‘The Salt Lake Tribune COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEBER STATE Graybeal in limbo at year’s end Wait and see: ‘Thoughhis teamis streaking, coach is in the dark on the renewal status ofhis contract By ANDREWARAGON The Salt Lake Tribune This was expected to be a make-or-break season for Weber State football coach Jerry Graybeal. Graybeal, in the last year of his secondthree-year contract at WeberState, entered the season on the coaching hot seat. Gray- beal figured he needed to finish above .500 to keep his job. Another three-win season meant Graybeal was WEBER STATE at ST. MARY'S going to be unemployed. After leading the Wildcats to a 7-4 TODAY, 2 p.m overall record (4-3 in the Big Sky Conference), Graybeal appears to have Radio: KLO-AM 1430 done enough to keep his job. So will he? Who knows? After Weber State beat Sacramento Statelast Saturday, Wildcats athletic director John Johnsonsaid he would wait until the end of the season before making an announcement. Graybeal said the subject ofa new contract has never come up between him and Johnson. Despite winning three straight games and giving the Wildcats the chanceto finish in the top three of the Big Sky, Graybeal said he has no gut feeling on whetherornot he will get a new contract. “Maybe [Johnson] is waiting to see howwedoin our last game, I don't know,” Graybeal said. “ I’m just doing my job and trying to stay consistent.” After a mid-season, threegame losing streak, it appeared Graybeal’s job was in jeopardy. But the coach cameback fighting with the support of a strong senior class. The Wildcats won their last three conference games and should finish the season with a win today against what appears to be an overmatchedSt. Mary’s (Calif.) team. After the Wildcats lost 26-3 to MontanaState on Oct. 18, Graybeal had a meeting with his seniors. He asked themto help him take on someof the responsibilities of leading the Wildcats. Sincethen, Weber State has been unstoppable. The Wildcats have outscored their last three opponents 109-56 and haveplayed like the physical team that Graybeal envisioned before the season started. “IT hope we've done well enough,” Graybeal said. “I'd like the opportunity to do some more good things.” With a win today, the Wildcats would finish at 8-4. Only three teams in WeberState history have won eight or more games. “A lot of programs would like to. win eight games,” Graybeal said. “[Eight wins] is a good measuringstick for any program on any level of football.” A win seemslikely against St. Mary’s, which has a1-10 record and lost to Southern Utah 40-7 last week. The Gaels havea poor run defense and should beprepared to see a lot of Nick Chournos and James Samuel. aaragon@sltrib.com Saturday, November 22, 2003 OSU-Michigan huge again On the line: The Big Ten rivals viefor the league title, BCS positioning COMBINED NEWS SERVICES Jim Mandich played on the NFL’s only perfect team, won three Super Bowl rings and was honored as an All-American tight end. Yet nothing in his football career compared with beating OhioStatein 1969. “It was the signature event of my life,” said the former Michiganstar, who went on to play for the Miami Dolphins and PittsburghSteelers. High stakes, drama and emotion have almost always been a part of the big game aka The Big Gameand the 100Yard War amongthe greatest rivalries in sports. This year, when the No.4 Buckeyes andNo. 5 Wolverines meet for the 100th time today, the buildup has beenas big as ever. Whentheytake the field at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, an automatic BCS bid goes to the winner. So does the Big Tentitle. And for the sixth time in nine years, the Ohio StateMichigan game carries national championship implications. With a win, OhioState (10-1, 6-1 Big Ten) mayhave a chance to defendits nationaltitle at the Sugar Bowl. A victory would give the Buckeyes theirfirst outright conference championshipsince1984. Top 25 PREVIEW In other games todayinvolving Top 25 teams, No.1 Oklahoma is at Texas Tech, No. 2 Southern Cal meets UCLA, No.3 LSU visits No. 15 Mississippi, No.6 Georgia is host to Kentucky, No.8 Washington State is at Washington, No.9 Tennessee plays host to Vanderbilt, Boston College visits No.12 Virginia Tech, and No. 13 Miami is home against Rutgers. Also, No. 16 Purdueis at Indiana, No.17 Iowa travels to Wisconsin, No. 18 Miami (Ohio) goes to Ohio, No.19 Kansas State plays host to Missouri, No. 21 Pittsburgh is at Temple, No. 22 Bowling Green visits Ball State, Baylor is host to No. 24 Oklahoma State, and No. 25 West Virginia is at Syracuse. #1 Oklahoma at Texas Tech: They already have their reservations for Kansas City in early December, but don’t try telling Oklahoma’s top-ranked Sooners they have nothing to play for today at Texas Tech. “There is a lot at stake,” quarterback Jason White says. He’s not talking abouta spot in the Big 12 title game Dec.6 at Arrowhead Stadium; the Sooners (11-0) clinched that last week. And maybea berth in the Sugar Bowl, for the national crownisn’t at risk, either. The Sooners are also going for an undefeated regular season, which would be their 10th since 1938. The most intriguing No. 20 Boiss STATE 31, FRESNO STATE17 = storyline is the matchup of Tech's offense, ranked first nationally in total yardage and passing yards, against Oklahoma’s defense, ranked first nationally in yards allowed and pass defense. #2 Southern Cal vs USC: The USC Trojans, second in the national polls, slipped to third behind Ohio State in the BCS rankings that will determine the teams whowill meet for the national title in the Sugar Bowl. Oklahomais No. 1 in the polls and the BCSrankings. A Michigan victory over Ohio State would probably boost USC back into second in the BCS — assuming,ofcourse, that the heavily favored Trojans beat the crosstown rival Bruins. The Trojans (9-1, 5-1 Pac-10) have a lot riding on the game Tomas OvALLE/The Fresno Bee against the Bruins (6-5, 4-3). USC, which closes out the regwar season against Oregon State on Dec.6, is tied with Washington State for the conference lead. Fresno State running back Dwayne Wright rushed for 45 yards ina 31-17 loss to No. 20 Boise State on Friday night. Broncs return to scene | #3 LSU at #15 Mississippi: Thestakes are clear for LSU: A victory over Mississippi puts the Tigers in control of the Southeastern Conference West and in the race for the national to clinch share of WAC No.3 LSU (9-1, 5-1) won the SEC twoyears ago. It has been decades since MOSCOW, Idaho The Utah State Aggies havelostall six of their road football games this season. They haveplayed during the day andat night, on natural grass and various artificial and hybrid surfaces. They have always played outdoors, so maybe movinginside the Kibbie Dome will help them in today’s seasonfinale at Idaho. The Aggies (3-8) have won at least one road game in every season since 1988, when they finished 0-6 on the road. This year, three oftheir road losses have been by 10 points orless, but they havenot put together a oe played a game with this much on the line. No. 15 Ole Miss can clinch its first SEC Westtitle with a victory. Ole Miss(8-2, 6-0) is on a sixgame winning streak and trying to take a big step towardits complete game away from RomneyStadium. This is their last chance. And today’s quest is to avoid finishing with the school’s worst record since 1984, when USU was 1-10. The Aggies have had four 3-8 seasonssince then, but this year’s 12-game sched- place at 3-4. With a win, Idaho can match the Aggiesat3-9, 3-4 in the conference — after a 1-9 AGGIE FOOTBALL TODAY'S GAME Utah State at Idaho W At the Kibbie Dome, Moscow,Idaho @ Kickoff: 3 p.m. MST Radio: AM-610 (Logan); AM-860 (Salt LakeCity) @ Records: USU 3-8 (3-3 Sun Belt); Idaho 2-9 (2-4) m Series: USU leads, 14-13-2 @ Last Meeting: USU 31, Idaho 14 (2000) B Line: USUby1 About the Aggies: Senior tailback David Fiefia needs 97 yards for 1,000 this season, . USU wascalled for only three penalties last week against Troy State,the fewestsince a gamewith Central Florida in October 2001 . . The Aggies remain tied with Arizona and Toledoforthe fewest field goals made(two)in Division |-A this season. Four players besidesstarting quarterback Travis Cox have attempted passesthis season; they are a combined 10-for-31 with five interceptions, Cox has thrown seven interceptions in 370 attempts. About the Vandals: They lead the Sun Belt Conferencein pass- ing, averaging 255 yards . Similarly to the Aggies, Idaho has not lost a conference game by more than 11 points.. . . Defensive coor- dinator Ed Lambplayed at Brigham Youngin the mid-1990s and was a Cougar graduate assistant before beinghired at Idaho last year. BSU—Acree 23 pass from Dinwiddie (Jones kick), 3:32. FS—FG Visintainer 28, 0:31 Third Quarter BSU—FG Jones 47, 1:56. Fourth Quarter FS—Berrian 68 punt retum (Visintainer kick), 8:28. A—39,252 BSU 17 FS 23 First downs 35-90 Rushes-yards 048 273 22-31-1 Passing Comp-Att-Int 200 « 28-51-1 75 4-38.0 Retum Yards 189 Punts-Avg 4375 00 6-65 29:27 Fumbles-Lost 10 Penalties-Yards 7-6 Time of Possession 30:33 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS RUSHING—Boise St, Heck 11-40, Bady 3-34, Mikel 9-19, Dirwiddie 7-9, team 3-0, Zabransky 1-(minus 1), Santord 1-{minus 11). Fresno St., Wright 16-45, Jennings 2-6, Berrian 1-4, Rivera 1-4, Sumiin 1-0, Pinegar 9-(minus 11) PASSING—Boise St, Dinwiddie 22-31-1-273. Fresno: * St., Pinegar 28-51-1-290 half. As a sophomore in 2001, Dinwiddie led Boise State to a RECEIVING—Boise St., Gilligan 6-149, Acree 4-38,” monumental upsetvictory over Bady 3-36, Lundin 2-19, McPherson 2-19, Mikell 2-(minus 2), Swenson 1-5, Schouman 1-5, Heck 14. Fresno St., Berrian 13-122, M.Davis 8-97, Wright 2-29, Rivera 1-18, Jamison 1-9, Spach 1-9, Sumlin 1-4, Femandez 1-2 then-No. 8 and unbeaten Fresno State at Bulldog Stadium.. Pre-- Thanksgiving 2003 Dod DURANGOSIT 4X4 MSRP ...... $34,710 Discount ... .$10,250 $24,450" start. with lease loyalty THUNDERBIRD FOOTBALL[ONIGHT'S GAME Southern Utah at Idaho State @ At Holt Arena, Pocatello, Idaho @ Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. i Radio: KSUB-AM (590) @ Records: SUU 4-6; ISU 7-4 W@ Series: |SU leads, 7-3-1 @ Last Meeting: ISU 42, SUU 17 (2002) About the Thunderbirds: This game marksthe endof coach Gary Andersen's first season. A formerISUassistant, Andersen has made the Thunderbirds competitive in virtually every gameafter inheriting a 1-10 team. But SUUis 0-2 against Big Sky Conference schools,losing to Weber State and Eastern Washingtonon theroad. About the Bengals: They rank 28th in Division |-AA in total offense, averaging 401.36 yards, and are seventh in STK# T3315, GFV= $9,179 *65 mo lease. Discount includes lease loyalty & cash. Dealer retains all rebates. $2,000 cash down plus first pmt, fees, tax and license. Pictures for display purpose only. OAC passing at 285.6 yards. ISU scores 32.5 points, but has given up 36.9 points. ISU has allowed opponentsto rush for 174.7 yards and passfor 281.0 yards. Quarterback Mark Hethering- ton, a transfer from Fresno City JC has completed 168 of 293 passesfor 2,073 yards and 15 touchdownswith 10 intercep- Ken Garff West Valley tions... . . Ranked No. 24, the Bengals havea slim chancefor A Jeep Dodge a |-AA playoff bid. x PA Say Thanks To Y OUI WILDCAT FOOTBALL TODAY'S GAME oe Carrier a % Nowis the chance to rewardthe efforts of yourlocal carriers andlet Weber State them know how muchyou appreciate the job they do. Simply fill out the at St. Mary's (Calif.) @ At St.Mary's Stadium, Moraga, Calif. @ Kickoff: 2 p.m. MST @ TV: None attached coupon and mail it in with a check for the amount you would like to give. We will pass the gift on to yourlocal carrier. It’s the perfect @ Radio: KLO-AM (1430) m Records: WeberState 7-4; St. Mary's 1-10 mSeries: WeberState, 1-0 Last Meeting: WeberState, 49-14 (1995) wLine: None * About the Wildcats: Nick Chournos n@eds 150 yards to break the school’s rushing record. Morgan set the record with 1,629 yards in 1998... . Leading tackler Matt BSU—Dinwiddie 5 run (Jones kick), 14:08 FS—M Davis 18 pass from Pinegar (Visintainer kick), 5:59. T.J. Acree also caught a TD ence, even though the Aggies would likely finish three games behind North Texas. A loss today would drop USUto a probable three-way tie for fourth Coach Mick Dennehy praised his team at this week’s news conference: “I can’t say BSU—Gilligan 73 pass from Dinwiddie (Jones kick), :22 passas the impressive Broncos took a 21-point lead in thefirst place in the Sun Belt Confer- ule makes 3-9 possible. BSU—Mikell 3 run (Jones kick), 10:15. earlier, the Broncos (10-1, 6-0) clinched atleast a shareof their second straight WACtitle with their 16th consecutive conferencevictory. Butafter twovictories in the middle of the season seemingly gave the Aggies a genuine shot at a 6-6 record, they havelost the last two games and noware just hopingfor their third fourwin season in a row. USU canstill tie for second 14 143 0-31 0 10 0 7-17 First Quarter in school history two years first SEC title in 40 years. termsof battling.” UTAH STATE at IDAHO Boise State Fresno State Dinwiddie passed for 273 yards and two touchdowns, and Tim Gilligan caught six passes for 149 yards and a score in No. 20 Boise State’s eighth straight victory, 31-17 over Fresno State on Friday night. Atthe site of the biggest win Mississippi enough about our players in TODAY, 3 p.m., Radio: AM-860 or AM-610 Fresno State 17 FRESNO, Calif. — Ryan Aggies trying to earn first road win THe SAvt LAKE TRIBUNE #20 Boise State 31, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS championship. McFadden tore his medial collateral ligament against — State. He leaves WeberState the school's third all-time leading tackler with 350 stops... . After missing the first thifee games of the season, Brady Fosmark has recorded 10 sacks. « About the Gaels: St. Mary's is a Divi|-AA Independent... Today's game be the Gaels’ fourth against a Big Sky team this season. ... Former Utah assistant Whiteis in his first season as head caach at St. Mary's... . White changed the 's offense from the spread option to the \ Mail to: Newspaper Agency Corporation Circulation Dept. 1 P.O. Box 45838, Salt Lake City, Utah 84145 or bring to 143 S. Main St., SLC. , ! The amountenclosed is a tip for mycarrier's good service.! | i in offense to be more balanced. . . . { Please enclose a check or moneyorder. t I Amount $ i Name Acct. # : Address Apt. ! . Telephone ; : City Zip ; Your carrier will receive notification of your service bonus (tip) Weber State receivers coach Derek ilison is St. Mary's co-defensive coordinatoy and defensive backs coach. % way to say, thank you. soem