Utah 63, SDSU 14

There is nothing like a game against San Diego State to lift a team's confidence. I think that BYU benefited from the same confidence boost going into their game against Air Force. The Utes were able to get into a groove and hopefully gained some offensive momentum that will stay with them going into their next game.

Utah's biggest weakness in this game was probably their pass defense. They usually do a pretty good job at keeping the plays in front of them, but every once in a while they let a receiver get past them. More often than not, they are saved by a bad throw rather than good defense it seems.

Offensively, Utah was clicking on all cylinders. Brian Johnson was hitting his receivers and had 5 nice touchdown passes in the first half. Utah played far more conservatively in the second half but was still able to score a few touchdowns - two of which came in the last couple minutes on interceptions returned for touchdowns. In fact, Utah's backup safety, DeShawn Richards now has the most yards on interception returns in a single game this year.

Utah is now 11-0 and shares the nation's longest win streak. They have won 19 of their last 20 games and are looking for their second BCS bowl invitation in five years. More on this weeks game later...

Utah 23, SDSU 7

What is the loudest sport to watch on campus? If you're thinking to yourself that it is obviously men's basketball or football, or possibly even women's gymnastics here at the U, then you are wrong. The loudest sport is easily women's volleyball played at Crimson Court. My brother, Jordan, and I went to the women's volleyball game on Friday night when they played BYU. There place was packed (standing room only) and there were even quite a few BYU fans there. The place was rockin'. It's not a very big "arena", smaller even than many High School gyms. After leaving the match, our ears were ringing for more than a half-hour afterwards.

After the volleyball match, we went to Utah's Friday Night Basketball to meet the team and watch a three-point shooting contest, scrimmages and slam-dunk contest. I'm excited for basketball this year. The new coach, Jim Boylen seems to really be the right guy for the job (That's tough to back up though - seeing as they haven't played any games that count yet).

Now onto the football game. You probably didn't see it if you weren't there - although you could get it for only $14.95 on cstv.com. Sounds like a steal, eh? Utah moved the ball well in the first half but turnovers kept them from ever entering the end zone. In the second half, Utah played a much better game. In my opinion the receivers played their best game of the year. In all of the other games I've been disappointed with the passes that they have dropped. I thought that they made some nice plays, and did an especially nice job of getting yards after the catch.

My favorite play of the game was a faked field goal attempt that didn't even work. Utah was lined up to kick a field goal and as soon as the ball was snapped, the holder flipped it over his shoulder to the kicker and then took off running. The kicker (Louie Sakoda) attempted to throw a pass to the streaking holder (Bradon Godfrey) but it was a horrible pass and Godfrey had to run back in order to catch the ball. If the pass had been even halfway decent, it would have been an easy 6 points. As it was, the Utes didn't even get e first down. Regardless, most of the crowd cheered the call and was only mildly disappointed in the outcome.

It was a long time coming but it's nice to be back over .500. Now the key is to stay there...

Utah 38, SDSU 7

The Utes started off the Mountain West Conference Season on the right foot yesterday. They lost to the Aztecs last year at home and this year they were out for revenge. In short, they got it. They started off scoring the first touchdown but San Diego State answered with Eric Weddle missing coverage and giving up a rare touchdown. This made him angry and he showed why that was bad news for SDSU.

Utah then went on a tear and their defense played exceptionally well, forcing 5 turnovers. Weddle had 3 interceptions and returned 2 for touchdowns. Ratliff (the quarterback) didn't have the greatest stats for the game but he began looking better and better as the game went on. It was his best game from the running point of view.

Mom, Dad, Rachelle and Shelby all came over to our aprtment to watch the game because they don't yet have the Mountain. Hopefully they'll get it soon or they'll be driving down here for more games. San Diego State has yet to win a game this season. Next week will be a real test when they take on #22 Boise State at home.