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Show if (Etimann (Hoummtts By BRUCE ROBERTS i; Chronicle Sports Editor 5 Utah's football team now shows a 3-6 mark and the Utes continue to ' get the shaft from downtown newspapers. Yet, the students at the "U" continue to show a fantastic display of support lor our gridders. And for this, you are commended. ' If it were possible, the student support at the Utah State game was the best ever. It's an inspiring sight to see Ute fans cheering behind the Ute bench, and providing additional spirit for the football team. All in all, it was an ideal ball game. . Perfect Day For Football The weather was perfect and a respectable 23,216 attendence enjoyed a great day of college football. The renowned Ute Band was at its finest as the group marched out onto the field playing "Utah Man" to set the spirit. Even the card section came through with some good-looking displays dis-plays after a fine halftime shew by the combined Utah State and Utah bands. The halftime color was highlighted by excellent performances by the Utah Utahnas and the Utah State Aggiettes. Both student sections were well disciplined, and no gross incidents occured, which, despite some beliefs, is the common trait at a game in Ute stadium. The Ute fans backed the gridders until the final seconds and were quick to praise the big defensive plays as well as the offensive thrills. And, as usual, the representatives of the Utah National Guard were on hand to shake the rafters on Utah scores with bursts from the big tank at the south end of the field. But most important, the game was a clean and well-played contest. Both sides had great respect for their opposition and turned in a fine display of good collegiate football. There was a total of only 73 yards assessed in penalties during the game and most of the violations were minor ones. For the past several years, the Utah-Utah State rivalry has carried with it the tradition of a good, clean rivalry. Unlike other local rivalries, where contempt enters in on student feelings, the Ute-Aggie tradition has set an example of good sportsmanship and outstanding athletic performance. per-formance. Saturday's game was typical of this tradition. Another Crucial Contest Again, the Utes will be going into this Saturday's game after a loss, but again'it is another crucial contest. Saturday afternoon the University of Texas at El Paso will invade Ute Stadium, and Ute fans will still remember re-member the last time the Miners were here. That was the game where sophomore quarterback Billy Stevens fired to split end Bob Wallace, who went 97 yards for the winning touchdown with 13 seconds left in the game to beat Utah, 20-19. Both of those great ball players will return to Salt Lake Saturday, but surprisingly enough, neither may start. Stevens, who was rated as one of the top passers in the nation in pre-season polls, has been beaten out by Junior Brooks Dawson, who is also an excellent passer 1 as well as runner. Wallace will likely alternate with transfer Ron Jones, ! VVo- combines with Wallace to "make the 'split 'end position a continual scoring threat from any part of the field. Coach Mike Giddings commented that playing UTEP is like playing a track team. The Miners are one of the biggest and fastest squads in the nation, and the entire Western Athletic Conference will attest to their power. Arizona tSate handed the Miners their first loss of the season by a 33-32 count, while the University of Arizona managed a 9-9 tie. UTEP bounced back though with an impressive 47-17 rout over BYU, which was followed up by a 75-12 trouncing of New Mexico. Miners Match Wyoming Last week, UTEP played the University of Wyoming right down the line before bowing to the Pokes, 21-19. Apparently, the Miners gave Wyo. all they could handle before kicker Jerry DePoyster saved the game with another field goal. UTEP will be the fourth team Utah has met this season that will be a major bowl prospect. The Miners will have a good shot at meeting Mississippi in the Sun Bowl if they beat Utah, but Mike Giddings and his squad have different plans. Other teams going to bowls partially at the expense of Utah include ; Minnesota who will be in the Rose Bowl against USC; Wyoming, who will travel to New Orleans to meet LUS in the Sugar Bowl and Army who won the Lambert Tropty as the top Eastern power, but who will not go to a bowl because of Academy policy. Saturday's game will likely be another wide-open contest that should show a lot of razzle-dazzle on the part of both teams. And for Ute fans, its a last chance to show that they are still backing the big Red. |