ESPN/AP Game (record) Site Time/TV Series/Last Meeting
Saturday, Sept. 30
- AIR FORCE (3-0, 2-0) Sam Boyd Stadium (36,800) 4 p.m. PDT Air Force leads 4-1
- UNLV (1-2, 0-1) Las Vegas, Nev. (ABC) 1999, Air Force 35-16
Saturday, Sept. 23
AIR FORCE 23, UTAH 14 (at Salt Lake City, Utah 37,151 attendance)
BYU 10, UNLV 7 (at Provo, Utah 60,191 attendance)
NEW MEXICO 35, Northern Arizona 28 (at Albuquerque, N.M. 21,553 attendance)
Oregon State 35, SAN DIEGO STATE 3 (at Corvallis, Ore. 32,027 attendance)
Nevada 35, Wyoming 28 (at Laramie, Wyo. 13,754 attendance)
COACHES TELECONFERENCE
Mountain West Conference head coaches will be available on a media
teleconference each Tuesday throughout the season. Each coach will be
available for 10 minutes, with the call scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m.
(MT). You can find the teleconference schedule on the left hand side of the
page.
WEEKLY HONORS
Luke Staley (BYU), Corey Nelson (Air Force) and Patrick Dyson (Utah) were
named Mountain West Conference Players of the Week. Nelson and Dyson are
named Player of the Week for the second time in their careers, while Staley
is recognized for the first time in his career.
Luke Staley, BYU, RB, Sophomore (MWC Offensive Player of the Week)
Sophomore running back Luke Staley rambled for a career-high 167 yards on 28
carries in the Cougars 10-7 win over UNLV. Staley, a native of Tualatan,
Ore., averaged 6.0 yards per rush in his first full contest of the season,
while the 100-yard effort was the first by a Cougar since Fahu Tahi ran for
116 vs. Utah State on Oct. 1, 1999. Staley also produced 19 yards on two
receptions in the game.
Corey Nelson, Air Force, OLB, Senior (MWC Defensive Player of the Week)
Nelson had a career day in Air Force¹s 23-14 victory at Utah. The
Rockingham, N.C. native recorded a team high 11 tackles, four unassisted, a
sack and two quarterback hurries. Nelson also blocked a field goal attempt
by the Utes. It was his first block of the season and sixth of his career.
Patrick Dyson, Utah, KR, Senior (MWC Special Teams Player of the Week)
Dyson, a product of Clinton, Utah, returned a second-quarter kickoff 98
yards for a touchdown to cut the Air Force lead to 17-14. It was the longest
kickoff return in Mountain West Conference history and the third-longest in
Utah history. Dyson has now returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in his
career, both over 90 yards.
LAST WEEK
Seven Mountain West Conference schools were in action last weekend. Air
Force claimed its second conference victory of the season with a 23-14
victory over Utah. Ryan Fleming turned in his second 100-yard receiving
performance of the season with three catches for 128 yards. Fleming hauled
in a 45-yard scoring strike to go with a 50-yard reception on the game¹s
first playing leading to a Falcon touchdown. The Utes were led by Tate
Adam, who rushed for a game-high 112 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.
The game was highlighted by Patrick Dyson¹s Mountain West Conference
record-setting 98-yard kickoff return for touchdown. BYU evened its
conference record to 1-1 with a 10-7 triumph over UNLV. The Cougar defense
limited the Rebels ground attack to 41 yards rushing, while the BYU offense
scored all its points in the game¹s first quarter. BYU was led offensively
by Luke Staley¹s 167-yard rushing effort. In dropping its MWC opener, UNLV
was limited to 243 yards of total offense. On their final possession, the
Rebel offense drove to the BYU 25-yardline. However, UNLV was forced to
punt after losing a total of 24 yards on its next three plays. New Mexico
improved its record to 2-3 with a 35-28 win over Northern Arizona. The
Lobos scored on each of their first three possessions in jumping out to a
21-0 lead. Quarterback Rudy Caamano engineered a UNM offense that converted
on 10-of-16 third down attempts. Nevada scored 22 fourth quarter points in
its 35-28 win over Wyoming. The start of the game was delayed one-hour due
to a multicar accident which prevented the Nevada team busses from arriving
at the stadium until 25 minutes prior to the scheduled 7 pm start time. San
Diego State lost its fourth consecutive game with a 35-3 setback at Oregon
State.
TWO MWC GAMES ON NATIONAL TELEVISION
Two games involving Mountain West Conference teams will be on national
network television this weekend. The Air Force/UNLV tilt will be televised
to 15 percent of the country by ABC and ESPN2 will televise the BYU/Syracuse
game to a national audience.
MWC BOWL TIE-INS
The Mountain West Conference has two guaranteed bowl berths in 2000. The
conference champion is slated for the AXA Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn., on
Dec. 29. The game will be aired on ESPN starting at 1:30 P.M. (ET) vs. the
champion of Conference USA. The Las Vegas Bowl has the second choice from
the MWC vs. an at-large opponent in a game scheduled for Dec. 21 at 5 p.m.
(PT) on ESPN2.
LAVELL EDWARDS TO CALL IT QUITS AFTER 2000 SEASON
LaVell Edwards, the seventh-winningest coach in the history of college
football, announced on Thursday, Aug. 17, that he will retire as Brigham
Young University's
head coach at the conclusion of the 2000 season. Edwards, who will be 70 in
October, has compiled a 252-97-3 overall record in 28-plus seasons with the
Cougars. His teams have won 20 conference titles and have appeared in 22
bowl games. In 1984, he was named National Coach of the Year after BYU
finished the season 13-0 and won the National Championship. He needs just
four victories to pass Tom Osborne as the sixth-winningest college football
coach in history. He entered the 2000 season with the third-most wins (251)
and the third-best winning percentage (.723) among active coaches.
DOAK WALKER AWARD CANDIDATES
Scotty McKay, Sr., RB, Air Force
Larry Ned, Sr., RB, San Diego State
NAGURSKI WATCH LIST
Patrick Chukwurah, LB, Wyoming
Rick Crowell, LB, Colorado State
Chris Hoke, DT, BYU
Jared Lee, S, BYU
Kautai Oleveo, LB, Utah
JIM THORPE WATCH LIST
Jared Lee, Sr., DB, BYU
Andre Dyson, Sr., DB, Utah
Kevin Thomas, Jr., DB, UNLV
AIR FORCE FALCONS
3-0, 2-0 MWC
Next Game: Oct. 7 vs. Navy
What You Should Know:
Air Force is 3-0 for the sixth time under coach Fisher DeBerry. The
Falcons two conference wins this season matches their total of last year.
The Falcons lead the Mountain West Confernce in scoring offense (36.3
ppg), scoring defense (14.3 ppg), turnover margin (1.33 pg), rushing offense
(337.0 ypg), and total offense (492.7 ypg).
Air Force takes a 13-5 road record into Saturday¹s tilt at UNLV. The
Falcons have won 18 of their last 26 conference road games.
Quarterback Mike Thiessen has thrown for six touchdowns over the last two
games. He becomes the first Falcon QB to throw for multiple touchdowns in
consecutive games during the option era (1980).
The Falcon defense has not allowed second-half points in their last two
games.
Senior halfback Scotty McKay became the 25th Falcon in school history to
surpass the 1,000-yard career rushing mark following a 63-yard effort
against Utah.
Key Stat: With two blocked kicks in last week¹s win over Utah, Air Force has
totalled 61 blocks since 1990.
BYU COUGARS
2-3, 1-1 MWC
Next Game: Oct. 6 vs. Utah State
What You Should Know:
The Cougars make their third trip east of the Mississippi for a
non-conference game this season.
Saturday¹s game marks the first meeting between BYU and Syracuse. It is
also the first time a Mountain West team has faced a school from the Big
East Conference.
BYU extended its NCAA-record streak to 317 games without being shutout.
The current streak dates back to Sept. 27, 1975.
Eight different players caught passes in the win over UNLV. The BYU
quarterback tandem of Bret Engemann and Charles Peterson combined to
complete 15 passes for 157 yards.
Senior WR Margin Hooks currently ranks fifth in the nation with a streak
of 29 straight games with a reception.
Sophomore Luke Staley¹s 166-yard rushing effort against UNLV was the first
100-yard game of his career. He became the first BYU back to surpass the
century mark since Oct. 1, 1999.
Paul Walkenhorst¹s block of a UNLV field goal attempt last week was the
first registered by BYU since the 1998 season.
Key Stat: Punter Aaron Edmonds has pinned opponents inside the 20 yardline
eight times this season.
COLORADO STATE RAMS
2-1, 0-0 MWC
Next Game: Oct. 7 vs. New Mexico
What You Should Know:
Quarterback Matt Newton has started every game since the 1999 season
opener. He has thrown a touchdown pass in 14 of his 15 starts.
Senior wide-out Frank Rice enters Saturday¹s game tied for 6th place on
CSU¹s career touchdown receptions list with 13.
Colorado State plays consecutive road games for the first time this
season. Dating back to 1993, Sonny Lubick¹s first year at the helm of the
CSU program, the Rams are 9-3 in the second game of consecutive road trips.
CSU¹s offense is averaging 399 yards per game this season, and has
registered 12 plays of 20 yards or longer.
Matt Newton recorded his second 200-yard passing game of the season vs.
Arizona State with 225 yards.
Frank Rice tallied his second 100-yard-plus receiving game of the year
with 113 yards on three receptions vs. ASU.
Colorado State had its seven-game regular-season win streak snapped at
ASU.
The CSU defense has held opponent offense¹s under 262 yards of total
offense in four of the last 12 games.
Key Stat: The Rams are 7-0 under Sonny Lubick following an open week.
NEW MEXICO LOBOS
2-3, 0-0 MWC
Next Game: Oct. 7 at Colorado State
What You Should Know:
With its win over Northern Arizona, New Mexico recorded back-to-back
victories for the first time since 1998.
Quarterback Rudy Caamano is coming off his best performance of the season.
In the 35-28 win over NAU, Caamano was 12-of-15 for 162 yards and two
touchdowns. He completed his first seven passes and did not throw an
incompletion until the third quarter.
The Lobos have scored in every quarter this season, except the third.
Holmon Wiggins has twice been named Mountain West Conference Player of the
Week. Wiggins claimed the honor on offense following the season-opener and
earned special team recognition following the New Mexico State game. He is
the Conference¹s first two-time winner this season.
Over the last two games, the New Mexico defense has created six turnovers
-- four interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
The New Mexico defense has recorded a conference-leading 15 sacks this
season.
Key Stat: The Lobos have converted 17-of-33 third down attempts (51.5
percent) over their last two games.
SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS
0-4, 0-0 MWC
Next Game: Oct. 7 at Wyoming
What You Should Know:
San Diego State joins Notre Dame as the only schools to open the 2000
season with four games against teams from Bowl Championship Series
conferences.
SDSU¹s first four opponents this season are a combined 11-2.
The Aztec offense had gone 397 consecutive plays without losing a fumble
until the second quarter of last week¹s Oregon State game.
The Aztecs have been hit hard by the injury bug this season. They have
lost five starters for the year (OL Chris Williams and Zach LaMonda, TE Gray
McNeill, DE Akbar Gbaja-Biamila and QB Jack Hawley).
Through four games, San Diego State has started 19 different players on
offense.
Walk-on defensive back Donte Gamble¹s five pass break-ups is second
highest in the Mountain West Conference. Gamble has created a turnover in
three of SDSU¹s first four games with an interception and two caused
fumbles.
Key Stat: San Diego State is off this week.
UNLV REBELS
1-2, 0-1 MWC
Next Game: Oct. 7 vs. Nevada
What You Should Know:
The 10 points surrendered by the Rebel¹s defense last week was the fewest
points since last year¹s season-opening, 26-3, win over North Texas.
The Rebels registered a season-high five sacks in last week¹s loss to BYU.
QB Jason Thomas leads the Mountain West Conference in total offense,
averaging 251.0 yards per game.
Jason Thomas currently ranks 13th in the nation in passing efficiency,
20th in total offense and is tied for 18th with fellow Mountain West
Conference quarterback Mike Thiessen of Air Force in points responsible for
with 14.0 per game.
UNLV¹s defense has held opponents scoreless over seven of the last eight
quarters.
Sophomore wide receiver Troy Mason posted his first 100-yard receiving
game against BYU. Mason reeled in five catches for 102 yards, included a
career-long 49-yard catch.
Key Stat: The UNLV defense is holding opponents to 15.7 points per game.
UTAH UTES
0-4, 0-1 MWC
Next Game: Oct. 14 at San Diego State
What You Should Know:
Patrick Dyson established a Mountain West Conference record with a 98-yard
kickoff return for touchdown last week vs. Air Force. The return tied for
the third longest in Utah history and was the first for touchdown since
1998.
The Utah/Utah State game will be played for the 100th time this Saturday.
The teams met for the first time in 1892.
The Utes 0-4 start is the first since 1986 when Jim Fassel¹s Utah team
began the campaign 0-7.
Junior running back Adam Tate posted his first 100-yard rushing game last
Saturday. Tate rushed for 112 yard and one touchdown, averaging 5.3 yards
per carry.
Over the last two games, quarterback Darnell Arceneaux has completed 56.1
percent of his passes. He is a combined 32-of-57 for 414 yards and two
touchdowns during this span.
Key Stat: Utah has converted one of ten FG attempts this season.
WYOMING COWBOYS
1-3, 0-0 MWC
Next Game: Oct. 7 vs. San Diego State
What You Should Know:
Wyoming compiled a season-high 435 yards of total offense last week vs.
Nevada. The Cowboy offense has generated 803 total yards over the last two
games.
Quarterback Jay Stoner moved into second place on Wyoming¹s all-time
passing yards list following a 206-yard outing last Saturday. Stoner has
passed for 6,555 career yards.
In his first career game, true freshman Brett Ralph caught seven passes
for 89 yards and a touchdown against Nevada. He also ran a fake punt 35
yards for a touchdown in the game.
Wyoming has converted on 7-of-10 fourth down attempts this season.
Nine different players had at least one reception in last week¹s loss to
Nevada.
Place kicker Aaron Elling has made 4 of his last 5 field goal attempts
from 50-plus yards.
The Wyoming defense has tallied six sacks in the last two games.
Key Stat: Wyoming plays its first game at New Mexico since a 10-7 defeat in
1993.
Air Force at UNLV
Saturday, September 30
Sam Boyd Stadium (36,800)
Las Vegas, Nev.
4 p.m. (PT), ABC
Game Notes
Air Force and UNLV face each other for the sixth time. Since their first
meeting in 1981, the Falcons have won the last four meetings -- all in the
90¹s. Two of the games (1981, Oe97) have been decided by three or less
points.
The Series
Air Force leads 4-1. Last Game: Air Force 35, UNLV 16, Nov. 13, 1999 in
Colorado Springs, Colo.
The Coaches
Fisher DeBerry has compiled a 129-69-1 overall record in 16-plus seasons at
the helm of the Falcons. DeBerry is 4-0 all-time vs. UNLV. John Robinson is
in his second season at UNLV and is 4-10 overall. Robinson is 0-1 vs. Air
Force. Prior to UNLV, Robinson coached at Southern California for 12 years
(1976-82, Oe93-97) and the NFL¹s Los Angeles Rams for nine years (1983-91)
prior to his arrival at UNLV. His college coaching record stands at
107-45-4, while his NFL record was 79-74.
Wyoming at New Mexico
Saturday, September 30
University Stadium (31,218)
Albuquerque, N.M.
2 p.m. (MT), SportsWest
Game Notes
Saturday¹s contest is the conference opener for both teams. The Cowboys and
Lobos hook-up for the 53rd time. Wyoming enters the game winning nine of the
last ten against New Mexico, and sporting a two-game win streak over the
Lobos. New Mexico¹s last win over Wyoming was a 10-7 decision in 1993.
The Series
Wyoming leads 30-22. Last Game: Wyoming 42, New Mexico 28, Nov. 20, 1999 in
Laramie, Wyo.
The Coaches
Vic Koenning is in his first season at the helm of the Cowboys. He spent the
past three seasons as the Wyoming defensive coordinator and inside
linebackers coach. New Mexico¹s Rocky Long is in his third season at the
helm of the Lobos and is 9-19 in his two-plus seasons in Albuquerque. Prior
to his days at New Mexico, Long was the defensive coordinator for UCLA.
Players to Watch New Mexico (2-3, 0-0 MWC)
Passer: Rudy Caamano (5 GP, 63-37-4, 58.7 Pct, 392 Yds, 4 TD, Longest Pass - 27 Yds)
Rusher: Jared Baxter (5 GP, 69 Att., 285 Yds, 4.1 Avg Per Rush., 3 TD, Longest Rush - 32 Yds)
Receiver: Larry Davis (5 GP, 7 Rec., 110 Yds, 15.7 Avg Per Rec., 2 TD, Longest Rec. - 27 Yds)
Tackler: Mike Barnett (5 GP, 22-23-45, 5 Sacks, 9 TFL, 1 Fumble Recovery)
BYU at Syracuse
Saturday, September 30
Carrier Dome (49,550)
Syracuse, N.Y.
6 p.m. (MT), ESPN2
GAME NOTES
BYU travels east of the Mississippi for the third time this season.
Syracuse is 1-2 in non-coference games this season and has lost its last two
games out of conference. The Cougars head into the contest with a 1-2 mark
outside of the Mountain West Conference.
THE SERIES
BYU and Syracuse meet on the grid iron for the first time.
THE COACHES
LaVell Edwards is in his 29th and final season at BYU with a 253-98-3
overall record. Syracuse¹s Paul Pasqualoni is in his 10th season at the
helm of the Orangemen program, sporting a 76-33-9 record. In 15 seasons as
a head coach, Pasqualoni¹s all-time record stands at 110-50-1
Colorado State at Nevada
Saturday, September 30
Mackay Stadium (31,545)
Reno, Nev.
1 p.m. (PT), SportsWest
GAME NOTES
Colorado State takes to the road for the second time in as many games
following a bye week. Nevada playes its second of three consecutive games
against Mountain West Conference teams, coming off a 35-28 win at Wyoming.
THE SERIES
Colorado State leads 4-0. Last Game: Colorado State 38, Nevada 33, Sept. 11,
1999 in Fort Collins, Colo.
THE COACHES
Sonny Lubick is 80-47 overall in 11-plus years as a head coach and 59-28
during his seven-plus year tenure at Colorado State. Chris Tormey is also
in his first season at Nevada. As a head coach the past five years at his
alma mater, Idaho, he guided the Vandals to a 33-23 record Prior to that,
he was part of three straight Rose Bowl squads with the University of
Washington, including the 1991 national championship team.
Players to Watch Colorado State (2-1, 0-0 MWC)
Passer: Matt Newton (3 GP, 84-49-4, 58.3 Pct, 714 Yds, 6 TD, Longest Pass - 59 Yds)
Rusher: Cecil Sapp (3 GP, 50 Att., 267 Yds, 5.3 Avg Per Rush., 2 TD, Longest Rush - 54 Yds)
Receiver: Frank Rice (3 GP, 12 Rec., 270 Yds, 22.5 Avg Per Rec., 3 TD, Longest Rec. - 59 Yds)
Tackler: Rick Crowell (2 GP, 21-9-30, 1 Sack, 1 TFL)
Utah at Utah State
Saturday, September 30
Romney Stadium (30,257)
Logan, Utah
3 p.m. (MT), SportsWest
GAME NOTES
In the battle for state bragging rights, Utah and Utah State meet for the
100th time. The Utes, looking to snap a four-game losing streak, have won
two straight over their in-state rivals and 10 of the last 12 meetings.
THE SERIES
Utah leads 67-28-4. Last Game: Utah 38, Utah State 18, 1999 in Salt Lake
City, Utah.
THE COACHES
Utah head coach Ron McBride has compiled a 71-50 overall record in 10-plus
seasons at the helm of the Utes. The Aggies are 1-2 under first year coach
Mick Dennehy. In eight years as a head coach Dennehy¹s record stands at
50-26.
