Veteran Utes Are Deep, Talented

OVERVIEW McBride also sees something OFFENSE When Ron McBride accepted the unusual on the other side of the ball. Strengths: Quarterbacks, Receivers, head coaching job at Utah in 1990, the “We are unbelievably deep at Running Backs nation’s worst defense came with the quarterback and receiver. In all my years Question Marks: Offensive Line offer. It took McBride just two years to of coaching, including when I was at turn a defense ranked dead last in the Wisconsin and Arizona and my time as When Craig Ver Steeg stepped in as country into one of the best in the an assistant at Utah, I’ve never had three Utah’s offensive coordinator two springs conference. By 1994, the Ute defense quarterbacks who can all play on game ago, he cautioned that implementing his moved onto the national leader board, day like we have here this year.” offense would take time. After finishing shooting an incredible 87 spots into 18th Those QBs will have the bonus of in the conference’s top two in total place. more top flight receivers than places to offense, scoring offense and rushing With Utah’s improvement on defense put them. “We have 11 receivers who can offense in his first season, one wonders came unprecedented success, namely six help us,” marvels McBride. “We’ve never what will happen in time. bowl appearances (including a 2001 Las had a situation like that.” Already Ver Steeg expects more from Vegas Bowl win over Southern California) an offense that produced 428.7 total and some of the best records in school yards per game in 2001, a figure that history. Utah will play three straight BCS teams, ranked 24th in the nation. Part of his Now comes 2002 and the toughest including a game at Michigan. reasoning stems from the fact that 21 schedule in Utah football history—one lettermen return, so he won’t be teaching that has the Utes playing BCS teams a completely new system this spring. Indiana, Arizona and Michigan on Utah has never been in a scheduling Among those returners: the starting consecutive Saturdays. situation like this before either. “This has quarterback, three starting offensive It’s just the kind of schedule that got to be one of the toughest schedules linemen and a starting receiver. Even at makes Mac, well, defensive. in the country,” says the veteran coach. positions where starters don’t return, “Thirteen years ago, we committed “Our first five games coming out of the there are still players familiar with the to play defensive football because that’s gate are all tough and three of five are on system. how you consistently beat good teams,” the road. Then, we open conference play says McBride, one of just nine head against Air Force. To play that kind of football coaches in the entire country still schedule, you have to be deep, you have at the same school he was back in 1990. to be good and you have to be committed.” “It is something I believe in and we’ve After a great spring camp, it would recruited to and we’ve had great coaches. appear that the 2002 Utes are all of the Our strengths this year are the defensive above. If they win most of their games, front, the linebackers and the secondary. they will most likely play in one of four It all starts in the front and we are loaded bowl games that have affiliated them- with talent there. Defensive linemen are selves with the Mountain West Confer- the difference makers and they are very ence. Signing on for another term are the hard to get.” AXA Liberty Bowl, which takes the MWC’s champion, and the Sega Sports Las Vegas Bowl, which gets the No. 2 choice and which has crowned Utah its COACHES’ GAME DAY LOCATIONS champion twice. New this year are the San Francisco Bowl and the Seattle Bowl, On the Field which get the No. 3-4 picks, respectively. Ron McBride (Head Coach) Three of the four bowls are within Derek Mason (Wide Receivers) close proximity of , but Ute Vincent White (Running Backs) fans won’t need to leave town to see (Defensive Coordinator/LB) some great football this fall. The marquee (Defensive Line/Special Teams) non-conference game on the home Alex Gerke (Offensive Tackles/Tight Ends) schedule is Indiana on Sept. 14. Two weeks later, the Utes begin a great home In the Press Box MWC season that brings perennial Among the five starters back on Utah's offense is quarterback Craig Ver Steeg (Offensive Coordinator/QB) contenders and bowl teams Air Force, Lance Rice, a junior who is 10-5 as a starter. (Offensive Guards/Offensive Centers) Colorado State and BYU to Rice-Eccles Jugi Hogue (Cornerbacks) Stadium, along with UNLV. Bill Busch (Safeties) A closer look at Utah’s personnel follows.

2002 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM 1 Veteran Utes Are Deep, Talented

They know, for instance, that Tight Ends anyone, anytime can expect the ball to Versatile starter Michael come flying in his direction. Nineteen Richardson is gone, but Matt different players caught passes last year, Hansen (6-5, 258, Jr.) and J.D. including the quarterback and an Jorgensen (6-4, 253, So.) played offensive tackle. They’re aware that Ver enough last year to know Steeg also likes a pounding running they’re part of a new era at Utah. game. Utah ranked 12th in the nation in Utilized almost exclusively as rushing offense. blockers for the past decade, the Ute tight ends took on another Quarterbacks role—receivers—under first- Unlike a year ago, there is no year coordinator Ver Steeg in competition for the starting quarterback 2001. Tight ends caught 32 balls spot. “Lance (Rice) is the guy,” empha- last fall, the most at Utah since sizes McBride. “I believe in him, Craig 1992. (Ver Steeg) believes in him and his “Our tight ends are now teammates believe in him. He was elected primary on a lot of routes, so team captain.” you’ll see them catching lots of The 6-2, 203-pound junior’s strength passes,” says McBride. is his experience at the Division I level One player who will love the and his smarts. Rice, 10-5 as Utah’s new role of Utah’s tight ends is starter, finished the 2001 season with a Offensive lineman gained big yards on on both a reception and a Ben Moa (6-3, 270, Jr.), formerly pass efficiency rating of 124.18, second lateral in 2001. He was named to several preseason all-conference teams. known as Ben Allison, who first best in the , signed with Utah back in 1999. and completed 56 percent of his pass left tackle. “Jordan has all the tools in his He attended school at Utah for a year attempts for 2,086 yards. He took his box: size, speed, strength, explosiveness, before transferring to Modesto Junior game to a new level in the spring, toughness and desire.” College, where he became a second-team learning to set his feet consistently, Last year’s starting right guard, Sean All-American. Big, fast and hard to tackle, getting more air under the ball and doing Souza (6-5, 281, Jr.), learned to play right Allison will immediately contend for the a better job of reading coverage. “Lance,” tackle in the spring, leaving his old starting job in August. Redshirt freshman says McBride, “is now a complete position in the hands of Tevita Vakalahi Chad Jacobsen (6-4, 226) offers an quarterback.” (6-1, 294, Sr.). The starter at left guard is interesting option as a motion tight end Locked in a dead heat for No. 2 after Chris Kemoeatu (6-4, 320, So.), whose who can block, or without a substitution, spring ball were junior Ryan Breska (6-4, talent matches his immense size. “Losing shift to wideout. 220), who showed promise in relief in four Ed Ta’amu was a wash because Chris has games last fall, and sophomore Brett the same size, speed and strength and is Running Backs Elliott (6-3, 194), “the most improved of probably a little meaner,” offers McBride. Of the offensive positions, this one the three,” according to McBride. Utah is good and deep at center with lost the most to graduation. The nation’s "Breska has the strongest throwing arm junior Dustin McQuivey (6-3, 294), 12th best rushing team lost over 200 and Elliott is mobile and creative.” perhaps the best returning center in the yards per game with the departure of California prep star Alex Smith (6-3, league, set to start for a third year and seniors Dameon Hunter and Adam Tate. 190, Fr.) will join the fray in August. game-proven sophomore Max Petersen Hunter finished second in several single- (6-2, 286) behind him. “Dustin and Max season record categories at Utah, Offensive Line play against the best front in the confer- including most yards rushing (1,396). He Two-time all-conference tackle Doug ence every day in practice, which really was the nation’s ninth leading rusher in Kaufusi and fourth-round NFL draft pick helps them in game situations,” says 2001, averaging 126.9 yards per game, Ed Ta’amu graduated from last year’s line, McBride. while Tate averaged 74.5 ypg. which tied for first in the nation with The questions going into fall camp So minus Hunter and Tate, what’s Miami by allowing just five sacks. involve the maturing of some younger the prognosis for Utah’s run game in But McBride says the best player is players, namely backups Makai Aalona 2002? Alive and well. Remember, those still around. “Jordan Gross (6-5, 306, Sr.) (6-4, 287, So.) and Jesse Boone (6-5, 280, two followed Mike Anderson, who left is the best lineman in the conference, Fr.), and the capabilities of highly- Utah to become the 2000-01 NFL Offen- hands down. He is one of a kind. He is to anticipated JC transfer Thomas Herrion sive Rookie of the Year for the Denver our offense what (former All-American (6-4, 330, Jr.). “If Herrion is the player we Broncos. And a few years before him and current NFL star) was to think he is, we might be able to move there was , who traded our defense,” raves the former longtime Souza back to guard and play Thomas at his Utah jersey for an NFL Pro Bowl offensive line coach about his starting tackle,” speculates McBride. uniform.

2 2002 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM Veteran Utes Are Deep, Talented

Even during the 2001 season, Hunter Primed to play for the first time since DEFENSE and Tate replaced someone. The leading coming to Utah is backup Tommy Strengths: Defensive Line, Defensive rusher in the first game was JC transfer Hackenbruck (6-1, 212, So.), who due to Backs, Linebackers Marty Johnson, whose 5-11, 222-pound a recurring knee injury, saw his first real Question Marks: None frame and north-south running style action since coming to Utah in the spring mirrors Hunter, Tate and the Andersons. of 2002. Under eighth-year defensive Johnson walked on to the team in coordinator Kyle Whittingham, Utah has August, won a starting position and Wide Receivers led the conference in scoring defense rushed for 95 yards against Utah State Cliff Russell and his blazing foot since 1998 and been ranked in the before injuring his ribs and sitting out the speed are now in the NFL but this might nation’s top 20 four times. Last year’s remainder of the season. A senior this be Utah’s strongest receiving cast ever. Utes were the MWC’s leader in scoring year, Johnson won the starting job in the The 2002 crew will get full-time attention defense and total defense, finishing 13th spring over speedy J.R. Peroulis (6-1, from first-year Ute assistant coach Derek and 17th, respectively, in the nation. 207, Sr.). Peroulis runs a 4.46 40, fastest of Mason, hired in February. Last fall, With nine starters back, similar the Ute running backs. Vincent White oversaw both the running success can be expected in 2002. No backs and wide receivers, but focused his single position was decimated from attention on the runners while a graduate graduation losses. The defense did lose assistant did most of the day-to-day an assistant coach, but shouldn’t be coaching of the receivers. affected on the field. Assistant Head Mason could use about 5-6 posi- Coach Gary Andersen, who was already tions on the field to place all his talent, coaching all but the open ends, has now although he knows his starters going into assumed responsibility for the entire line. the preseason camp. All-conference In addition to his tried-and-true candidate Josh Lyman (6-0, 197, Sr.) will approach to defense, Whittingham added start at split end coming off a 36-recep- some new twists to Utah’s defensive tion, five TD season in 2001. Second-year scheme in the spring. Watch for the Utes Ute Devin Houston (5-9, 177, Sr.) won the to be more of a pressure, blitzing team starting job at flanker in the spring. this year–one that creates more turnovers. Behind them are at least six players that Mason simply must find a way to get Defensive Line on the field. Freshman Steven Savoy (5- The conference coaches must think 11, 182) played in the spring after Utah’s defensive linemen have limitless graduating from prep school early and college eligibility since graduation losses absolutely wowed the coaches with his never seem to make a dent. This year natural ability and savvy. “Steven runs promises to be more of the same. How great routes, gets open and catches the fearsome is this line? The chart ranking tough ball,” says McBride of his true the league’s top 10 players in tackles for freshman who will back up at flanker after loss last fall featured four Utes–three of playing split end in the spring. Behind them linemen–and all are returning in The return of Marty Johnson from the injured list means Utah's Lyman is big Paris Jackson (6-4, 216, Sr.), 2002! run game should again be strong. although he spent the spring fending off Two are first-team all-conference surprise walk-on Travis LaTendresse. players: junior rush end Jason Kaufusi There’s lots of depth at halfback, LaTendresse (6-1, 191, So.), who burst (6-3, 250) and senior tackle Garrett Smith including Edwin Benton (5-10, 206, Jr.) into the top three at both X and Z (6-3, 297). Had senior nose guard Lauvale and converted receiver Morgan Scalley receiver, “was the biggest surprise of the Sape (6-2, 284) been a starter, he surely (5-10, 197, So.). Junior college All- spring,” admits McBride. would have joined those two on the first American Brandon Warfield (6-0, 220, Jr.) Come August, junior college transfer team. Even so, he was accorded second- is the latest in a line of big, fast backs to Larry Miles (6-0, 170, Jr.) and one of the team honors by the conference. At left sign with Utah and will report in August. top signees of 2001, Lynzell Jackson (6- end, Josh Savage (6-4, 273, Jr.) could also Utah also has some talent at fullback, 3, 180, So.), will make decisions on figure in the all-MWC balloting if he where redshirt freshman Mike Austin (5- playing time tougher yet. Miles, who runs produces the kind of numbers he did last 11, 225, Fr.) won the starting job in the the 100 in 10.4 seconds, is a deep threat year as an unknown sophomore. spring. and Jackson was coveted by everyone As usual, Utah’s front four is “Austin is one of those guys who for his tremendous athletic ability, but supported by players that would start for will put his face into anything,” says needed a year to get academically another team. Key among the backups McBride. “He shortens his neck every eligible. Sophomore Justin Walterscheid are senior Marcus Jones (6-2, 250), time he makes a block.” (5-9, 171) is another who can play. sophomore Sione Pouha (6-3, 296),

2002 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM 3 Veteran Utes Are Deep, Talented redshirt freshman Steve Fifita (6-0, 276) “We have eight guys and junior Lewis Powell (6-3, 280). who can play, making this But, if they stay healthy, Utah’s our deepest front ever,” designated starters will make most of the says McBride. “Jason plays this coming fall. Kaufusi, the 2000 Kaufusi has been a great MWC Defensive Newcomer of the Year pass rusher since day one and a 2001 first-team selection, had 12 and has innate ability and tackles for loss (sixth in the MWC), five a motor for the game. sacks, four pass breakups and two Garrett runs, hustles and quarterback hurries as a sophomore last can really hit. Sape is year. Fast and physical, he comes from a quick with his hands and long lineage of all-league players. Four of so explosive in his lower his brothers earned all-conference honors body that he makes a hard during their playing careers—two for the target for people. Josh U. (Doug and Henry). Savage is a point of attack Despite his all-conference portfolio, guy who will be even Kaufusi is not even viewed as the best bigger and stronger this player on his own line. That honor goes year.” to Smith, a tackle who is agile enough to play end and a ferocious pass rusher. He Linebackers 2001 first-team all-MWC linebacker Sheldon Deckart is The Sporting News' preseason had 53 tackles last year, exceptional for This is another choice as 2002 Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year. that position, which included 13 tackles position where Utah for loss (fourth in the league). His boasts arguably the league’s best player. Starter CR Dwinell graduated and left impressive statistics and bone jarring Senior rover Sheldon Deckart (6-2, 240), the middle open, but not for long. tackles will make Smith a candidate for a first-team all-conference pick in 2001, is Sophomore Zach Tune (6-3, 248) has All-America honors as a senior. physically gifted and mentally tough. He been groomed for this day and he must If Smith is the best tackle in the led Utah in tackles with 86, many ac- be at his best to start over over juco All- league, Sape is close behind. As a quired behind opposing offensive lines. American Ray Holdcraft (5-11, 247, Jr.). substitute, he made the all-conference His 13 tackles for loss and six sacks “Tune and Holdcraft looked so good in team in more publications than most ranked third and fourth, respectively, in the spring that I think we’ll actually be starters in the league. He tied for fourth in the MWC. Ideally suited for rover, better here,” says McBride. the MWC in sacks (5) and 10th in tackles Deckart’s speed is accentuated by his A starter returns at strong side for loss (11). trademark crushing tackles. linebacker, where Brooks Bahr (6-4, 228) is preparing for his senior year. An academic all-district player who is already working on his MBA, Bahr has displayed similar tenacity on the field. However, sophomore Corey Dodds (6-3, 219) came into his own in the spring and McBride said there isn’t much of a gap between the two, creating a good problem there.

Defensive Backs Utah got a whole lot better at the corners in the spring without inserting any new players in the fold. That’s because Utah’s phenomenal safety duo split up. Antwoine Sanders (6-2, 200) and Arnold Parker (6-2, 210), who coined themselves “ASAP” during their marvel- ous sophomore season, will now play free safety and cornerback, respectively, vs. free safety and strong safety. The change was necessitated by the emergence of Dave Revill (5-11, 203, Jr.) at strong safety. In an effort to get their best Senior defensive tackle Garrett Smith, a returning first-team all-conference player, has started since his freshman year. players on the field, the defensive

4 2002 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM Veteran Utes Are Deep, Talented coaches moved Parker freshman Bryan Borreson claimed the to cornerback, a job after a great spring. position considered “Borreson had a bad leg when he somewhat of a question came here last year so we never got to mark before the change. see what he could do,” explains McBride. The fastest player on “He showed he could kick long, with the team, Parker runs a consistency and under difficult condi- 4.39 40, and with his 6- tions,” he added, referring to the spring foot-2 inch size, makes a game when Borreson made all four field great cover man. It goal attempts in a driving rainstorm. Hall, won’t be a dramatic a second-team junior college All- change for Parker, who American, who three field goals of 50 had 55 tackles and six yards or longer last year, will challenge tackles for loss last year, Borreson come August. since he has played For the second year, Brian Lewis every backfield position will do the punting. He made honorable except free safety. mention all-MWC last year, averaging Strong safety is in 40.2 yards per punt (long of 75) and good hands with Revill, placing 14 punts inside the 20-yard line. who started there last Utah’s return game will be as good, if year when Utah used its not better, than last year, with everyone nickel package. At free Junior Antwoine Sanders should be one of the best free safeties in the nation this year. back and some big time speed coming in. safety, Sanders is Sophomore Morgan Scalley is on both gearing up for All-America campaign. Says McBride, “Antwoine should be the No. 1 punt and kickoff return teams. The rangy, confident Sanders made the the premier safety in the entire country.” Freshman Steven Savoy’s great hands all-conference second team in his first As for Parker in his new position: “With and smooth running style got him a job year of Division I ball last fall and he was his size and speed, Arnold can cover on the punt return team, which also voted MWC Defensive Newcomer of the anyone, anywhere.” includes sophomore Justin Year by the media in their Las Vegas Former running back D’Shaun Walterscheid. Returning kickoffs with Review Journal poll. He led Utah with Crockett will start for a second year at Scalley for a second year is sophomore four interceptions and was its second- right corner, sharing time with athletic Bo Bo Nagahi, with D’Shaun Crockett and leading tackler with 78. Nagahi, the team’s new starting nickel Savoy also in the mix. Incoming juco back. A great spring showing by senior transfer Larry Miles averaged 30.5 yards Cody Weight puts him in the two deep at per kick return in 2001. both nickel and left corner. Others who could contribute are Oregon transfer Vic Smith and Aaron Bryant at the safety positions and Antonio Young and incoming JC star Shayne Scruggs at the corners. Two highly touted recruits are Donta Bright (6-0, 185, Jr.) and Shaun Harper (5-10, 185, Fr.).

SPECIAL TEAMS Strengths: Punter, Returners Question Marks: Place kicker

Special teams coach Gary Andersen hopes he has solved the question he is asked most: Will Utah have a good place kicker this year? He thought he has found the answer in Kansas in February, All-MWC candidate Arnold Parker has moved to cornerback. but before Ford Hall out of Coffeyville Junior College checked in, redshirt Senior punter Brian Lewis also handles kickoffs.

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