Ute Football Team Prepares for MWC Opener

Quick update on Utah-UNLV game Saturday

DeVonte Christopher was the MWC Offensive Player of the Week for his 155-yard receiving game in win over Pitt.
DeVonte Christopher was the MWC Offensive Player of the Week for his 155-yard receiving game in win over Pitt.

 
 

Sept. 6, 2010

SALT LAKE CITY
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> Utah (1-0, 0-0 MWC) hosts UNLV (0-1, 0-0 MWC) in the Mountain West Conference opener for both teams on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. in Rice-Eccles Stadium. The game will be televised live on the Mtn. Radio is ESPN700 AM (espn700sports.com).

> Check back Sept. 7 for complete release, including the latest national polls, which will be released on Tuesday.

> Utah's home win streak now stands at 18 games after a 27-24 overtime victory over Pitt last Thursday. It is the second-longest home win streak in school history. The school record of 26 was set from 1928-34. Utah's current home win streak dates back to a Sept. 15, 2007 victory over 11th-ranked UCLA.

> Utah's 18-game home win streak is the third-longest active home win streak in the nation behind Oklahoma (30) and Boise State (26).

> UNLV was also Utah's first conference opponent (and second opponent of the season) in 2008. The Utes won that game, 42-21, in Salt Lake City on Sept. 6.

> Utah leads the series with UNLV 13-2, including a 7-0 advantage in Salt Lake City. See box on page 2 for more series information.

> Utah's win over Pittsburgh was its 20th over a BCS school since the Bowl Championship Series began in 1998. In its final year in a non-automatic qualifying conference, Utah has more wins against BCS teams than any other NAQ program and is 20-11 overall against the BCS since 1998. (For more, see BCS Success later in this release).

> Ute receiver DeVonte Christopher and safety Brian Blechen were named the MWC offensive and defensive player of the week, respectively. Christopher led Utah with a career-high 155 receiving yards, while Blechen, playing in his first collegiate game, had five tackles and an interception in overtime.

 

 

> Saturday's game marks the third time in four years that the Utes will play the Rebels coming off big wins against BCS teams. In 2007, the Utes beat No. 11 UCLA, only to lose to UNLV the next week. In 2008, Utah followed up a win at Michigan with a victory over UNLV. This Saturday, the Utes host UNLV coming off a win over No. 15 Pittsburgh.

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