No. 19 Utah wins 15th in row with 35-17 victory

By DOUG ALDEN, AP Sports Writer Sep 4, 1:45 am EDT

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP)—Utah quarterback Terrance Cain was perfect in his first quarter of NCAA football, then pretty good the rest of the way.

The junior college transfer passed for 286 yards and two touchdowns in his Utah debut and the 19th-ranked Utes extended the nation’s longest winning streak by beating Utah State 35-17 on Thursday night.

“I really didn’t feel nervous. I’ve played this game a long time,” said Cain, who played two years of junior college in Texas before transferring to Utah. “I was just trying to stay composed. I never really get too excited.”

Matt Asiata ran for a career-best 156 yards and two touchdowns and David Reed had 10 catches for 172 yards and a touchdown as the Utes won their 15th in a row.

Longtime Utah assistant Gary Andersen was making his coaching debut at Utah State, which lost to the Utes for the 12th straight time. The score was closer this year, but the Utes dominated the Aggies once again.

Utah finished with 519 yards of offense and held Utah State to 342—96 of which came on Robert Turbin’s touchdown run in the first quarter. The Aggies kept it close by forcing three turnovers, but that wasn’t enough to make up for going 0 for 12 on third down.

“We turned the ball over three times and that can be a recipe for disaster,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “Fortunately, the entire defense was very efficient.”

Whittingham said two players missed assignments on Turbin’s run up the middle that turned into a school record when he rumbled all the way to the other end to get the Aggies back within 17-10 in the first quarter.

Without Turbin’s run, the Aggies gained less than 250 yards on the Utes, who were missing their top pass rusher as Koa Misi sat out with a bad back. Turbin finished with 148 yards and Diondre Borel completed 10 of 26 passes for 121 yards.

“The team showed flashes of where I want them to be and they played tough, but they didn’t execute on crucial plays,” said Andersen, who was Whittingham’s defensive coordinator for four years.

Utah kept the pass plays simple for Cain and he was on target from the beginning, completing his first seven. He got a lot of help from Asiata, who wore down the Aggies with 36 carries in his second career 100-yard rushing game. Asiata, whose previous career high was 116 yards against Air Force last year, scored on runs of 1 and 2 yards.

“Asiata running hard and getting five yards a pop took a lot of pressure off me,” Cain said.

Two of Cain’s first three throws went for touchdowns on nice plays by the receivers. Cain’s second career pass was a short slant to Reed, who broke up the middle for a 65-yard touchdown. On the next series, Cain threw another slant to John Peel, who bowled over a couple of Aggies at the goal line to give the Utes a 14-3 lead.

Turbin answered quickly for the Aggies, taking a carry up the middle and rumbling almost the entire length of the field for a touchdown to get the Aggies within 14-10 just 17 seconds after Peel’s score. Turbin needed to make just one cut at the line through a hole that stretched to the other end of the field.

The Aggies stopped the Utes on three straight plays from the 1-yard line, but went nowhere after getting the ball back and Matt Martinez smothered Peter Caldwell’s punt and the ball rolled out the back on the end zone for a safety to put Utah up 23-10.

Whenever the Aggies came up with a big play, they followed it with a mistake.

“Stuff like that just killed us,” defensive back James Brindley said. “We’ve got to work on those things and just all-out execute better.”

Utah State pulled within 26-17 on a late touchdown, set up by Brindley’s interception and 20-yard line return to the 4-yard line. Borel scored on a 2-yard run with 51 seconds.

Utah’s defense added a second safety on fumble late in the fourth quarter.

Andersen said returning to Utah, also his alma mater, was less emotional than he expected, but he was happy to have it all out of the way.

“Utah played a great game,” Andersen said. “They made plays and we didn’t. That was the difference.”

Updated Sep 4, 1:45 am EDT
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Head to Head - Week 1

Team Total Yds Pass Yds Rush Yds First Downs 3rdD% Pen./Yds Turnovers Time of Poss.
Utah State 342 121 221 13 0.0% 5/40 1 24:04
Utah 519 286 233 27 36.4% 5/37 3 35:56
NCAAF

63 Comments

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  1. Michael M
    63. Posted by Michael M Mon Sep 7 11:14pm EDT

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    47. Posted by Dallas S Fri Sep 4 3:14pm EDT Report Abuse
    ..come down south for a night game at the Swamp, Tuscaloosa, Baton Rouge or between the hedges and you'll experience what college football is all about!
    ------------------------
    Come up to the Rockies and play in the altitude.
  2. Michael M
    62. Posted by Michael M Mon Sep 7 11:01pm EDT

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    A few things need to be clarified here:

    1) Utah was not a better team than Alabama. They played an incredible game last year (much better than Bama), but the fact remains, Utah played all their tough games at home, barely winning each. I was hoping Utah would win that game, but they just outplayed Bama in that game. Just think, if Bama played Utah's schedule and Utah played Bama's schedule, I doubt Bama would have even a tough time with TCU or OSU at home.

    2) Utah argues that they should play in a national championship, but what about teams like Boise State. They have beaten Utah the last 3 or so times they have played (I believe one time they completely embarrased Utah). Until some equality is established in NCAA football, Utah has no more right to demand the chance to play in the championship than any other "small school" that goes undefeated.

    3) Regardless of what people say, Florida will beat any team in college football right now (I'm not a Gators fan).
    ----------------
    Boise wouldn't have touched the Utes last season. They also lost their bowl game to a MWC team - TCU. Utah dominated the Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl. They were the better team that night. They had a better record and beat 'Bama worse than Florida did. In fact, Florida is winning national championships with a former Utah coach - Urban Meyer (Meyer guided the Utes to a perfect season in 2004, with Alex Smith at QB - they were ranked 4th last season). Utah should have played the Gators last year.

    The Utah Utes have won 8 straight bowl games. Wimpy opponents you ask? Fresno-USC-So. Miss-Pittsbugh-Tulsa-Navy-Alabama

    I'm a Colorado Buff fan by the way.
  3. <i>rhin2300</i>
    61. Posted by rhin2300 Sun Sep 6 9:04pm EDT

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    Im so sick of people talking about the mwc is weaker than bcs conferences!!!!!!!!!! the mwc is the third srtrongest in the conferences behind the sec and the big twelve... and the top four in the conference can play with anybody!!!
  4. Ronald W
    60. Posted by Ronald W Sun Sep 6 1:23am EDT

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    Dear Mr. NO SENSE, oh excuse me ...... I mean Mr. Common Sense.
    Ignorant people call names. You obviously need some remedial kindergaten please check yourself in this week. Mormons are allowed ONLY one wife which is ONE more than you could ever keep with your cynical, sarcatic, prejudicial ranting.
    P.S. YOU should investigate the Mormon faith because it is the only faith that gives you any hope of a decent afterlife. Even Jerks end up in a Kingdom of Glory under Mormon theology while most other Christian Churches would treat you like Colonel Sanders treats his new recipe chicken....EXTRA CRISPY!
  5. Ronald W
    59. Posted by Ronald W Sun Sep 6 1:22am EDT

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    Dear Mr. NO SENSE, oh excuse me ...... I mean Mr. Common Sense.
    Ignorant people call names. You obviously need some remedial kindergaten please check yourself in this week. Mormons are allowed ONLY one wife which is ONE more than you could ever keep with your cynical, sarcatic, prejudicial ranting.
    P.S. YOU should investigate the Mormon faith because it is the only faith that gives you any hope of a decent afterlife. Even Jerks end up in a Kingdom of Glory under Mormon theology while most other Christian Churches would treat you like Colonel Sanders treats his new recipe chicken....EXTRA CRISPY!
  6. justin j
    58. Posted by justin j Sat Sep 5 10:46pm EDT

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    Did BYU just beat Oklahoma? Oh wait, according to Dallas the douche, that can't happen. How many times do we have to beat little-6 schools before they admit we're better?
  7. <i>blackdriverdog69</i>
    57. Posted by blackdriverdog69 Sat Sep 5 10:59am EDT

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    This is to Dallas, you have no answer for my comment?Funny in 2004 (when Meyers had the Utes) USC, ALABAMA, TEXAS, FLORIDA, TEXAS TECH, ETC ALL lobbied NOT to play UTAH on Sports Center, got in front of the whole nation!!!!!!!!! I don't EVER remember ANY team from the MWC or WAC doing that!!!!!!! The reason why you have no answer is cause its the truth, you probably sat right there in front of you TV and agreed with all that crap they were spitting. As someone that has played the sport, and tried for semi pro and pro ball, I would pt ANY team in the MWC or WAC against any team from your special SEC, ACC, PAC10(Which got smashed by what u call inferior team from the WAC Boise State), As for the Vols, get real. Keep making excuses cause it seems thats all your good for. When you can give a real excuse for the first part of my question, maybe i'll take you and your Vols forreal, until then go study up on MWC/WAC. Sould that day come when we do meet, take a close look at at the reply from UTAH S PITT, And Utah VS Alabama, and learn a lesson. Don't talk if u can't back it up!!!!!!!! We talk th talk, and we walk the walk!!!!!!!! By the way, no one ever said Utah would go undefeated in the SEC, but would be nice to prove you and all those haters wrong once again!!!!!!!
  8. justin j
    56. Posted by justin j Sat Sep 5 9:20am EDT

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    If Boise and Utah are undefeated and the only undefeated teams, well, they should play eachother for the championship. If both are undefeated and only 1 is chosen, it should be Utah. Two back to back seasons and a tougher strength of schedule.

    What would help both teams as well as BYU and TCU would be if Boise would joint the MWC. It would be hard to argue that the MWC was not better than at least 4 of the big-6. By the inter-conference scores it already is.

    FWIW I'm all for Boise running the table.
  9. mike
    55. Posted by mike Fri Sep 4 8:32pm EDT

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    First off, I hope Obama doesn't focus on college football.

    If Boise goes undefeated this year, should they play in a national championship? If no, then why not?

    The answer to this is the fatal blow to the heart of every Utah fan.
  10. justin j
    54. Posted by justin j Fri Sep 4 6:49pm EDT

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    It's the same drivel over and over. Utah shouldn't have won... blah blah blah. The fact is that they did. They dominated the line. They were faster, stronger, and played better. It's just the way it went down. You can make up whatever fairy tales you want about how Bama would play well in the MWC or whatever, the the facts tell a vastly different story. The MWC was 6-1 against the Pac-10 and 2-0 against the SEC last year. If the difference in talent was so vast, last year was an extraordinarily unusual event. Same could be said about Boise State and their success against Big-6 teams, or Utah's 04 destruction of Pitt.

    The facts looked at objectively show that in the last 5 years the mid-major schools have had a high rate of success against big-6 schools. This indicates that the claim of being better is merely hype- not reality.

    SEC lovers can believe what they wish. They certainly do. It makes the sad face of Nick Saban all so much sweeter to remember. He though the same thing, even after being beaten by former Ute coach Meyer.

    I hope Obama gets down to real issues and forces a playoff in NCAA football. Then we'll see a legitimate national champion.
  11. mike
    53. Posted by mike Fri Sep 4 6:29pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    A few things need to be clarified here:

    1) Utah was not a better team than Alabama. They played an incredible game last year (much better than Bama), but the fact remains, Utah played all their tough games at home, barely winning each. I was hoping Utah would win that game, but they just outplayed Bama in that game. Just think, if Bama played Utah's schedule and Utah played Bama's schedule, I doubt Bama would have even a tough time with TCU or OSU at home.

    2) Utah argues that they should play in a national championship, but what about teams like Boise State. They have beaten Utah the last 3 or so times they have played (I believe one time they completely embarrased Utah). Until some equality is established in NCAA football, Utah has no more right to demand the chance to play in the championship than any other "small school" that goes undefeated.

    3) Regardless of what people say, Florida will beat any team in college football right now (I'm not a Gators fan).
  12. Todd
    52. Posted by Todd Fri Sep 4 5:51pm EDT

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    Dallas,

    The only thing "ridiculas" about this whole thing is your terrible spelling. Don't they have school in Tennessee?
  13. Dallas S
    51. Posted by Dallas S Fri Sep 4 5:38pm EDT

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    Tennessee couldn't beat my daughters soccer team last year. They were the worst team in the SEC..Fulmer had just got fired and that was their last home game....those girls were totally out of it last year..I think if you look at the MWC vs SEC you'll see it a little scewed...but, MWC and SEC shouldn't even go in the same sentence..please, don't waste my time comparing the SEC with your conference..

    Moral of the story and my post is to up your schedule...no one wants to see the Utes play anyone on bowl day with that schedule..i'm sure all Big 12, Pac-10, SEC, BIg 10 and ACC fans will agree with me...You go threw any of those conferences with one loss and you've accomplished something..go threw San Jose State and the other clowns in the conference and you've accomplished NOTHING...so until the Utes man up and schedule some opponents, who's Utah?

    As for the VOLS, they'll suprise people this year...last year was a complete fluke..Wyoming caught Tennessee at the perfect time to pull off an upset...may want to look at Tennessee's record against the MWC or any SEC teams record against the MWC and they'll speak for themselves...

    that was the ONLY loss Tennessee has EVER had to the MWC conference
  14. Go Utes!
    50. Posted by Go Utes! Fri Sep 4 3:56pm EDT

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    you know that is pretty funny you Thlete, Wyoming did go down to Tennessee and beat them. I think Wyoming was the MWC 2nd worst team. I think all the SEC homers need everyone to know how great they are. Why is it on every blog you see it's always the SEC homers that have to say how great they are. You know you never hear that from any other conference it seems. Especially since this blog is about the UTAH vs. UTAH STATE game and has NOTHING to do with anything with the SEC. Why do they feel compelled to cram it down our throats, I think it is probably because the lost the civil war and are trying to get back at us, but hey I could be wrong. And again Thlete that is funny how Wyoming went down to Tennessee and beat them, I still laugh at that one. But hey the SEC is so great, how could the MWC every compete....MWC 2-0 against the SEC last year, but that has no bearing on this year. All we can do is watch the football games and hope our teams win. Again I am still laughing at the Wyoming beating Tennessee, it's to funny.
  15. Hans
    49. Posted by Hans Fri Sep 4 3:47pm EDT

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    great game.
  16. justin j
    48. Posted by justin j Fri Sep 4 3:32pm EDT

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    Dallas:

    Alabama, in the "tough" SEC has a grand total of 3 ranked teams on the schedule. Utah has 3 ranked teams. I agree that Bama's ranked opponents are better, but not that much better. BYU has 4 ranked teams. The reality, although you wont' admit it, is that each division of the SEC, much like the MWC has about 3 good teams. Each SEC team will fact 3-4 quality opponents during the season. You can claim anything you want about them, but the facts are facts. Next year Utah has Iowa, Pitt, and Notre Dame schedules for out of conference games. The SEC teams simply are not willing to play in the cold or risk embarrassment. Unless of course it's a bowl game. It's just the way the current BCS system is set up.
  17. Dallas S
    47. Posted by Dallas S Fri Sep 4 3:14pm EDT

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    teams in the SEC aren't "scared" to play the Utes...like I said before, look at the SEC teams out of conference schedule..come down south for a night game at the Swamp, Tuscaloosa, Baton Rouge or between the hedges and you'll experience what college football is all about! I've been to ALL of them and trust me, it's an experience different than any other conference!!...it's a little different than playing Utah State or San Jose..you beat a few SEC teams at home 3-4 times and you'll get some respect...

    I'm not saying the Utes are a bad team..they are a good team, but your schedule is ridiculas!! One or two game wins over an SEC team doesn't define a conference or team..look at Michigan...they have a good record against the SEC but overall the SEC has owned the Big 10 for many years..

    So, voice it up to your Athletic Director and beef up your schedule..I mean, what's so fun about watching your team whooping up on a San Jose State type team?

    Gotta beef up your schedule or no one is going to take the Utes seriously or more importanly give you a chance at a BCS title game...just don't deserve it with that schedule...remember USC flying accross country to play an Auburn team at home a few years ago in which they beat? What happen after that...they got a little respect.
  18. Thlete
    46. Posted by Thlete Fri Sep 4 2:32pm EDT

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    Dallas S, get over yourself. The SEC is down lately - in case you didn't know, MWC doormat Wyoming beat "mighty" Tennessee in Knoxville last year. Hard to understand why you list UT in the "grueling" SEC schedule. I'd say that Florida has an easier SOS this year than many MWC teams including BYU, TCU and Utah. Each of those teams will be playing 3-4 ranked teams, many on the road. Florida plays a down SEC East and SW Hoboken State Community College.
  19. SJ
    45. Posted by SJ Fri Sep 4 1:49pm EDT

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    The SEC is arguebly the best conference in the country but that doesn't mean that is why teams from other conferences (Utah) don't schedule them for non-conference matchups. It is because the SEC is afraid to make the treck North. At least USC will be visiting Ohio St. this year in Columbus, good precursor for the Big Ten outlook. Not to mention Illinois v Mizzou tomorrow, go Illini!!!
  20. Dallas S
    44. Posted by Dallas S Fri Sep 4 1:31pm EDT

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    #43, Mack, sounds like all of the SEC's homecoming games are already booked for the next few years if the SEC won't schedule ya...

    every team in every conference is wanting a piece of the SEC so take a number and get in line...maybe, we can schedule the Utes for a homecoming came or maybe an opener in 2034..

    Doesn't really matter though...the Utes will go undefeated this year and 2 loss Florida and 1 loss Texas will play for the national title while Utah fans sit at home and cry....
  21. justin j
    43. Posted by justin j Fri Sep 4 1:29pm EDT

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    It's people like you Dallas that make the beating SEC teams so much more fun. You make completely unbased claims about how tough the SEC is, which we all know is BS. Sure it's a good conference. It's not god's gift to football. No matter how much you wish they were, the SEC team's are just not that good. I heard the same thing last fall about how Utah had no chance, second best in the SEC is so much better, SEC is "smash mouth" football and Utah can't handle it, blah blah blah blah.... And we found out that Utah dominated the "huge SEC powerhouse lines" and the game.

    In the end you may be entitled to your opinion, but you're not entitled to your own set of facts. The facts are that the competition is very close and the southern schools have a sort of royalty that they are not willing to risk by playing "lesser teams" which often bet them. It's embarrassing. It means that the hype is just that: hype.
  22. Mack
    42. Posted by Mack Fri Sep 4 1:21pm EDT

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    Dallas S, you don't know $&#* about #($*#. Utah has been trying to schedule home-and-home's with SEC teams for FOREVER. THE SEC TEAMS won't do it. So that's Utah's fault?
  23. JAMES
    41. Posted by JAMES Fri Sep 4 1:21pm EDT

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    David Reed is a sure Pro..
  24. Dallas S
    40. Posted by Dallas S Fri Sep 4 1:11pm EDT

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    You Ute fans are making a big deal of this Bama win...remember, Bama had just went through a GRUELING SEC schedule AND a SEC championship game before they made it to a bowl game. Remind you, they didn't have all their players either in that game...they had a horrible game..just like USC did against OSU last year...but please, don't think the UTES can play LSU, Florida, TENN, Ole Miss, Auburn, Georgia,.etc etc AND play in an SEC championship and be flawless like they've been playing teams like San Jose State all season...

    As for the comment about who the SEC schedules out of confernce...DUDE! Have you seen the UTE's out of conference schedule? Tennessee/ UCLA....Auburn/ West Virgina...Florida/ Florida State...Florida/ Miami.....Alabama/ Virgina Tech....Arkansas/Texas...Georgia/ Oklahoma State.....Vanerbuil/ Georgia Tech.....DUDE, I could keep going on and on and on and on...

    Basically, you're barking up the wrong tree by saying the SEC has a "weak" out of conference schedule...Vandy or even South Carolina would go 12-0 in yours!...

    also, why bust on South Carolina's win? They're maybe 10th or 11th best in the SEC and would most likely beat anyone on the Utah's schedule...
  25. <i>blackdriverdog69</i>
    39. Posted by blackdriverdog69 Fri Sep 4 1:04pm EDT

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    #35 thats cause when you got married your wife cut your balls off and carries them in her purse, we all know who run the household in your house, and its not you!!!!!
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 Utah St.
R. Turbin R. Turbin, RB
13 Rush, 148 yds
1 TD
 Utah
M. Asiata M. Asiata, RB
36 Rush, 156 yds
2 TDs

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