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Home for the Holidays Utah ('98: 7-4)
Posted: Wednesday August 11, 1999 06:10 PM
The Plot
The Utes return the best back in the league and, although they'll need to find some receivers, their returning quarterback is undefeated as a starter. On defense, though some holes will be filled by inexperience, there may be more talent in '99 than in '98. The DirectorRon McBride -- 10th year, 62-43
StarringRB Mike Anderson -- Scored 12 TDs and rushed for 1,173 yards in the WAC last season, tops among all returning rushers heading into the first Mountain West campaign.
Co-starringQB Darnell Arceneaux -- Undefeated (6-0) as a starter, but has a history of injuries he'll need to avoid in '99.LB Kautai Olevao -- Returns as the team's lone returning starter at linebacker, the team's leading tackler (77 in '98) and McBride's pick as the dominant defensive player in the conference. DE John Frank -- Missed one game but ranked second in the WAC with 10 sacks.
And introducingNG Maake Kemoeatu -- Massive (6'5", 298) presence on the interior may make up for the loss of three starters on the D-line.
Why it will workIt will be a successful, if not an exciting, season in Salt Lake City if the defense matures quickly around the veterans, some reliable receivers can emerge and Arceneaux stays on the field.
Why it won'tThe team ranked ninth nationally against the run (and 18th overall) last season but will be hard-pressed to duplicate that effort with the loss of six starters.
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