Friday, December 17 Fresno State, Utah return to rivalry
Associated Press
LAS VEGAS -- Utah coach Ron McBride understands Fresno
State's hurt.
Once rivals in the same league, the teams meet Saturday in the
Las Vegas Bowl for the first time since they went their separate
ways following the breakup of the Western Athletic Conference.
"It really wasn't done in a professional manner," said
McBride, whose school was among eight that left the WAC to form the
Mountain West Conference, which played its first season this year.
"Basically they called up one day and said, 'We're not married
any more. See ya.' It would be like you coming home and your wife
is gone, the furniture is gone. It's the same deal. But it was also
a decision that had to be made. Sixteen teams, that was just too
many and something had to be done, bottom line."
Fresno State (8-4) had hoped to join the splinter group but was
denied and remained in the WAC, which carried on this season with
eight teams, half its former complement. Nevada is scheduled to
join the league next year, with Boise State and Louisiana Tech
coming into the WAC and Texas Christian leaving in July 2001.
"Everybody says, 'Well, don't you feel bad? You got left out,'
" Fresno State coach Pat Hill said. "I don't think we got left
out. They're the ones that left. There was a break. Colorado State
was one of (Mountain West's) co-champions. We beat them 44-13. Now
it's all about playing Utah. It'll be interesting."
The Utes (8-3) are appearing in a bowl game for the fifth time
since 1992, winning a share of the inaugural Mountain West crown by
beating Brigham Young 20-17 in the regular season finale Nov. 20.
The Bulldogs also won a co-championship, putting a stamp on
their first winning season since 1993 with a 63-12 victory over San
Jose State and heading to a bowl for the first time in six years.
Utah defensive end John Frank, named the Mountain West's
defensive player of the year in a vote by coaches, said he's not
surprised by the lingering bitterness over the split.
"Putting myself in their shoes, of course you would want to get
some revenge," Frank said. "They're a tough team and there's no
reason they should have been left out. Of course there's so many
things that go into it, monetarily and politically. I don't know
the intricacies of all that but it certainly wasn't based on their
talent."
Fresno State quarterback Billy Volek, who completed a
career-best 66 percent of his passes while throwing for 30
touchdowns and just three interceptions, said the Bulldogs carried
the WAC flag against a former league rival already and look forward
to doing it again.
"We had a game earlier against Colorado State. It was a good
chance to represent the WAC and we did," Volek said. "This is
just another chance to show what the WAC can do."
Both teams come into the game with high-powered offenses. Each
led their respective conferences in scoring, averaging better than
30 points per game.
Still, defense played a big role in both teams' success this
season. Utah held opponents to 17.6 points per game while the
Bulldogs allowed 22.1, putting both schools in the top 35
nationally in scoring defense.
"To be honest, I think it's going to be a defensive battle,"
Fresno State tight end Vince Branstetter said. "I think we're
pretty stingy on defense and I know they are."
Fresno State will be without reserve cornerback Devon Banks, who
broke his hand in the San Jose State game.
For Utah, quarterback-wide receiver Darnell Arceneaux, sidelined
since suffering a major concussion Nov. 6 against Wyoming, has been
cleared to play. He'll back up starter T.D. Croshaw, who rejoined
his teammates in Las Vegas on Friday after taking a one-day timeout
to return to Salt Lake City and get married.
The Utes will be without wide receiver-returner Steve Smith
because of a neck injury as well as offensive tackle Kevin Wilson,
who broke some ribs in a car accident two weeks ago.
