OCR Text |
Show Openings PageC--2 Ute griddera hoping to survive Fassel remains optimistic. Even the fickle media picked Utah to finish in the upper division of the conference this season. By Dirk Facer Chronicle Sports Editor Who woulda guessed it? The University of Utah football team entered the 1989 season with the WAC's longest winning "The schedule concerns me because I think we will have a quarterback candidate Scott Mitchell right? Well, before any Ute football fans make plans for the school's better team this year. We couldn't In have asked for a worse set-uall aspects, it's not a good schedule," Fassel said. "I think people who put us in the hunt consider the fact that we have so many defensive people back. For us to have a good year, we have to play well and Scott Mitchell has to stay healthy." As far as the wide receiver Fassel said Eosition is concerned, of his squad's aware lack of experience. "We're going to be real young at consider the following. The Utah schedule may very inexperienced," Fassel noted. "It won't be like having a lot of streak (4 games). Add to this accomplishment a crushing 57-2- 8 win over arch rival BYU that capped off the winning streak, and folks on the hill have every reason to be optimistic this season right? Especially behind the golden arm of All-Americ- an first bowl appearance since 1964 well be the toughest in recent memory as the Utes play Fresno State, Nebraska, Hawaii, UTEP, Wyoming, Stanford and BYU all on the road. The unbalanced slate provides only five home dates. The loss of key personnel at the wide receiver position gives the Utes and Scott Mitchell a serious problem a great quarterback with very little experienced help from the receiving corps. Also worthy of consideration is the effect the d arrests of gridders Cedric Riles, Errol Martin and drug-relate- on the Sean Henderson may have ' team. However, despite the apparent shortcomings facing the Utes this head coach Jim season, fifth-ye- ar p. wide receiver, bit a veterans back, but Scott Mitchell knows he has some quality to work with there." The Utes, who were the No.l total offense and passing team in the nation a year ago, must try to fill holes left by sensation Carl Harry and veteran All-WA- C Aaron Grimm at graduation. Additionally, the loss of senior Cedric Riles to drug charges has left the Utes a bit thin. However, tight end Dennis Smith returns as does senior receiver Mike Connaughton. Junior Dean Witkin, freshman Bryan Rowley All-WA- C of Orem and Mike U-ba- ck Anglesey also figure as targets in Utah's superb aerial attack. , Standing at the helm of the Ute offense is Mitchell, a junior from Springville. The Ute signal-callgarnered 10 NCAA records, five WAC marks and 24 school records er in his two-ye- ar Utah career. Mitchell's play has come into the national spotlight this season as the Utah quarterback is featured i in numerous national publications including the cover of Sport magazine's college football issue. In addition, the U. hhltf'liWlh sports information office has released a short video tape, Scott Mitchell: The Movie. No doubt the push for national honors is on. "There is no glaring weakness about him. I don't want to make a Superman out of him, but he is . pretty good," Fassel noted. "Even if he were an average player, he would be an asset to our team. He has instincts you can't coach. He LaVon Edwards BYU, Wyoming By Chronicle Sports Editor Editor's Note: The following WAC football preview is based on information gathered at the WAC media days, July 21-2- 3 at Sun Valley, Idaho. At the conference, a preseason media poll was conducted to predict the teams' finish, and the teams were placed in the following order. Unlike most places in society, it is by far the norm in the Western Athletic Conference to be offensive. Such is the of WAC football in recent years and the Erevalent style appears ready to continue into the 1989 campaign. Leading the way are such highly touted individuals as quarterback Scott Mitchell of Utah, Wyoming running back Dabby Dawson, option quarterback Dee Dowis of Air Force and newcomer Dan McGwire, San Diego State's new signal caller. The future of the offensive-minde- d league looks bright, either. and the past hasn't been too shabby Taking a look back to the 1988 gridiron season, the WAC produced three bowl teams as BYU defeated Colorado 20-1-7 in the Freedom Bowl, two-tim- e defending WAC champion fell Oklahoma to State 62-1- 8 in the Holiday Bowl Wyoming and UTEP was stymied 4 by Southern Mississippi in the Independence Bowl. This year, the winner of the conference will once again represent the WAC at the Holiday Bowl in San Diego on December 29. The following capsuled reports will focus upon the strengths and weaknesses of the nine conference squads in the quest for the 1989 Holiday Bowl berth. (1988 WAC and overall records are in parenthesis.) Once again the Cougars Brigham Young Cougars (5-WAC. Although such a to the beat in team the tabbed as are safe as as is forecast generally picking the hare to beat the us that once in a while the teaches like folklore life, tortoise, And lose. does favorite unfortunately for BYU gridiron fans, the Cougars have failed to claim a WAC crown since 1985. However, this year the newly found trend may reverse itself. BYU sports a strong linebacking corps anchored candidate Bob Davis, who had 148 tackles in by 3, once-domina- nt All-Americ- an 9-4- ): have ever been around." Mitchell, the nation's total offense and passing leader last season, is taking his record-settin- g i "V performances and increased media exposure in stride. "Last year I never thought much about setting any records. There was a time last year when I didn't even know which records I was setting," Mitchell said. "They are not important to me. Winning and helping the is University of Utah do well what That's on. focused what I'm came to Utah for. "All I've got to worry about is playing and winning," Mitchell I said in reference to the intensified media spotlight. "This attention is really not me. But I know it's good for the University of Utah, Scott Mitchell and the WAC. In that sense, it's good. I'm just worried about the season and getting through this brutal schedule one day at a time." Joining Utah's Heisman Trophy candidate in the Ute offense is experienced running back Clifton Smith. His presence should help ease the loss of departed seniors Eddie Johnson, Utah's all-tim- fl t 4 e yardage leader, and Bryan Bero. Smith was Utah's second leading rusher two years ago with 424 yards. However, last season, f 'I 1 -- Utah quarterback Scott Mitchell leads the Utah football team into action set 24 school, 10 NCAA and 5 WAC sidelined with a knee injury, his this year. The junior signal caller 5 mark last season. Mitchell is considered to Utah a records in leading return to form will be the key to n honors. a top candidate for Utah's ground attack. Unfortunately for the Utes the linebacking troop is expected Tausinga. At the strong safety fellow running back Rod Wells to have Garland Harris in the position, Bob Bonifacio appears will miss the entire year with a middle with Darren Patterson and the heir apparent for filling the knee injury suffered in a preFrank Bonifacio manning the shoes of performer Eric season workout. Thus, the bulk of outside slots. Jacobsen. Derrick Odum and "The only real question mark Tyger Williams should man the the Ute ground game duties will be handled by Smith. with us is our defense and I'm free safety post.' In their last four outings, the Up front, the Ute offensive really optimistic about it. I really machine will be protected by a feel the only problem with this Ute defense held its opponents to veteran crew led by center Jeff group is confidence, and after the an average of 19 points as Utah letterman. last four games last season, I think rolled to victory over San Diego Parson, a three-yea- r Top prospects at guard are Ryan they have it," Fassel said about State, Colorado State, Utah State Bullett and Todd Eldredge, while his. defensive unit. "Our deepest and BYU. Mike Murry and Dave Dolan are position is linebacker and we've Hopes are high in the Ute expected to get the nod at tackle. got the two best cornerbacks we program, as well they should be. On the other side of the line, have ever had. LaVon Edwards Despite the hardships, the Ute the improved Utah defense may, and Sean Knox give us quality at gridders appear ready to move very well be among the best in that position. I don't think I into the spotlight. the conference. The Utes are would trade those two for any "As long as we're getting better each week, the wins and losses particularly strong at cornerback players in the conference." and at linebacker. Other defensive notables are will fall into place," Fassel said. Sophomore sensation LaVon, senior lineman Joe Clausi, the "And I'll be pleased." Edwards and junior Sean Knox Ute MVP on the defensive line No doubt Ute football fans will have the corners covered, while and fellow lineman Sam be, too. the Ute running back was . 6-- post-seaso- All-WA- C -- 1988. Also returning to Provo is 1988 Freedom Bowl MVP Ty Detmer. The sophomore quarterback is expected to get the nod over senior Sean Covey. As for a forecast for his troops, BYU coach LaVell Edwards simply stated, "I think we have a chance to be a good football team this year and have a chance to win the conference." Evidently many others agree. This is exemplified by the Cougars being picked seventh nationally in n the Sporting News poll. The BYU schedule includes WAC foes Wyoming, Utah and Air Force visiting pre-seaso- Cougar Stadium along with non-conferen- powers ce Washington State and Oregon. ): The Cowboys did it again for Wyoming Cowboys (8-the second consecutive season, the boys from Laramie failed to lose a WAC game. Enter Paul Roach, the eldest head coach in the conference, who took over the reins of the Wyoming football program two years ago at age 61. Although his age is not a concern, his dominance at winning WAC games (16-0- ) may very well concern his conference coaching peers. "All streaks come to an end, never in the history of sports has a streak not ended," Roach said about his two-tim- e defending WAC champions. "We enter this season with a sense of guarded optimism." The Pokes return 40 lettermen from last year's team and if they can defeat BYU in Provo on Oct. 7, three straight conference crowns are definitely within grasp, especially with probable WAC contenders Hawaii and Utah 0, 11-2- HOW THEY SEE IT 2. BYU 3. WYOMING 4. UTAH 5. AIR FORCE 6. COLO.ST. 4.AIR FORCE 5.SDSU 6.UTAH 7.SDSU 7.COLO.ST. 8. UTEP fit ! 7 I and Hawaii expected to lead Dirk Facer 38-1- works harder than any player tough-schedul- 1989 2.WYOMING 3.HAWAH 8.UTEP MEXICO 9.NEW 9.NEW MEXICO 2.BYU 3.AIR FORCE 4.UTAH 5.WYOMING 6.COLO.ST, 7.SDSU 8.UTEP 9.NEW MEXICO ' title chase WAC visiting War Memorial Stadium. Top returnees include iruining back Dabby Dawson (1119 yards gained in 1988) and defensive end Mitch Donahue. Both players earned laurels a year ago. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (5-Watch out John Candy, ): Dom DeLuise and Frank Layden, this team is hungry! Not many schools in the country can sport a 3 record, including victories over schools such as Iowa and Oregon, and still miss n out on the barrage of bowl games. Such a slight makes this team dangerously eager to prove its validity. Also noteworthy is a schedule that keeps the Rainbow Warriors at home for 10 of 12 outings. The strength of Hawaii lies in its defense, where 10 starters return. "We think we can have a good defensive football team," Hawaii coach Bob Wagner said. "For us to be a better football team, we must improve our defense." Hawaii ranked third in the conference defensively a year ago giving up an average of 380.3 yards per game. Utah Utes (4-): Scott Mitchell, Scott Mitchell, Scott Mitchell. When other teams in the WAC consider stopping the Utah signal caller. Utes, they all begin with the "If you're looking for a dark horse pick Utah," Wyoming's Paul Roach said. "They haye their quarterback situation settled and that will definitely be to their advantage." Utah enters the new four-gam- e winning streak, campaign with a season-endinwhich includes a 57-2- 8 win over rival BYU. According to Mitchell, the win did more than give the Utes a winning record ). "We taught ourselves something last season. I think we learned that work will get you there, but you have to believe that we can do it," Mitchell noted. "We aren't working any harder, but we have developed a new attitude. We have a purpose and a goal and that is to win. The BYU game was a tremendous win for our program." Air Force Falcons (3-): "When you ended up the way we did last year, you can't wait to get going again," Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry said. "Our mark of 7 last year was unacceptable by Air Force Academy standards. This fall we are telling our players that it takes just a little bit more to be a champion." Fortunately for the personable DeBerry, he has All-WA- C 3, 9-3- 9-- post-seaso- 4, 6-5- g, (6-5- 5, 5-7- 5-- senior quarterback Dee Dowis back to run the Falcon wishbone attack. Unfortunately, the schedule maker will not see "WAC" on page C-- 4 |