Sept. 17, 2001
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Sept. 16, 2001
Game #3 vs. WyomingSat., Sept. 22, 7:05 p.m. (MT)Romney Stadium (30,257)Logan, Utah
Radio: KVNU (610 AM), Logan KLZX (95.9 FM), Logan KWLW (700 AM), SLC Web: UtahStateAggies.comTV: WB
USU Tickets: 1-888-U-STATE-1 or (435) 797-0305 or www.UtahStateAggies.com
USU SID: Mike Strauss (435) 797-1361UW SID: Kevin McKinney (307) 766-2256
2001 Utah State (0-2)Sept. 1 at Utah L 19-23Sept. 8 at #13 LSU L 14-31Sept. 22 WYOMING 7:05Sept. 29 OREGON 7:05Oct. 5 (Fri.) at Brigham Young 7:00Oct. 13 ByeOct. 20 IDAHO STATE 3:05Oct. 27 C. FLORIDA 3:05Nov. 3 ByeNov. 10 at Connecticut 10:30Nov. 17 WEBER STATE 1:05Nov. 24 at South Florida 5:00Dec. 1 *at Fresno State 1:00(* - moved from Sept. 15)(all times are Mountain)
2001 Wyoming (1-1, 0-0)Sept. 1 FURMAN W 20-14Sept. 6 TEXAS A&M L 20-28Sept. 15 at Kansas CanceledSept. 22 at Utah StateSept. 29 COLORADO STATEOct. 6 NEW MEXICOOct. 13 at Air ForceOct. 20 at UtahOct. 27 NEVADA-LAS VEGASNov. 10 BRIGHAM YOUNGNov. 17 at San Diego State
Weekly Press Conferences
Logan - Mondays, 11:30 a.m. at the Coppermill RestaurantSalt Lake City - Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m. at Green Street* * * * *
USU On The Air* Game Broadcasts Play-by-Play - Al Lewis Analysis - Chris Tunis KVNU (610 AM), Logan KLZX (95.9 FM), Logan KWLW (700 AM), SLC Web: UtahStateAggies.com* Mick Dennehy Radio Show Thursday, 6 p.m.* Aggie Update Radio Show Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.* Mick Dennehy on KFAN Tuesday, 6:10 p.m.* * * * *
USU On The Webwww.UtahStateAggies.com* * * * *
2001 Opponents
Opponent (Record) This WeekUtah (1-1) at IndianaLouisiana State (2-0) ByeWyoming (1-1) at Utah StateOregon (2-0) SO. CALIF.Brigham Young (3-0) ByeIdaho State (1-0) at Sacramento StCentral Florida (0-2) at TulaneConnecticut (0-2) at BUFFALOWeber State (0-2) at E. WashingtonSouth Florida (1-1) at MemphisFresno State (3-0) at Tulsa
In The Polls
Opponent AP USA TodayDate (9-9) (9-9)Oregon 7 7Fresno State 11 15Louisiana State 15 14Brigham Young 24 25
QUICKLY -- After a week off due to the national tragedy involving the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington D.C. Utah State will open its 2001 home season hosting Wyoming... The USU-Fresno State game scheduled for Sept. 15 has been moved to Dec. 1... The Sept. 22 date is the latest for a USU home opener since 1991 when the Aggies opened the year at Utah, at Nebraska and at Oklahoma before hosting San Jose State on Sept. 28... USU is 4-1 in its last five home openers with the lone loss being a 20-12 loss to Utah in 1998... Moving the Fresno State game to Dec. 1, means this will be the third deepest into the calender USU has played in a non-bowl game season in school history (Played at Hawai'i on Dec. 11 in 1959 and played two Japanese teams on Dec. 19 and 26 in 1971)... USU now has a 14-week season with byes Sept. 15, Oct. 13 and Nov. 3 and that is the longest non-bowl season for the Aggies since 1971... USU's original first six opponents include four ranked teams and a combined record of 12-2, while the final five opponents are a combined 2-7 (11th-ranked Fresno State is now the final opponent of the year).
ON THE AIR -- All Utah State football games are carried on the Aggie Radio Network with Al "I Should Have Been A Cowboy" Lewis handling the play-by-play duties and Chris "I like both kinds of music - country and western" Tunis providing analysis (for the listeners, not Al). Pregame is 50 minutes prior to kickoff. The games are carried on KVNU (610 AM) and KLZX (95.9 FM) in Logan, KWLW (700 AM) in Salt Lake City and on USU's web site at www.UtahStateAggies.com. This week's game will be televised on the WB Network with Tom "The second-best basketball-playing sports anchor in the nation" Kirkland and Blaine "The Pearl" Fowler calling the action.
MEDIA SERVICES -- All Utah State player and coach interview requests should be made through Mike Strauss at (435) 797-1361. Interviews should be completed no later than Wednesday on game week. Information on Utah State will be updated on the web site at www.UtahStateAggies.com and releases will be e-mailed and faxed per request. USU holds its weekly press conference on Mondays and quotes will be available that night.
LAST TIME OUT --Jose Fuentes completed 30-of-52 passes for 235 yards, including 12 for 100 yards to Kevin Curtis, while Emmett White rushed for 108 yards in USU's 31-14 loss at 13th-ranked Louisiana State on Sept. 8. The Aggies were right in the game until allowing a 70-yard touchdown run with :17 left in the second quarter which moved LSU's 17-7 lead into a 24-7 advantage at the break. USU responded with a touchdown in the third quarter to cut the margin to 24-14, but then turned the ball over three times on its final four possessions, including twice deep in LSU territory. USU ran 76 plays for 326 yards, but allowed LSU 504 yards on 67 plays. The Aggie defense forced three LSU fumbles, but the Aggies turned it over four times. USU's defense was led by safeties Jamar Glasper (nine tackles and one forced fumble) and Derrek Shank (seven tackles and one forced fumble).
DID YOU KNOW? -- The last time a Utah State game was postponed or canceled was Oct. 3, 1970 when Wichita State suffered an air tragedy on the way to Logan to meet the Aggies. That game was canceled.
COACH MICK DENNEHY - Entering his second year at Utah State is Mick Dennehy (Montana, 1973), who was hired on Dec. 3, 1999. He compiled a 39-12 record in four years at Montana and his 76.5 winning percentage is the best at that school for coaches with more than two years. His five wins in his first year at Utah State tied for the best mark by a first-year Aggie coach since Phil Krueger won seven games in 1973 (Dennehy is the seventh coach since then). Dennehy played safety at Montana in 1971 and 1972. Prior to assuming the head coaching role at Montana, he served as the school's offensive coordinator for five seasons, producing one of the nation's top offenses. In Dennehy's nine years overall at Montana, the Grizzlies ranked in the top four in the country in passing offense every year and in the top five in scoring and total offense in five of his last seven seasons. Before going to Montana, Dennehy revived the program at Western Montana, which had dropped football in 1987. In three years he improved the team from a 1-6 record to a 5-3 mark.
Year School Overall Pct. Conf. Pct. Notes1988 West. Montana 1-6 .143 1-5/5th .167 Revived Program1989 West. Montana 4-4 .500 2-4/4th .3331990 West. Montana 5-3 .625 3-3/3rd .5001996 Montana 14-1 .933 8-0/1st 1.00 3-1 (2nd in I-AA)1997 Montana 8-4 .667 6-2/2nd .750 0-1 in playoffs1998 Montana 8-4 .667 6-2/1st .750 0-1 in playoffs1999 Montana 9-3 .750 7-1/1st .875 0-1 in playoffs2000 Utah State 5-6 .455 4-1/2nd .800 1 win from bowl2001 Utah State 0-2 .000 N/A N/AWestern Montana (3 yrs.) 10-13 .435 6-12 .333 Revived ProgramMontana (4 yrs.) 39-12 .765 27-5 .844 Four playoffsUtah State (2nd yr.) 5-8 .385 4-1 .800 50th career winTotals (9th year) 54-33 .621 37-18 .673 3-4 in playoffs
THE USU-UW SERIES -- Utah State will renew one of its oldest rivalries this week hosting Wyoming. The Aggies hold a 34-20-4 advantage, including a 21-8-1 mark in games played at Logan. The 58 meetings mean Wyoming is USU's fourth most played opponent behind Utah (101 games), Brigham Young (74), and Colorado State (67). USU's 34 wins against Wyoming are its most against any opponent however, edging the Aggies' 33 wins vs. Brigham Young and 30 vs. Colorado State. The two schools first met in 1903 (USU won 46-0 at Logan) and played on a consistent basis from 1912-1978 with exceptions in 1911, 13, 18, 20, 32, 43-45, 65, 67, and 69. The two schools have not met since 1978 (a 20-13 USU win at Laramie). USU head coach Mick Dennehy is 0-1 all-time against Wyoming as his Montana team lost 28-13 at Laramie in 1997.
USU-UW CONNECTIONS -- USU players from the state of Wyoming include Jerry May (Rock Springs), Trent Nate (Rock Springs), Casey Poppinga (Evanston), and Matt Hartford (Powell)... USU head coach Mick Dennehy was the head coach at Campbell County High School in Gillette from 1982-87... USU Senior Associate AD Mary Ellen Cloninger worked at Wyoming from 1973-87 in many different capacities... USU Assistant Athletic Media Relations Director Doug Hoffman is a Wyoming graduate and is from Thermopolis... UW's Tyler Scharman played at Olympus High School... UW Development Officer Jared Newland worked in the USU Athletic Media Relations office.
DID YOU KNOW? -- The last time USU met Wyoming in 1978 the game counted in the Pacific Coast Athletic Association standings for Utah State as the Aggies were not able to play conference foe Cal State Fullerton that season. USU won the league title that season in its first year in the PCAA.
USU-UW THE LAST TIME-- Tony Gipson rushed for 99 yards and Rick Parros carried for 93 more as Utah State posted a 20-13 victory at Laramie on Sept. 30, 1978. The Aggies overcame four turnovers, including three interceptions by Eric Hipple to outgain the Cowboys 272 to 228 yards and get the victory. USU took the opening kickoff and marched 75 yards in 12 plays to jump to a 7-0 lead behind Hipple's run around the left end for a touchdown. However Wyoming took a 10-7 lead in the second quarter before USU gained a 14-10 advantage at halftime. The Aggies then added a field goal to lead 17-10 before Wyoming cut it to 17-13 with a field goal of their own. USU's Steve Stienke's second field goal in the fourth quarter was the game's final scoring play.
USU VS. THE MWC -- Utah State is 143-187-13 against current members of the Mountain West Conference, including a 23-19 loss at Utah this season. The Aggies will play another MWC team later this season when USU visits Brigham Young on Oct. 5. USU has met all eight league teams in the past and owns winning records against BYU, UNLV and Wyoming.
THEY DO MORE THAN BLOCK -- Utah State tight ends made their presence known against LSU. Last year, USU's current four tight ends had a combined 22 receptions and one touchdown. Against Utah in the season opener the four players did not catch a single pass. Against LSU last week, J.R. Suguturaga matched his five catches from a year ago, while Chris Cooley recorded his first career reception for a three-yard touchdown.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE -- WR Kevin Curtis proved his collegiate debut was not a fluke as after catching 11 passes for 171 yards in the season opener against Utah, the walkon pulled in 12 balls for an even 100 yards against LSU. His 12 receptions were the most by an Aggie since Nakia Jenkins had 13 catches vs. Idaho State in 1997. The last time an Aggie had back-to-back 10-reception games was when Aaron Jones had 10 vs. Georgia and 11 vs. S.F. Austin to open the 1999 season. Curtis' 23 receptions in two games are the most in consecutive games by a USU player since Kevin Alexander had 24 with 13 against Nevada and 11 vs. UNLV in 1995.
DID YOU KNOW? -- Entering this year there had been only 26 times that a USU receiver pulled in at least 10 receptions in a game and through two contests this year, USU's Kevin Curtis has two 10-catch games with 11 against Utah and 12 against Louisiana State.
CURTIS STILL NATIONAL LEADER -- Walkon WR Kevin Curtis is the national leader for the second straight week in receptions. In addition, he is 10th in receiving yards and 49th in all-purpose yardage. Others in the top 10 nationally include P Steve Mullins (sixth in punting) and QB Jose Fuentes (seventh in completions per game). For a complete list see left column on page three.
WHITE NEEDS 20 CARRIES -- USU All-American Emmett White has rushed for 100 yards in each of the seven games he has carried the ball at least 20 times as a starter and has never reached 100 yards in his six games as a starter where he has not had 20 carries (see left column on page four).
DID YOU KNOW? -- Only 10 Utah State players were alive he last time Utah State and Wyoming met in 1978 (Brian Bowers, Jeff Crosbie, Kevin Curtis, Eric Gwilliam, Tyler Olsen, Casey Poppinga, Nate Putnam, Jared Solosabal, Joe Solosabal, and Jim Walker. USU head coach Mick Dennehy was coaching Colton (Wash.) HS.
OFFENSIVE NOTES -- USU has scored on its first possession in both games this year (FG vs. Utah and TD vs. LSU)... USU's first drive against LSU was a 15-play, 70-yard drive that took 5:49 off the clock and resulted in a touchdown... USU went three and out just one time against LSU... USU had three turnovers in its last four possessions against LSU... USU had five players with rushes or receptions in the entire game at Utah, but had five players touch the ball on the first possession against LSU (nine total in the game)... USU owned the time of possession advantage against LSU (31:00-29:00) and lost a game for the first time since owning that advantage since losing 44-20 at Arizona State in the third game of last year (had the ball 30:10 in that game)... USU had eight different players with receptions against LSU the most since nine caught balls against Arkansas State last year... USU has scored on five of its six trips into the Red Zone this year with three touchdowns and two field goals... USU has converted three-of-four fourth-down conversions.
DEFENSIVE NOTES -- LSU scored on four of its first five possessions and then scored just one time (drove 39 yards after an interception) on its last eight possessions... The USU defense forced three fumbles all by defensive backs (Derrek Shank, Jamar Glasper and Tony Walker)... USU has not recorded an interception in two games this year on 57 opponent pass attempts (USU has also not allowed a passing touchdown)... USU struggled on third down conversion defense against LSU as the Tigers converted nine-of-14, including gaining at least 10 yards on six of those nine conversions... While USU has turned the ball over nine times this year, the Aggie defense has allowed just two scores from those miscues (FG vs. Utah and TD by LSU)... The opponent has started five drives on USU's side of the field this year and scored just twice (one FG and one TD)... USU has allowed just 10 second-half points this year... In fact USU has allowed just 17 points in the first, third and fourth quarters combined, but has given up 37 in the second period.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES -- P Steve Mullins has at least one 50-yard punt in 18 of 24 career games, including both games this year... Mullins averaged 49.0 yards on six punts vs. Utah and 46.0 on six punts vs. LSU for his best back-to-back game averages since identical 48.3 averages against Idaho and Boise State in 1999... Mullins has shown some consistency this year with 10 of his 12 punts carrying at least 40 yards (has 35 and 37 yarders)... USU did not attempt a field goal against LSU marking the first time in the last eight games USU did not lineup for a three-point try.
USU PLAYER NOTE-ABLE -- TE/FB Chris Cooley recorded the first touchdown of his career on his first career catch against LSU (three yards)... Cooley and LB Robert Watts made their first career starts against LSU... RB Emmett White moved into eighth-place on the USU career rushing chart against LSU and now has 1,619 yards... White has recorded at least five receptions in six straight games dating back to last year... White has lost yards on just one of 39 rushing attempts this year (lost two yards at LSU)... White recorded his 15th career rushing touchdown against LSU... LB Tony Newson did not play in the first 10 minutes of the LSU game while nursing a sore ankle, but made a tackle on his first play in the game... QB Jose Fuentes attempted 37 passes before throwing an interception against LSU... Fuentes has thrown for at least 200 yards in seven straight games dating back to last year... Fuentes attempted 52 passes against LSU for the second most in his career (56 vs. Boise State last year)... PK Dane Kidman is two-of-two on field goal attempts this year and a perfect three-of-three in his career.
"I don't think any of us really felt very good about playing with everything that has gone on this week. It is probably for the best and gives us all a little bit more time to continue the healing process associated with the tragedy. You worry about the kids in terms of them not being completely focused on the game of football and you worry about them in terms of do they really want to travel, so it is probably for the best right now." USU head coach Mick Dennehy on the cancelation of last week's games.
USU NOTE-ABLE -- USU is 5-6 in games played after off weeks in the last 10 years... The crowd of 87,756 at LSU was the largest crowd USU has played in front of in school history (86,117 at Georgia in 1999)... USU played 51 players in the season opener against Utah, including 16 seniors, 13 juniors, 12 sophomores and 10 freshmen, including four true freshmen... USU is 2-1 in known games played on Sept. 22 in its history... USU was whistled for only three penalties in its season opener and had just six against LSU.
UTAH STATE SEASON NOTE-ABLE
Preseason * In its first year as an independent after 23 years as a member of the Big West Conference, USU will travel 15,412 round-trip miles and play in four time zones in 2001. Here is a look:
Date Opponent One-Way Round Trip Time ZoneSept. 1 at Utah 83 166 MountainSept. 8 at Louisiana State 1,886 3,772 CentralSept. 15 at Fresno State 898 1,796 PacificOct. 5 at Brigham Young 128 256 MountainNov. 10 at Connecticut 2,341 4,682 EasternNov. 24 at South Florida 2,370 4,740 EasternTotals Six Games 7,706 15,412 4 Time Zones
* 2000 All-American RB Emmett White is a Doak Walker Award candidate. * P Steve Mullins should be a Ray Guy Award candidate when that is announced. * All 11 USU games will be played on natural grass this year. * Seven of USU's 11 games are at night. * USU is opening the year with three straight road games for the first time since 1991.
Utah * WR Kevin Curtis had the best receiving debut in USU history with 11 receptions for 171 yards and one touchdown... USU's five turnovers were its most since committing six in the 1999 season opener at Georgia... USU scored on its first possession of the game against Utah, driving 57 yards on seven plays for a 27-yard Dane Kidman field goal... Only five Aggies touched the ball offensively... USU scored on two of its first four possessions... After making its second field goal, USU had five turnovers and four punts the next nine times it touched the ball against Utah... DE Ryan Duncan recorded the first fumble recovery of his career... The USU defense forced Utah to punt four times in its last five possessions... While USU turned it over five times, the USU defense allowed just a field goal off of those miscues... Roger Fernandez recorded the first punt return for a touchdown (64 yards) by an Aggie since Steve Smith went 71 yards at Nevada in 1997... That was the first time Fernandez touched a ball in his collegiate career... DT Jorge Tapia recorded his first career blocked field goal attempt... USU fumbled two kickoff returns to Utah... USU had only three penalties.
Louisiana State * USU entered the game with a 1-31 all-time record against ranked teams.
Wyoming * USU will be meeting this border state opponent for the first time since 1978. * USU's 34 wins in the series (vs. 20 losses and four ties) are its most against any opponent.
Oregon * The Ducks should be the first ranked opponent to play at Logan since Colorado State was ranked 25th in 1997.
Brigham Young * This game will be played at Provo for the second straight year and the 13th time in the last 18 meetings.
Idaho State * USU will meet Bengals for the third time in the last five years.
Central Florida * USU WR Jason Deml has a brother (Scott) who plays football for UCF.
Connecticut * The Huskies feature quarterback Ryan Tracey, who spent a redshirt year at Utah State in 1997.
Weber State * The two schools have not played since 1982.
South Florida * USU will be making its third trip to the state of Florida all-time as the Aggies lost at Florida State 17-8 in 1975 and lost 17-16 at Miami in 1978.
Fresno State * USU's game against Fresno State was postponed from its original Sept. 15 date and it marked the first time a USU game was postponed or canceled since the Aggies' 1970 game against Wichita State was canceled due to Wichita State's plane crash on the way to Logan for that game. * USU's Dec. 1 final regular season game marks just the third time USU has ended a non-bowl season in the month of December (1959 and 1971). * USU's only win against a ranked team came when Utah State defeated 25th-listed Fresno State 20-19 in 1991 (USU is 1-32 vs. ranked teams all-time). * USU has not played in the state of California since 1995 (San Jose State) and will be its first non-conference game in the state since 1989 (So. California).
2001 NCAA Rankings
Team Rank Avg.
Total Offense 81 313.5Rushing Offense 99 80.5Passing Offense 40 233.0Scoring Offense 84 16.5
Total Defense 98 432.0Rushing Defense 106 244.0Passing Defense 58 188.0Scoring Defense 83 27.0
Kickoff Returns 87 16.9Punt Returns 15 15.4Net Punting 7 43.83TO Margin 109 -2.50
Individual Rank Avg.
Kevin Curtis Receptions 1 11.50 Rec. Yards 10 135.50 All-Purpose 49 135.50
Jose Fuentes Completions 7 26.50 Total Offense 43 219.00 Pass Efficiency 83 93.40
Dane Kidman Field Goals 37 1.0
Steve Mullins Punting 6 47.50
Emmett White All-Purpose 24 160.00 Rushing 37 94.50 Receptions 38 6.0 Kickoff Returns 63 18.50
* * * * *
USU's All-Time Wins vs. Ranked Teams or Teams Receiving Votes
W 17-6 at Utah (RV), 1961 W 30-9 Brigham Young (RV), 1967 W 20-19 Fresno State (25), 1991 W 28-16 Kansas State (RV), 1992 W 42-33 vs. Ball State (RV), 1993 W 21-17 at Utah (RV), 1997
