Utah Utes football: High winds make for difficult day through the air

LARAMIE, Wyo. — Utah's earliest visit to Wyoming since 1998 was supposed to feature snow — at least that's what the weather forecast said.

Turned out to be rather blustery instead.

"It was the biggest factor. No doubt," head coach Kyle Whittingham said after the Utes' 40-7 win over the Cowboys at War Memorial Stadium. "The wind is more damaging to an offense than rain or snow. When you get a stiff wind like that it's very difficult to throw the football in either direction."

Utah and Wyoming combined for 187 yards passing and 25 first downs on Saturday.

U. quarterback Brian Johnson said the swirling winds changed directions often.

So much for the theory of better weather earlier in the season.

In a series that alternates home games every year, the Utes made mid-November journeys to Laramie in 2000, 2002 and 2004. Before the latter, former head coach Urban Meyer made a plea for change.

"That's a tradition I'd like to snap," he said.

In 2006, the schedule-maker did so — sending the Utes to Wyoming on Oct. 14 instead. The Cowboys prevailed that day, 31-15, for their first win over Utah since 1999.

NOT SO FULL: The announced attendance for Wyoming's homecoming game was 17,123. It was the Cowboys' smallest home crowd of the year, drawing less interest than a Sept. 27 contest against Bowling Green (17,411) and a Sept. 13 visit by North Dakota State (19,156).

The weather forecast, which called for snow, kept many folks home and led the postponement of a chili cook-off that was to accompany the game.

INJURY UPDATE: The Utes won the game but may have lost a few battles on the injury front.

"We got a little banged up," Whittingham said. "We have some guys that are questionable for next week."

The list includes defensive end Koa Misi, linebacker Kepa Gaison, safety Terrell Cole, special teams standout Trevor Miss and tight end Neli A'asa.

Whittingham said two or three other players were also injured. He declined to discuss specifics, pending visits to the team doctors today.

EXTRA POINTS: Utah now leads the all-time series with Wyoming, which began in 1904, by a 49-31-1 margin ... The Cowboys fell to 40-41-3 in homecoming games ... Backup quarterback Corbin Louks led the Utes with 50 yards rushing ... Safety Joe Dale and defensive tackle Greg Newman finished with a team-high seven tackles ... Freddie Brown topped the receivers with four catches for 57 yards ... Ben Vroman averaged a whopping 68.2 yards on eight kickoffs, including five touchbacks ... Wyoming's Devin Moore finished with 106 yards rushing, the best individual performance against Utah's defense this season ... The gusty winds and cool temperatures forced a change in the Utes' return trip to Salt Lake City after the game. Instead of flying out of Cheyenne, they were bused up to Denver where de-icing equipment was available.

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com

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