Heisman hopeful leads Utah

There will be a lot of firsts when Pitt takes the field to meet undefeated Utah on New Year’s… There will be a lot of firsts when Pitt takes the field to meet undefeated Utah on New Year’s day in the Fiesta Bowl

It is the first ever Bowl Championship Series game for both teams and is Pitt’s first Fiesta Bowl in 20 years, as the Panthers are coming off their first ever Big East championship

There could also be some lasts in the game. It will be the last game coached by Utah coach Urban Meyer, who recently took the head coaching position at Florida, but will coach the bowl game before heading to Gainesville. It potentially could be the final game for Pitt coach Walt Harris as well, as rumors continue to circulate about Stanford’s interest in the Panthers’ leader.

One thing that is for certain, however, is that it will be the first time all season the Panthers (8-3) have seen an offense quite like the Utes’ when the 8:30 p.m. kickoff rolls around and all of America is watching.

“They are very innovative on offense,” Harris said earlier this week.

Utah (11-0) comes in with a high-powered offense — averaging 46.3 points per contest — that has taken the Mountain West Conference by storm. The Utes average more than 500 yards of offense a game, almost perfectly balanced between run and pass, perhaps the most prolific offensive unit the Panthers have seen all season.

Led by Heisman-finalist Alex Smith, the Ute passing attack has spread out and exposed teams such as Brigham Young and Texas A’M. Smith has thrown for 2,624 yards and 28 touchdowns and only four interceptions this season. His 174.9 passer rating is second in the nation and has earned him National Player of the Year honors by The Sporting News.

“Alex Smith is a pretty amazing athlete,” Pitt lineman Vince Crochunis said. “He gets a lot of things done running the ball and throwing it.”

On the receiving end of Smith’s aerial assault are Paris Warren and Steve Savoy. Warren, a senior, has 878 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on a team-leading 65 receptions this season. Opposite him, Savoy leads the Utes in receiving yards (891) and touchdowns (11) as only a sophomore.

Not only have the Utes done it through the air, but on the ground as well. Again led by Smith, a potent Utah rushing attack averages 244.9 yards per game. Starting tailback Marty Johnson leads the team with 782 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns, but Smith has nearly as many carries as Johnson, rushing for 563 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Utes have scored more than 23 points in every game this season, and have beaten every team by at least two touchdowns. Utah’s most productive offensive games include two 63-point outings against Colorado State and UNLV, a 52-21 drubbing of Brigham Young and a 46-16 pounding of North Carolina, who upset Miami earlier this season.

Defensively, the Utes have quietly been having a productive season as well. Overshadowed by the gaudy offensive numbers Smith and his offense have put up, the defense yields an average of 20.6 points per game, but what the Utes do particularly well is force turnovers. Utah’s defense has recovered eight fumbles and intercepted 16 passes to give its offense plenty of chances to score.

“[Utah’s defense] is a lot better than most people want to give credit,” Harris said. “Their offense has received a lot of accolades, but their defense is just as good.”

“They get the job done on defense,” Crochunis said. “Defense wins championships and that is why they are a good team; they come to work each week.”

With such a productive offense opposite them this game, the Panther offense may feel the pressure to score first to set the tone.

Or, maybe even last.