repeatedly hit for big plays, caus- one of the nation’s worst defenses, ty of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. terback — which one is still up in the ing ASU to be the nation’s worst so Rodriguez fired coordinator Jeff The Wildcats have had some rel- air — who has never thrown a colle- pass defense, allowing 337.8 yards Casteel and his defensive staff. He atively easy openers under Rodri- giate pass, have to rebuild their of- per game. Arizona State lost three hired former Boise State defensive guez, but this should be a test right fensive line and have questions in starters in the backfield and Gra- coordinator Marcel Yates to over- out of the gate — physically and the secondary of a defense that was ham is hoping to get better pres- haul the defense. Arizona will aban- emotionally. wrecked by big plays a year ago. sure from a four-man front rath- don the 3-3-5 defense that Casteel PREDICTION: The death of Zach Unless they come together quick- er than blitzing so often. Defensive installed and go to a more attacking Hemmila will likely weigh heavi- ly and get some breaks along the way, end JoJo Wicker could be the key defense in hopes of creating pressure ly on the Wildcats, though it could this could end up being a rebuild- to that with his explosiveness. and mistakes. Arizona will be rely - be a rallying point for the season. ing season. Of course, Graham has PREDICTION: 6-6. The Sun Devils ing on several inexperienced play- Working against them is a difficult found a way to win wherever he’s have a lot of questions and an un- ers on that side of the ball, so there schedule and still plenty of ques- gone, so don’t count them out of a proven quarterback. Playing in the could be a learning curve. tions on the defensive side of the bowl game just yet. difficult Pac-12, that could be tough — The Associated Press ball. — The Associated Press to overcome. 28 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

BYU Cougars

Great expectations

Excitement in Provo is palpable as a veteran team led by a new staff wades into a loaded, Power Five-type schedule.

Provo • Kalani Sitake wouldn’t bite. At BYU’s football media day in June, the first-year head coach By JAY DREW was asked what would have to happen for his inaugural season The Salt Lake Tribune to be considered a success. “Are you looking for me to say how many wins?” Sitake asked back. “Because I am not going to do that. I am not going into it with a limit. If you ask any coach right now, nobody is plan- ning on losing any games.” Please see COUGARS, PAGE 29

New head coach Kalani Sitake, right, brought in former BYU star Ty Detmer as his offensive coordinator. PHOTO BY RICK EGAN | The Salt Lake Tribune WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 29

BYU Cougars

reminds anyone who will because the schedule is load- answer the opening bell af- Cougars listen. ed with Power Five teams. ter fracturing his foot in ≥ Continued from PAGE 28 Nor lost any. Recogniz- The Cougars will likely be June. An offensive line that ing that, Sitake said in June underdogs in seven of their was supposed to be solid Tell that to a fan base that that the honeymoon period first eight games. looks less that way now due is hungry for more success is already over, that it was “It doesn’t scare me,” Si- to lingering injuries and sus- than 11-year coach Bronco well past time to get down take said of the gantlet that pensions. Mendenhall was able to de- to business. begins Sept. 3 against Arizo- BYU is moving to a 4-3 de- liver, as crazy as that may “I don’t think it is any- na. “We won’t have to wor- fensive alignment up front, sound about a man who thing I’ve done, to bring the ry about getting our guys up and will ask its corners to posted 99 victories before excitement,” said the former for the games, even though play more man-press and heading off to Virginia for University of Utah and Or - that really wasn’t an issue in less zone than in the past. a bigger paycheck and low- egon State defensive coor- the past. Walking into these Nose tackle Travis Tuilo- er expectations. dinator. “To be honest with stadiums and seeing these ma, linebacker Fred Warner Even BYU’s athletic direc- you, there is always excite- teams that have a lot of tra- and safety Kai Nacua will tor, Tom Holmoe, is adding ment in football. ... Coach dition, like we do, is going to give the defense some teeth, to the hype, telling an Ed- Mendenhall did a great job be a lot of fun.” provided Tuiloma makes it ucation Week audience last when he was here with the Offensively, Detmer in- back from a Lisfranc foot in- week, “there is new hope. It program. We have a lot of herited an experienced jury and Nacua from double is the dawning of a new day.” guys coming back, real - quarterback — senior shoulder surgery. Offensive coordinator Ty ly great talent coming back, Taysom Hill was named the It could be a long sea - Detmer says he can feel the and I think they are look- starter this past week, with son in the kicking depart- excitement and optimism ev- ing forward to getting on the seasoned Tanner Mang- ment. One of two freshman erywhere he goes, and almost the field.” FILE PHOTOS | The Salt Lake Tribune um behind him — and one walk-ons, or perhaps a kick- always finds himself temper- Certainly, this has the po- BYU’s defense will be led by of the most prolific running er who won’t join the team ing expectations with that tential to be one of the most a group of returnees that in- backs in school history, se- until school starts next week, measured, Texas drawl. talented groups at BYU in clude Kai Nacua, top. But the nior Jamaal Williams. They will get the job. “We haven’t won any the past decade. Trouble is, focus will be at quarterback are a bit thin and inexperi- games yet,” the former that might not be reflect- with fifth-year senior Taysom enced at receiver — especial- [email protected] Heisman Trophy winner ed in the won-loss record, Hill getting the start. ly if senior Nick Kurtz can’t Twitter: @drewjay 30 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

BYU Cougars

BYU coach The Cougars’ new coach, Kalani Sitake, learned Kalani Sitake, center, while to take charge during a challenging but happy growing up in childhood that included a move from Hawaii to Utah. Hawaii. Courtesy Photo Born leader By JAY DREW | The Salt Lake Tribune

About 28 years before he was named the 14th head coach in BYU football history last Decem- ber, 12-year-old Kelaokalani Fifita Sitake walked the streets of Provo with a large, black plastic garbage bag slung over his shoulder filled with clothes. He was often followed closely by his three younger siblings — 10-year-old Toakase, 8-year-old Pamrose and 7-year-old T.J. — who were also carrying garbage bags. ¶ The Sitake kids weren’t homeless, although Toakase (who goes by “Toa”) Sitake surmises that some people might have taken a glance at them and figured as much. ¶ Rather, the family did not have laundry baskets, and the four children of Tongan immigrant Tomasi “Tom” Sitake, a single-parent divorcee who moved his four children from Laie, Hawaii, to Utah when Kalani was 9 or 10, would make the weekly, four-block trek along 500 East from their modest two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment to do laundry at the Wash Hut. It was just blocks away from the BYU campus where one day Kalani would take the private school’s most high-profile job and become the first person of Tongan descent to oversee a major college football program. ¶ “Kalani would make it a fun thing, a motivational thing, kind of a coaching thing, so he didn’t have to carry all the bags himself,” said Toa, now a social worker in Utah. “He would make a game out of it, to see who was the strongest, or the fourth-strongest, or whatever. He would never say, ‘you are the weakest,’ or anything like that. It was always positive, encouraging words.” ¶ Family members say it was moments like those that prepared Kalani Sitake, now 40, to take the reins from Bronco Mendenhall over a program that is at a cross- roads, a program that desperately needs a strong leader to guide it through

| The Salt Lake Tribune Lake Salt | The independence in a landscape that tilts heavily toward Power 5 conference schools. ¶ “He’s ready. He’s prepared,” said his father, Tom. “But most of all

RICK EGAN he’s grateful, and he’s humbled by the opportunity.” Please see SITAKE, PAGE 31 WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 31

BYU Cougars

single parent who had to work “I just thought that was nor- rehabilitation at the Utah State “Kalani was always a huge Sitake long hours outside the home, mal, growing up,” Toa said. “It Hospital. He stressed educa- BYU fan,” Tom Sitake said. ≥ Continued from PAGE 30 mostly as a security guard. wasn’t until my junior high tion first and foremost, insist- “He just loved BYU since he Many times Kalani had to years that I realized every- ing that the children do their was little.” Asked to name a trait that cook and prepare meals, clean one’s big brother wasn’t like homework before running out Kalani played for has carried his son to the top the apartment, and do other how my big brother was.” to play after school. Timpview High his freshman of his profession, Tom Sitake household chores when other Speaking of cars, one par- During the summer, Tom and sophomore seasons, then said it is Kalani’s respectful- kids his age were outside play- ticular beater’s heater would would often drop his children the family moved to Missouri ness to those who have gone ing, she said. not shut off, creating oven-like off at the library and instruct and he played his junior and before him, people such as his “It was just what I knew, conditions in the summer. But them to read a book and have a senior seasons at Kirkwood grandfather, Nafe, who mi- the only thing I knew,” Kala- the family dealt with it, and book report prepared when he High in the St. Louis area. grated to the United States ni said. “I didn’t see it as being felt fortunate to just have a picked them up later that day. Scholarship offers from ma- from Tonga many years ago, difficult. That’s just what you mode of transportation. Now, Toa said that routine drove jor Midwest football pow- and his coaching mentors, deal with, you know?” Sitake is making an estimat- her nuts at the time, but ac- ers such as Notre Dame and most notably LaVell Edwards, Funds were so tight during ed $1.5 million a year to coach knowledges now that the em- Iowa poured in for the athlet- Kyle Whittingham and Gary those days in Provo that the the Cougars. phasis on education paid off: ic, well-built linebacker and Andersen. family couldn’t afford to “I am still in awe that he’s All four siblings earned col- fullback, but he chose BYU, Kalani Sitake says he is in send Kalani and T.J. to foot- the head football coach at lege degrees, Toa in social he says, largely because of this position only because of ball camps, Toa recalled, so BYU,” Toa said. “But I’m not work, Pamrose in nursing Edwards. the sacrifices made by those Tom Sitake — who slept on surprised.” and T.J. in sociology. Kalani The legendary coach, who who went before him — his the couch in the living room is a voracious reader, and his retired in 2000, remembers father, his grandfather, and — would buy little orange wife, Timberly, talks about Sitake as a smart, studious many other Pacific Islanders cones, jump ropes and other the moving trucks being load- player who was always willing and family members who rose equipment at Deseret Indus- ed with books when they ar- to put his teammates before from humble circumstances tries and train his sons him- rived in Provo from Corval- himself. Sitake had 83 car- and paved the way. Sitake is self at a nearby junior high lis, Ore., where Kalani was ries and 62 catches as a Cou- just the third Polynesian to on weekends and after work. the Oregon State defensive gar, but scored just one touch- head up a Division I football Or he would take them to the coordinator. down, which came during his team, joining Navy’s Ken Ni- BYU campus and have them For his part, Kalani brush- sophomore season in 1998. umatalolo and former Hawaii run the long gauntlet of stairs es off suggestions that he had That’s because he blocked for coach Norm Chow. that connects the lower cam- a rough childhood and was some of the most prolific ball “I think a lot of things hap- pus to the upper one. forced to grow up fast. carriers in school history: Ja- pen in your life that prepare “If there was an obstacle in RICK EGAN | The Salt Lake Tribune “My childhood memories mal Willis, Hema Heimuli, you for this moment,” he the way, Pops and K [Kalani] are all positive,” he said. “My Mark Atuaia, Marcus Wha- said. “Yeah, being the old- always found a way to over- Through it all, Kalani went favorite [memories] are just len and Reno Mahe, to name est [sibling] prepared me to come it, make something good out of his way to put his sib- basically playing pickup foot- a few. have more responsibilities happen,” Toa said. “I get re- lings first, a tradition he even ball. That’s what I did my “He was always really com- and stuff like that. I don’t minded of how far K has come carried on as a scholarship whole early life — in Hawaii, petitive and had a deep desire know how it prepared me, when I recall what we came football player at BYU when and over here. Not having all to succeed, to win,” Edwards but I know I am the person I from was a struggle — really he would send part of his the gear, playing tackle foot- said. “I felt like if he ever got am because of the experienc- humbling circumstances. We scholarship checks home to ball with no pads on — just into coaching, he would make es I had. But more import- didn’t have the nicest cars or pay for utility bills and the playing ball. a great coach.” ant is the sacrifices that oth- the nicest homes, but we grew like. “Those were the days that That happened after Sita- ers made towards my success. up with a whole bunch of love. “Kalani was always a con- you would play until the sun ke gave the NFL a try. A laun- … There are a lot of people that My dad always instilled that scientious, caring individual went down and your parents dry list of injuries derailed had it harder than me.” in us.” concerned for the welfare of would have to call you home. those plans, and he “caught Another of Sitake’s confi- He would also frequently those around him,” said Tom Everyone would be screaming the coaching bug,” he said, dants, former BYU and NFL tell Kalani that the reason he Sitake, who shares a story of for their kids to come home, when he was offered a spot star Vai Sikahema, told The was born first was so he could how Kalani would make sure and you would be playing un- on the staff at Eastern Ari- Salt Lake Tribune before his take care of his three siblings every kid got a drink from the til you literally could not see zona College. From there, he induction into the Polynesian when “Pops” wasn’t around. water fountain at school be- the ball anymore. We played was a graduate assistant at Football Hall of Fame in Jan- Kalani also looked after oth- fore recess ended, often stand- everything — football, basket- BYU for a year before moving uary that Sitake’s hiring was a ers in unfortunate situations. ing at the back of the line and ball, capture the flag, all that on to Southern Utah Univer- great source of pride for Poly- The Sitake sisters tell a story missing his own opportunity stuff. So yeah, those are my sity, then Utah. After 10 years nesians, and specifically Ton- about how they were walking for refreshment because the best childhood memories.” at the U., Sitake joined Ander- gans, everywhere. home from school one day bell would ring. Attending BYU football sen at Oregon State as that “I can’t stop smiling about and 13-year-old Kalani no- “As a kid, he was very, very games was also high on the school’s defensive coordinator. it,” Sikahema said. ticed some bullies picking on kind to people,” Tom said. “He list of memories, although A year later, BYU came call- Toa Sitake, two years an overweight, poorly dressed was always willing to help. Tom Sitake says there were ing, and Sitake and his family younger than Kalani, said it youngster. Kalani stood up to And I never heard him com- times when the family could were back home. is common in the Tongan cul- the bullies, despite being out- plain. Not once.” not afford tickets and would “Kalani bringing that family ture for the oldest child to as- sized and outnumbered, and Tom Sitake worked as a se- gather outside Cougar Stadi- feel to BYU football is just an sume a parenting role as the then told the bullied young - curity guard back then — many um — now LaVell Edwards extension of what he learned “second mother or second fa- ster to meet him at the same times through the night so he Stadium — and listen to the in the home,” Toa Sitake said. ther,” but Kalani’s situation place every day after school so could spend time with his chil- game on the radio until the was made even more difficult Kalani could walk him home dren during the day — but is gates were opened shortly af- [email protected] because Tom Sitake was a safely. now the director of vocational ter halftime. Twitter: @drewjay 32 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

BYU Cougars

Try, try, try

and try again FILE PHOTOS | The Salt Lake Tribune and The Associated Press Taysom Hill has had season- Fifth-year senior Taysom Hill, after three season-ending injuries in a row, has ending injuries in 2013 and 2014 (top left) in games won the Cougars’ quarterback competition and will take to the huddle in the against Utah St., and in 2015 hopes of ending his career on the field, not on crutches. (top right) against Nebraska.

By JAY DREW “major factor,” Sitake said. support from him through The Salt Lake Tribune The Cougars went 9-4 last Career passing at BYU this whole thing.” year in the games in which Most observers of the bat- Provo • Taysom Hill got Mangum played, and beat Year GP Comp.-Att. Pct. Yards TDs Effic. tle that really began in March his birthday present a few Nebraska, thanks to Mang- Taysom Hill Sr. 25 387-675 57.3 4,606 31 123.9 when Hill announced he was days early this year. um’s successful Hail Mary, in returning to BYU for his final BYU’s oft-injured fifth-year the only game in which Hill season of eligibility have al- senior, who turned 26 on on started. both of them, and both can go coordinator, and the quarter- ways believed that the senior Aug. 23, will be the Cougars’ “I felt like I got a lot bet- in and win games this season.” backs coach. He will have the would get the nod. A better starting quarterback when ter because of the [QB race],” Sitake and Detmer both first say in everything that we passer than Hill, Mangum’s BYU meets Arizona at Uni- Hill said. “I felt like the situ- said Mangum will play some, do with our quarterback posi- chances hinged on him per- versity of Phoenix Stadium ation was handled really well, but did not specify how much. tion, and I will give my opin- haps being a better fit in Det- in Glendale, Ariz., after five but it is nice to be able to look Detmer stressed that it won’t ions.” mer’s pro-style offense. months of speculation regard- forward now and prepare for be a two-quarterback system. Hill has received 80 per- But Hill says he’s capable of ing whom the coaches would Arizona.” “I have never been a fan of cent of the reps in practices flourishing in it, too. pick — Hill or sophomore “Taysom has got the expe- that,” Detmer said. “Taysom since the decision was made. “I would say this offense, Tanner Mangum — was over. rience, and the leadership of is our guy, and he has done Mangum handled the news when you think as a quarter- “The best guy won,” Sitake the group, and so we feel real it every year. He has been a like a pro, said the coach - back of an offense, growing up, said, “and a great player was comfortable with him in there, Heisman candidate the last es and Hill, who has thrown this is what it is, right?” Hill second place. So it is a great and going full speed,” Detmer couple of years. Last year he for 4,606 yards and 31 touch- said. “This is what I grew up spot to be in, where we had said. “Tanner handled it great. didn’t get a chance to really do downs in his career. thinking I was going to be two great ones competing for He worked hard. He made it. They are both great players, “Yeah, I spoke to Tanner af- playing as a quarterback. It it, and it just felt like Taysom it a tough decision, which is and Tanner is obviously a big terwards and Tanner is super is a very fun offense to be in. was the guy who earned the his job. So we feel really good part of the program going for- supportive,” Hill said. “Tan- We have added some nuanc- spot.” with both those guys. ward.” ner and I have been good es to the offense that kind of Hill’s superior experience “Tanner is going to be ready Sitake said he and Det - friends all along, and I think fit my skill set, and will make — he has played in 25 college to go when called upon,” Det- mer “were on the same page” he and I both were able to us harder to defend.” football games as opposed to mer continued. “There is no when it came to making the help each other get better as Mangum’s 13 — was obvious- doubt about that, so we are decision. we went through this process. [email protected] ly considered but was not a excited to know that we have “Well, Ty is the offensive … I have felt only love and Twitter: @drewjay WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 33

BYU Cougars

By JAY DREW absence last year left the team The Salt Lake Tribune a bit thin at running back, and without its biggest playmaker He’s back Provo • It remains to be on offense. seen if running back Jamaal One minute, he is teasing a Williams will break Harvey reporter about getting short- Unga’s all-time career rush- er instead of taller; the next, ing record at BYU, but it is he is sharing his nicknames clear as the 2016 college foot- for various members of the and even ball season approaches that coaching staff. the senior from Fontana, Ca- Who else can get away with lif., will never be forgotten. calling a former Heisman Tro- “Yeah, I hope I’ve made phy winner “Coach Big Belly?” my mark here, in a good way,” Williams is nothing if not better? Williams said. passionate and entertaining. Having missed the 2015 This year, he insists he is add- Senior running back Jamaal Williams season for personal reasons, ing another word to the many Williams is back in 2016, and he uses to describe himself. eyes school rushing record, role as still arguably one of the most “Maturity,” he said. popular players to ever pass “And I’ve learned to keep mentor to Cougars’ offense. through Provo, even if his my temper. I still got my fight and everything,” he contin- BYU’s all-time ued. “It just grows more and rushing leaders more every time because I am so passionate about football. I Player Yards am passionate about being out 1. Harvey Unga 3,455 here with my teammates.” 2. Curtis Brown 3,221 Fellow running backs 3. Jamal Willis 2,970 Squally Canada and Alger- 4. Lakei Heimuli 2,710 non Brown say Williams’ pri- 5. Jeff Blanc 2,663 vate persona is a bit different 6. Jamaal Williams 2,526 than his public one. “He kind of keeps to him- self in meetings,” said Brown. “Just more low-key, but still re- first. I won’t let them down ally cool.” this year.” Noted Canada: “His lock- New coach Kalani Sitake er is right next to mine, and I described Williams as a “great thought he wouldn’t say any- leader” and a “fun guy” who thing to me at first, kind of act has not given the new staff like he was so [famous] that he an ounce of trouble since it didn’t need to. But it was the took over last January. Sitake opposite; he was trying to talk said he doesn’t feel like he has to me, and we became really to “rein in” one of the biggest good friends once I opened characters on the team. up and started talking to him.” “Well, I want them to feel One thing Williams rare- comfortable in who they are, ly talks about, Canada said, is but also [realize] that the the BYU career rushing re- team is the most important cord of 3,455 yards. Williams thing,” he said. ranks sixth on BYU’s all-time How will offensive coordi- list, with 2,526, needing 930 nator Ty Detmer use Williams to break Unga’s mark. this season? Expect him to “It is always on your mind, catch more passes out of the but you just can’t think about backfield, but still get around that,” Williams said. “Honest- 20-25 carries per game. ly, I am just thinking about “I am just here to, you know, the team, and us getting W’s cause trouble, be a rebel, run and having a great season.” the ball, catch the ball, do Williams also thinks a lot some blocking,” Williams said, about staying healthy — and laughing. “You know, just be eligible. a leader.” “Last year was a hard time And just be Jamaal Wil- for me, being away from the liams — the mature one. team,” he said at BYU’s me- dia day in June. “I do want the [email protected] RICK EGAN | The Salt Lake Tribune record, but the team comes Twitter: @drewjay 34 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

BYU Cougars Cougars look for go-to guy

Wide-receiver corps has talent, but coaches want someone to ‘step up.’

By JAY DREW Laulu-Pututau — caught pass- The Salt Lake Tribune es last season. “It is definitely next man Provo • All four teams up,” said Pearson, who had that made it to the College 22 catches for 210 yards and Football Playoff last season a touchdown. “Guys are just had “go-to” receivers, guys getting reps, and doing what who entered the semifinal they can with their reps, and games with 85 receptions or we will see what happens.” more. New coach Kalani Sitake BYU, which finished 9-4, isn’t all that concerned with got it done by committee. The the inexperience at the receiv- Cougars were led in catches by er positions, because of the ex- senior Mitch Mathews, who perience at quarterback. had 54 grabs for 737 yards and “The key is we have really 11 touchdowns. Next best was good quarterbacks who can fellow senior Devon Black- get them the ball, so I think mon, who had 46 catches for they will be fine,” Sitake said. 669 yards. “They are very capable receiv- With Mathews, Blackmon ers. They have been waiting and the club’s fourth-leading for their time, and their time receiver from 2015, Terenn has arrived, so it is their time Houk (37 catches, 490 yards, to shine, and they are looking two TDs), having graduated, forward to it.” the search is on not only for Like Pearson, Juergens also a go-to guy, but three or four started his career as a walk- other reliable pass-catchers on, but emerged as a playmak- in new offensive coordinator er last season when he caught Ty Detmer’s pro-style offense. 37 passes for 471 yards and “We have yet to have that two touchdowns. He is also guy who steps up and be - slated to be the primary punt comes the go-to guy,” receiv- returner this season. ers coach Ben Cahoon said. Because he is 6-4, “We are still looking for that.” Laulu-Pututau has been con- The obvious candidate is sidered at tight end, but Ca- 6-foot-6 senior Nick Kurtz, hoon says the sophomore is but the Cougars’ third-leading staying put, for now. receiver from last year is nurs- “He will definitely be used ing a broken foot suffered in in the slot at some point in June, and is questionable for time,” Cahoon said. the opener on Sept. 3 against Like Sitake, Cahoon says Arizona. the talent is there, and some “It warms your heart to see guys will prove they can play him out here running around at the Division I level. a little bit. But he’s got a long “We would like to have way to go before he is ready more guys with game expe- to put all his weight on that rience who have performed foot while running at full under the lights, but I think speed and breaking and cut- we’ve proved we have a good ting. I have no idea if he will mix of youth and experience,” be ready for the first game,” he said. “I think they are very Cahoon said. capable of making plays when Only three other receiv- the live bullets are flying.” ers in camp — seniors Mitch- FRANCISCO KJOLSETH | ell Juergens and Colby Pear- [email protected] The Salt Lake Tribune son and sophomore Moroni Twitter: @drewjay BYU’s Mitchell Juergens WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 35

BYU Cougars Seeking: One starter

BYU coaches bringing new tight ends coach Steve Clark ac- knowledged. tight end position back But Clark is not deterred. He’s confi- dent that there is enough talent among despite inexperience the candidates vying to become the starting tight end that Detmer’s prom- and converted players. ise will be fulfilled. “Yes, it is coming back [to the BYU By JAY DREW offense],” Clark said. “This is more of The Salt Lake Tribune a pro-set offense, so yes. That’s what we wanted to do. If they are holding Provo • Almost from the time he us back, we are not going to be dumb. was named BYU’s new offensive coor- We will go with the 11 best players that dinator last Christmas Eve, Ty Detmer we have on offense.” has promised he will bring the tight That’s roughly what Detmer said end position back to the offense. when camp opened — that he won’t Eight months later and, sure use a tight end just for the sake of us- enough, BYU is lining up with a tight ing one if he’s not confident in that guy. end right next to a tackle, or even two “We’ve got some guys who can do it,” tight ends, on occasion. Detmer said. “It is going to take some That’s all well and good, until one time and some reps and continuing considers that none of the five guys to work it. But if it doesn’t [work], we playing the position has ever caught will go to three receivers and we will a pass in a Division I college football make it work. We will have a plan for game. game time when it comes. We will do BYU tight ends Solomone Wolfgramm, left; Tanner Balderree, right. “Yeah, we are pretty inexperienced,” what we feel is best, get the best guys

on the field and make it work, one way “He’s a great basketball player, and or the other.” he understands body position,” Sita- So, who are the candidates? ke said, noting that former great BYU Clark said junior Tanner Balderree, TEs such as Chad Lewis, Jonny Har- a converted defensive end, left spring line and Dennis Pitta were good bas- camp as the starter on the depth chart ketball players in high school. “So un- and is still in the No. 1 spot. Behind derstanding body movement, being him is junior walk-on Nate Sampson, able to block people out, establishing recruited out of Pleasant Grove High position is good for a tight end.” as a linebacker four years ago. Sitake said Wolfgramm got a lot A pair of TEs on last year’s ros - bigger and stronger in BYU’s offsea- ter, Bryan Sampson and Steven Rich- son conditioning program. ards, have been forced to retire from “So we will have to see how it all football for medical reasons. Hybrid comes together. Obviously, learning tight end Terenn Houk graduated, and the game is going to be the hard part one-time receiver Josh Weeks was dis- for him. The physical part, he un- missed from the team last spring after derstands,” Sitake said. “All the oth- bulking up. er tight ends are doing a great job, Former Davis High star Troy Hinds too. Troy [Hinds] is doing great there, has moved from defense to tight end, and we are seeing a lot of good things while former Georgia Tech receiver from the guys who were already here — Hunter Marshall, who played last year Tanner and all the guys who are play- at Snow College, is also giving the posi- ing that position. So we are good.” tion a shot, although he’s on the small- Nate Sampson said the competition er side. has been intense, but enjoyable. Then there’s Solomone Wolfgramm, “Right now, it is a battle, man,” said a 6-foot-6, 270-pounder from Califor- Sampson, who redshirted last year. nia’s Bay Area who played basketball “We don’t know who is leading, be- at BYU-Hawaii last year after a church cause none of us have played in a game. mission to Phoenix. Clark said head We are all just supporting each other coach Kalani Sitake discovered Wolf- and having fun.” gramm while recruiting in Hawaii last PHOTOS BY AL HARTMANN | The Salt Lake Tribune spring and couldn’t ignore the young [email protected] New BYU assistant Steve Clark is working with a crowded field of tight ends. man’s size and athleticism. Twitter: @drewjay 36 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

BYU Cougars Move to a 4-3 front paying off

Associated Press file photo By JAY DREW welcomed by the veterans. Shift from of the skills of Shawn Knight, his younger brother, 6-foot- The Salt Lake Tribune “For me, it is more simple,” Jason Buck and others. 9 Corbin Kaufusi, the former said Taele, who will line up Mendenhall’s “It is about putting the best basketball player who is giv- Provo • Head coach Kalani inside, and next to fellow se- 11 on the field, and we are go- ing football a try. Sitake said BYU’s defense got nior Travis Tuiloma when 3-4 defense ing to be mostly a four-man “He’s fluid, and he moves re- the upper hand when the Cou- arguably the Cougars’ best front, but if we need to we ally well for a guy that big,” Si- gars were fully padded for the returning defensive player isn’t totally can play a three-man front take said. first time in preseason camp. returns from a Lisfranc foot new; BYU also,” Sitake said. “We have Still, Kaufusi will have a It was a sign that players injury. “There are not a ton of that ability.” tough time getting playing are adjusting well to the 4-3 plays to memorize. I can work also used Sitake said there were plen- time because there are plen- defensive front that new de- on my technique more, which ty of times when BYU used a ty of other talented defensive fensive coordinator Ilaisa Tu- is nice.” four linemen four-man front last year. ends on the roster, including iaki has installed. One of the reasons Men - at times last “I can’t sit here and say we senior Sae Tautu and junior Gone is Bronco Menden- denhall favored the 3-4 is be- are doing something that Tomasi Laulile. hall’s 3-4, although enough cause he believed it was eas- season. they are not used to,” he Also, coaches are trying components of that front re- ier to recruit linebacker and said. “These guys have been linebacker Harvey Langi at main that Tuiaki says there tight end body-types to BYU coached really well before, defensive end to take advan- will be plenty of games where than defensive tackles. Sitake Defensive lineman Logan and they have played in mul- tage of Langi’s pass-rushing the Cougars will line up in doesn’t necessarily subscribe Taele, above right, ap­ tiple fronts. … We are just skills. multiple fronts. to that notion. proves of the formation. spending a little more time on Tuiaki said they could give “I think the kids are start- “I think you just recruit some things that they didn’t Langi a shot at defensive end ing to get it now, the tech - what you need,” Sitake said. really major in.” because the middle lineback- niques we are asking them to “For us, I think BYU is always It has helped that the lone er position is deep. Current- play,” Tuiaki said. “They are a place that has had big line- holdover from Mendenhall’s ly, redshirt sophomore Butch starting to get the schemes. It men on the offensive and de- staff is defensive line coach Pau’u has filled the spot. is coming along well.” fensive lines for a long time.” Steve Kaufusi, who is coach- “Butch is a really savvy foot- Although offseason shoul- Back in his day as a full- ing another son on this year’s ball player,” Tuiaki said. “He der surgery has kept him out back for BYU under LaVell team, somewhat surprisingly. is dynamite. He is explosive.” of action early in camp, se- Edwards, Sitake remembers Bronson Kaufusi moved on to nior defensive tackle Logan the defense switching from a the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, [email protected] Taele said the switch has been 3-4 to a 4-3 to take advantage so the tallest player is now Twitter: @drewjay WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 37

BYU Cougars

because he did not meet NCAA eligibility standards — are also in the picture. Sophomore Michael Shel- ton got two starts at corner/ nickel last year, but was not mentioned by Sitake as being in the mix to start. “We will see which one emerges,” Sitake said. “It is like they have good days and bad days. The most consistent guy will start the year.” Akile Davis and Armstrong have seen the most reps with the first-string defense in scrimmages, but Warner — younger brother of starting linebacker Fred Warner — is making big strides, having graduated high school ear- ly so he could participate in spring camp in March and April. “Troy is a smart football player and knows where to put his body to not get beat,” defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki said of the four-star Associated Press file photo recruit from the San Diego area. “He is definitely push- ing to get some playing time. We like the way he is coming along.” Other corners in camp in- Left wondering at CB clude redshirt freshman Trev- or Brent and junior walk-on Cody Stewart. Washington Michael Davis holds down one corner Top cornerbacks at BYU camp State transfer Kamel Greene and freshman Hiva Lee haven’t spot, but the other is up for grabs. Player Yr. Ht./Wt. Previous school been practicing due to injury. Michael Davis Sr. 6-2/190 Glendale (Calif.) H.S. Tuiaki said several corners Akile Davis So. 6-2/198 DeSoto (Texas) H.S. will play, in addition to the By JAY DREW a three-year starter at corner- Troy Warner Fr. 6-1/192 Mission Hills (Calif.) H.S. starters, because BYU faces The Salt Lake Tribune back who has put on nearly 15 Isaiah Armstrong So. 6-2/193 Riverside (Calif.) C.C. a lot of high-tempo offenses pounds since spring camp and Chris Wilcox Fr. 6-2/175 Roosevelt (Calif.) H.S. this fall. Provo • BYU senior Mi - is being considered a possible Dayan Lake Fr. 5-11/200 Northridge H.S. “We have to have a reliable chael Davis can grin about NFL prospect. backup that is taking 20, 30 it now, but it was no laugh- “He’s got a good chance, if snaps from the starters,” Tu- ing matter on Nov. 23, 2013, he keeps improving,” said is,” Davis said, and he should Mendenhall-era “boundary” iaki said. in South Bend, Ind., when BYU’s new cornerbacks coach, know. and “field” corner monikers — They will also play more the receiver-turned-corner- former Cougar Jernaro Gil- Which of the 11 other cor- because Micah Hannemann man-press coverage than back, a freshman, found him- ford. nerbacks in BYU preseason was moved to safety in the corners at BYU have the past self standing across the line of So, the Cougars are set at training camp will get the spring and Jordan Preator half-dozen years, Gilford said. scrimmage from one of Notre right corner this season, bar- nod? transferred to an FCS school, “We will try,” he said. “That Dame’s many wide receivers. ring injury. Left corner is a “There are five or six guys Portland State. is our scheme, and that’s what “I was really nervous, and different story. battling for that spot,” Gilford Coach Kalani Sitake said we do. The guys are taking it I didn’t have any confidence,” When BYU lines up against said. “I told them I want to see the leading candidates for the and running with it. All of Davis said of that brutally cold Arizona on Sept. 3, a fresh- one of them stand out and kind starting job are sophomores them want to do it. It is the afternoon three years ago man or sophomore with less of take the lead, take the spot. Akile Davis and Isaiah Arm- thing that we have been work- when he was sent on the field college experience than Davis I want somebody to show me strong, a transfer from River- ing on since spring. You will because Mike Hague was hurt had in the eventual 23-13 loss out here on the field that they side (Calif.) College, and fresh- see more than you have seen and Robertson Daniel was ill. to Notre Dame will line up really want that spot — physi- man Troy Warner. Freshman over the last six or seven years, “I was pretty scared.” across from one of the Wild- cally as well as mentally.” Chris Wilcox and former absolutely.” Fast-forward to 2016. Da- cats’ top receivers. The Cougars are in this Northridge High star Dayan vis is the most-experienced “It’s not going to be easy predicament at left corner — Lake — who was in the pro- [email protected] player in the BYU secondary, for the young guy, whoever it coaches have scrapped the gram last year but redshirted Twitter: @drewjay 38 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

BYU Cougars

By JAY DREW Tuiaki is just as effusive in his praise The Salt Lake Tribune for the 19-year-old rising star. Cougars see a “Fred does everything,” Tuiaki said. Provo • Before he was taken in the “Fred is a really good player. He does second round of the 2014 NFL draft everything for us. We can put him out by the Detroit Lions, former BYU line- on coverage, man to man. We can zone backer Kyle Van Noy predicted that a drop him, blitz him, everything. He is rising star in young phenom who had just signed the total package. … Fred has the com- with the Cougars a few months before bination of size and speed in a guy you that had the potential to match his ex- would like to play linebacker.” ploits in Provo, perhaps even surpass This season, Warner will be joined them. by his brother, freshman Troy Warner, Warner Fred Warner isn’t there yet, but he’s who is in a battle for a starting corner- making Van Noy sound like a genius. back spot. BYU’s version of the Warner The junior outside linebacker from Bros. — yes, T-shirts are on the way — Junior already being compared to a former San Marcos, Calif., is on the verge of a are both former four-star recruits out monster season if he can stay healthy of Mission Hills High in the San Di- standout at the same position: Kyle Van Noy. and continue to learn the nuances of ego area who picked BYU over schools the new 4-3 defense, coach Kalani Si- such as Oregon, USC and Washington. take and defensive coordinator Ilaisa “I just felt like this was the place that Tuiaki have said. would make me a better man,” Fred “He’s got huge potential,” Sitake Warner said. said. “He’s a big-time player. He doesn’t Raised by a single mother, Laura, waste a lot of steps, and the game is re- Fred Warner added 15 pounds of mus- ally natural for him. … He’s a great one. cle over the offseason and now checks He is going to find himself in a really in around 235. But the added bulk good position, especially in this de- didn’t slow him down, he insists, be- fense, making a lot of big plays. cause he will be called on to cover re- “We are going to give him some free- ceivers and running backs downfield dom and some ability to freelance a bit, in Tuiaki’s scheme. because he has earned it,” Sitake con- “We will put him in space and in tinued. “And he is trustable. I think a position where he can do his own now that he is a junior, he knows the thing,” Sitake said. “He handles him- risks to take. He will take some, and self really well in space, but he is also hopefully they work out.” good at the line of scrimmage and also in the box. He reminds me of a lot of others that I have coached, but as far as playmaking ability and potential, he has got a lot more. I think he is just scratching the surface of how good and dominating he can be as a player.” Last summer, Warner was still try- ing to overcome a broken wrist and a broken back suffered during his freshman season. This summer, fully healthy, he worked on getting in bet- ter shape, and often ran stairs at LaVell Edwards Stadium with his teammates. “They just want me fast enough to where I can cover receivers and stuff, and that’s not a problem,” Warner said. “I am just focusing on whatever I can do to help the team.” Warner recorded 67 tackles (46 solo), four sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss last season. He had two interceptions and four fumble recoveries. He’s taking Van Noy’s praise in stride, though. “I feel like I could better my game in so many ways right now,” he said. “I am just trying to get better each and every day, just so when the games come I can be the playmaker that my team needs me to be.”

[email protected] Associated Press file photo Twitter: @drewjay WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 39

BYU Cougars BYU breakdown DEPTH CHART • OFFENSE LT • Ului Lapuaho, Jr., 6-7, 335; JJ Nwigwe, Soph., 6-5, 278 The Cougars will succeed if ... LG • Andrew Eide, Sr., 6-5, 301; Keyan Norman, Jr., 6-3, 305 C • Tejan Koroma, Jr., 6-0, 290; Quinn Ficklin, Soph., 6-3, 280 Their definition of success does not include RG • Tuni Kanuch, Jr., 6-3, 335; Parker Dawe, Sr., 6-3, 307 anything close to 12 wins. The goal against RT • Austin Hoyt, Soph., 6-8, 295; Thomas Shoaf, Fr., 6-5, 275 this schedule should be to make a 12th- QB • Taysom Hill, Sr., 6-2, 230; Tanner Mangum, Soph., 6-3, 215 straight bowl appearance. Probable under- RB • Jamaal Williams, Sr., 6-2, 220; Squally Canada, Soph., 5-11, 200 dogs in seven of their first eight games, and FB • Algernon Brown, Sr., 6-1, 250; Brayden El-Bakri, Soph., 6-0, 235 with a new coaching staff, six or seven wins WR • Nick Kurtz, Sr., 6-6, 215; Mitchell Juergens, Sr., 5-10, 181 is a realistic expectation in the first season WR • Moroni Lualu-Pututau, Soph., 6-4, 215; Colby Pearson, Sr., 6-1, 201 for Kalani Sitake, right. Anything more is ic- TE • Tanner Balderree, Jr., 6-3, 250; Nate Sampson, Jr., 6-4, 240 ing on the cake. RICK EGAN | The Salt Lake Tribune DEFENSE LE • Tomasi Lualile, Jr., 6-4, 285; Moses Kaumatule, Soph., 6-2, 275 The Cougars won’t succeed if ... NT • Travis Tuiloma, Sr., 6-2, 295; Tevita Mo’Unga, Soph., 6-3, 340 RE • Logan Taele, Sr., 6-2, 295; Kesni Tausinga, Jr., 6-1, 303 They become overwhelmed by a Power STUD • Harvey Langi, Sr., 6-3, 249; Sae Tautu, Sr., 6-4, 245 Five-type schedule and succumb to all the FLB • Fred Warner, Jr., 6-4, 230; Morgan Unga, Soph., 6-5, 210 lofty expectations that have accompanied MLB • Butch Pau’u, Soph., 6-0, 223; Austin Heder, Sr., 6-2, 240 Sitake and new offensive BO LB • Francis Bernard, Soph., 6-1, 239; Johnny Tapusoa, Fr., 5-10, 225 coordinator Ty Detmer CB • Akile Davis, Soph., 6-2, 198; Troy Warner, Fr., 6-1, 192 into Provo. There will be CB • Michael Davis, Sr., 6-2, 195; Dayan Lake, Fr., 5-11, 200 growing pains for both of FS • Kai Nacua, Sr., 6-2, 215; Zayne Anderson, Soph., 6-2, 200 those guys, as well as new SS • Micah Hannemann, Jr., 6-0, 205; Eric Takenaka, Sr., 5-10, 210 defensive coordinator Ilai- sa Tuiaki, right. Persever- SPECIAL TEAMS ance will be key when the PK • James Baird, Fr., 5-7, 171; Jake Oldroyd, Fr., 6-1, 170 honeymoon period ends. P • Jonny Linehan, Sr., 6-0, 203; Rhett Almond, Soph., 6-4, 195 KR • Riley Burt, Soph., 6-1, 205; Trey Dye, Jr., 5-9, 181 PR • Mitchell Juergens, Sr., 5-10, 181; Garrett Juergens, Sr., 5-10, 184 DS • Matt Foley, Soph., 6-2, 210; Britton Hogan, Fr., 6-3, 220 The bottom line Talent-wise, this looks like one of the bet- ter BYU teams of the past six years, but on-field results might not show. If the of- fensive line comes along and gives quar- Wide terbacks Taysom Hill and Tanner Mang- receiver um, left, time to do their thing, and gives Nick Kurtz Jamaal Williams holes to run through, the Cougars could spring some upsets because TRENT NELSON | the defense looks solid and capable of The Salt Lake RICK EGAN | The Salt Lake Tribune keeping games close. Tribune

SCHEDULE ANALYSIS •

Sept. 3 vs. Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Sept. 30 Oct. 8 at Oct. 14 vs. Oct. 20 Nov. 5 at Nov. 12 Nov. 19 Nov. 26 Arizona at at Utah, vs. UCLA, vs. West vs. Toledo, Michigan Mississippi at Boise Cincinnati vs. South­ vs. UMass vs. Utah Glendale, 5:30 p.m. 8:15 p.m. Virginia at 8:15 p.m. State State, State, At least ern Utah, A Novem- State Ariz., Storylines Can BYU Landover, Will Cougs Huge task 8:15 p.m. 8:15 p.m. one, or 1 p.m. ber match- BYU took 8:30 p.m. abound sell out Md. be look- in East Rare vis- Bron- both, of BYU as- up of inde- back the Good as Cou- LaVell Ed- First-ev- ing for Lansing it to Provo cos will these sistant Ed pendents Old Wag- thing this gars visit wards Sta- er match- first win in for BYU; for an SEC be buck- teams Lamb fac- in Provo, on Wheel is indoors, Rice-Eccles dium for up with this Friday Sparty team; Cou- ing for re- could be es his for- but not the with a 51- because for first home Mountain- night spe- ranked No. gars return venge af- headed mer team one the 28 romp it’ll be time since opener vs. eers carries cial? 12 in AP the trip in ter 2015 for the as T-Birds Cougars last year in above 90 24-21 loss a big-time Big 12 in- preseason 2017. last-second Big 12 in make first wanted. Logan. outdoors. in 2012. opponent? trigue. Top 25. BYU win. 2017. visit to BYU. 40 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

BYU Cougars

No. Name Ht. Wt. Pos. Year Hometown/Previous No. Name Ht. Wt. Pos. Year Hometown/Previous 1 Akile Davis 6-2 198 WR So. DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto 41 Adam Pulsipher 6-1 227 LB So. Temecula, Calif./Temecula Valley 1 Moroni Laulu-Pututau 6-4 216 WR So. Hyrum/Mountain Crest 42 Austin Heder 6-2 240 LB Sr. Pleasant Grove/Pleasant Grove 2 Matt Hadley 6-0 205 DB Jr. Connell, Wash./Connell 43 Johnny Tapusoa 5-10 225 LB Fr. Laie, Hawaii/Kahuku 3 Isaiah Armstrong 6-2 193 DB So. Redlands, Calif./Riverside City CC 44 Troy Hinds 6-5 245 LB So. Kaysville/Davis 3 Colby Pearson 6-0 201 WR Sr. Blackfoot, Idaho/Blackfoot 44 Keenan Pili 6-2 196 LB Fr. Provo/Timpview 4 Beau Hoge 6-1 210 QB So. Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands 45 Sam Baldwin 6-3 196 DB Fr. Rexburg, Idaho/Madison 4 Fred Warner 6-4 230 LB Jr. San Marcos, Calif./Mission Hills 45 Alema Pilimai 6-4 205 TE Fr. Tustin, Calif./Tustin 5 Nick Kurtz 6-6 215 WR Sr. El Cajon, Calif./Grossmont CC 46 Creed Richardson 6-1 238 RB Jr. Provo/Timpview 5 Dayan Lake 5-11 200 DB Fr. Layton/Northridge 46 Rhett Sandlin 6-3 245 LB So. Draper/Alta 6 Trey Dye 5-9 181 RB Jr. Abilene, Texas/Cooper 46 Morgan Unga 6-5 210 LB So. Ogden/Bonneville 7 Micah Hannemann 6-0 205 DB Jr. Alpine/Lone Peak 47 Scott Huntsman 6-4 227 LB So. Coppell, Texas/Coppell 7 Taysom Hill 6-2 230 QB Sr. Pocatello, Idaho/Highland 48 Tomasi Laulile 6-4 285 DL Jr. Westlake, Calif./Westlake 10 Koy Detmer Jr. 5-10 170 QB So. Somerset, Texas/Somerset 49 Moses Kaumatule 6-2 275 DL So. South Jordan/Bingham 10 Kamel Greene 5-11 189 DB Jr. East Palo Alto, Calif./Washington St. 50 Tevita Mo’Unga 6-3 340 DL So. Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta 11 Troy Warner 6-1 192 DB Fr. San Marcos, Calif./Mission Hills 52 Sam Morell 6-1 223 LB Fr. Plano, Texas/Plano 12 Tanner Mangum 6-3 215 QB So. Eagle, Idaho/Eagle 53 Isaiah Kaufusi 6-2 216 LB Fr. Cottonwood Heights/Brighton 12 Kai Nacua 6-2 215 DB Sr. Las Vegas, Nev.Liberty 54 Parker Dawe 6-3 307 OL Sr. Pleasant Grove/Pleasant Grove 13 Francis Bernard 6-1 239 LB So. Herriman/Herriman 54 Merrill Taliauli 6-2 305 DL So. Salt Lake City/East 15 Michael Davis 6-2 190 DB Sr. Glendale, Calif./Glendale 55 Quin Ficklin 6-3 280 OL So. Mesa, Ariz./Red Mountain 15 Hayden Livingston 6-1 185 QB Fr. Rigby, Idaho/Rigby 56 Tejan Koroma 6-0 290 OL Jr. Allen, Texas/Allen 17 Chris Badger 6-0 197 DB Sr. Provo/Notre Dame 57 LeRoy Tanoai 6-4 315 OL Fr. Sherman Oaks, Calif./Notre Dame 18 Michael Shelton 5-8 175 DB So. Raleigh, N.C./Wakefield 58 Austin Chambers 6-4 270 OL Fr. Shawnee Mission, Kan./Shawnee Mission West 19 Trevor Brent 5-10 180 DB Fr. Balch Springs, Texas/West Mesquite 58 Uriah Leiataua 6-4 240 DL Fr. Compton, Calif./Dominguez 19 Micah Simon 6-1 189 WR So. Dallas, Texas/Bishop Dunne 59 Thomas Shoaf 6-5 275 OL Fr. Columbus, Ind./Columbus North 20 KJ Hall 5-9 175 DB Fr. Spanish Fork/Maple Mountain 60 Britton Hogan 6-3 220 DS Fr. Salt Lake City/Olympus 21 Harvey Langi 6-3 249 LB Sr. South Jordan/Utah 62 Logan Taele 6-2 295 DL Sr. Columbus, Ohio/Dixie 21 Jamaal Williams 6-2 220 RB Sr. Fontana, Calif./Summit 65 JJ Nwigwe 6-5 278 OL So. Rockwall, Texas/Rockwall-Heath 22 Phillip Amone 6-0 240 LB So. Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips 70 Jacob Jimenez 6-5 292 OL So. Pflugerville, Texas/Pflugerville 22 Squally Canada 5-11 200 RB So. Milpitas, Calif./Washington St. 71 Austin Hoyt 6-8 295 OL So. Ione, Calif./Argonaut 23 Garrett Juergens 5-10 184 WR Sr. Houston, Texas/Langham Creek 72 Addison Pulsipher 6-5 280 OL Fr. Temecula, Calif./Temecula Valley 23 Rickey Shumway 6-2 200 WR Fr. Provo/Timpview 73 Ului Lapuaho 6-7 335 OL Jr. West Valley City/Hunter 24 Algernon Brown 6-1 250 RB Sr. Magna/Skyline 74 Kieffer Longson 6-7 295 OL Fr. San Ramon, Calif./Dougherty Valley 25 Tanner Jacobson 5-10 185 DB So. Southlake, Texas/Texas Tech 76 Keyan Norman 6-3 305 OL Jr. Alpine/Southern Utah 26 Rhett Almond 6-4 195 P So. Valencia, Calif./Hart 77 Chandon Herring 6-7 270 OL Fr. Gilbert, Ariz./Perry 27 Austin McChesney 6-1 188 DB Fr. Highland/Lone Peak 78 Tuni Kanuch 6-3 335 OL Jr. South Jordan/Bingham 28 Sawyer Powell 6-1 200 DB Jr. West Richland, Wash./Richland 79 Andrew Eide 6-5 301 OL Graduate Orem/Southern Utah 29 Cody Stewart 6-3 191 DB Jr. Mesa, Ariz./Mountain View 80 Beau Tanner 6-0 188 WR Fr. Gilbert, Ariz./Scottsdale CC 30 Kavika Fonua 6-0 220 DB So. Syracuse/Syracuse 82 Talon Shumway 6-3 200 WR Fr. South Jordan/Lone Peak 30 Colby Hansen 5-11 195 RB Jr. Clarkston, Wash./Clarkston 83 Inoke Lotulelei 5-9 190 WR Fr. Midvale/Cottonwood 31 Jonny Linehan 6-0 203 P Sr. Auckland, N.Z./Takapuna Grammar 84 Jonah Trinnaman 6-0 190 WR Jr. Highland/Snow CC 31 Sae Tautu 6-4 245 LB Sr. Alpine/Lone Peak 85 Nate Sampson 6-2 240 TE So. Pleasant Grove/Pleasant Grove 32 Gavin Fowler 6-0 186 DB Jr. Kaysville/Davis 86 Mack Richards 6-1 190 WR Fr. Sandy/Alta 32 Chris Wilcox 6-2 175 DB Fr. Fontana, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt 87 Mitchell Juergens 5-10 181 WR Sr. Houston, Texas/Langham Creek 33 Eric Takenaka 5-10 210 DB Sr. Salt Lake City/Snow CC 88 Aleva Hifo 5-10 180 WR Fr. Menifee, Calif./Heritage 34 James Baird 5-7 171 K Fr. Fort Dix, N.J./Northridge 89 Tanner Balderree 6-3 252 TE Jr. Sherwood, Ore./Sherwood 34 Riley Burt 6-1 205 RB So. Mantua/Box Elder 90 Corbin Kaufusi 6-9 270 OL So. Provo/Timpview 35 Brayden El-Bakri 6-0 235 RB So. Salt Lake City/Brighton 91 Travis Tuiloma 6-2 295 DL Sr. Topeka, Kan./Washburn Rural 35 Va’a Niumatalolo 6-2 238 LB Jr. Annapolis, Md./Broadneck 92 Handsome Tanielu 6-2 318 DL Jr. Waianae, Hawaii/Snow CC 36 Zayne Anderson 6-2 200 DB So. Stansbury Park/Stansbury Park 93 Kainoa Fuiava 6-5 295 DL Fr. Downey, Calif./Warren 36 Mitch Harris 6-4 215 DS Fr. Gilbert, Ariz./Perry 94 Kesni Tausinga 6-1 303 DL Jr. South Jordan/Bingham 37 Grant Jones 6-6 205 DB Jr. Concord, Calif./Ygnacio Valley 96 Hunter Marshall 6-3 242 TE So. Acworth, Ga./Snow CC 38 Butch Pau’u 6-0 223 LB So. Anaheim, Calif./Servite 98 Trajan Pili 6-1 225 LB Fr. Las Vegas, Nev./Centennial 39 BJ Fifita 6-0 203 DB Fr. Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian 99 Solomone Wolfgramm 6-5 260 TE So. Menlo Park, Calif./BYU-Hawaii 39 Jake Oldroyd 6-1 170 K, P Fr. Southlake, Texas/Carroll WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 41

Utah State Aggies Bounce back from a setback Wells says his team is playing with a final seven games, includ- something to prove. They The Aggies also need good ing a 23-21 defeat to Akron have an edge.” health for running back chip on its shoulder after last season’s in the Famous Idaho Potato Utah State’s hope of win- Devante Mays and the play- Bowl, which ended the sea - ning the division and earn- ers who form a versatile, ex- 6-7 finish and a bowl game defeat. son in appropriately frustrat- ing a spot in the conference’s perienced offensive line. ing fashion. championship game depends It’s the Year of the Run- By STEVE LUHM is about this much,” Wells said. “Everybody wants to see on a number of factors. ning Back in the Mountain The Salt Lake Tribune “… The little things are what what we’ll do after [going] Myers must emerge as a top West, but Wells says Mays makes a good team great.” 6-7,” junior quarterback Kent quarterback, after playing ef- belongs in a headline-mak- Logan • Utah State coach Utah State was good last Myers said. “We’re mad about fectively out of the bullpen in ing group that includes San Matt Wells raised his hand year, but not great. that and we’re coming back, each of his first two seasons. Diego State’s Donnel Pum- in front of his face. He posi- The Aggies started 4-2 ready to go.” “I’ve been working hard phrey, Wyoming’s Brian Hill, tioned his thumb and index overall and 3-0 in the Moun- “We’re hungry and we’re for this and I’m doing what Boise State’s Jeremy McNich- finger less than an inch apart. tain West Conference. After a ready,” senior nose guard Tra- I’ve dreamed of,” he said. “If ols and Nevada’s James Butler. He squinted through the tiny 52-26 thrashing of Boise State, vis Seefeldt said. “I’m excited I come out here and take care “I like my kid,” Wells said. opening at a group of report- they controlled the Mountain to see us play.” of what I can do without wor- “He’s strong. It’s hard for the ers. Division championship race Wells, too. rying about everything else, first guy to bring him down. “The difference between but let it slip away. “This team has a chip on its I think everything will play He’s doing a better job of good and great in this league Utah State lost five of its shoulder,” he said. “They have out.” catching the ball out of the backfield, too.” Despite some injury issues last season, Mays rushed for 966 yards and nine touch- downs. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry — more than Pum- phrey, Hill, McNichols or But- ler. Another strength for Utah State is the secondary, where senior safety Devin Centers, junior cornerback Jalen Da- vis and BYU transfer Dallin Leavitt should enable an inex- perienced group of lineback- ers to learn as they go early in the season. “The leaders in the back end have played a lot of foot- ball here,” Wells said. “They have played a lot of successful football, individually and as a group. I like our group. We are pretty talented and versatile.” Like its linebackers, Utah State’s wide receivers haven’t played much. Senior Andrew Rodriguez has made nine starts in his career — far more than anyone else in the group. Still, Myers is comfortable with his wideouts. “… Everyone can catch the ball,” he said. “You’re playing D-I football; you’ve caught the ball before. [But] what do you do with the ball in your hands? Are you breaking the tackle, making people miss? All of them have that ability.”

JOHN ZSIRAY | The Herald-Journal via The Associated Press [email protected] Utah State’s Devante Mays ran for almost 1,000 yards in his first season after joining the Aggies from junior college. Twitter: @sluhm 42 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Utah State Aggies

For the first time year. … Worry about what you can control.” in his career, he Last season, Myers over- No debate: came more uncertainty. De- enters the season spite opening as the backup, he ended up starting eight as starting QB. games when Keeton was again sidelined by injuries. Myers is No. 1 By STEVE LUHM In a 33-18 win over Colora- The Salt Lake Tribune do State, Myers rushed for 191 yards on 16 carries, the most Logan • In his first two yardage by seasons, Kent Myers’ playing an FBS quar- time depended on injuries or terback all the effectiveness of others. season. In a No longer. 58-27 victo- Myers is the No. 1 quarter- ry over Wy- back. oming , he “Kent will take the first reps completed because he’s earned them to 14 of 17 pass- this point,” coach Matt Wells Myers • Has es for 246 said at media day. “He’s won two years of yards and a lot of games in the Moun- bowl game three touch- tain West [Conference] the experience. downs. He last two years.” also threw a Myers admits this situa- pair of touchdown passes in tion is different for him, even Utah State’s 23-21 loss to Ak- though he is 10-4 as a starter ron in the Famous Idaho Po- since joining the program. tato Bowl. “The last two seasons I’ve Along with a solid perfor- been thrown into the fire,” mance in spring practice, My- he said. “So this season I’m ers’ bowl performance helped more confident because I entrench him as the Aggies’ know what I was able to do,” starter. despite his week-to-week sta- “I’ve been working hard tus on the depth chart. for this,” Myers said. “This is Aggie Nation knows My- what I’ve dreamed about. … If FILE PHOTOS | The Salt Lake Tribune and The Associated Press ers’ story. I do what I can do, I think ev- As a freshman, injuries to erything will play out.” three quarterbacks — Chuckie Said co-offensive coordi- Keeton, Darrel Garretson and nator Luke Wells: “What I Craig Harrison — turned him hope to see in camp is Kent from a redshirt into a starter. making great decisions, lead- “Everybody was scared ing this team, being confident to death, really,” said Utah and playing fast — just being a State co-offensive coordinator great executor when he’s out and quarterback coach Luke there. Just taking ownership Wells. “They were wondering of the offense.” what would we be able to do According to Matt Wells, and who’s this guy? He start- Damion Hobbs, DJ Nelson, ed off as a fourth team guy but Cade Smith and freshman Jor- did really, really well.” dan Love provide this year’s In his first game, Myers insurance behind Myers. He completed 14 of 15 passes for believes all are capable and the 186 yards and three touch- competition will make quar- downs in a win at Hawaii. By terback a position of strength. the end of the season, the Ag- “I know the other quarter- gies were 5-1 with Myers at backs in that room are hun- quarterback, including a 21-6 gry to compete,” Wells said. win over UTEP in the New “ …. That’s a good room. It’s a Mexico Bowl. He was named talented room. You can only the game’s MVP after rushing play one, but the good thing 15 times for 70 yards, includ- is there are a lot of good ones ing a 48-yard touchdown. in there.” “You don’t have to do too much,” Myers said. “That’s [email protected] what I learned my freshman Twitter: @sluhm WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 43

Utah State Aggies Growing up quickly

Returning linebackers Christiansen and true freshman Jus- tus Te’i. have one combined Others mentioned by Wells when discussing his linebackers are senior start between them. Leki Uasike, sophomore Chasen An- dersen and redshirt freshman Dalton By STEVE LUHM Baker. The Salt Lake Tribune Asked if he’s worried about the posi- tion, Wells said, “… We don’t have con- Logan • Study Utah State’s roster cerns. The guys just haven’t played on for the coming football season and one Saturday.” thing leaps out like a raging bull from Said defensive end Ricky Ali’ifua, a rodeo chute. “It’s pretty hard to replace guys like The Aggies, looking to replace their Fackrell [and] Vigil. But we’ve done it top four linebackers, are counting on before. It’s nothing new to us. That’s a group of players who have made ex- always been the mentality — next man actly one start during their college ca- up. reers. One. “So I’m not really worried about To make the situation even more it, especially seeing some of the guys tricky, Utah State must replace two during the offseason. They’re putting linebackers — Kyler Fackrell and Nick themselves in position to perform Vigil — who were each selected in the and be successful. … They’re going to third round of the NFL draft. They be fine.” made 246 tackles last season, or 24 Huerta is from Mountain Crest percent of all stops by the Aggie de- High School in Wellsville. He played fense. in 12 games last season and finished At this point, however, coach Matt with four tackles. Wells believes he can piece together Williams is the only current line- an effective unit, although the pro- backer to start a game at Utah State. cess continues to evolve, with as many He did so in 2014 before redshirting as 10 players in the mix for significant last year. roles. Like Williams, Carmen is a former “… I need consistency,” Wells said. “I junior college transfer. He made 12 don’t need somebody to come in and tackles in 13 games last season. be the Mountain West Defensive Play- “We’ve made some big strides,” new er of the Year. I don’t need that. I don’t linebacker coach David Kotulski said. need somebody to come in and be a “… We lost six from a year ago. Then Nick Vigil or Kyler Fackrell. we had guys coming off injuries who “I need somebody to come in and didn’t participate in spring and we had be consistent, be tough, play hard and guys get hurt during spring. play smart. They need to be able to get “Now we have a good mix of play- lined up and make the calls that line- ers who have been in the program backers have to make. That way the and new guys - freshmen and junior defensive line can take over and play college guys — and it’s a good group. well and use their experience.” We’re excited about it and what they Junior Alex Huerta is one of the bring to the table.” front-runners for a starting job at in- Kotulski, who previously coached at side linebacker. Utah State in 2003-04, was especially “Our hats off to the guys who left,” encouraged after the first scrimmage he said, “but we’ve picked it up in of preseason. camp and are going to get where we “We played well,” he said. “The thing want to go. … The guys up front have is, when you’re a little confused about Associated Press file photo helped a lot. They showed us how what’s going on, you can play slow. We Utah State’s Brock Carmen runs after an interception at Fresno State. things are supposed to be — how we’re made some mistakes we have to clear supposed to be running things — and up, but we played fast. We were much we took it from there.” more physical. They’re understand- Need to know: According to Wells, Huerta has ing the physicality that we are asking played consistently during the first them to play with.” • Utah State must replace four • Seniors Anthony Williams and two weeks of practice. So have seniors starting linebackers, including Brock Carmen, along with junior Anthony Williams and Brock Carmen, [email protected] third-round NFL draft picks Kyler Alex Huerta, could become the nu- sophomores Derek Larsen and Chase Twitter: @sluhm Fackrell and Nick Vigil. cleus of the group. 44 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Utah State Aggies

Maverik Stadium’s face-lift gives Aggies a stadium to excite both the fan base and recruits.

CHRIS DETRICK | The Salt Lake Tribune

By STEVE LUHM The Salt Lake Tribune

Logan • Not long ago, when Utah State coaches Home, new home brought recruits to campus for official visits, they spent as little time as possible tour- When Utah State opens its added 24 luxury suites, 24 looking building. … It’s as- Renovation ing the school’s woeful foot- new season against Weber loge suites, 700 club seats tounding how it has trans- highlights ball facilities. State on Sept. 1, a $36 million and a new press box to Mav- formed this whole area.” The locker and weight renovation project to Maver- erik Stadium. Total capacity The work went smoothly, • Construction on Utah rooms were lacking. The med- ik Stadium will be complete. is now 25,100. Also included: after one early roadblock. State’s $36 million renova­ ical areas were closet-like. After 15 months of deter- a rebuilt concourse, new con- “It was a complex project tion of Maverik Stadium is Even the stadium, though mined work, the school has fi- cessions and restroom areas due to some up-front soil is- complete. functional, was showing signs nally reached the finish line in and two video scoreboards — sues,” Francom said. “We • The project, which began of age. a decade-long trek to make its one four times bigger than its were restricted on some de- in May of 2015, took about For many young players football facilities competitive. predecessor. sign elements. The soils 15 months to finish. seeking somewhere to pros- “It’s a whole body trans- Those who rebuilt Maver- were such that it created is- • Among the additions: per, the place was a football formation, not just a facelift,” ik Stadium like the way things sues from a construction suites, patio seating areas wasteland. For most of the Aggie coach Matt Wells said. turned out. standpoint. We spent several and two video scoreboards; head coaches who entered and “Any of us who have been “It’s been a fun one and months working with the de- capacity will be 25,100. left through a revolving door, around here for a long time, we’re very pleased with the sign team on that.” it was a graveyard. it’s a tremendous thing. It outcome,” said Okland Con- Still, Okland completed the Fortunately for the Aggies, shows commitment.” struction project director project on schedule and the times change. The construction project Jared Francom. “It’s a great Please see AGGIES, PAGE 45 WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 45

Utah State Aggies

PHOTOS BY CHRIS DETRICK | The Salt Lake Tribune The new Maverik Stadium’s capacity includes 700 club seats, 24 loge suites and 24 luxury suites that have all sold out, according to Utah State athletic director John Hartwell. It also has a rebuilt concourse, new concessions and restrooms, and two video scoreboards for fans to enjoy during games this fall.

the charts. And it’s important Aggies to note that won’t be for just ≥ Continued from PAGE 44 the ticket-purchasers in the suites and club seating areas.” Aggies, who played around the He noted the new score- construction last season, will boards, concession areas and have a remodeled home wait- restroom facilities will im- ing for them when they face prove the Utah State football Weber State. experience “for everyone.” “For us as players, it’s moti- And recruiting? vation,” said junior lineback- “It’s what I refer to as the er Alex Huerta. “It’s like, ‘We Wow Factor,” Hartwell said. need to go out and put a show “To be a success consistent- on for the crowd and for all of ly in recruiting you’ve got to Cache Valley — for everybody. have the Wow Factor going We’re blessed to be where we for you. This gives us the Wow are. We realize that every day.” Factor, in combination with According to USU athlet- our coaching staff and their ic director John Hartwell, commitment. … This will al- the luxury suites are sold low us to go after any recruit out. Only one loge suite re- in the country.” mains and he expects it to be Linebacker coach David sold before the season opener. Kotulski was also a Utah State “Some inventory” remains on assistant in 2003 and 2004, the ends of the new club seat- when the Aggies went 6-17 ing section. and played in the far-flung “It may not be the biggest Sun Belt Conference. premium seating area in the More than most people country, but I’d put our facil- currently connected with ity up against anyone as far USU’s football program, Ko- as amenities and closeness to tulski knows how far the Ag- the playing field,” Hartwell gies have come. said. “… You are right on top “This is a Division I stadi- the action.” um — a facility everyone at The renovations will be a Utah State and in Cache Val- boost for Utah State’s fans and ley can be proud of,” he said. coaches, who can recruit to a “I know our players are just facility that is at least equal to thrilled about it. … It adds a any in the Mountain West. little more pride to what we “What it does is enhance have going on.” the game-day atmosphere,” Hartwell said. “The experi- [email protected] ence for our fans will be off Twitter: @sluhm 46 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Utah State Aggies Seefeldt all the way back after surviving car crash

He missed last season after his SUV on a defense that returns nine With Seefeldt in the middle, “ starters. the defensive line is expect- was hit by a semi, but is now set to “I’m so proud of Travis,” ed to be one of Utah State’s I look at Travis, and start at nose guard for Aggies. Wells said, “… It motivates strengths. that makes you ap­ our guys a little bit, to see how “We’re the same group that preciate life a little hard he’s worked to get where we’ve always been,” he said. By STEVE LUHM intersection 20 miles from he is.” “We’ve always had that man- bit more. It’s allowed The Salt Lake Tribune home. His passengers in - Two years ago — before the tra of being the anchor of the all of us to appreciate cluded fellow defensive line- accident — Seefeldt played in defense. We’ve got to stop the life [and] love a little Logan • Only days after his men Edmund Faimalo, Ade- all 14 games for the Aggies. He run and make that known to SUV was T-boned by a speed- wale Adeoye and John Taylor, made two starts, finished with opposing teams. That’s what harder because … it’s ing truck loaded with 52,000 as well as former Utah State 35 tackles and recovered two we’re here to do.” a miracle everybody is gallons of milk, Utah State softball player Sarah Vasquez. fumbles, including one during What will Seefeldt be still alive.” nose guard Travis Seefeldt re- According to witness - a 35-20 win at BYU. thinking when he takes the ceived a grim prognosis from es, Seefeldt slowed to a near Last season, without field against Weber State — UTAH ST. COACH his doctors. stop before starting to cross Seefeldt, Utah State lost five his first game in almost two MATT WELLS Walking again, they said, the highway. He expected the of its last seven games and years? On the return of Travis Seefeldt from a car accident in June 2015 might prove problematic. truck to stop, too. But its driv- finished 6-7. “It’s going to feel good to (seen in bottom photo) Playing football, they told er had the right-of-way and “We have something to be back,” he said. “It will be him gently, was out of the didn’t. prove and we’ve got some- good to feel those fans cheer- question. The Chevy Tahoe was hit thing that we want to show — ing, seeing my loved ones in Seefeldt remembers the on Seefeldt’s side and knocked that this defense is the most the crowd and to be out there discussion. He pinpoints it as 75 yards down the road, into dominant in the Mountain with my guys. It’s going to be the exact moment he knew the front yard of a residence. West [Conference],” he said. “… great.” the accident, which occurred Nobody was wearing seat I wouldn’t call it a chip on our on June 26, 2015, would not belts. Faimalo, Adeoye and shoulder. But we’ve got some- [email protected] stop him. Taylor were taken by ambu- thing to prove.” Twitter: @sluhm “That was the motivation I lance to the hospital. Seefeldt needed,” Seefeldt recalled. “… and Vasquez were air-lifted. I knew I could pull through it.” At the time, Lt. Lee Perry of Fourteen months later — the Utah Highway Patrol said, after missing a season to re- “… They’re just lucky they’re cover from his injuries and alive.” rebuild his broken body — Seefeldt began a slow, ex- Seefeldt is back. He’s listed as hausting recovering. In De- Utah State’s No. 1 nose guard, cember, he got the news three weeks before 2016 the necessary for resuming his opener against Weber State. college football career. The Those who witnessed his NCAA granted him a sixth ordeal all use the same word year of eligibility because his to describe Seefeldt’s incred- injuries were not related to ible journey. athletics. “It’s a miracle,” said team- The 300-pounder from mate Brock Carmen. Peoria, Ariz., took it from Coach Matt Wells agrees. there. “I look at Travis, and that Once his injuries sufficient- makes you appreciate life a ly healed, he began to work little bit more,” he said. “It’s out, gain weight and recon- allowed all of us to appreci- nect with his football body. ate life [and] love a little hard- In the classroom, he graduat- er because … it’s a miracle ev- ed and began work on an ad- erybody is still alive.” vanced degree. He also got There were five people in married. the vehicle Seefeldt was driv- By the time the Aggies be- ing when it approached what gan training camp last week, he incorrectly thought was Wells told reporters Seefeldt a four-way stop at a rural was ready to play a huge role ELI LUCERO | The Herald Journal WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 47

Utah State Aggies USU breakdown DEPTH CHART • OFFENSE WR • Kennedy Williams, Sr., 5-6, 160; Rayshad Lewis, Fr., 5-10, 165 The Aggies will succeed if ... WR • Andrew Rodriguez, Sr., 5-9, 185; Ron’Quavian Tarver, So., 6-3, 210 LT • Austin Albrecht, Sr., 6-5, 300; Cody Boyer, So., 6-5, 285. They play up to their potential on offense. LG • Jude Hockel, Sr., 6-4, 290; Brandon Taukeiaho, Jr., 6-2, 305 Quarterback Kent Myers and running back C • Austin Stephens, Sr., 6-3, 315; Demytrick Ali’ifua, Fr., 6-3, 305 Devante Mays will operate behind a versa- RG • Jake Simonich, Sr., 6-5, 305; KJ Uluave, So., 6-4, 300 tile offensive line, led by seniors Austin Al- RT • Preston Brooksby, Jr., 6-5, 295; Sean Taylor, Jr., 6-5, 310 brecht, right, Austin Stephens and Jake Si- TE • Wyatt Houston, Sr., 6-4, 255; Dax Raymond, So., 6-5, 245 monich. An effective running game will WR • Braelon Roberts, Jr., 6-3, 205; Zach Van Leeuwen, So., 6-0, 185 take the pressure off a defense that returns RB • Devonte Mays, Sr., 5-11, 230; Tonny Lindsey, Jr., 5-9, 195 only three starters. QB • Kent Myers, Jr., 6-0, 200; Damion Hobbs, Jr., 6-1, 225 CHRIS DETRICK | The Salt Lake Tribune DEFENSE DE • Ian Togiai, Jr., 6-2, 280; Edmund Faimalo, Sr., 6-2, 280 The Aggies won’t NG • Travis Seefeldt, Sr. 6-1, 305; Christopher ‘Unga, Fr., 6-0, 295 DE • Ricky Ali’ifua, Sr., 6-2, 280; Siua Taufa, Sr., 6-0, 280 succeed if ... OLB • Brock Carmen, Sr., 6-3, 230; Logan Lee, Fr., 6-3, 245 They struggle on offense because of ILB • Leki Uasike, Sr., 5-9, 230; Anthony Williams, Sr., 6-1, 245 injuries or inexperience at wide receiv- ILB • Alex Huerta, Jr., 6-3, 240; Chase Christiansen, So., 6-1, 235 er. That could make controlling the OLB • Derek Larsen, So., 6-3, 240; Justus Te’i, Fr., 6-2, 225 football more difficult and possibly ex- CB • Jalen Davis, Jr., 5-10, 185; Wesley Bailey, Jr., 6-1, 195 pose the defense, which lost lineback- S • Dallin Leavitt, Jr., 5-10, 200; Gaje Ferguson, So., 6-0, 200 ers Nick Vigil and Kyler Fackrell to the FS • Devin Centers, Sr., 5-9, 200; Jontrell Rocquemore, So., 6-1, 210 NFL. The field-goal kicking must also CB • Daniel Gray, Sr., 5-10, 185; Cameron Haney, Fr., 5-11, 180 be more consistent than last season. SPECIAL TEAMS P • Aaron Dalton, So., 6-4, 220; Jake Thompson, Sr., 6-0, 220 PK • Brock Warren, Sr., 6-2, 175 or Jake Thompson, Sr., 6-0, 220 The bottom line LS • Emmett Odegard, Jr., 6-1, 220; Brandon Pada, Fr., 5-11, 220 PR • Andrew Rodriguez, Sr, 5-9, 185; Jalen Davis, Jr., 5-10, 185 The Aggies appear capable of contend- KR • Kennedy Williams, Sr., 5-6, 160; Jalen Davis, Jr., 5-10, 185 ing in the Mountain West Conference, but they must find playmakers capable of turning close games in their favor. That component was miss- Wide ing last year, when receiv­ Utah State finished er Braelon 2-4 in games decided Roberts in the fourth quarter. CHRIS DETRICK | For Myers, left, and Mays, above, stay- The Salt Lake RICK EGAN | The Salt Lake Tribune ing healthy is a key. Tribune

SCHEDULE ANALYSIS •

Sept. 1 Sept. 10 Sept. 16 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 at Oct. 22 Oct. 28 vs. Nov. 5 at Nov. 12 Nov. 19 Nov. 26 vs. Weber at USC, vs. Arkan­ vs. Air at Boise Colorado vs. Fresno San Diego Wyoming vs. New at Nevada at BYU State, noon sas State, Force State State, State, State, USU has Mexico Utah State In-state 6 p.m. In 2013, 7 p.m. Big game: Bron- 8 p.m. 8:30 p.m. 6 p.m. won four Lobos makes rivals meet Aggies the Trojans Red Confer- cos out to Rams Bulldogs Handed in a row come off first trip to for the have won escaped Wolves ence avenge went 7-6 allowed Utah State vs. the first bowl Reno in six 86th time 13 of 14 with a have opener 52-26 loss in coach 38.1 points its worst Cowboys. season years. since 1922. games in 17-14 win. played for both last Mike Bo- per game loss (48-14) since 2007. the series. in five teams. season. bo’s first last sea- in 2015. straight year. son. bowls. 48 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Utah State Aggies

No. Name Ht. Wt. Pos. Yr. Hometown/Previous No. Name Ht. Wt. Pos. Yr. Hometown/Previous 1 Alex Byers 6-2 185 WR Jr. Riverview, Fla./Antelope Valley 45 Joe Palange 6-1 250 TE Sr. Cleveland, Ohio/Oklahoma 2 Dallin Leavitt 5-10 205 R-Jr. Portland, Ore./BYU 46 Mason Tobeck 6-3 225 LB R-Fr. Puyallup, Wash./Cascade Christian 2 Kent Myers 6-0 200 QB Jr. Rowlett, Texas/Sachse 47 Logan Lee 6-3 245 LB Fr. Rexburg, Idaho/Madison 3 Marquan Ellison 5-11 200 FS Sr. Milwaukee, Wis./Bradley Tech 48 Chase Christiansen 6-1 235 LB So. Stansbury/Stansbury 4 Tonny Lindsey 5-9 195 RB Jr. Long Beach, Calif./Cerritos JC 49 Derek Larsen 6-3 240 LB So. Logan/Logan 5 Jaren Colston-Green 6-1 175 WR Jr. Tallahassee, Fla./Ariz. Western 50 Emmett Odegard 6-1 240 LS Jr. Greenwich, Conn./Massachusetts 6 Cameron Haney 5-11 180 CB R-Fr. Los Angeles, Calif./Cathedral 51 Justus Te’i 6-3 230 LB Fr. San Marcos, Calif./Mission Hills 7 Daniel Gray 5-11 190 CB Sr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Tennessee 52 Sean Taylor 6-5 275 OL Jr. Vallejo, Calif./Valley/Laney College 8 Wesley Bailey 6-1 195 CB R-Jr. Huntsville, Ala./Eastern Ariz. CC 53 Braden Harris 6-3 220 LB R-Fr. Gunnison, Utah/Gunnison Valley 8 Cade Smith 6-0 200 QB R-Fr. Salem, Ore./West Salem 54 Dustin Mathews 6-1 220 LB Fr. Bountiful, Utah/Viewmont 9 Rayshad Lewis 5-10 165 WR Fr. Orlando, Fla./Bishop Moore 55 Adewale Adeoye 6-3 260 DE So. St. Louis, Mo./Ritenour 10 Chasen Andersen 5-11 220 LB So. Logan, Utah/Logan/Wisconsin 55 Andrew Chen 6-4 285 OL Jr. Calabasas, Calif./Chaminade Prep 10 Jordan Love 6-3 200 QB Fr. Bakersfield, Calif./Liberty 56 Gasetoto Schuster 6-0 280 NG R-So. Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Poly 11 Damion Hobbs 6-1 225 QB Jr. Cedar Hill, Texas/Cedar Hill/Oregon 57 Leki Uasike 5-10 225 LB Sr. Hurst, Texas/Cisco JC 11 David Woodward 6-2 210 LB Fr. Olympia, Wash./Olympia 58 Demytrick Ali’ifua 6-3 305 OL Fr. San Leandro, Calif./San Leandro 12 Alex Huerta 6-3 240 LB JR Wellsville, Utah/Mountain Crest 59 Austin Stephens 6-3 305 OC Sr. W. Des Moines, Iowa/Iowa Western CC 12 DJ Nelson 5-9 195 QB So. Logan/Logan 60 Colby Kerns 6-2 290 OL R-Fr. Paso Robles, Calif./Cal Poly 13 Jalen Davis 5-10 185 CB Jr. La Mesa, Calif./Helix 62 Dominik Eberle 6-3 175 PK R-Fr. Redondo Beach, Calif./Redondo Union 14 Chad Artist 6-2 190 WR R-Fr. Logan/Logan 63 Brock Warren 6-2 180 PK Sr. Hyde Park/Sky View 15 Hudson Conrad 5-10 175 WR R-Fr. Tooele/Stansbury 64 Jarom Ioane 6-6 350 OL Jr. Bountiful/Bountiful 15 Baron Gajkowski 6-1 190 S Fr. Alpine/Lone Peak 65 Austin Albrecht 6-5 300 OL Sr. Sandy/Alta 16 Hartman Rector 6-2 190 WR Fr. Logan/Logan 66 KJ Uluave 6-5 280 OL Sr. Laie, Hawaii/Kahuku 16 Anthony Williams 6-2 230 LB R-Sr. Philadelphia, Pa./Pierce JC 67 Brandon Taukeiaho 6-3 310 OL Jr. South Jordan/Bingham 17 Zach Van Leeuwen 6-0 185 WR So. Provo/Timpview 68 Dalton Forsythe 6-4 300 OL R-Sr. Grapevine, Texas/Southern Utah 18 Makiah Gilmer 6-0 175 CB Fr. Kirkland, Wash./Juanita 69 Roderick Smith 6-2 290 OL R-Fr. DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto 19 Ron’Quavion Tarver 6-3 210 WR So. Belle Glade, Fla./Fort Scott CC 70 Travis Seefeldt 6-2 302 NG R-Sr. Peoria, Ariz./Liberty 19 Ian Togiai 6-2 285 DE Jr. West Valley City/Hunter 73 Preston Brooksby 6-5 285 OL R-Jr. Peoria, Ariz./Glendale CC 20 Brock Carmen 6-3 235 LB Sr. Clovis, Calif./Riverside CC 74 Jude Hockel 6-4 290 OL Sr. Walnut Creek, Calif/Diablo Valley CC 21 LaJuan Hunt 5-8 200 RB Jr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University 75 Ty Shaw 6-4 285 OL Fr. South Jordan/Herriman 22 Patrick Miranda 5-10 220 LB Jr. Pawtucket, R.I./Chabot JC 76 Jake Simonich 6-5 300 OL Sr. Danville, Calif./San Ramon Valley 23 Gaje Ferguson 6-0 205 S R-So. Mendon/Snow CC 77 Villiamu McMoore 6-5 295 OL Fr. Kapolei, Hawa’i/Kapolei 24 Dalton Baker 6-4 235 TE R-Fr. Payson/Payson 78 Cody Boyer 6-6 275 OL So. St. George/Pineview 25 Gerold Bright 5-9 180 WR R-Fr. Pensacola, Fla./Escambia 79 Brandon Pada 5-11 220 LS Fr. Glendale, Ariz./Mountain Ridge 26 Kevin Ogwu 5-10 175 CB Jr. Katy, Texas/Houston Baptist 80 Tyler Fox 5-11 175 WR So. Layton/Layton 26 Kennedy Williams 5-8 160 WR Sr. Las Vegas, Nev./Valley 81 Jordan Nathan 5-10 170 WR R-Fr. Monrovia, Calif./Mt. San Antonio JC 27 Jontrell Rocquemore 6-1 200 FS So. McKinney, Texas/McKinney 82 Andrew Rodriguez 5-10 185 WR Sr. Allen, Texas/Allen/Houston 28 Aaron Wade 6-1 200 SS So. Lithia, Fla./Newsome 83 Wyatt Houston 6-4 255 TE Sr. Tualatin, Ore./Horizon Christian 29 Morian Walker, Jr. 6-1 210 RB Fr. San Jose, Calif./Valley Christian 84 Ethan Cortazzo 6-1 200 WR Jr. Mesa, Ariz./Red Mountain/Mesa CC 30 Dayshawn Littleton 6-1 180 CB Fr. Carson, Calif./Carson 85 Derek Hastings 6-2 235 TE Fr. Lehi/Lehi 31 Jentz Painter 5-8 180 CB Sr. Riverton/Riverton 86 Matt Nelson 6-4 220 TE So. Mission Viejo, Calif/Orange Coast CC 32 Braxton Gunther 5-10 180 S Fr. Woods Cross/Woods Cross 87 Dax Raymond 6-5 235 TE So. Provo/Timpview 32 Devante Mays 5-11 230 RB Sr. Livingston, Texas/Blinn JC 88 Braelon Roberts 6-3 200 WR Jr. Dallas, Texas/Bishop Dunne 33 Kevin Meitzenheimer 5-11 225 LB Fr. Moreno Valley, Calif./Moreno Valley 89 Travis Boman 6-5 220 TE Fr. Henderson, Nev./Coronado 34 Justen Hervey 5-10 210 RB So. Beaumont, Texas/Westbrook 89 Aaron Dalton 6-4 220 P So. Bountiful/Viewmont 34 Chance Parker 6-1 200 S Fr. Kaysille/Davis 90 Ritisoni Fata 6-1 280 DE Fr. Redlands, Calif./East Valley 36 Jake Thompson 6-0 215 K Sr. Logan/Logan 91 Siua Taufa 6-1 280 DE Sr. Concord, Calif./Diablo Valley CC 37 Devin Centers 5-9 200 FS Sr. Chandler, Ariz./Chandler 92 Zach Lee 5-10 195 P R-Fr. Cleveland, Tenn./Cleveland 38 Mason Gajkowski 6-2 215 LB R-Fr. Sandy/Jordan 92 Jake Templeton 6-2 275 DE So. Boise, Idaho/Boise State 39 Jay Brown 5-8 165 CB Fr. Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills 93 Jacoby Wildman 6-3 260 DE R-Fr. Logan/Logan 39 Connor McGuire 5-11 185 WR Jr. Roy/Snow CC 94 Caden Andersen 6-2 265 DE Fr. Logan, Utah/Logan 40 Austin Cheney 5-9 185 CB Sr. Boise, Idaho/Southern Virginia 95 Ricky Ali’ifua 6-2 280 DE Sr. San Leandro, Calif./San Leandro 40 Dionte Simon 6-0 190 RB Fr. Tacoma, Wash./Lincoln 96 Christopher ‘Unga 6-0 295 DE R-Fr. Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga 41 Troy Murray 6-4 225 LB/DE Fr. Logan/Logan 97 Jake Pitcher 6-3 225 DE Fr. Smithfield/Sky View 42 Zach Swenson 5-11 195 S Fr. Salt Lake City/East 98 Edmund Faimalo 6-2 280 DE Sr. Riverside, Calif./Riverside 44 Landon Horne 6-2 245 TE Sr. Kaysville/Snow CC 99 Mohelika Uasike 6-1 325 NG Fr. North Richland Hills, Texas/L.D. Bell WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 49

Mountain West

Mountain West Aztecs are a cut above predictions West Division 1. San Diego State Starts the season on 10-game win streak. 2. Nevada Pack doesn’t play either Boise State or Air Force. 3. San Jose State Spartans return 16 starters from last sea- son’s bowl team. 4. Fresno State Is coach Tim DeRuyter on the hot seat? 5. UNLV Since 1995, Rebels are 65-173 overall. 6. Hawaii Nick Rolovich takes over for Norm Chow as head coach. Mountain Division 1. Boise State Broncos replace seven defensive starters. 2. Air Force MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ | The Associated Press Plays New Mexico in San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey ran for over 1,500 yards last season as the Aztecs won their last 10 games. Dallas on Oct. 15. 3. New Mexico Beat Boise, Air Force, Led by star running back Donnel start, San Diego State won 10 years and I told the coaches Aggies last season. straight games, including a that when they first recruit- 4. Utah State Pumphrey, San Diego State is loaded 48-14 victory over Utah State. ed me. That’s been a big part Big questions at line- No team — not Utah or Wash- of me wanting to stay here.” backer, wide receiver. and should be the class of the league. ington or BYU — manhandled Another reason? 5. Colorado State the Aggies like the Aztecs did “Knowing that we have Five of first six games By STEVE LUHM supreme confidence about on that lopsided evening at a great team coming back,” played in Colorado. The Salt Lake Tribune 2016. Qualcomm Stadium. Pumphrey said. “It could be a 6. Wyoming “Everybody thinks that … San Diego State returns 14 special year and I know that if RB Brian Hill is one of Logan • A month into we’re going to be pretty good,” starters, including Pumphrey. everything goes right we can the best in the MWC. last season, San Diego State Long said. “I think we have a He rushed for 1,653 yards and hopefully win another con- was limping along with chance to be pretty good, too. 17 touchdowns as a junior. ference championship. That’s a 1-3 record, including a It’s just a matter of us hav- “He’s as good as any run- our ultimate goal.” head-scratching overtime ing the right attitude, staying ning back in the country,” San Diego should once loss to South Alabama and a away from injuries and play- Long said. “I also think the again own the Pacific Divi- 28-point defeat at Cal. ing well when we have to play league we play in and being sion, where Nevada and San The Aztecs were on the well. Going into the season, on the West Coast makes it Jose will likely battle for sec- ropes. we have a lot of enthusiasm very difficult for him to earn ond place and bid to a high- So, it seemed, was coach and a lot of positive thoughts. any national recognition.” er-level bowl. Rocky Long. We’ll see how it goes.” Against Utah State last In the more balanced Less than a year later, how- Star running back Donnel season, Pumphrey rushed 21 Mountain Division, Boise ever, San Diego State is the Pumphrey is more optimistic. times for 183 yards and two State is the preseason favor- toast of the Mountain West “We know, if we start fast, touchdowns. ite. But defending champion Conference. it could be a special year and Some expected him to de- Air Force, New Mexico, Utah The Aztecs are the over- possible undefeated season,” clare for the NFL draft, but State and Colorado State are whelming choice to win the he said. “… I feel like we de- Pumphrey didn’t consider it. all bowl-caliber teams which Pacific Division and reach the serve that kind of recogni- “I’ve always known I was will be waiting if the Broncos league’s title game. Long’s job tion. We play great and are going to come back,” he said. to stumble. Associated Press file photo couldn’t be more secure and one of the toughest teams in “I’ve always talked to my par- Boise State sopho­ those connected with the the nation.” ents about graduating. I also [email protected] more QB Brett Rypien program are talking with After last season’s slow committed to being for four Twitter: @sluhm is a team captain. 50 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

around the state Snow to start year at No. 1

By HAYDEN KIM The Salt Lake Tribune

They’re No. 1. The Snow College Badgers are the top-ranked junior college foot- ball team in the nation entering the 2016 season, according to the Sport- JOSHUA POLSON | The Greeley Tribune via The Associated Press ing News. Weber State’s Eric Wilkes led the Wildcats with three 100-yard games last season and 662 yards overall. Why? How about a 10-1 campaign last year that included a 38-14 victory over Dodge City in the Salt City Bowl? How about a bunch of returning starters, including junior quarter- High hopes in Ogden back Stefan Cantwell — last season’s bowl MVP — and running back Ste- phen Shepard, who led the Badgers in All the pieces fit for did it twice and senior Emmanuel rushing last season with 661 yards and Weber State Pooler accomplished it once. 12 TDs? Weber State to have a schedule And, after missing the 2015 sea- That’s a pretty good start. son due to a knee injury, 2014 lead- Snow also returns one third of its breakthrough season. Sept. 1 • at Utah St., 6 p.m. ing rusher Zach Smith returns for top receiving production last season. Sept. 10 • at So. Dakota, 1 p.m. his junior year. With Jonah Trinnaman off to BYU By ERIC BUTLER Sept. 17 • Sacramento St., 6 p.m. “It brings out the drive because and tight end Dalton Fackrell now Special to The Tribune Sept. 24 • at UC Davis, 7 p.m. we have so many good running with Colorado State, Alex Croyle — Oct. 8 • Portland St., 6 p.m. backs,” Smith said. “Everyone has who racked up 656 yards on 39 recep- Ogden • If Weber State’s of - Oct. 15 • Montana St., 1:30 p.m. to be at the top of their game. When tions last season as a freshman — will fense were the wishbone, the Wild- Oct. 22 • at So. Utah, 6 p.m. you’re out here, you’re competing be counted on to produce. cats’ fleet of quality running backs Oct. 29 • at No. Dakota, Noon with friends and competing to be Defensively, the Badgers return six would be no problem. Nov. 5 • No. Arizona, Noon the legit No. 1 spot. starters. Linebackers Dax Esinger and Instead of a three-back set, Nov. 12 • Cal Poly, Noon “We’ve got five running backs who Nela Tuuhetaufa are both back; so is though, Weber generally has only Nov. 19 • at Idaho St., 2:30 p.m. are legitimate starters,” he added. safety Braxton Winterton, who spear- one rusher behind the quarterback All times Mountain Defensively, the entire lineback- headed a secondary that had 22 inter- — or none at all in its spread offense. ing corps is back for Weber, includ- ceptions in 2015. Still, it doesn’t seem as if the cur- ing junior Emmett Tela, who led the The Badgers have a home-friend- rent set of running backs has any haven’t started in the past,” said team in tackles a year ago. At outside ly schedule. They were scheduled real problem with the logjam, and, Weber State coach Jay Hill. “This linebacker, senior Tre’von Johnson to open their campaign on Satur - if that kind of attitude is emblematic is, by far, the most depth that we’ve is also back after tying for the team day with a tuneup against the Utah of the team as a whole, Weber State had going into our first game. lead in solo tackles (35) last year. Shock, a St. George-based semi-pro might just be in for a solid and may- “We’ve got every passing yard, “I remember coming up here as team. Snow opens its college sched - be even special season. rushing yard, receiving yard back a freshman, I blinked my eyes and ule on Sept. 3 against Tucson Tech, The Wildcats return nine offen- from our team last year,” he added. now I’m a senior,” said Johnson, and Western States Football League sive starters and eight defensive That starts with senior quarter- who played at Hunter High and add- play commences on Sept. 10 at Glen- starters from a team that finished back Jadrian Clark, who threw for ed that the program has changed dale (Ariz.). 6-5 overall last year and 5-3 in Big 1,875 yards in ‘15 but also had the mightily in four years. Sky conference play. wheels to gain to net 265 yards on “Light years ahead,” he said. Though the ‘Cats technically the ground. His familiar return- “When I came in we were having Snow schedule were seventh in the 13-team Big ing targets at wideout include se- 2-10 seasons, but this program has Sky, they were just two games out nior Cam Livingston, junior Darryl taken off.” Aug. 27 • Utah Shock, 1 p.m. of first in what was a crowded and Denby, junior Drew Batchelor and For the coach, the numbers are Sept. 3 • Tucson Tech, 1 p.m. hotly contested championship race. junior tight end Tui Satuala. there and the attitudes seem good. Sept. 10 • at Glendale, 7 p.m. And one of Weber State’s confer- As for those running backs, junior But Hill knows there will be obsta- Sept. 17 • Mesa, 1 p.m. ence wins was an overtime victory Eric Wilkes was the team’s leading cles to overcome — starting with the Sept. 24 • Air Force Prep, 1 p.m. against a Montana team that even- rusher with 662 yards and three Wildcats themselves. Oct. 8 • at Ariz. Western, 7 p.m. tually earned an at-large berth into times went over a hundred yards in “This is a good enough team to Oct. 15 • Pima, 1 p.m. the 24-team FCS playoff. a game. He wasn’t the only Weber be right there at the end,” Hill said. Oct. 19 • at Eastern Ariz., 7 p.m. “We have a lot of guys who played back to find the century mark, how- “But they’ve got to respect the pro- Nov. 5 • Scottsdale, 1 p.m. good football for us, even ones who ever. Returnees Treshawn Garrett cess and be ready each week.” Nov. 12 • Phoenix, 1 p.m. WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 51

around the state Up for a Dixie State sporting a challenge? new look T-Birds have undergone big changes since last season, but new coach Team is playing in a new league Warren upbeat about team’s chances. with a new coaching staff, but it brings back 19 starters. By STEVE LUHM The Salt Lake Tribune SUU schedule By HAYDEN KIM The Salt Lake Tribune Cedar City • Going into Sept. 1 • at Utah, 6 p.m. the 2016 football season, a few Sept. 10 • Southeast The Dixie State Trailblazers are moving back into things have changed at South- Louisiana, 6 p.m. the neighborhood. ern Utah. Sept. 24 • Portland The Blazers are leaving the Great Northwest Actually, qute a few things: State, 6 p.m. Athletic Conference to join the more geographical- • The Thunderbirds are the Oct. 1 • at Montana, ly-friendly Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in defending Big Sky Conference 2:30 p.m. LEAH HOGSTEN | The Salt Lake Tribune what is a football-only move. champions, a role they’ve nev- Oct. 8 • Cal-Davis, Southern Utah wide receiver “This is a terrific step er previously played and one 6 p.m. Mike Sharp is one of five play- forward for our foot- which eliminates any chance Oct. 15 • at North ers on the Thunderbirds picked ball program,” Dixie Dixie State schedule of opponents overlooking them. Dakota, Noon on the Big Sky Conference’s State athletic director • Southern Utah must re- Oct. 22 • Weber State, preseason all-league team. Jason Boothe said last Sept. 1 • N.M. Highlands, place NFL-caliber defensive 6 p.m. month when the move 6 p.m. players Miles Killebrew, Le- Oct. 29 • at Idaho State, quarterback sacks. Senior Si- was announced. “Join- Sept. 10 • S.D. Mines, 6 p.m. Shaun Sims and James Cows- 2:30 p.m. one Fukofuka and junior Sefe- ing the RMAC gives Sept. 17 • at Black Hills er. Killebrew and Sims were Nov. 5 • Montana State, si Vaa’ivaka are other key vet- our team a home in a State (S.D.), Noon drafted. Cowser signed as a Noon erans. league with amazingly Sept. 24 • at Central Wash- free agent. Nov. 12 • at BYU, 1 p.m. “We have a very deep defen- rich tradition. We are ington, 1 p.m. • SUU must find a starting Nov. 19 • at Northern sive line, deeper than ever be- grateful to the GNAC Oct. 1 • Western State quarterback. Ammon Olsen is Arizona, 3 p.m. fore,” Warren said. “We lost and the opportunities (Colo.), 1 p.m. gone after throwing for 3,344 All times Mountain Cowser on the edge, but we’re it has provided us over Oct. 8 • at Chadron State yards and 26 touchdowns going to make up for it with a the years and look for- (Neb.), 1 p.m. during his senior season. He lot of guys who can play.” ward to our future.” Oct. 15 • at Colorado Mesa, completed 61.1 percent of his five who were picked on the Sorensen’s replacement at Coming off of last 7 p.m. passes. Big Sky’s preseason all-league quarterback could be BYU season’s 3-7 finish, Oct. 22 • Colorado School • Former head coach Ed team. transfer Colt McCoy, although Dixie State will also be of Mines , 1 p.m. Lamb, who built the program The group includes wide re- Warren isn’t ready to declare looking for more wins Oct. 29 • at Adams State virtually from scratch, left for ceiver Mike Sharp, tight end a winner of the all-important on the field in 2016. (Colo.), 1 p.m. BYU. Ex-defensive coordina- Steve Wroblewski, defensive battle. And it could happen. Nov. 5 • at Colorado tor Demario Warren has been lineman Chance Bearnson, “We have some depth there,” The Trailbazers re- State-Pueblo, 2 p.m. tasked to carry the torch. outside linebacker Mike Need- he said. turn 19 starters from Nov. 12 • Fort Lewis (Colo.), • A pair of 300-pound start- ham and punter Tate Lewis. Whoever wins the starting last year’s squad. 1 p.m. ers on the offensive line decid- According to Warren, the job will operate behind an in- Leading the way for ed to follow Lamb to Provo Thunderbirds’ strengths will experienced offensive line, in the Trailblazers will be sophomore quarterback Ty- as graduate transfers, so Key- be at wide receiver and the de- part because Norman and Eide son Blackner, senior running back DeJon Coleman an Norman and Andrew Eide fensive line. transferred. and sophomore quarterback Blake Barney who led must be replaced. Sharp, a converted quarter- “They are good kids and good the team in passing, rushing and total offense cate - Clearly, the Thunderbirds back from Dixie High School in players,” Warren said. “They gories, respectively, last season. have work to do. But Warren St. George, caught 54 passes for were older program guys, too, On defense, it will be junior safety Colton Olson – sounds ready for the challenge. 889 yards and 14 touchdowns because they had been around reigning first team All-GNAC selection who led the “I’m having a blast,” he said. last season. awhile and could show the team with 100 tackles and two interceptions – help- “We have some great kids here “We’re comfortable there,” young guys how to do things. ing anchor the back end. Four returning linemen and and the coaches are doing a Warren said. “… We have a “But we’ve adjusted. We two linebackers join Olson on an experienced defense. great job of keep them ener- lot of guys who we think will moved a few guys around and While Dixie State returns most of its key players getic. … I’m really enjoying it.” make big plays for us.” moved a few young guys up. … from last season, it will have a new leader on the side- Despite the personnel loss- Bearnson, a junior from We’re coming along. We’ve just line. Former Humboldt State defensive coordinator es, Warren has a solid nucleus Cedar City, made 46 tack - got some guys who have never Shay McClure is Dixie’s new coach. He brought eight of returning players, including les last season, including 3 1/2 done it before in a game.” newcomers with him to fill out his staff. 52 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

around the nation

SEC’S TOP PLAYERS •

Slow Tide’s roll Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU. Consensus All-American flirted with a 2,000-yard season and was a big Heisman Trophy favorite early last season. A more consistent pass- Alabama has host ing game would help him out. Cam Robinson, LT, Alabama. Started every game in his of challengers to first two seasons and will be blocking for a new back- field. its penthouse spot. Chad Kelly, QB, Mississippi. Sugar Bowl MVP had third- most passing and total yards of any SEC quarterback in a A postseason rampage put season. both Alabama and the South- Nick Chubb/Sony Michel, RBs, Georgia. Both are trying eastern Conference back on to return from injuries, and both have posted huge num- top in college football last bers when healthy. season. Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M (below). In a league full Now, the trick will be stay- of elite pass rushers, he may be the best. Has 24 sacks in ing there with three new Associated Press file photo two seasons. coaches in the East and quar- Nick Saban’s Tide has won four of the past seven national titles. terback uncertainty across much of the league, including complacency set in. climbing the ranks. at ‘Bama. “The biggest thing at Ala- Longtime Tide defensive The Crimson Tide is again bama is that if you don’t have coordinator Kirby Smart is the team to beat in the league, hunger,” Allen said, “then now trying to get Georgia over and perhaps nationally, after you’re not going to start this the hump. Will Muschamp’s claiming the SEC’s eighth na- year.” back in the SEC East at South tional title in 10 seasons. That It’s a luxury afforded by a Carolina and Barry Odom is broke a two-year drought for string of top-rated recruiting trying to lead a comeback to the league, which went 9-2 in classes, even with an unprov- division contention at Mis- the postseason counting the en backfield. souri. Tide’s playoff wins over Mich- Tennessee and Mississippi, In the West, Auburn and igan State and Clemson. who have the SEC’s most ac- Texas A&M are trying to Alabama defensive end complished returning pass- bounce back while LSU aims Jonathan Allen doesn’t think ers in Joshua Dobbs and Chad for a stronger finish. coach Nick Saban will let Kelly, are trying to continue — The Associated Press

East Division favorite: Tennessee West Division favorite: Alabama

Butch Jones has positioned the Volunteers, The defending national champions, as usual, led by Joshua Dobbs, as front-runners for have talent all over the field. Cooper Bateman their first division title since 2007. They have is the only quarterback with college experi- 17 starters back from a team that went 9-4. ence, but Blake Barnett and David Cornwell Florida is the defending champion while three were highly rated recruits. The division is typi- of the seven teams have new coaches. Unlike cally loaded with coach Les Miles and Leonard Tennessee, potential challengers Florida and Fournette trying to lead LSU backs. Chad Kel- Georgia entered fall camp without an estab- ly helps make Mississippi — which has beaten lished No. 1 quarterback. the Tide two straight years — a threat, too.

NEW FACES • ON THE HOT SEAT •

Kirby Smart, Georgia. The standard was made crystal clear Gus Malzahn, Auburn. Three years removed from an SEC ti- when Mark Richt was fired after winning double-dig- tle, he’s been unable to beat the top teams since. QB strug- it games nine times in 15 seasons. Smart will be chasing his gles held back his normally prolific offense last season. mentor, Saban. Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M. An 11-13 record in SEC games over Trevor Knight, QB, Texas A&M. The former Oklahoma start- the past three seasons and trouble holding onto quarter- er could be the biggest on-field addition for any SEC team. backs could at least make it lukewarm. Doesn’t hurt that he led a Sugar Bowl win over Alabama. Les Miles, LSU. Last year’s groundswell of support and a Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama. He and fellow sophomore talented roster make him secure — at least until the next Damien Harris are vying to replace Heisman Trophy winner Smart • New three-game losing streak. Malzahn • Derrick Henry. It’s the first time Saban hasn’t had an experi- coach of the Derek Mason, Vanderbilt. Two SEC wins in as many seasons Can he recre- enced back returning. Bulldogs. but 16 returning starters, including RB Ralph Webb. ate magic? WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 53

around the nation

BIG TEN’S TOP PLAYERS •

Eastern power Jabrill Peppers, LB, Michigan. He is a fringe Heisman Tro- phy candidate. He’s listed at linebacker after primari- ly being a safety in 2015, but he has proved he can play Dominance in the about any position on either side of the ball. Desmond King, DB, Iowa. The defensive back is among league lies firmly the nation’s top defenders after intercepting eight passes. Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State. The defensive line- in one division. man goes into his junior season with 17 of his 56 career tackles having gone for losses. The big change in the Big Justin Jackson, RB, Northwestern. The Wildcats return Ten is the move to the nine- a workhorse running back from a team that won 10 game conference schedule. games despite averaging fewer than 20 points. What doesn’t figure to change J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State (below). The quarterback also is the dominance of the East could get into the Heisman conversation. He won back Division. the starter’s job in the eighth game and is the Buckeyes’ Ohio State, Michigan and Associated Press file photo undisputed leader. defending champion Mich- Ex-Utes coach Urban Meyer has another stacked roster at Ohio St. igan State all are positioned to make runs at being nation- three years, replaced by the No. 6 in the final AP poll, with al top-10 teams, if not College geographical East-West align- Wisconsin the highest West Football Playoff contenders. ment. team at No. 13. The East won Iowa’s amazing 12-0 reg- Last season, Michigan the last two Big Ten champi- ular season in 2015 notwith- State went to the playoff and onship games, with the folks standing, this looks like an- was joined by fellow East in Wisconsin still smarting other year when the West will members Ohio State and from the 59-0 beat-down ad- play in the East’s considerable Michigan among the top 12 ministered by Ohio State in shadow. teams in the final Top 25. 2014. The Big Ten attempted to Iowa, at No. 9, was the only The Big Ten will join the create balance when it split West team among the top Pac-12 and Big 12 in playing into divisions with Nebras- dozen. nine-game conference sched- ka’s entry in 2011. The Leg- The year before, Ohio State ules. SEC and ACC teams ends and Leaders monikers won the national champion- each play eight league games. went by the wayside after ship and Michigan State was — The Associated Press

East Division favorite: Michigan West Division favorite: Iowa

Urban Meyer has a bevy of talented reinforce- Iowa turned into the darling of college ments ready to step to the fore. J.T. Barrett has football with its 12-0 regular season, and the quarterback’s job all to himself, finally, and the Hawkeyes have the schedule and re- can hurt defenses in a variety of ways and red- turning personnel to win the division again. shirt freshman Mike Weber is ready to step in Quarterback C.J. Beathard, most of the top at running back. The receiving corps and offen- running backs and several key receivers are sive line are retooling. The strength of the de- back, and All-America cornerback Desmond fense is at linebacker, where Raekwon McMil- King is among eight returning starters on lan made a team-high 119 tackles. defense.

NEW FACES • ON THE HOT SEAT •

Chris Ash, Rutgers. The former Ohio State defensive coor- Darrell Hazell, Purdue. His three-year record is 6-30 overall dinator, takes over a program that has lost 12 of 16 Big Ten and 2-22 in the Big Ten. He probably kept his job after last games in its two years in the conference. season only because the administration didn’t want to pay D.J. Durkin, Maryland. The former Michigan defensive coor- $6.6 million to buy out a contract that runs to 2018. dinator, is in charge at Maryland, where facilities improve- James Franklin, Penn State. With a 14-12 record through his ments and UnderArmour money should enhance the Terra- first two seasons, Franklin is past the shadow of NCAA sanc- pins’ chances of winning. tions and pressure is on. Penn State has finished in The Asso- Lovie Smith, Illinois. Smith hasn’t worked at the college level ciated Press’ Top 10 only three times in the past 11 years. since 1995, but he brings fresh perspective and NFL cache to Ash • Mak- Don Brown, Michigan. The coordinator put together one of Hazell • In a program that has finished above .500 only twice since the ing a splash the best defenses in the country last season at Boston Col- trouble with 2007 team went to the Rose Bowl. for Knights. lege. He inherits much more talent with the Wolverines. Boilermakers. 54 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

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ACC’S TOP PLAYERS •

Two to tango Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson. Last season, he was ACC player of the year, third in Heisman Trophy voting and the Manning Award winner as the nation’s top quarter- It’s Clemson and back. All as a sophomore. Elijah Hood, RB, North Carolina. The junior is a physi- Florida St., then cal presence for the Coastal champions after running for 1,463 yards and 17 scores. everybody else. James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh. This is a welcome-back season for the running back and 2014 ACC player of the Clemson’s Deshaun Watson year who went down with an opening-game knee injury, still thinks about carrying an then battled lymphoma. unbeaten record into the final Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State (below). The Seminoles game of the season before los- have their own Heisman candidate with a junior running ing to Alabama with a nation- back who ran for an ACC-best 1,691 yards and 19 touch- al championship on the line. downs last year. The Tigers and their star Associated Press file photo quarterback are the presea- Jimbo Fisher and Florida State host Clemson on Oct. 29 this year. son favorite to win the Atlan- tic Coast Conference and be “We know how to get there,” “We’ve been able to re - positioned to return to the Watson said of last year’s ti- cruit well and have very good College Football Playoff, but tle-game loss. “We’ve experi- players and we’ve been able there’s another team — Flori- enced it and we’ve got to start to coach them well,” Sem- da State — that enters the sea- over this year and try to get inoles coach Jimbo Fisher son with a playoff shot with- back there.” said of the gap between the in reach. Clemson (14-1) and Florida Atlantic powers and the rest In fact, it’s not impossible State (10-3) have combined to of the league. “Not that other that both teams could find win the last five ACC champi- guys haven’t, but we’ve been themselves in playoff posi- onships. They’ve combined to able to be fortunate in cer- tion coming out of a league go 57-3 against the rest of the tain games. I mean, we’ve where the balance of power is league, while the last time ei- created a culture that right tipped heavily toward the At- ther lost to a division oppo- now we’re both playing pret- lantic Division that includes nent came nearly four years ty well.” both the Tigers and Seminoles. ago. — The Associated Press

Atlantic Division favorite: FSU Coastal Division favorite: UNC

In what could be a coin flip between two tal- The Tar Heels are breaking in a new quarter- ented teams, the Seminoles’ home-field ad- back but have several key pieces back from an vantage for the Oct. 29 meeting with the Ti- offense that averaged 40.7 points and 486.9 gers could be the difference. The Tigers were yards per game. That could again provide cover the preseason pick by media members over for a questionable defense, though its match- the Seminoles. While Louisville is poised to up with Miami comes on the road. The Tar make a leap in Year 3 under Bobby Petrino, it Heels are coming off an 11-win season and are would be a shock if the Tigers and Seminoles trying to become the first repeat Coastal cham- don’t finish atop the division. pion since 2011 in a wide-open division.

NEW FACES • ON THE HOT SEAT •

Mark Richt, Miami. He spent the past 15 seasons at Geor- Steve Addazio, Boston College. Addazio arrived after win- gia but is now at his alma mater, trying to provide a jolt to a ning 13 games in two seasons at Temple. He started his ten- one-time power that has yet to win the Coastal title. ure in 2013 and won seven games in each of his first two Dino Babers, Syracuse. The former Bowling Green coach seasons, then dropped to 3-9 overall and 0-8 in the league. takes over a program with seven wins in the past two years. Justin Fuente, Virginia Tech. The former Memphis coach is Bronco Mendenhall, Virginia. The Cavaliers have one win- replacing longtime Hokies coach Frank Beamer, taking over a ning season in eight years. Now it’s up to the former BYU program that had gone from annual 10-win seasons to con- coach to turn things around. secutive 7-6 finishes. Eli Drinkwitz, North Carolina State. Drinkwitz is the Wolf- Richt • No Bobby Petrino, Louisville. His second tenure with the Cardi- Addazio • No pack’s new offensive coordinator after leading one of the vacation on nals (17 wins in two seasons) has not yet been as successful as room for er- nation’s top offenses at Boise State. South Beach. his first (41 wins in four seasons). ror at BC. WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 55

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BIG 12’S TOP PLAYERS •

Action’s off field Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma.A legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate who threw for 3,700 yards and ac- counted for 43 touchdowns (36 passing, seven rushing) Expansion is with only seven interceptions. Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas. While starting every game as overshadowing a true freshman and recording 61 tackles, Jefferson also became a key leader. the on-field fun. Josh Carraway, DE, TCU. Already one of the league’s top pass-rushers (nine sacks), and with help with the return Oklahoma has a record of fellow end James McFarland from injury. nine Big 12 championships, James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State. A deep-ball and last season took the threat who can outleap defenders, his 10 touchdown league into the College Foot- catches averaged 49 yards. ball Playoff for the first time. Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma (below). Quiet off the field, While the smallest Power the junior already has 3,062 yards and 37 TDs in two sea- Five conference could soon Associated Press file photo sons, just 1,056 yards shy of Billy Sims’ school record. be expanding, the Sooners Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops is focused on another league title. and Bob Stoops — now the longest-tenured FBS coach “I don’t reflect back much now, the Big 12 remains the — seem to have everything on it,” Stoop said of the na- only Power Five conference in place to push for anoth- tional title in his second sea- with a round-robin league er playoff run out of the 10- son at Oklahoma. “I look for- schedule. team league. ward and try and continue to “We’ve been in five differ- Since their last nation- improve, and be a more pow- ent conferences, and we’ve al title in 2000, the Sooners erful team is what I’m con- done it about every way that made another BCS Champi- stantly preaching.” you can,” said TCU coach onship Game in 2008 and Big 12 leaders have to de- Gary Patterson, whose last season played in the Or- cide whether to add two, four Horned Frogs go into their ange Bowl, losing the CFP or no teams. Even without fifth Big 12 season. “I don’t semifinal to Clemson after expansion, the league is re- think there’s any tougher the Big 12 was snubbed for storing its championship way of playing it as when you the first four-team playoff game in 2017, with a likely have to play everybody.” in 2014. split into divisions again. For — The Associated Press

Favorite: Oklahoma Next up: Baylor The darkhorses

Baker Mayfield is back for Baylor still has plenty of Oklahoma State and TCU his second season as Oklaho- talent. But the Bears lack each won at least 10 games ma’s quarterback, with the depth in transition after last season. QB Mason Ru- option for another year af- the offseason dismissal of dolph is among a wealth of ter this in Norman for the coach Art Briles following al- returners for the Cowboys. former Texas Tech walk-on legations that the program TCU has 13 starters back from freshman starter thanks to a didn’t properly handle sexu- last season, plus six other Big 12 rule change about in- al assault allegations against starters who had season-end- league transfers. some players. ing injuries a year ago.

NEW FACES • ON THE HOT SEAT •

Matt Campbell, Iowa State. At 36, Campbell is the youngest Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia. The Mountaineers came into head coach of a Power Five school. The Cyclones have one the Big 12 after sharing consecutive Big East titles, and a 10-3 winning record the past 10 seasons. debut season for Holgorsen. They are 26-25 since, 15-21 in Jim Grobe, Baylor. The former Wake Forest coach came out league games. of retirement for a one-year deal as acting head coach. Charlie Strong, Texas. The Longhorns haven’t had three con- Kenny Hill, TCU. After initially thrilling Texas A&M when suc- secutive losing seasons since 1954-56. If they match that, ceeding Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, Hill gets a Strong (11-14 so far) could be three-and-out in Austin. fresh start near home. Bob Bowlsby, Commissioner. BYU? Cincinnati? Houston? Sterlin Gilbert, Texas. Gilbert brings a philosophy to be fast Campbell • South Florida? Connecticut? Colorado State? Anybody else? Holgorsen • and physical, have fun and score points after initially balking Young blood The expansion debate has taken several twists and turns and Mediocre in at the job. for Cyclones. little will escape the view of the media or fans. Big 12 so far. 56 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

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Several established stars among the early favorites for this year’s Strike a pose Heisman Trophy.

A handful of familiar faces THE FOUR FAVORITES • could make this a Heisman race for the ages. Four, count ‘em, four of the top six finishers from last year’s Heisman Trophy voting are back for another season. Clemson’s quarterback De- shaun Watson is among them, along with a trio of stars that includes Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey, Oklahoma quarterback Bak- er Mayfield and LSU running back Leonard Fournette. LEONARD FOURNETTE BAKER MAYFIELD CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY DESHAUN WATSON The scrutiny and hype for LSU’s bruising runner was The 6-1, 210-pound May- The Stanford star had one The 6-2, 210-pound junior the foursome will be intense probably the favorite to field started as a walk-on of the best overall seasons was fantastic as the Tigers from day one. Watson says it win the Heisman midway at Texas Tech before trans- in college football histo- made it to the national title comes with the territory. through last season be- ferring to the Sooners. Af- ry in 2015, finishing with game. He completed near- “That’s something I already fore his production slipped ter sitting out a season be- 2,019 yards rushing, 1,070 ly 68 percent of his pass- knew before,” Watson said. in the final month. The 6-1, cause of NCAA transfer yards on kick returns, 645 es for 4,104 yards, 35 touch- “I’m a confident player and I 230-pound junior still fin- rules, he won the starting yards receiving and 130 downs and 13 interceptions expect to be in this position. ished with 1,953 yards rush- job last fall and completed yards on punt returns. He while also running for 1,105 That’s why I work, that’s why ing and 22 touchdowns. more than 68 percent of even threw two touch- yards and 12 touchdowns. I grind.” The Tigers return a talent- his passes for 3,700 yards, down passes. McCaffrey Clemson is expected to Though it’s uncommon for ed team, and likely will play 36 touchdowns and only might be hard-pressed to have a great shot at win- so much Heisman-caliber tal- several high-profile games seven interceptions. match those numbers, but ning the ACC and making it ent to return for another sea- that can showcase his talent another big season is cer- to the College Football Play- son, it’s not unprecedented. to a national audience. tainly expected. off again. A recent example is 2011, when Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, Oregon run- SIX OTHERS TO THINK ABOUT • ning back LaMichael James, Boise State quarterback Kel- len Moore, Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon and Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson returned after fin- ishing two through six in the voting behind Auburn’s Cam Newton in 2010. Interestingly, none of them won. Instead, it was Baylor quarterback Rob- Chad Kelly, se­ Royce Freeman, Greg Ward Jr., Seth Russell, Jabrill Peppers, Josh Rosen, ert Griffin III. nior quarterback, junior running senior quarter­ senior quar­ sophomore sophomore quar­ McCaffrey is an obvious Mississippi. The back, Oregon. back, Houston. terback, Bay­ linebacker, terback, UCLA. Heisman front-runner since strong-armed Freeman’s 3,201 He and Clem- lor. Russell led Michigan. The Rosen threw he was second last season. Kelly is the top yards rush- son’s Watson the Bears to six last two-way for almost 3,700 The 6-foot, 200-pound junior returning QB in ing the past were the only straight wins player to win yards and 23 broke the NCAA single-sea- the SEC and list- two years are quarterbacks to before a neck the Heisman touchdowns as a son record with 3,864 all-pur- ed high on NFL the most by rush for 1,000 injury against was the Wol- freshman and set pose yards in 2015. draft boards for any player in a yards and pass Iowa State end- verines’ Charles a school record Stanford coach David Shaw 2017. The neph- Power Five con- for 2,000 last ed his season. Woodson in by going 245 said to expect more of the ew of Jim Kelly ference. He was season. He also He threw for 1997. Peppers consecutive pass- same this season. led the Rebels to the only FBS was fifth in the 29 touchdowns could be the es without an in- “I think when you have a five victories over player to pick nation with and more than next. He’s mov- terception. The great player, the last thing Top 25 teams, up more than a school-re- 2,100 yards in ing from safe- Bruins are transi- you want to do is pump the and they are ex- 100 yards from cord 21 rushing seven games ty to a hybrid tioning from the brakes,” Shaw said last month. pected to chal- scrimmage in touchdowns. and also ran for linebacker po- spread to a pro- “You want to push the acceler- lenge in the SEC every game. 402 yards. sition. style system that ator.” West. suits him better. WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 57

National Schedules

AIR FORCE ARKANSAS STATE BOSTON COLLEGE CLEMSON FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL Sept. 3 Abilene Christian, Noon Sept. 3 Toledo, 7 p.m. Sept. 3 Georgia Tech, 5:30 a.m. Sept. 3 at Auburn, 7 p.m. Sept. 1 Indiana, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Georgia St., Noon Sept. 10 at Auburn, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at UMass, 10 a.m. Sept. 10 Troy, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 10 Maryland, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at Utah St., TBA Sept. 17 at Utah St., 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at Virginia Tech, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 SC State, 10 a.m. Sept. 17 at UMass, 5 p.m. Oct. 1 Navy, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 24 Cent. Arkansas, TBA Sept. 24 Wagner, TBA Sept. 22 at Georgia Tech, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24 UCF, 5 p.m. Oct. 8 at Wyoming, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 5 Georgia Southern, 6 p.m. Oct. 1 Buffalo, TBA Oct. 1 Louisville, TBA Oct. 1 FAU, 5 p.m. Oct. 15 New Mexico, TBA Oct. 15 South Alabama, TBA Oct. 7 Clemson, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Boston College, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at UTEP, 6 p.m. Oct. 22 Hawaii, Noon Oct. 29 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Oct. 22 Syracuse, TBA Oct. 15 NC State, TBA Oct. 15 at Charlotte, 4 p.m. Oct. 28 at Fresno St., 8:30 p.m. Nov. 3 Georgia St., 5:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at NC State, TBA Oct. 29 at Florida St., TBA Oct. 22 Louisiana Tech, 5 p.m. Nov. 5 at Army, 10 a.m. Nov. 12 New Mexico St., TBA Nov. 5 Louisville, TBA Nov. 5 Syracuse, TBA Oct. 29 Middle Tennessee, 5 p.m. Nov. 12 Colorado St., TBA Nov. 17 at Troy, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at Florida St., 5:30 p.m. Nov. 12 Pittsburgh, TBA Nov. 5 at W. Kentucky, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at San Jose St., 8:30 p.m. Nov. 26 at Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Nov. 19 UConn, TBA Nov. 19 at Wake Forest, TBA Nov. 19 Marshall, 5 p.m. Nov. 25 Boise St., 1:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Texas St., 2 p.m. Nov. 26 at Wake Forest, TBA Nov. 26 South Carolina, TBA Nov. 26 at Old Dominion, TBA AKRON ARMY BOWLING GREEN COLORADO FLORIDA Sept. 3 VMI, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 2 at Temple, 5 p.m. Sept. 3 at Ohio St., 10 a.m. Sept. 2 Colorado St., 6:05 p.m. Sept. 3 UMass, 5 p.m. Sept. 10 at Wisconsin, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Rice, 10 a.m. Sept. 10 North Dakota, 1 p.m. Sept. 10 Idaho St., 3:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Kentucky, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Marshall, 10 a.m. Sept. 17 at UTEP, 5 p.m. Sept. 17 Middle Tennessee, 10 a.m. Sept. 17 at Michigan, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 North Texas, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24 Appalachian St., TBA Sept. 24 at Buffalo, TBA Sept. 24 at Memphis, TBA Sept. 24 at Oregon, TBA Sept. 24 at Tennessee, TBA Oct. 1 at Kent St., 1:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Duke, TBA Oct. 1 E. Michigan, 1 p.m. Oct. 1 Oregon St., TBA Oct. 1 at Vanderbilt, TBA Oct. 8 Miami (Ohio), 1 p.m. Oct. 15 Lafayette, 10 a.m. Oct. 8 at Ohio, Noon Oct. 8 at Southern Cal, TBA Oct. 8 LSU, TBA Oct. 15 W. Michigan, TBA Oct. 22 North Texas, 10 a.m. Oct. 15 at Toledo, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15 Arizona St., TBA Oct. 15 Missouri, TBA Oct. 22 at Ball St., 1 p.m. Oct. 29 at Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 22 Miami (Ohio), TBA Oct. 22 at Stanford, TBA Oct. 29 Georgia, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Buffalo, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 5 Air Force, 10 a.m. Nov. 1 at N. Illinois, 6 p.m. Nov. 3 UCLA, 9 p.m. Nov. 5 at Arkansas, TBA Nov. 2 Toledo, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 12 Notre Dame, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at Akron, 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at Arizona, TBA Nov. 12 South Carolina, TBA Nov. 9 Bowling Green, 6 p.m. Nov. 19 Morgan St., 10 a.m. Nov. 15 Kent St., TBA Nov. 19 Washington St., TBA Nov. 19 Presbyterian, TBA Nov. 22 at Ohio, 5 p.m. Dec. 10 Navy, 1 p.m. Nov. 25 Buffalo, TBA Nov. 26 Utah, TBA Nov. 26 at Florida St., TBA ALABAMA AUBURN BUFFALO COLORADO STATE FLORIDA ST. Sept. 3 Southern Cal, 6 p.m. Sept. 3 Clemson, 7 p.m. Sept. 2 Albany (NY), 5 p.m. Sept. 2 Colorado, 6:05 p.m. Sept. 5 Mississippi, 6 p.m. Sept. 10 W. Kentucky, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Arkansas St., 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Nevada, 7 p.m. Sept. 10 UTSA, 2 p.m. Sept. 10 Charleston Southern, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 17 at Mississippi, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 Texas A&M, 5 p.m. Sept. 24 Army, TBA Sept. 17 N. Colorado, 2 p.m. Sept. 17 at Louisville, 10 a.m. Sept. 24 Kent St., TBA Sept. 24 LSU, TBA Oct. 1 at Boston College, TBA Sept. 24 at Minnesota, TBA Sept. 24 at South Florida, TBA Oct. 1 Kentucky, TBA Oct. 1 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Oct. 8 Kent St., 1:30 p.m. Oct. 1 Wyoming, TBA Oct. 1 North Carolina, TBA Oct. 8 at Arkansas, TBA Oct. 8 at Mississippi St., TBA Oct. 15 Ball St., TBA Oct. 8 Utah St., 8 p.m. Oct. 8 at Miami, TBA Oct. 15 at Tennessee, TBA Oct. 22 Arkansas, TBA Oct. 22 at N. Illinois, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Boise St., TBA Oct. 15 Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 22 Texas A&M, TBA Oct. 29 at Mississippi, TBA Oct. 27 Akron, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at UNLV, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 29 Clemson, TBA Nov. 5 at LSU, TBA Nov. 5 Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 3 at Ohio, 4 p.m. Nov. 5 Fresno St., 1:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at NC State, TBA Nov. 12 Mississippi St., TBA Nov. 12 at Georgia, TBA Nov. 12 Miami (Ohio), TBA Nov. 12 at Air Force, TBA Nov. 11 Boston College, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Chattanooga, TBA Nov. 19 Alabama A&M, TBA Nov. 19 at W. Michigan, TBA Nov. 19 New Mexico, TBA Nov. 19 at Syracuse, TBA Nov. 26 Auburn, TBA Nov. 26 at Alabama, TBA Nov. 25 at Bowling Green, TBA Nov. 26 at San Diego St., 7 p.m. Nov. 26 Florida, TBA APPALACHIAN STATE BYU CALIFORNIA DUKE FRESNO ST. Sept. 1 at Tennessee, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 3 Arizona, 8:30 p.m. Aug. 26 Hawaii, 8 p.m. Sept. 3 N.C. Central, 4 p.m. Sept. 3 at Nebraska, 6 p.m. Sept. 10 Old Dominion, TBA Sept. 10 at Utah, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at San Diego St., 8:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Wake Forest, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Sacramento St., 8 p.m. Sept. 17 Miami, 10 a.m. Sept. 17 UCLA, 8:15 p.m. Sept. 17 Texas, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Northwestern, 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at Toledo, 1 p.m. Sept. 24 at Akron, TBA Sept. 24 West Virginia, TBA Sept. 24 at Arizona St., TBA Sept. 24 at Notre Dame, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 24 Tulsa, 8:30 p.m. Oct. 1 Georgia St., TBA Sept. 30 Toledo, 8:15 p.m. Oct. 1 Utah, TBA Oct. 1 Virginia, TBA Oct. 1 at UNLV, 8:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at La-Lafayette, 6 p.m. Oct. 8 at Michigan St., TBA Oct. 8 at Oregon St., TBA Oct. 8 Army, TBA Oct. 8 at Nevada, TBA Oct. 22 Idaho, TBA Oct. 14 Mississippi St., 8:15 p.m. Oct. 21 Oregon, 8:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Louisville, 5 p.m. Oct. 14 San Diego St., 8 p.m. Oct. 27 at Ga. Southern, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Boise St., 8:15 p.m. Oct. 27 at Southern Cal, 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Georgia Tech, TBA Oct. 22 at Utah St., 8:30 p.m. Nov. 5 Texas St., TBA Nov. 5 at Cincinnati, TBA Nov. 5 Washington, TBA Nov. 5 Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 28 Air Force, 8:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Troy, TBA Nov. 12 S. Utah, 1 p.m. Nov. 12 at Washington St., TBA Nov. 10 North Carolina, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Colorado St., 1:30 p.m. Nov. 19 La-Monroe, TBA Nov. 19 UMass, TBA Nov. 19 Stanford, TBA Nov. 19 at Pittsburgh, TBA Nov. 19 Hawaii, 5 p.m. Nov. 26 at New Mexico St., 2 p.m. Nov. 26 Utah St., TBA Nov. 26 UCLA, TBA Nov. 26 at Miami, TBA Nov. 26 San Jose St., 1:30 p.m. ARIZONA BALL STATE CENTRAL MICHIGAN EASTERN MICHIGAN GEORGIA Sept. 3 BYU, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 2 Georgia St., TBA Sept. 1 Presbyterian, 5 p.m. Sept. 3 MVSU, 4 p.m. Sept. 3 North Carolina, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Grambling St., 8:45 p.m. Sept. 10 at Indiana, 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at Oklahoma St., 10 a.m. Sept. 10 at Missouri, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Nicholls, 10 a.m. Sept. 17 Hawaii, 8:45 p.m. Sept. 17 E. Kentucky, 1 p.m. Sept. 17 UNLV, 1 p.m. Sept. 17 at Charlotte, 5 p.m. Sept. 17 at Missouri, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24 Washington, TBA Sept. 24 at FAU, 4 p.m. Sept. 24 at Virginia, TBA Sept. 23 Wyoming, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at Mississippi, TBA Oct. 1 at UCLA, TBA Oct. 1 N. Illinois, TBA Oct. 1 W. Michigan, TBA Oct. 1 at Bowling Green, 1 p.m. Oct. 1 Tennessee, TBA Oct. 8 at Utah, TBA Oct. 8 at Cent. Michigan, 1 p.m. Oct. 8 Ball St., 1 p.m. Oct. 8 Toledo, 1 p.m. Oct. 8 at South Carolina, TBA Oct. 15 Southern Cal, TBA Oct. 15 at Buffalo, TBA Oct. 15 at N. Illinois, TBA Oct. 15 at Ohio, TBA Oct. 15 Vanderbilt, TBA Oct. 29 Stanford, TBA Oct. 22 Akron, 1 p.m. Oct. 22 at Toledo, TBA Oct. 22 at W. Michigan, TBA Oct. 29 Florida, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Washington St., TBA Nov. 1 W. Michigan, 6 p.m. Oct. 29 Kent St., TBA Oct. 29 Miami (Ohio), TBA Nov. 5 at Kentucky, TBA Nov. 12 Colorado, TBA Nov. 8 E. Michigan, 5 p.m. Nov. 4 at Miami (Ohio), 4 p.m. Nov. 8 at Ball St., 5 p.m. Nov. 12 Auburn, TBA Nov. 19 at Oregon St., TBA Nov. 16 at Toledo, 5 p.m. Nov. 15 Ohio, 4 p.m. Nov. 16 N. Illinois, TBA Nov. 19 Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Nov. 25 Arizona St., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22 at Miami (Ohio), 5 p.m. Nov. 22 at E. Michigan, 5 p.m. Nov. 22 Cent. Michigan, 5 p.m. Nov. 26 Georgia Tech, TBA ARIZONA STATE BAYLOR CHARLOTTE EAST CAROLINA GEORGIA SOUTHERN Sept. 3 N. Arizona, 8:45 p.m. Sept. 3 Northwestern St., 5:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at Louisville, 5 p.m. Sept. 3 W. Carolina, 4 p.m. Sept. 3 Savannah St., 4 p.m. Sept. 10 Texas Tech, 8 p.m. Sept. 10 SMU, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Elon, 4 p.m. Sept. 10 NC State, 10 a.m. Sept. 10 at South Alabama, TBA Sept. 16 at UTSA, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Rice, 6 p.m. Sept. 17 E. Michigan, 4 p.m. Sept. 17 at South Carolina, 2 p.m. Sept. 17 Louisiana-Monroe, 4 p.m. Sept. 24 California, TBA Sept. 24 Oklahoma St., TBA Sept. 24 at Temple, TBA Sept. 24 at Virginia Tech, TBA Sept. 24 at W. Michigan, TBA Oct. 1 at Southern Cal, TBA Oct. 1 at Iowa St., TBA Oct. 1 Old Dominion, 4 p.m. Oct. 1 UCF, TBA Oct. 5 at Arkansas St., 6 p.m. Oct. 8 UCLA, TBA Oct. 15 Kansas, TBA Oct. 8 at FAU, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at South Florida, TBA Oct. 15 at Georgia Tech, TBA Oct. 15 at Colorado, TBA Oct. 29 at Texas, TBA Oct. 15 FIU, 4 p.m. Oct. 13 Navy, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at New Mexico St., 6 p.m. Oct. 22 Washington St., TBA Nov. 5 TCU, TBA Oct. 22 at Marshall, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Cincinnati, TBA Oct. 27 Appalachian St., 5:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Oregon, TBA Nov. 12 at Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 5 at Southern Miss., 1:30 p.m. Oct. 29 UConn, TBA Nov. 5 at Mississippi, TBA Nov. 10 Utah, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Kansas St., TBA Nov. 12 Rice, Noon Nov. 5 at Tulsa, TBA Nov. 12 Louisiana-Lafayette, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Washington, TBA Nov. 25 Texas Tech, 4 p.m. Nov. 19 Middle Tennessee, Noon Nov. 12 SMU, TBA Nov. 19 at Georgia St., TBA Nov. 25 at Arizona, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at West Virginia, TBA Nov. 26 at UTSA, 5 p.m. Nov. 26 at Temple, TBA Dec. 3 Troy, 11 a.m. ARKANSAS BOISE STATE CINCINNATI FLORIDA ATLANTC GEORGIA STATE Sept. 3 Louisiana Tech, 2 p.m. Sept. 3 at Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Sept. 1 UT Martin, 5 p.m. Sept. 3 S. Illinois, 4 p.m. Sept. 2 Ball St., TBA Sept. 10 at TCU, 5 p.m. Sept. 10 Washington St., 8:15 p.m. Sept. 10 at Purdue, 10 a.m. Sept. 10 at Miami, 4 p.m. Sept. 10 at Air Force, Noon Sept. 17 Texas St., 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at Oregon St., TBA Sept. 15 Houston, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Kansas St., 12:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Wisconsin, 10 a.m. Sept. 24 Texas A&M, TBA Oct. 1 Utah St., TBA Sept. 24 Miami (Ohio), TBA Sept. 24 Ball St., 4 p.m. Oct. 1 at Appalachian St., TBA Oct. 1 Alcorn St., TBA Oct. 7 at New Mexico, 7 p.m. Oct. 1 South Florida, TBA Oct. 1 at FIU, 5 p.m. Oct. 8 Texas St., TBA Oct. 8 Alabama, TBA Oct. 15 Colorado St., TBA Oct. 8 at UConn, 9:30 a.m. Oct. 8 Charlotte, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Troy, TBA Oct. 15 Mississippi, TBA Oct. 20 BYU, 8:15 p.m. Oct. 22 East Carolina, TBA Oct. 15 at Marshall, 5 p.m. Oct. 22 UT-Martin, TBA Oct. 22 at Auburn, TBA Oct. 29 at Wyoming, 5 p.m. Oct. 29 at Temple, TBA Oct. 29 W. Kentucky, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at South Alabama, TBA Nov. 5 Florida, TBA Nov. 4 San Jose St., 8:15 p.m. Nov. 5 BYU, TBA Nov. 5 at Rice, TBA Nov. 3 Arkansas St., 5:30 p.m. Nov. 12 LSU, TBA Nov. 12 at Hawaii, 5 p.m. Nov. 12 at UCF, TBA Nov. 12 UTEP, 4 p.m. Nov. 12 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Nov. 19 at Mississippi St., TBA Nov. 18 UNLV, 7 p.m. Nov. 18 Memphis, 6 p.m. Nov. 19 Old Dominion, 4 p.m. Nov. 19 Georgia Southern, TBA Nov. 26 at Missouri, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 25 at Air Force, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 25 at Tulsa, TBA Nov. 26 at Middle Tennessee, 3:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Idaho, TBA 58 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

National Schedules

GEORGIA TECH IOWA STATE LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE MIAMI (OHIO) MISSOURI Sept. 3 Boston College, 5:30 a.m. Sept. 3 N. Iowa, 6 p.m. Sept. 3 Boise St., TBA Sept. 3 at Iowa, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at West Virginia, 10 a.m. Sept. 10 Mercer, 1 p.m. Sept. 10 at Iowa, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 McNeese St., TBA Sept. 10 E. Illinois, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 E. Michigan, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17 Vanderbilt, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 17 at TCU, 10 a.m. Sept. 17 South Alabama, TBA Sept. 17 W. Kentucky, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 Georgia, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 22 Clemson, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24 San Jose St., 10 a.m. Sept. 24 at Tulane, TBA Sept. 24 at Cincinnati, TBA Sept. 24 Delaware St., TBA Oct. 1 Miami, TBA Oct. 1 Baylor, TBA Oct. 1 at New Mexico St., 6 p.m. Oct. 1 Ohio, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at LSU, TBA Oct. 8 at Pittsburgh, TBA Oct. 8 Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 12 Appalachian St., 6 p.m. Oct. 8 at Akron, 1 p.m. Oct. 15 at Florida, TBA Oct. 15 Georgia Southern, TBA Oct. 15 at Texas, TBA Oct. 22 at Texas St., 5 p.m. Oct. 15 Kent St., TBA Oct. 22 Middle Tennessee, TBA Oct. 29 Duke, TBA Oct. 29 Kansas St., TBA Nov. 5 Idaho, TBA Oct. 22 at Bowling Green, TBA Oct. 29 Kentucky, TBA Nov. 5 at North Carolina, TBA Nov. 3 Oklahoma, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Georgia Southern, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at E. Michigan, TBA Nov. 5 at South Carolina, TBA Nov. 12 at Virginia Tech, TBA Nov. 12 at Kansas, TBA Nov. 19 at Georgia, TBA Nov. 4 Cent. Michigan, 4 p.m. Nov. 12 Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 19 Virginia, TBA Nov. 19 Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 26 Arkansas St., TBA Nov. 12 at Buffalo, TBA Nov. 19 at Tennessee, TBA Nov. 26 at Georgia, TBA Nov. 26 West Virginia, TBA Dec. 3 at Louisiana-Monroe, 1p.m. Nov. 22 Ball St., 5 p.m. Nov. 26 Arkansas, 12:30 p.m. HAWAII KANSAS LOUISIANA-MONROE MICHIGAN NORTHERN ILLINOIS Aug. 26 California, 8 p.m. Sept. 3 Rhode Island, 5 p.m. Sept. 3 Southern U., 5 p.m. Sept. 3 Hawaii, 10 a.m. Sept. 3 at Wyoming, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at Michigan, 10 a.m. Sept. 10 Ohio, 12:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at Oklahoma, 5 p.m. Sept. 10 UCF, 10 a.m. Sept. 10 at South Florida, 5 p.m. Sept. 10 UT-Martin, 9:59 p.m. Sept. 17 at Memphis, Noon Sept. 17 at Georgia Southern, 4 p.m. Sept. 17 Colorado, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 San Diego St., 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Arizona, 8:45 p.m. Sept. 29 at Texas Tech, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Auburn, TBA Sept. 24 Penn St., TBA Sept. 24 W. Illinois, TBA Oct. 1 Nevada, 9:59 p.m. Oct. 8 TCU, TBA Oct. 8 Idaho, 5 p.m. Oct. 1 Wisconsin, TBA Oct. 1 at Ball St., TBA Oct. 8 at San Jose St., 2:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Baylor, TBA Oct. 15 Texas St., 5 p.m. Oct. 8 at Rutgers, 6 p.m. Oct. 8 at W. Michigan, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 15 UNLV, 9:59 p.m. Oct. 22 at New Mexico, 7 p.m. Oct. 22 Illinois, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15 Cent. Michigan, TBA Oct. 22 at Air Force, Noon Oct. 22 Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 29 Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 29 at Arkansas St., TBA Oct. 29 at Michigan St., TBA Oct. 22 Buffalo, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 29 New Mexico, 9:59 p.m. Nov. 5 South Alabama, 3 p.m. Nov. 5 Maryland, TBA Nov. 1 Bowling Green, 6 p.m. Nov. 5 at San Diego St., 5 p.m. Nov. 5 at West Virginia, TBA Nov. 12 Iowa St., TBA Nov. 12 at Georgia St., TBA Nov. 12 at Iowa, 6 p.m. Nov. 9 Toledo, 6 p.m. Nov. 12 Boise St., 5 p.m. Nov. 19 at Appalachian St., TBA Nov. 19 Indiana, TBA Nov. 16 at E. Michigan, TBA Nov. 19 at Fresno St., 5 p.m. Nov. 19 Texas, TBA Nov. 26 at Kansas St., TBA Dec. 3 Louisiana-Lafayette, 1 p.m. Nov. 26 at Ohio St., TBA Nov. 25 at Kent St., TBA Nov. 26 UMass, 9 p.m. LOUISVILLE MICHIGAN STATE NORTH CAROLINA STATE HOUSTON KANSAS STATE Sept. 1 Charlotte, 5 p.m. Sept. 2 Furman, 5 p.m. Sept. 1 William & Mary, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 3 Sept. 2 at Stanford, 7 p.m. Oklahoma, 10 a.m. Sept. 9 at Syracuse, 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at Notre Dame, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Lamar, 10 a.m. Sept. 17 FAU, 12:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at East Carolina, 10 a.m. Sept. 17 Florida St., Noon Sept. 24 Wisconsin, TBA Sept. 15 at Cincinnati, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24 Missouri St., 5:10 p.m. Sept. 17 Old Dominion, 4 p.m. Sept. 24 at Marshall, 6 p.m. Sept. 24 at Texas St., 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at West Virginia, TBA Oct. 1 at Indiana, 6 p.m. Oct. 1 Wake Forest, TBA Sept. 29 UConn, 6 p.m. Oct. 8 Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 1 at Clemson, TBA Oct. 8 BYU, TBA Oct. 8 Notre Dame, TBA Oct. 8 at Navy, 1 p.m. Oct. 15 Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 14 Duke, 5 p.m. Oct. 15 Northwestern, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Clemson, TBA Oct. 15 Tulsa, TBA Oct. 22 Texas, TBA Oct. 22 NC State, TBA Oct. 22 at Maryland, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Louisville, TBA Oct. 22 at SMU, TBA Oct. 29 Iowa St., TBA Oct. 29 at Virginia, TBA Oct. 29 Michigan, TBA Oct. 29 Boston College, TBA Oct. 29 UCF, TBA Nov. 5 Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 5 at Boston College, TBA Nov. 5 at Illinois, TBA Nov. 5 Florida St., TBA Nov. 12 Tulane, TBA Nov. 19 at Baylor, TBA Nov. 12 Wake Forest, TBA Nov. 12 Rutgers, TBA Nov. 12 at Syracuse, TBA Nov. 17 Louisville, 6 p.m. Nov. 26 Kansas, TBA Nov. 17 at Houston, 6 p.m. Nov. 19 Ohio St., TBA Nov. 19 Miami, TBA Nov. 26 Kentucky, TBA Nov. 25 at Memphis, TBA Dec. 3 at TCU, TBA Nov. 26 at Penn St., TBA Nov. 25 at North Carolina, TBA MARSHALL IDAHO KENT ST. MIDDLE TENNESSEE NAVY Sept. 10 Morgan St., 4 p.m. Sept. 3 Alabama A&M, 5 p.m. Sept. 1 Montana St., 6 p.m. Sept. 3 at Penn St., 1:30 p.m. Sept. 3 Fordham, 10 a.m. Sept. 17 Akron, Noon Sept. 10 at Vanderbilt, 2 p.m. Sept. 10 UConn, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at Washington, 3 p.m. Sept. 10 NC A&T, 4 p.m. Sept. 24 Louisville, 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at Bowling Green, 10 a.m. Sept. 17 at Tulane, 5 p.m. Sept. 17 at Washington St., Noon Sept. 17 Monmouth (NJ), 1:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Pittsburgh, TBA Sept. 24 Louisiana Tech, 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at Air Force, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at UNLV, 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at Alabama, TBA Oct. 1 Troy, TBA Oct. 8 at North Texas, 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at North Texas, 5 p.m. Oct. 8 Houston, 1 p.m. Oct. 1 Akron, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15 FAU, 5 p.m. Oct. 15 W. Kentucky, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at East Carolina, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Louisiana-Monroe, 5 p.m. Oct. 8 at Buffalo, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15 New Mexico St., TBA Oct. 22 Charlotte, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Missouri, TBA Oct. 22 Memphis, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Miami (Ohio), TBA Oct. 29 at Southern Miss., 5 p.m. Oct. 29 at FIU, 5 p.m. Oct. 28 at South Florida, 5 p.m. Oct. 22 at Appalachian St., TBA Oct. 22 Ohio, TBA Nov. 5 at Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Nov. 5 at Old Dominion, 5 p.m. Nov. 5 UTSA, 11:30 a.m. Nov. 5 Notre Dame, 9:30 a.m. Oct. 29 at Cent. Michigan, TBA Nov. 12 Middle Tennessee, 5 p.m. Nov. 12 at Marshall, 5 p.m. Nov. 12 Tulsa, 10 a.m. Nov. 12 at Texas St., 2 p.m. Nov. 8 W. Michigan, 5 p.m. Nov. 26 South Alabama, TBA Nov. 19 at FIU, 5 p.m. Nov. 19 at Charlotte, Noon Nov. 26 at SMU, TBA Nov. 15 at Bowling Green, TBA Dec. 3 Georgia St., TBA Nov. 26 W. Kentucky, TBA Nov. 26 FAU, 3:30 p.m. Dec. 10 Army, 1 p.m. ILLINOIS Nov. 25 N. Illinois, TBA MARYLAND MINNESOTA NEBRASKA Sept. 3 Murray St., 1:30 p.m. KENTUCKY Sept. 3 Howard, 10 a.m. Sept. 1 Oregon St., 7 p.m. Sept. 3 Fresno St., 6 p.m. Sept. 10 North Carolina, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 3 Southern Miss., 5:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at FIU, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Indiana St., 10 a.m. Sept. 10 Wyoming, 6 p.m. Sept. 17 W. Michigan, 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at Florida, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at UCF, 5 p.m. Sept. 24 Colorado St., TBA Sept. 17 Oregon, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Nebraska, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 New Mexico St., 2 p.m. Oct. 1 Purdue, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Penn St., TBA Sept. 24 at Northwestern, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 8 Purdue, TBA Sept. 24 South Carolina, TBA Oct. 8 at Penn St., Noon Oct. 8 Iowa, TBA Oct. 1 Illinois, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Rutgers, Noon Oct. 1 at Alabama, TBA Oct. 15 Minnesota, TBA Oct. 15 at Maryland, TBA Oct. 15 at Indiana, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Michigan, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 8 Vanderbilt, TBA Oct. 22 Michigan St., 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22 Rutgers, 10 a.m. Oct. 22 Purdue, TBA Oct. 29 Minnesota,, Noon Oct. 22 Mississippi St., TBA Oct. 29 at Indiana, TBA Oct. 29 at Illinois, 10 a.m. Oct. 29 at Wisconsin, 5 p.m. Nov. 5 Michigan St., TBA Oct. 29 at Missouri, TBA Nov. 5 at Michigan, TBA Nov. 5 Purdue, TBA Nov. 5 at Ohio St., 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at Wisconsin, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 5 Georgia, TBA Nov. 12 Ohio St., TBA Nov. 12 at Nebraska, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 12 Minnesota, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Iowa, TBA Nov. 12 at Tennessee, TBA Nov. 19 at Nebraska, TBA Nov. 19 Northwestern, TBA Nov. 19 Maryland, TBA Nov. 26 at Northwestern, TBA Nov. 19 Austin Peay, TBA Nov. 26 Rutgers, TBA Nov. 26 at Wisconsin, TBA Nov. 25 at Iowa, TBA INDIANA Nov. 26 at Louisville, TBA MEMPHIS MISSISSIPPI NEVADA Sept. 1 at FIU, 5:30 p.m. LSU Sept. 3 SE Missouri, 5 p.m. Sept. 5 Florida St., 6 p.m. Sept. 2 Cal Poly, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Ball St., 2 p.m. Sept. 3 Wisconsin, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 Kansas, 10 a.m. Sept. 10 Wofford, 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at Notre Dame, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 24 Wake Forest, TBA Sept. 10 Jacksonville St., 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24 Bowling Green, TBA Sept. 17 Alabama, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 Buffalo, 7 p.m. Oct. 1 Michigan St., 6 p.m. Sept. 17 Mississippi St., 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at Mississippi, TBA Sept. 24 Georgia, TBA Sept. 24 at Purdue, TBA Oct. 8 at Ohio St., TBA Sept. 24 at Auburn, TBA Oct. 6 Temple, 6 p.m. Oct. 1 Memphis, TBA Oct. 1 at Hawaii, 9:59 p.m. Oct. 15 Nebraska 1:30 p.m. Oct. 1 Missouri, TBA Oct. 14 at Tulane, 6 p.m. Oct. 15 at Arkansas, TBA Oct. 8 Fresno St., TBA Oct. 22 at Northwestern, 10 a.m. Oct. 8 at Florida, TBA Oct. 22 at Navy, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at LSU, TBA Oct. 15 at San Jose St., 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29 Maryland, TBA Oct. 15 Southern Miss., TBA Oct. 29 Tulsa, TBA Oct. 29 Auburn, TBA Oct. 22 Wyoming, TBA Nov. 5 at Rutgers, TBA Oct. 22 Mississippi, TBA Nov. 5 at SMU, TBA Nov. 5 Georgia Southern, TBA Nov. 5 at New Mexico, TBA Nov. 12 Penn St., TBA Nov. 5 Alabama, TBA Nov. 12 South Florida, TBA Nov. 12 at Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 12 San Diego St., 8:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Michigan, TBA Nov. 12 at Arkansas, TBA Nov. 18 at Cincinnati, 6 p.m. Nov. 19 at Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 19 Utah St., TBA Nov. 26 Purdue, TBA Nov. 24 at Texas A&M, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25 Houston, TBA Nov. 26 Mississippi St., TBA Nov. 26 at UNLV, TBA IOWA LOUISIANA TECH MIAMI MISSISSIPPI ST. NEW MEXICO Sept. 3 Miami (Ohio), 1:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at Arkansas, 2 p.m. Sept. 3 Florida A&M, 4 p.m. Sept. 3 South Alabama, 10 a.m. Sept. 3 South Dakota, 7 p.m. Sept. 10 Iowa St., 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 SC State, 5 p.m. Sept. 10 FAU, 4 p.m. Sept. 10 South Carolina, 5 p.m. Sept. 10 at New Mexico St., 6 p.m. Sept. 17 N. Dakota St., 10 a.m. Sept. 17 at Texas Tech, 5 p.m. Sept. 17 at Appalachian St., 10 a.m. Sept. 17 at LSU, 5 p.m. Sept. 17 at Rutgers, 10 a.m. Sept. 24 at Rutgers, TBA Sept. 24 at Middle Tennessee, 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at Georgia Tech, TBA Sept. 24 at UMass, TBA Oct. 1 San Jose St., 2 p.m. Oct. 1 Northwestern, 10 a.m. Oct. 1 UTEP, 5 p.m. Oct. 8 Florida St., TBA Oct. 8 Auburn, TBA Oct. 7 Boise St., 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at Minnesota, TBA Oct. 6 W. Kentucky, 6 p.m. Oct. 15 North Carolina, TBA Oct. 14 at BYU, 8:15 p.m. Oct. 15 Air Force, TBA Oct. 15 at Purdue, 10 a.m. Oct. 15 at UMass, TBA Oct. 20 at Virginia Tech, 5 p.m. Oct. 22 at Kentucky, TBA Oct. 22 Louisiana-Monroe, 7 p.m. Oct. 22 Wisconsin, TBA Oct. 22 at FIU, 5 p.m. Oct. 29 at Notre Dame, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 29 Samford, TBA Oct. 29 at Hawaii, 9:59 p.m. Nov. 5 at Penn St., 5:30 p.m. Oct. 29 Rice, 5 p.m. Nov. 5 Pittsburgh, TBA Nov. 5 Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 5 Nevada, TBA Nov. 12 Michigan, 6 p.m. Nov. 5 at North Texas, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Virginia, TBA Nov. 12 at Alabama, TBA Nov. 12 at Utah St., TBA Nov. 19 at Illinois, TBA Nov. 12 UTSA, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at NC State, TBA Nov. 19 Arkansas, TBA Nov. 19 at Colorado St., TBA Nov. 25 Nebraska, TBA Nov. 25 at Southern Miss., TBA Nov. 26 Duke, TBA Nov. 26 at Mississippi, TBA Nov. 26 Wyoming, TBA WWW.SLTRIB.COM/SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW < 59

National Schedules

NEW MEXICO STATE OKLAHOMA RICE SOUTH FLORIDA TENNESSEE Sept. 3 at UTEP, 6 p.m. Sept. 3 at Houston, 10 a.m. Sept. 1 at W. Kentucky, 6 p.m. Sept. 3 Towson, 5 p.m. Sept. 1 Appalachian St., 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 New Mexico, 6 p.m. Sept. 10 Louisiana-Monroe, 5 p.m. Sept. 10 at Army, 10 a.m. Sept. 10 N. Illinois, 5 p.m. Sept. 10 Virginia Tech, 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at Kentucky, 2 p.m. Sept. 17 Ohio St., 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17 Baylor, 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at Syracuse, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 Ohio, Noon Sept. 24 at Troy, TBA Oct. 1 at TCU, TBA Sept. 24 North Texas, TBA Sept. 24 Florida St., TBA Sept. 24 Florida, TBA Oct. 1 Louisiana-Lafayette, 6 p.m. Oct. 8 Texas, TBA Oct. 1 at Southern Miss., 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at Cincinnati, TBA Oct. 1 at Georgia, TBA Oct. 15 at Idaho, TBA Oct. 15 Kansas St., TBA Oct. 15 UTSA, 5 p.m. Oct. 8 East Carolina, TBA Oct. 8 at Texas A&M, TBA Oct. 22 Georgia Southern, 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 22 Prairie View, TBA Oct. 15 UConn, TBA Oct. 15 Alabama, TBA Oct. 29 at Texas A&M, TBA Oct. 29 Kansas, TBA Oct. 29 at Louisiana Tech, 5 p.m. Oct. 21 at Temple, 5 p.m. Oct. 29 at South Carolina, TBA Nov. 12 at Arkansas St., TBA Nov. 3 at Iowa St., 5:30 p.m. Nov. 5 FAU, TBA Oct. 28 Navy, 5 p.m. Nov. 5 Tennessee Tech, TBA Nov. 19 Texas St., 2 p.m. Nov. 12 Baylor, TBA Nov. 12 at Charlotte, Noon Nov. 12 at Memphis, TBA Nov. 12 Kentucky, TBA Nov. 26 Appalachian St., 2 p.m. Nov. 19 at West Virginia, TBA Nov. 19 UTEP, TBA Nov. 19 at SMU, TBA Nov. 19 Missouri, TBA Dec. 3 at South Alabama, TBA Dec. 3 Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 26 at Stanford, TBA Nov. 26 UCF, TBA Nov. 26 at Vanderbilt, TBA NORTH CAROLINA OKLAHOMA STATE RUTGERS SOUTHERN CAL TEXAS Sept. 3 Georgia, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 3 SE Louisiana, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at Washington, Noon Sept. 3 Alabama, 6 p.m. Sept. 4 Notre Dame, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at Illinois, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Cent. Michigan, 10 a.m. Sept. 10 Howard, 10 a.m. Sept. 10 Utah St., Noon Sept. 10 UTEP, 5 p.m. Sept. 17 James Madison, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 Pittsburgh, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 New Mexico, 10 a.m. Sept. 17 at Stanford, 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at California, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 24 Pittsburgh, TBA Sept. 24 at Baylor, TBA Sept. 24 Iowa, TBA Sept. 23 at Utah, 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 1 at Florida St., TBA Oct. 1 Texas, TBA Oct. 1 at Ohio St., 10 a.m. Oct. 1 Arizona St., TBA Oct. 8 Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 8 Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 8 Iowa St., TBA Oct. 8 Michigan, 6 p.m. Oct. 8 Colorado, TBA Oct. 15 Iowa St., TBA Oct. 15 at Miami, TBA Oct. 22 at Kansas, TBA Oct. 15 Illinois, 10 a.m. Oct. 15 at Arizona, TBA Oct. 22 at Kansas St., TBA Oct. 22 at Virginia, TBA Oct. 29 West Virginia, TBA Oct. 22 at Minnesota, 10 a.m. Oct. 27 California, 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29 Baylor, TBA Nov. 5 Georgia Tech, TBA Nov. 5 at Kansas St., TBA Nov. 5 Indiana, TBA Nov. 5 Oregon, TBA Nov. 5 at Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 10 at Duke, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 12 Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 12 at Michigan St., TBA Nov. 12 at Washington, TBA Nov. 12 West Virginia, TBA Nov. 19 The Citadel, TBA Nov. 19 at TCU, TBA Nov. 19 Penn St., 6 p.m. Nov. 19 at UCLA, TBA Nov. 19 at Kansas, TBA Nov. 25 NC State, TBA Dec. 3 at Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 26 at Maryland, TBA Nov. 26 Notre Dame, TBA Nov. 25 TCU, 1:30 p.m. NORTH TEXAS OREGON SMU SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI TEXAS A&M Sept. 3 SMU, 5 p.m. Sept. 3 UC Davis, 3 p.m. Sept. 3 at North Texas, 5 p.m. Sept. 3 at Kentucky, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 3 UCLA, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Bethune Cookman, 5 p.m. Sept. 10 Virginia, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at Baylor, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Savannah St., 5 p.m. Sept. 10 Prairie View, 10 a.m. Sept. 17 at Florida, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Nebraska, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 Liberty, 5 p.m. Sept. 17 Troy, 5 p.m. Sept. 17 at Auburn, 5 p.m. Sept. 24 at Rice, TBA Sept. 24 Colorado, TBA Sept. 23 TCU, 6 p.m. Sept. 24 at UTEP, 6 p.m. Sept. 24 Arkansas, TBA Oct. 1 Middle Tennessee, 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at Washington St., TBA Oct. 1 at Temple, TBA Oct. 1 Rice, 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at South Carolina, TBA Oct. 8 Marshall, 5 p.m. Oct. 8 Washington, TBA Oct. 7 at Tulsa, 6 p.m. Oct. 8 at UTSA, 10 a.m. Oct. 8 Tennessee, TBA Oct. 22 at Army, 10 a.m. Oct. 21 at California, 8:30 p.m. Oct. 22 Houston, TBA Oct. 15 at LSU, TBA Oct. 22 at Alabama, TBA Oct. 29 at UTSA, 5 p.m. Oct. 29 Arizona St., TBA Oct. 29 at Tulane, TBA Oct. 29 Marshall, 5 p.m. Oct. 29 New Mexico St., TBA Nov. 5 Louisiana Tech, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 5 Memphis, TBA Nov. 5 Charlotte, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Mississippi St., TBA Nov. 12 at W. Kentucky, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 12 Stanford, TBA Nov. 12 at East Carolina, TBA Nov. 12 at Old Dominion, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 12 Mississippi, TBA Nov. 19 Southern Miss., 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Utah, TBA Nov. 19 South Florida, TBA Nov. 19 at North Texas, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 UTSA, TBA Nov. 26 at UTEP, TBA Nov. 26 at Oregon St., TBA Nov. 26 Navy, TBA Nov. 25 Louisiana Tech, TBA Nov. 24 LSU, 5:30 p.m. NORTHWESTERN OREGON STATE SAN DIEGO STATE STANFORD TEXAS STATE Sept. 3 W. Michigan, 10 a.m. Sept. 1 at Minnesota, 7 p.m. Sept. 3 New Hampshire, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 2 Kansas St., 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at Ohio, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Illinois St., 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 Idaho St., 3 p.m. Sept. 10 California, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 17 Southern Cal, 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at Arkansas, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17 Duke, 6 p.m. Sept. 24 Boise St., TBA Sept. 17 at N. Illinois, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at UCLA, TBA Sept. 24 Houston, 5 p.m. Sept. 24 Nebraska, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Colorado, TBA Oct. 1 at South Alabama, TBA Sept. 30 at Washington, 7 p.m. Oct. 1 Incarnate Word, 5 p.m. Oct. 1 Iowa, 10 a.m. Oct. 8 California, TBA Oct. 8 UNLV, TBA Oct. 8 Washington St., TBA Oct. 8 at Georgia St., TBA Oct. 15 at Michigan St., 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15 Utah, TBA Oct. 14 at Fresno St., 8 p.m. Oct. 15 at Notre Dame, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Louisiana Monroe, 5 p.m. Oct. 22 Indiana, 10 a.m. Oct. 22 at Washington, TBA Oct. 21 San Jose St., 8:30 p.m. Oct. 22 Colorado, TBA Oct. 22 Louisiana-Lafayette, 5 p.m. Oct. 29 at Ohio St., 3:30 p.m. Oct. 29 Washington St., TBA Oct. 28 at Utah St., 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at Arizona, TBA Nov. 5 at Appalachian St., TBA Nov. 5 Wisconsin, TBA Nov. 5 at Stanford, TBA Nov. 5 Hawaii, 5 p.m. Nov. 5 Oregon St., TBA Nov. 12 Idaho, 2 p.m. Nov. 12 at Purdue, TBA Nov. 12 at UCLA, TBA Nov. 12 at Nevada, 8:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Oregon, TBA Nov. 19 at New Mexico St., 2 p.m. Nov. 19 at Minnesota, TBA Nov. 19 Arizona, TBA Nov. 19 at Wyoming, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at California, TBA Nov. 26 Troy, 2 p.m. Nov. 26 Illinois, TBA Nov. 26 Oregon, TBA Nov. 26 Colorado St., 7 p.m. Nov. 26 Rice, TBA Dec. 3 Arkansas St., 2 p.m. NOTRE DAME PENN STATE SAN JOSE ST. SYRACUSE TEXAS TECH Sept. 4 at Texas, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 3 Kent St., 1:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at Tulsa, 5 p.m. Sept. 2 Colgate, 5 p.m. Sept. 3 Stephen F Austin, 6 p.m. Sept. 10 Nevada, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m. Sept. 10 Portland St., 2:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Louisville, 6 p.m. Sept. 10 at Arizona St., 8 p.m. Sept. 17 Michigan St., 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17 Temple, 10 a.m. Sept. 17 Utah, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 17 South Florida, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 Louisiana Tech, 5 p.m. Sept. 24 Duke, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at Michigan, TBA Sept. 24 at Iowa St., 10 a.m. Sept. 24 at UConn, TBA Sept. 29 Kansas, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1 Syracuse, TBA Oct. 1 Minnesota, TBA Oct. 1 at New Mexico, 2 p.m. Oct. 1 Notre Dame, TBA Oct. 8 at Kansas St., TBA Oct. 8 at N.C. State, TBA Oct. 8 Maryland, 10 a.m. Oct. 8 Hawaii, 2:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 15 West Virginia, TBA Oct. 15 Stanford, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22 Ohio St., 6 p.m. Oct. 15 Nevada, 8:30 p.m. Oct. 15 Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 22 Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 29 Miami, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Purdue, TBA Oct. 21 at San Diego St., 8:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Boston College, TBA Oct. 29 at TCU, TBA Nov. 5 Navy, 9:30 a.m. Nov. 5 Iowa, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 29 UNLV, 8:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Clemson, TBA Nov. 5 Texas, TBA Nov. 12 Army, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Indiana, TBA Nov. 4 at Boise St., 8:15 p.m. Nov. 12 NC State, TBA Nov. 12 at Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 19 Virginia Tech, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Rutgers, 6 p.m. Nov. 19 Air Force, 8:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Florida St., TBA Nov. 19 at Iowa St., TBA Nov. 26 at Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 26 Michigan St., TBA Nov. 26 at Fresno St., 1:30 p.m. Nov. 26 at Pittsburgh, TBA Nov. 25 Baylor, 4 p.m. OHIO PITTSBURGH SOUTH ALABAMA TCU TOLEDO Sept. 3 Texas St., 1:30 p.m. Sept. 3 Villanova, 11:30 a.m. Sept. 3 at Mississippi St., 10 a.m. Sept. 3 S. Dakota St., 6 p.m. Sept. 2 at Arkansas St., 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at Kansas, 12:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Penn St., 10 a.m. Sept. 10 Georgia Southern, TBA Sept. 10 Arkansas, 5 p.m. Sept. 10 Maine 5 p.m. Sept. 17 at Tennessee, 10 a.m. Sept. 17 at Oklahoma St., 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 Louisiana-Lafayette, 5 p.m. Sept. 17 Iowa St., 10 a.m. Sept. 17 Fresno St.,1 p.m. Sept. 24 Gardner-Webb, TBA Sept. 24 at North Carolina, TBA Sept. 24 Nicholls, TBA Sept. 23 at SMU, 6 p.m. Sept. 30 at BYU, 8:15 p.m. Oct. 1 at Miami (Ohio), Noon Oct. 1 Marshall, TBA Oct. 1 San Diego St., TBA Oct. 1 Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 8 at E. Michigan, 1 p.m. Oct. 8 Bowling Green, Noon Oct. 8 Georgia Tech, TBA Oct. 15 at Arkansas St., TBA Oct. 8 at Kansas, TBA Oct. 15 Bowling Green, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15 E. Michigan, TBA Oct. 15 at Virginia, TBA Oct. 20 Troy, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at West Virginia, TBA Oct. 22 Cent. Michigan, TBA Oct. 22 at Kent St., TBA Oct. 27 Virginia Tech, 5 p.m. Oct. 29 Georgia St., TBA Oct. 29 Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 27 Ohio, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Toledo, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Miami, TBA Nov. 5 at Louisiana-Monroe, 3 p.m. Nov. 5 at Baylor, TBA Nov. 2 at Akron, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 3 Buffalo, 4 p.m. Nov. 12 at Clemson, TBA Nov. 19 at LSU, TBA Nov. 19 Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 9 at N. Illinois, 6 p.m. Nov. 15 at Cent. Michigan, 4 p.m. Nov. 19 Duke, TBA Nov. 26 at Idaho, TBA Nov. 25 at Texas, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 16 Ball St., TBA Nov. 22 Akron, 5 p.m. Nov. 26 Syracuse, TBA Dec. 3 New Mexico St., TBA Dec. 3 Kansas St., TBA Nov. 25 at W. Michigan, TBA OHIO STATE PURDUE SOUTH CAROLINA TEMPLE TROY Sept. 3 Bowling Green, 10 a.m. Sept. 3 E. Kentucky, 10 a.m. Sept. 1 at Vanderbilt, 6 p.m. Sept. 2 Army, 5 p.m. Sept. 3 Austin Peay, TBA Sept. 10 Tulsa, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Sept. 10 at Mississippi St., 5 p.m. Sept. 10 Stony Brook, 11 a.m. Sept. 10 at Clemson, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 17 at Oklahoma, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24 Nevada, TBA Sept. 17 East Carolina, 2 p.m. Sept. 17 at Penn St., 10 a.m. Sept. 17 at Southern Miss., 5 p.m. Oct. 1 Rutgers, 10 a.m. Oct. 1 at Maryland, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at Kentucky, TBA Sept. 24 Charlotte, TBA Sept. 24 New Mexico St., TBA Oct. 8 Indiana, TBA Oct. 8 at Illinois, TBA Oct. 1 Texas A&M, TBA Oct. 1 SMU, TBA Oct. 1 at Idaho, TBA Oct. 15 at Wisconsin, 6 p.m. Oct. 15 Iowa, 10 a.m. Oct. 8 Georgia, TBA Oct. 6 at Memphis, 6 p.m. Oct. 15 Georgia St., TBA Oct. 22 at Penn St., 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at Nebraska, TBA Oct. 22 UMass, TBA Oct. 15 at UCF, TBA Oct. 20 at South Alabama, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 29 Northwestern, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 29 Penn St., TBA Oct. 29 Tennessee, TBA Oct. 21 South Florida, 5 p.m. Nov. 5 UMass, TBA Nov. 5 Nebraska, 6 p.m. Nov. 5 at Minnesota, TBA Nov. 5 Missouri, TBA Oct. 29 Cincinnati, TBA Nov. 12 Appalachian St., TBA Nov. 12 at Maryland, TBA Nov. 12 Northwestern, TBA Nov. 12 at Florida, TBA Nov. 4 at UConn, 5 p.m. Nov. 17 Arkansas St., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Michigan St., TBA Nov. 19 Wisconsin, TBA Nov. 19 W. Carolina, TBA Nov. 19 at Tulane, TBA Nov. 26 at Texas St., 2 p.m. Nov. 26 Michigan, TBA Nov. 26 at Indiana, TBA Nov. 26 at Clemson, TBA Nov. 26 East Carolina, TBA Dec. 3 at Georgia Southern, 11 a.m. 60 > COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

National Schedules

TULANE WESTERN MICHIGAN Sept. 1 at Wake Forest, 5 p.m. Sept. 3 at Northwestern, 10 a.m. Sept. 10 Southern, 6 p.m. Sept. 10 NC Central, 5 p.m. Sept. 17 Navy, 5 p.m. Sept. 17 at Illinois, 2 p.m. Sept. 24 Louisiana-Lafayette, 6 p.m. Sept. 24 Georgia Southern, TBA Oct. 1 at UMass, TBA Oct. 1 at Cent. Michigan, TBA Oct. 7 at UCF, 6 p.m. Oct. 8 N. Illinois, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 14 Memphis, 6 p.m. Oct. 15 at Akron, TBA Oct. 22 at Tulsa, TBA Oct. 22 E. Michigan, TBA Oct. 29 SMU, TBA Nov. 1 at Ball St., 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at Houston, TBA Nov. 8 at Kent St., 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Temple, TBA Nov. 19 Buffalo, TBA Nov. 26 at UConn, TBA Nov. 25 Toledo, TBA TULSA WAKE FOREST Sept. 3 San Jose St., 5 p.m. Sept. 1 Tulane, 5 p.m. Sept. 10 at Ohio St., 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at Duke, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 NC A&T, Noon Sept. 17 Delaware, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 24 Fresno St., 8:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at Indiana TBA Oct. 7 SMU, 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at NC State, TBA Oct. 15 at Houston, TBA Oct. 8 Syracuse, TBA Oct. 22 Tulane, TBA Oct. 15 at Florida St., TBA Oct. 29 at Memphis, TBA Oct. 29 Army, TBA Nov. 5 East Carolina, TBA Nov. 5 Virginia, TBA Nov. 12 at Navy, 10 a.m. Nov. 12 at Louisville, TBA Nov. 19 at UCF, TBA Nov. 19 Clemson, TBA Nov. 25 Cincinnati, TBA Nov. 26 Boston College, TBA UCF WASHINGTON Sept. 3 SC State, 5 p.m. Sept. 3 Rutgers, Noon Sept. 10 at Michigan, 10 a.m. Sept. 10 Idaho, 3 p.m. Sept. 17 Maryland, 5 p.m. Sept. 17 Portland St., 6 p.m. Sept. 24 at FIU, 5 p.m. Sept. 24 at Arizona, TBA Oct. 1 at East Carolina, TBA Sept. 30 Stanford, 7 p.m. Oct. 7 Tulane, 6 p.m. Oct. 8 at Oregon, TBA Oct. 15 Temple, TBA Oct. 22 Oregon St., TBA Oct. 22 at UConn, TBA Oct. 29 at Utah, TBA Oct. 29 at Houston, TBA Nov. 5 at California, TBA Nov. 12 Cincinnati, TBA Nov. 12 Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 19 Tulsa, TBA Nov. 19 Arizona St., TBA Nov. 26 at South Florida, TBA Nov. 25 at Washington St., 1:30 p.m. UCLA WASHINGTON ST. Sept. 3 at Texas A&M, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 3 E. Washington, 6 p.m. Sept. 10 UNLV, 6 p.m. Sept. 10 at Boise St., 8:15 p.m. Sept. 17 at BYU, 8:15 p.m. Sept. 17 Idaho, Noon Sept. 24 Stanford, TBA Oct. 1 Oregon, TBA Oct. 1 Arizona, TBA Oct. 8 at Stanford, TBA Oct. 8 at Arizona St., TBA Oct. 15 UCLA, TBA Oct. 15 at Washington St., TBA Oct. 22 at Arizona St., TBA Oct. 22 Utah, TBA Oct. 29 at Oregon St., TBA Nov. 3 at Colorado 7 p.m. Nov. 5 Arizona, TBA Nov. 12 Oregon St., TBA Nov. 12 California, TBA Nov. 19 Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 19 at Colorado, TBA Nov. 26 at California, TBA UTEP VIRGINIA Nov. 25 Washington, 1:30 p.m. UCONN RICK EGAN | The Salt Lake Tribune WEST VIRGINIA Sept. 3 New Mexico St., 6 p.m. Sept. 3 Richmond, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 1 Maine, 5 p.m. Sept. 3 Missouri, 10 a.m. Sept. 10 at Texas, 5 p.m. New speakers and one of the Sept. 10 at Oregon, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at Navy, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Youngstown St., Noon Sept. 17 Army, 5 p.m. Sept. 17 at UConn, 11:30 a.m. Sept. 17 Virginia, 11:30 a.m. largest video boards in the Sept. 24 BYU, TBA Sept. 24 Cent. Michigan, TBA Sept. 24 Syracuse, TBA Sept. 24 Southern Miss, 6 p.m. country will see their first Oct. 1 Kansas St., TBA Sept. 29 at Houston, 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at Louisiana Tech, 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at Duke, TBA Oct. 15 at Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 8 Cincinnati, 9:30 a.m. Oct. 8 FIU, 6 p.m. game action when Utah hosts Oct. 15 Pittsburgh, TBA Oct. 22 TCU, TBA Oct. 15 at South Florida, TBA Oct. 22 at UTSA, 5 p.m. Southern Utah at Rice-Eccles Oct. 22 North Carolina, TBA Oct. 29 at Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 22 UCF, TBA Oct. 29 Old Dominion, 6 p.m. Stadium at 6 p.m. on Sept. 1. Oct. 29 Louisville, TBA Nov. 5 Kansas, TBA Oct. 29 at East Carolina, TBA Nov. 5 Houston Baptist, 6 p.m. Nov. 5 at Wake Forest, TBA Nov. 12 at Texas, TBA Nov. 4 Temple, 5 p.m. Nov. 12 at FAU, 4 p.m. Nov. 12 Miami, TBA Nov. 19 Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 19 at Boston College, TBA Nov. 19 at Rice, TBA Nov. 19 at Georgia Tech, TBA Nov. 26 at Iowa St., TBA Nov. 26 Tulane, TBA Nov. 26 North Texas, TBA Nov. 26 at Virginia Tech, TBA Dec. 3 Baylor, TBA UMASS UTSA UTAH STATE VIRGINIA TECH WISCONSIN Sept. 3 at Florida, 5 p.m. Sept. 3 Alabama St., 5 p.m. Sept. 1 Weber St., 6 p.m. Sept. 3 Liberty, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 3 LSU, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Boston College, 10 a.m. Sept. 10 at Colorado St., 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at Southern Cal, Noon Sept. 10 at Tennessee, 6 p.m. Sept. 10 Akron, 12:30 p.m. Sept. 17 FIU, 5 p.m. Sept. 16 Arizona St.,7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Arkansas St., 7 p.m. Sept. 17 Boston College, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 Georgia St., 10 a.m. Sept. 24 Mississippi St., TBA Sept. 24 at Old Dominion, TBA Sept. 24 Air Force, TBA Sept. 24 East Carolina, TBA Sept. 24 at Michigan St., TBA Oct. 1 Tulane, TBA Oct. 8 Southern Miss., 10 a.m. Oct. 1 at Boise St., TBA Oct. 8 at North Carolina, TBA Oct. 1 at Michigan, TBA Oct. 7 at Old Dominion, TBA Oct. 15 at Rice, 5 p.m. Oct. 8 at Colorado St., 8 p.m. Oct. 15 at Syracuse, TBA Oct. 15 Ohio St., 6 p.m. Oct. 15 Louisiana Tech, TBA Oct. 22 UTEP, 5 p.m. Oct. 22 Fresno St., 8:30 p.m. Oct. 20 Miami, 5 p.m. Oct. 22 at Iowa, TBA Oct. 22 at South Carolina, TBA Oct. 29 North Texas, 5 p.m. Oct. 28 San Diego St., 6 p.m. Oct. 27 at Pittsburgh, 5 p.m. Oct. 29 Nebraska, 5 p.m. Oct. 29 Wagner, TBA Nov. 5 at Middle Tennessee, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Wyoming, TBA Nov. 5 at Duke, TBA Nov. 5 at Northwestern, TBA Nov. 12 at Troy, TBA Nov. 12 at Louisiana Tech, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 12 New Mexico, TBA Nov. 12 Georgia Tech, TBA Nov. 12 Illinois, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at BYU, TBA Nov. 19 at Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 19 at Nevada, TBA Nov. 19 at Notre Dame, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Purdue, TBA Nov. 26 at Hawaii, 9 p.m. Nov. 26 Charlotte, 5 p.m. Nov. 26 at BYU, TBA Nov. 26 Virginia, TBA Nov. 26 Minnesota, TBA UNLV UTAH VANDERBILT WESTERN KENTUCKY WYOMING Sept. 1 Jackson St., 8 p.m. Sept. 1 Southern Utah, 6 p.m. Sept. 1 South Carolina, 6 p.m. Sept. 1 Rice, 6 p.m. Sept. 3 N. Illinois, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at UCLA, 6 p.m. Sept. 10 BYU, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Middle Tennessee, 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at Alabama, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at Nebraska, 10 a.m. Sept. 17 at Cent. Michigan, 1 p.m. Sept. 17 at San Jose St., 8:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Georgia Tech, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 17 at Miami (Ohio), 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 UC Davis, 2 p.m. Sept. 24 Idaho, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 Southern Cal, 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at W. Kentucky, 2:30 p.m. Sept. 24 Vanderbilt, 2:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at E. Michigan, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 1 Fresno St., 8:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at California, TBA Oct. 1 Florida, TBA Oct. 1 Houston Baptist, 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at Colorado St., TBA Oct. 8 at San Diego St. TBA Oct. 8 Arizona, TBA Oct. 8 at Kentucky, TBA Oct. 6 at Louisiana Tech, 6 p.m. Oct. 8 Air Force, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Hawaii, 9:59 p.m. Oct. 15 at Oregon St., TBA Oct. 15 at Georgia, TBA Oct. 15 at Middle Tennessee, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Nevada, TBA Oct. 22 Colorado St., 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at UCLA, TBA Oct. 22 Tennessee St., TBA Oct. 22 Old Dominion, 5 p.m. Oct. 29 Boise St., 5 p.m. Oct. 29 at San Jose St., 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29 Washington, TBA Nov. 5 at Auburn, TBA Oct. 29 at FAU, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 5 Utah St., TBA Nov. 12 Wyoming, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at Arizona St., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Missouri, TBA Nov. 5 FIU, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at UNLV, 1 p.m. Nov. 18 at Boise St., 7 p.m. Nov. 19 Oregon, TBA Nov. 19 Mississippi, TBA Nov. 12 North Texas, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 19 San Diego St., 1:30 p.m. Nov. 26 Nevada, TBA Nov. 26 at Colorado, TBA Nov. 26 Tennessee, TBA Nov. 26 at Marshall, TBA Nov. 26 at New Mexico, TBA