Posted By: ColoUte - Future Director of Marketing
for the Utes <everutes@hotmail.com>
Date: Monday, 5 November 2001, at 9:42 a.m.
1. Why is there even a speed limit on I-15 from Provo South? If it wasn't for the caravan of geriatric drivers in their RV's blocking the road, there isn't another hazard within 50 miles of the highway.
2. Last week, I saw on the Rebel board people saying that Afternoon games should be banned. I thought they were just whiners because they'd have to roll out of the rack prior to noon, and couldn't get as liquored up. But then I went to the game, and I agree that afternoon games in Vegas should be banned. It was probably 95 degrees in the stadium. It was just ridiculous.
3. As I look at it, I'm glad the coaches didn't replace Rice after the two TD's to the Rebels. Don't get me wrong. after Thomas scored, I was screaming for Breska, but in retrospect, replacing Rice at that point would have been a bad move. We're still in the conference title race. Now is NOT the time to replace the QB. Yanking Rice at that point would have made him another Crowshaw - confidence wise. I'm glad they let him play through his mistakes and get a boost by solid performance later in the game.
4. On the subject of Rice, I still think he can be a solid QB - If we can keep him out of jail. I'm just thinking that if he keeps hanging his receivers up over the middle, he's going to get charged with attempted murder eventually.
5. Lance owes Cliff Russell a bouquet of flowers and a hearty apology after nearly getting him killed in the first quarter.
6. I was thrilled to see Mike Richardson have a great game. How many guys can carry a CB piggy-back and not be slowed down at all? Of course, Mike really wasn't that fast to begin with.
7. I liked seeing Ver Steeg go to the double pass to the QB in the 3rd. Don't plan on ever seeing it again. If we pull that on another D after attempting it twice against UNLV, that D is pathetic.
8. On the subject of Ver Steeg; I hope all of you realize that our offense still isn't fully implemented. I heard Ver Steeg say early on that it generally takes a year to fully install a new offense. Look at how many new plays we're seeing each week. I look forward to what he can bring next year.
9. To all the Mac-Haters out there: You know, I was pissed after the CSU game as well, but let's look at what's going on. We were picked 6th this year in the conference. 6th! I know everyone's frustrated that we probably won't win an outright conference title this year, but we weren't even supposed to be in contention. Even if we lose to the Zoobs, we're going to end up going to our 6th bowl game in a decade - in a rebuilding year. (see my post below) We return more than 3/4 of this year's two deep next year. Unless we completely melt-down over the next 3 games, I'd like to give Mac an opportunity to win that title next year when we return 8 starters (18 players) from the two deep on D, and a solid core on the O. It could be interesting.
10. The buffet at the Rio made a critical error when they offered snow-crab. If I didn't have to work this morning, I'd still probably be there. I may plan ahead next time I go to Vegas to just stay 3 or 4 days at the Rio and make them pay for my trip.
ColoUte Tip of the Week: If you hold hands with your wife while walking down the strip, you get offered fewer porn flyers.
GO UTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted By: S. Gil
Date: Saturday, 3 November 2001, at 9:37 p.m.
For starters UNLV is really bad. The Utes D played very solid but UNLV had given up. J. Robinson has done alot for that program but everytime I look at him I see a senior citizen getting ready to head to Yuma for the winter. That foam, flat brim hat slightly of center, along with the "I just woke up look". He and Ted Tollner (worst coach in the conference) should be the spokspersons for AARP. With that rant, here are my thoughts....
THE GOOD
THE BAD
Posted By: Wakara
Date: Sunday, 4 November 2001, at 11:48 p.m.
Been a while since I posted. I've been buried at work and traveling so I've missed visiting and posting for a while.
Let me get this out of the way. Utah did have it's annual meltdown and lost a game it should have won. That tendency is genetic, apparently, and will never go away. At least we lost to a team that is capable of playing well. There is little shame in losing to CSU in Ft. Collins and our viewing it as the letdown game is an indication of how far the team has come.
On to theUNLV:
The Good:
I'm running out of adjectives to describe how good the defense is. The front
seven have never been better, and the backfield is playing better every game.
UNLV was the 4th leading rushing team in the nation and we held them to 38 yards.
Our defense is top ten.
The running game was outrageous thanks to the O-line. They are big, physical, and wear down their opponents physically and mentally. We have a lethal combination of big backs and a strong O-line. Preparing for our rushing game wouldn't be that hard. Stopping it would be.
Mike Richardson - Nice to see our tight end see the ball so much. I love it, and he made a great reception in the endzone when we tied the game up.
The not so good
Rice continues to throw high and misses receivers. He's not a bad QB, but he's not a good one. He did make some costly mistakes in this game. In the end, I don't see him making big plays to win a close game, such as the CSU game. He makes enough given our defense and running game. I'd like to see if Elliot can improve over the summer and round out the offense next year. (except the O-line won't be near as good next year without Kafusi and Ta'amu) Don't get me wrong, Rice is probably the best QB we have this year, but his upside doesn't get me excited. Remember, he's an RM with a redshirt year, while Elliot is just a RS freshman.
Looking ahead:
SDSU will either be blown out quickly, or will play us tough as they have in
year's past.
They are a talented team, but I'm not afraid of Ned, with our front seven. I'm
afraid we don't take them seriously and they come ready to play and surprise
us with a passing game. I don't think we are good enough to take a week off.
see Ohio State. Because this team seems to be on a mission, and the assistant
coaches seem to know their stuff, Utah by 24
BYU will be a good game. It matches the team's strengths against each other. If Rice has a good game, and our kicker can learn to put some loft on the ball, I think we have a very good shot at winning. I don't think their coaches are as arrogant about their success as their fans, so I expect a war. On a side note, I couldn't find the score of the byu game today in the paper. Was it that boring a game?
Air Force. Playing them late in the season is a real blessing. They seem to be getting worse, and we seem to be improving. If we played when scheduled, it was a toss-up. Now, I think our defense is playing so well, we win going away.
At the beginning of the year I said 7-4 and the Las Vegas bowl. I think we end up 8-3 and go to the LV bowl. My powers of prediction are impressive...at least to myself.
Posted By: L.A. Ute, Vice President and General Counsel,
Ute Bandwagon, Inc. <la_ute@hotmail.com>
Date: Sunday, 4 November 2001, at 9:04 a.m.
Since yesterday, rveryone on the board so far seems fairly pleased with the win, but not all that thrilled. But as I reflect on the game, it seems close to huge. I think we all ought to be relishing this one.
This was the first Ute game I've been able to watch all season. It so happened that I had to leave the room for 10 minutes during the first quarter. When I left it was 7-0, Utah, after that fine, clock-consuming drive to open the game. Then I walk back into the room, and it's 14-7, UNLV! What a lovely surprise!
As my family will tell anyone, I was an instant grouch. I was sure that we were going to see another meltdown and second loss in a row to an inferior team, consistent with prior McBride teams.
But this team didn't fold. To the contrary, they threw off the impact of two momentum-killing lightning bolts (which would have flattened many teams) and proceeded to demolish the opposition with 35 unanswered points. UNLV's offense was shut out. And UNLV is supposed to be a decent team.
I think this is very significant. This team has heart and character and discipline. (Hardly any stupid penalties. And how about that blocked punt to turn the momentum? That may have been the key play of the game.) They stuck to their game plan and ran the ball down UNLV's throat.
Anyway, I was very impressed, as I have been by past performances showing character. (Indiana comes to mind.) So I am still on the bandwagon, braced for bumps in the road but pretty doggone happy with this team, which is now, with three very winnable games to go, one win away from the 7-4 record most of us thought would be the best they would do this year.
I think we all ought to be enjoying this! Are we?
Posted By: UTEopia
Date: Sunday, 4 November 2001, at 9:58 p.m.
Had a great time in vegas with the other 2,000 - 3,000 Ute fans who made the trip. Away games are a great time. The fans that go are there to have fun and get behind the team.
Except for a poor pass or two, the Utes were sensational. The D was awesome and I thought Rice and the offense showed some spirit by not getting down after the two INt's.
On the way back to the hotel I listened to the Rebel postgame call in show.
Change
Rebels to Utes
Robinson to McBride
Thomas to Arcenaux
2001 to 2000
and you could replay the questions and comments after a Ute game from a year
ago.
This Ute team is different than those in past years because they played a great game after losing a very disappointing game in Fort Collins. I can't wait for the game on Saturday against SDSU.
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