Derrick Lewis, San Diego State, WR, Junior (MWC Offensive Player of the Week)
Junior Derrick Lewis played a critical part in San Diego State's victory at BYU on
Saturday. The New Orleans, La., product had four key receptions for 129 yards.
Three of Lewis' catches were over 30 yards and resulted in Aztec scores. His first
reception was 46 yards, marking SDSU's longest play from scrimmage of the game,
and led to its first touchdown. In the third quarter, Lewis hauled in a 35-yard pass
from quarterback Lon Sheriff that helped set up the Aztecs second touchdown of
the game. With 12 seconds to play in the game, he came up with his biggest catch
of the day, a 39-yard reception that allowed SDSU to kick the game-winning field
goal.
Jomar Butler tallied his second straight double figure tackle game in the 16-15
victory at BYU. Butler, a junior from Carson, Calif., recorded 16 tackles (15
unassisted), three tackles for loss, two pass break ups and a quarterback sack. On
the day, the Aztecs held the Cougars to 63 yards rushing on 34 carries and one
touchdown.
Nate Tandberg, San Diego State, K, Senior (MWC Special Teams Player of the Week)
Nate Tandberg clinched San Diego State's second victory in Provo in 13 attempts
with a 36-yard field goal with one second remaining in the contest. The senior from
San Diego, Calif., was also 2-for-2 on extra points.
All eight Mountain West Conference schools were involved in league play last
Saturday. For the fourth time this year, and third in as many weeks, Colorado State
needed a fourth-quarter rally to pull out a 24-17 win at Utah. The Rams scored 14
unanswered points in the final quarter as Matt Newton delivered scoring strikes of
45 yards to Joey Cuppari and 40 yards to Pete Rebstock in leading CSU to victory.
Four Utah turnovers, including three interceptions -- one of which was returned for
a touchdown -- made it difficult for the Utes offense to get on track. New Mexico
held the Air Force ground attack to 145 yards rushing, while the Lobos offense ran
for 251 yards, enroute to a 29-23 road victory over the Falcons. Holmon Wiggins led
the UNM ground game with 99 yards. Air Force attempted to rally scoring 16
fourth-quarter points, but came up short. A Nate Tandberg 36-yard field goal with
0:01 remaining gave San Diego State a 16-15 triumph at BYU. The Cougars took a
15-13 lead with 0:46 left on Owen Pochman's 50-yard field goal, but were unable to
hold off the Aztecs. Derrick Lewis led the SDSU attack with four catches for 129
yards, while BYU's Margin Hooks hauled in nine passes for 124 yards. Jeremi
Rudolph rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown in leading UNLV to a 42-23 win
over Wyoming. Both teams moved the ball offensively with the Rebels totaling 368
yards of total offense to the Cowboys 365. Wyoming quarterback Jay Stoner
completed 27-of-41 pass attempts for 231 yards and two touchdowns.
Linebacker Kwabena Peprah leads the Mountain We s t
Conference with 72 tackles. Teammate Patrick Chukwurah leads
the league with 48 solo tackles.
Key Stat: The Cowboys are averaging 393 yards of total offense over
their last two games.
Week 9 Game Previews
Wyoming at BYU
Thursday, October 26
Cougar Stadium (65,000)
Provo, Utah
6 p.m. (MT), ESPN
GAME NOTES
The two teams meet in Provo for the first time since 1995. BYU has won six of the last seven games. However, three of the last four
contests have been decided by three points. BYU holds a 21-13 advantage over the Cowboys in games played at Cougar Stadium. The
Cowboys last win in Provo was during the 1987 season.
THE SERIES
BYU leads, 34-29-3. Last meeting: Wyoming 31-17, November 13, 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. LaVell Edwards is in his 29th and final season at BYU with a 253-100-3 overall record. His team are 18-
6 against Wyoming.
Players to Watch - Wyoming (1-7, 0-4 MWC)
Passer: Jay Stoner (7 GP, 234-147-6, 62.8 Pct, 1,365 Yds, 9 TD, Longest Pass - 72 Yds)
Rusher: Nate Scott (8 GP, 85 Att., 521 Yds, 6.1 Avg Per Rush, 5 TD, Longest Rush - 95 Yds)
Receiver: Ryan McGuffey (8 GP, 48 Rec., 467 Yds, 9.7 Avg Per Rec., 3 TD, Longest Rec. - 43 Yds)
Tackler: Kwabena Peprah (8 GP, 42-30-72, 1 Sack, 4 TFL, 3 QB Hurries, 2 Forced Fumbles, 1 Recovery, 2 PBU)
Players to Watch - BYU (2-5, 1-2 MWC)
Passer: Charles Peterson (6 GP, 203-117-3, 57.6 Pct, 1,357 Yds, 6 TD, Longest Pass - 39 Yds)
Rusher: Brian McDonald (8 GP, 82 Att., 386 Yds, 4.7 Avg Per Rush., 6 TD, Longest Rush - 37 Yds)
Receiver: Margin Hooks (8 GP, 49 Rec., 577 Yds, 11.8 Avg Per Rec., 2 TD, Longest Rec. - 31 Yds)
Tackler: Justin Ena (8 GP, 31-38-69, 2 Sacks, 6 TFL, 2 PBU, 1 QB Hurry, 1 Forced Fumble)
Colorado State at San Diego State
Saturday, October 28
Qualcomm Stadium (71,400)
San Diego, Calif.
6 p.m. (PT)
GAME NOTES
Colorado State has won four of the last five games vs. San Diego State. The visitor has won three of the last four games, including two
consecutive victories for the Rams at Qualcomm Stadium. The Aztecs are 8-3 on their home field against Colorado State and have won
four of their last five conference games, dating back to last season.
THE SERIES
San Diego State leads, 11-8. Last meeting: San Diego State 17-10, October 16, 1999 in Fort Collins, Colo.
THE COACHES
Sonny Lubick is 84-47 overall in 11-plus years as a head coach and 63-28 during his seven-plus year tenure at Colorado State. Ted
Tollner is in his seventh season at the helm of the Aztecs and 11th overall as a head coach. He is 39-37 at SDSU and 65-57-1 lifetime.
Before coming to SDSU in 1994, Tollner was the head coach at Southern California (1983-86).
Players to Watch - Colorado State (6-1, 3-0 MWC)
Passer: Matt Newton (7 GP, 205-121-11, 59.0 Pct, 1,544 Yds, 10 TD, Longest Pass - 59 Yds)
Rusher: Cecil Sapp (7 GP, 100 Att., 476 Yds, 4.8 Avg Per Rush., 6 TD, Longest Rush - 54 Yds)
Receiver: Frank Rice (7 GP, 30 Rec., 472 Yds, 15.7 Avg Per Rec., 3 TD, Longest Rec. - 59 Yds)
Tackler: Rick Crowell (6 GP, 55-26-81, 1 Sack, 5 TFL, 1 INT, 2 PBU)
Players to Watch - San Diego State (2-5, 2-1 MWC)
Passer: Lon Sheriff (6 GP, 162-82-7, 50.6 Pct, 1,025 Yds, 2 TD, Longest Pass - 46 Yds)
Rusher: Larry Ned (6 GP, 139 Att., 357 Yds, 2.6 Avg Per Rush, 6 TD, Longest Rush - 22 Yds)
Receiver: J.R. Tolver (7 GP, 37 Rec., 463 Yds, 12.5 Avg Per Rec., 0 TD, Longest Rec. - 34 Yds)
Tackler: Jomar Butler (7 GP, 47-10-57, 2 Sack, 5 TFL, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 1 QB Hurry, 2, Caused Fumbles, 1 Fumble Recovery)
Utah at New Mexico
Saturday, October 28
University Stadium (31,218)
Albuquerque, N.M.
1 p.m. (MT), ESPN+Plus
GAME NOTES
Utah has won five straight and 10 of the last 13 games. The Utes have outscored the Lobos by a combined score of 108-24 over the last
three contests. This marks the 39th consecutive season the two teams have met, dating back to 1961. The teams first played in 1938.
Each team has had a memorable performance at the other's expense: in 1989 New Mexico quarterback Jeremy Leach rewrote the Lobo
record book, throwing for 622 yards and four touchdowns on 41-of-68 passing, in 1976 Daniel Hagemann and Jack Steptoe connected
for a 98-yard touchdwon, the longest pass play in Utah history.
THE SERIES
Utah leads, 27-12-2. Last meeting: Utah 52-7, November 13, 1999, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
THE COACHES
Utah coach Ron McBride has compiled a 73-51 overall record in 10-plus seasons at the helm of the Utes. McBride has a 7-3 career mark
vs. New Mexico. New Mexico's Rocky Long is in his third season at the helm of the Lobos and is 11-19 in his two-plus seasons in
Albuquerque. Prior to his days at New Mexico, Long was the defensive coordinator for UCLA.
Players to Watch - Utah (2-5, 1-2 MWC)
Passer: Darnell Arceneaux (7 GP, 153-86-8, 56.2 Pct, 1,260 Yds, 6 TD, Longest Pass - 74 Yds)
Rusher: Adam Tate (5 GP, 102 Att., 422 Yds, 4.1 Avg Per Rush, 4 TD, Longest Rush - 18 Yds)
Receiver: Cliff Russell (7 GP, 35 Rec., 467 Yds, 13.3 Avg Per Rec., 3 TD, Longest Rush - 48 Yds)
Tackler: Jason Kaufusi (7 GP, 21-28-49, 11 TFL, 3 PBU, 5 QB Hurry, 6 Sacks)
Players to Watch - New Mexico (4-3, 2-1 MWC)
Passer: Rudy Caamano (7 GP, 116-73-5, 62.9 Pct, 847 Yds, 9 TD, Longest Pass - 34 Yds)
Rusher: Holmon Wiggins (7 GP, 127 Att., 521 Yds, 4.1 Avg Per Rush., 2 TD, Longest Rush - 23 Yds)
Receiver: Ted Iacenda (7 GP, 17 Rec., 182 Yds, 10.7 Avg Per Rec., 2 TD, Longest Rec. - 25 Yds)
Tackler: David Mauer (7 GP, 25-19-44, 9 Sacks, 7 TFL, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 1 Caused Fumble)
Air Force at Notre Dame
Saturday, October 28
Notre Dame Stadium (80,012)
South Bend, Ind.
11:30 a.m. (MT), NBC
GAME NOTES
This has been a series of streaks as Notre Dame won the first 11 games, Air Force the next four and the Irish the next eight prior to an
Air Force victory in the last meeting. The teams played in the first overtime game in Notre Dame Stadium in their last meeting in 1996.
Notre Dame is 118-22-5 vs. service academy teams. Air Force and Notre Dame meet next on October 19, 2002, in Colorado Springs.
THE SERIES
Notre Dame leads 19-5. Last Meeting: Air Force 20-17 (OT), 1996, South Bend, Ind.
THE COACHES
Fisher DeBerry has compiled a 131-71-1 overall record in 16-plus seasons at Air Force. His teams are 3-8 vs. Notre Dame. Fighting
Irish coach Bob Davie is in his fourth year at Notre Dame with a 26-18 record.
Players to Watch - Air Force (5-2, 3-2 MWC)
Passer: Mike Thiessen (7 GP, 112-61-3, 54.5 Pct, 1,007 Yds, 9 TDs, Longest Pass - 81 Yds)
Rusher: Mike Thiessen (7 GP, 115 Att., 439 Yds, 3.8 Avg Per Rush., 8 TD, Longest Rush - 34 Yds)
Receiver: Ryan Fleming (7 GP, 27 Rec., 548 Yds, 20.3 Avg Per Rec., 4 TD, Longest Rec. - 61 Yds)
Tackler: C.J. Zanotti (7 GP, 22-33-55, 4 Sack, 9 TFL, 2 PBU, 1 Fumble Recovery)
Players to Watch - Notre Dame (5-2)
Passer: Matt LoVecchio (4 GP, 55-32-1, 58.2 Pct, 420 Yds, 6 TD, Longest Pass - 43 Yds)
Rusher: Julius Jones (7 GP, 110 Att., 456 Yds, 4.1 Avg Per Rush., 5 TD, Longest Rush - 56 Yds)
Receiver: David Givens (7 GP, 16 Rec., 221 Yds, 13.8 Avg Per Rec., 2 TD, Longest Rec. - 46 Yds)
Tackler: Anthony Denman (7 GP, 35-23-58, 5 Sacks, 9 TFL)
UNLV at Ole Miss
Saturday, October 28
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (50,577)
Oxford, Miss.
11 a.m. (PT)
GAME NOTES
This is believed to be the first time two schools with the nickname "Rebels" have met on the gridiron. UNLV is looking for its first
road win of the season. Ole Miss is coming off a bye week. The Mississippi offense enters the contest averaging 27.5 points per game
and 395 yards total offense, while the Ole Miss defense is allowing 22.3 points per contest and 333.3 yards total offense.
THE SERIES
First meeting.
THE COACHES
John Robinson is in his second season at UNLV and is 7-11 overall. Prior to UNLV, Robinson coached at Southern California for 12
years (1976-82, `93-97) and the NFL's Los Angeles Rams for nine years (1983-91). His college coaching record stands at 111-46-4, while
his NFL record was 79-74. Mississippi coach David Cutcliffe is in his second season at the helm of the Ole Miss program with a 13-6
record.
Players to Watch - UNLV (4-3, 2-2 MWC)
Passer: Jason Thomas (7 GP, 99-57-3, 57.6 Pct, 1,066 Yds, 9 TD, Longest Pass - 57 Yds)
Rushing (7 GP, 89 Att., 408 Yds, 4.6 Avg Per Rush., 7 TD, Longest Rush - 72 Yds)
Rusher: Kevin Brown (7 GP, 82 Att., 473 Yds, 5.8 Avg Per Rush., 2 TD, Longest Rush - 53 Yds)
Receiver: Nate Turner (7 GP, 36 Rec., 571 Yds, 15.9 Avg Per Rec., 6 TD, Longest Rec. - 57 Yds)
Tackler: Sam Brandon (7 GP, 30-19-49, 1 TFL, 3 PBU)
Players to Watch - Ole Miss (4-2, 2-2 SEC)
Passer: Romaro Miller (6 GP, 157-92-9, 58.6 Pct, 1,114 Yds, 10 TD, Longest Pass - 67 Yds)
Rusher: Deuce McAllister (6 GP, 81 Att., 446 Yds, 5.5 Avg Per Rush., 8 TD, Longest Rush - 50 Yds)
Receiver: Grant Heard (6 GP, 23 Rec., 297 Yds, 12.9 Avg Per Rec., 4 TD, Longest Rec. - 40 Yds)
Tackler: Syniker Taylor (6 GP, 22-18-40, 3 TFL, 7 PBU, 2 Fumble Recoveries)
MWC BOWL TIE-INS
The Mountain West Conference has three guaranteed bowl berths in 2000. The conference champion is slated for the AXALiberty
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. Newly added to the MWC bowl lineup is the Silicon Valley Football Classic on Dec. 31 from San Jose, Calif. The
inaugural game will be carried by Fox Sports Net and pits the Mountain West third selection against the third pick from the WAC.
The addiditon of the Silicon Valley Football Classic to the MWC bowl lineup gives the conference six bowl berths in its two-year
history.
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
254-100-3 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.
BROTHER ACT
Utah brothers Patrick and Andre Dyson now also have the Mountain West Conference record book in common. The pair are tied for
second place in the conference for longest interception return. Each has returned an INT 58 yards for a touchdown this season.
Andre was the first to reach paydirt with his pick coming against California on September 9th. Not to be out done, Patrick got into
the act with touchdown return vs. Colorado State, October 21st.
MEMORABLE OUTING
BYU quarterback Charlie Peterson etched is name in the Mountain West Conference record book with his performance against San
Diego State. The junior signal-caller threw for 376 yards, on 34-of-58 passing vs. the Aztecs. His numbers rank second all-time in
attempts (58), tied for second in completions (34), fourth in passing yards (376), second for most plays (65) and fourth in total
offense (366).