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Show Football SCO jeassessjuni(Q 3 Chronicle 5ports fcditor The nightmares haven't ceased. Images of Chad Nelson, Brian McKenzie and Ron Daync still haunt Utah's defense and are vivid reminders of how truly disappointing 1996 was. Forget the fact that the Utcs finished 84 and were one victory away from playing in the inaugural WAC Championship. Last year's squad let their egos get in the way of what could've been a spectacular season. "Wc got caught up in that preseason stuff," U. receiver Kevin Dyson said. "Everyone got comfortable with that" The Utes were preseason favorites to win the WAC, and rightfully so. It only took a three-hou-r reality check in Utah State to of Utah. Logan change people's perception destroyed any talks about a Ute undefeated season with a 7 win. "We went in thinking there is no way in hell they could play with us," Dyson said. The Utes were flattering themselves. The Aggies outplayed them. the top 25 Ironically, seven wins later Utah had and was eyeing the BYU game in three weeks. First it had to go through the motions against Rice and New Mexico to set up the showdown with BYU. Something happened that fateful Saturday in Houston. A program that was peaking, after being at the depths of despair when the decade began, literally died in one afternoon. Rice rushed for 496 yards to annihilate Utah, Nobody could believe it Some blamed the loss on the significant injuries the Utes were playing through on defense a sorry excuse. It wouldn't have mattered had Utah's defense been full of Bruce Smiths, Reggie Whites and Junior Seaus; when someone plays with as little heart as the Utes did, you can't win and you don't deserve to win. vicUtah did bounce back the following week with a 3 the it did 218 Lobos, give against though rushing tory up yards. Then it happened. A day that lives in infamy in Ute football lore. This was the day BYU stormed into Rice Stadium, rushed f4'V "-S $(rXJ () 20-1- 51-1- 9 0. . 1-- Chkmcle Paoro Dsaay Lt Once he recorers from a preseason knee injury, senior Jason Hooks should be an enforcer for the Vfr seeFootbaITonpage5 Dyson Isn't Going to Monopolize His Time Dreaming About NFL Kevin Dyson still has a clear pic- learned a valuable lesson last year, ture of the moment in his head: the game is won on the football BYU had just finished thumping field, it isn't won when the media the Utes at Rice Stadium, 7 and proclaims you as the team to beat. "We got caught up in all that precaptured the WAC's Mountain Division tide. season stuff," Dyson said. It was bad enough losing, but "Everyone got comfortable with when Omarr Morgan started that" parading around the field showing The approach is different for off his "WAC Mountain Division Utah this year, and particularly Champion" banner, it added to the Dyson. The Ute who got caught up frustration. in the hype the most last year was Dyson received another painful Harold Lusk. reminder of that November day at Many of Lusk's teammates conthe WAC football meetings held in sidered him more of a detriment Dallas this summer. As he was flipthan an asset His demeanor and the media ping through guides of approach toward the game led them fellow WAC teams, he, of course, to believe he didn't care about the started checking out the guide of outcome. His mind appeared to Utah's biggest rival. always be dreaming about the NFL When he got to Page 97 of the and which team uniform he would BYU media guide, right before his look best in though he probably eyes was a picture of Morgan and never imagined Indianapolis. all his frolicking Dyson vows he won't get caught "Omarr held up the sign at our up in that Tm just going to worry place, and hopefully we can return about this season for now," the the favor," Dyson said as he stumsenior wide receiver said. bled off the question at hand. According to his coach, it's a wise It's still eating away at his insides. decision! Redemption time will come Nov. "As long as Dyson stays the way 22 when the Utes travel to Provo he is today, Dyson will continue to for the rematch. But as far as footbe a realty great football player," ball is concerned, that game is at Ute coach Ron McBridc said, "But the bottom of his list ... r Dyson and his teammates 37-1- Q - -- : Utah's senior wkleout Kevin Dyson V Photo Dun La istmuSevtrgetf rakingthe Ute record for most career receptions. i - P?5 stt-Dysif-- |
