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Show head coach ron mcbride RON MCBRIDE Year at Utah: 6th Utah Record: 34-26 Career Record: 34-26 Bowl Games: 1-2 When Ron McBride took charge of the Utah football program in 1990, he knew all about rankings. After all, the Ute team just prior to his hiring ranked last in the nation defensively. But now, thanks to McBride, Ute fans no longer rankle at the rankings. Last year, his fifth as Ute head coach, McBride merely led his team to afirst-everTop-lOranking. The 1994 Utes, ranked as high as No. 9 by the Associated Press after winning their first eight games, finished the year No. 10. Their 10-2 record ranks as the best in school history and their stunning come-from- behind win over Arizona in the Freedom Bowl may rank as the biggest win ever for a Ute football team. As for Utah's defense-the cellar dweller of the NCAA before McBride took over? Well, it ranked at the top of the Western Athletic Conference in every category. Before the McBride era, one needed to go clear back to 1964 to find a WAC title and a bowl invitation for a Ute team. Despite the long drought, McBride promised immediate success. He pledged his teams would contend for the WAC title and make regular bowl appearances. To date, McBride has backed up his bold guarantees with three straight bowl trips. And he came just one game short of delivering the WAC championship to Salt Lake City. McBride's Utes finished second in the WAC race and were the only team to defeat champion Colorado State during the regular season. The near miss at the WAC championship is about all McBride has missed out on after his first half decade. A 34-game winner, McBride reached win No. 30 faster than any coach in Ute history. He steered his Utes to an 8-0 start- the best since the 1930 Utes finished at 8-0. McBride's Utes won their first bowl game since 1964, won a school-record 10 games (10-2), defeated Brigham Young in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the late '60s and went 4-0 against ranked teams in 1994. McBride steered his club to victory over Pacific- 10 champion Oregon, Pac-10 runner-up Arizona and WAC champ Colorado State. Of Utah's five all-time bowl appearances, three have come under McBride. Six-plus win seasons have also become a McBride trademark. Fifty-two years had passed without a coach accomplishing four consecutive six-win seasons before McBride took charge. Before his tenure, only one coach in school history had ever won seven games twice in his first four years. A decade had passed since a Ute coach Ron McBride and wife Vicky after Utah's 1993 win over BYU in Provo. Last December, McBride's comeback kids broke new ground, when they scored the winning touchdown with three minutes remaining against Arizona. Two years ago, McBride's Utes finished the season ranked fifth nationally in total offense (484.6 ypg) and seventh in passing offense (324.3 ypg). His 1992 club finished fourth nationally in total offense. The 1994 Ute team was fourth nationally in scoring offense. But the biggest strides in the program since McBride's hiring have been on the defensive side of the ball. After just two years as head Ute coach, he converted a defense that ranked dead last in the nation the year prior to his hiring into the best defensive unit in the WAC. The 1994 Ute defense led the WAC in every statistical category. The U. was 18th nationally in total defense and ninth in rushing defense. His 1992 Utes led the league in passing defense. On the academic front, his teams have produced similar numbers. After the 1995-96 academic year, 91 of the 106 seniors who played for McBride will have graduated. McBride promised lots of wins and regular bowl appearances when he became Utah's 15th head football coach in 1990. In March of 1995, he promised to spend the rest of the century as Utah's head coach, when he signed a five-year contract. Certainly, those next five years promise to be bright. found regular success outside Rice Stadium, yet McBride has never dipped below .500 on the road. Four coaches and 22 years had passed without Utah winning at Brigham Young, which McBride accomplished his second trip there. And no Ute coach had ever broken into the double-digit win column. Each of the past three seasons stopped at bowl games-the last two at the Freedom Bowl. All three postseason games pitted an underdog Utah program against powerful Pac-10 opponents. In 1992 and '93, Utah came up just short after huge second-half comebacks (losing to Washington State, 31-28, in the 1992 Weiser Lock Copper Bowl, and falling to Southern California, 28-21, in the 1993 Freedom Bowl). 1 9 9 5 U T A H F O O T B A LL Here's a closer look at McBride. MCBRIDE HIGHLIGHTS AT THE U 1994-Freedom Bowl champions (16-13 over Arizona)... finished season ranked No. 10 AP (No. 8 USA Today/CNN)... ranked as high as No. 9 AP (school record)... 10-2 record is best ever at Utah ... 8-0 start tied school record... Luther Elliss named to AP, Football Writers, AFCA Coaches, Scripps Howard and UPI All- America first team ... Utes placed most players (7) of any team on all-WAC first team (Elliss, Lance Scott, Curtis Marsh, Anthony Brown, Mark Rexford, Kareem Leary and Ernest Boyd)... Elliss named WAC Defensive head coach ron mcbride Player of Year... Ute defense led WAC in every category (No. 9 nationally in rush defense) ... 3 academic all-WAC players... Utes were 4-0 against ranked teams... Utes defeated Pac- 10 champion Oregon and WAC champion Colorado State. 1993-Invited to Freedom Bowl (second straight bowl appearance) and nearly upset Pac-10 tri-champ (lost to USC, 28-21)... defeated BYU in Provo for first time since 1971 ... 7-6 final record ... Luther Elliss and Lance Scott named first-team all-WAC ... offense ranked second in WAC and fifth nationally... 5 academic all-WAC picks. 1992-Invitation to Weiser Lock Copper Bowl was first Ute bowl trip in 28 years (lost to heavily favored Washington State, 31-28)... 6-5 regular season record marked second straight winning season (first by same U. coach since 1972-73) ... WAC's passing defense and third down defense leader ... first win ever at Air Force (20-13)... Luther Elliss named first-team all-WAC. 1991-Utes ranked first in WAC in total defense, second in passing defense and third in both scoring defense and turnover margin... improved defense 41 places nationally (from 106th, last in nation prior to McBride, to 65th in 1991)... 7-5 record in 1991 was best Ute mark in 6 years... 4 first-team all-WAC picks: Anthony Davis, Bryan Rowley, Jimmy Bellamy, Lavon Edwards... 8 academic all-WAC picks. 1990-Upset Minnesota on road (35-29) in second game of head coaching career ... 2-1 ledger against Pac-10 (loss was 21-15 at ASU)... first win over Wyoming in Laramie since 1972 (57-42)... Anthony Davis was first-team all-WAC. ASSISTANT COACHING HIGHLIGHTS At Arizona (assistant head coach, offensive line coach, 1987-89): Second in Pac-10 ... Copper Bowl... Glenn Parker and Joe Tofflemire were second-team All-Americans... Parker was also first-team all-Pac-10, while four-time all-conference pick Tofflemire won Morris Award (top lineman in Pac-10) and was second-round draft pick of Seattle Seahawks... Wildcats led Pac- 10 in rushing all three years. At Utah (offensive line coach, 1985-86; offensive coordinator, 1977-82): Seven all-WAC offensive linemen in eight total years ... 3 players (Dean Miraldi, Wayne Jones and Dave Cullity) played in NFL... As offensive coordinator, Utes were 35-30-1. At Wisconsin (offensive line coach, 1983-84): Badgers were 14-8-1 ... 1984 Hall of Fame Bowl ... coached Paul Gruber (first lineman taken in NFL draft) and Jeff Dellanbach (Most Valuable Lineman in Big Ten and second-team Ail- American). WINNING MARK In 26 years of coaching college football, which included stints at Cal State-Long Beach, C a l - R i v e r s i d e , Gavilan Junior College and San Jose State, in addition to the above schools listed, the 54-year-old South Gate, Calif., native has been involved in 22 winning seasons. Thirty-six of his proteges have advanced to the professional ranks. The four Utah draft picks in April 1995 was the most ever by a Ute team. Of those four-Luther Elliss, Lance Scott, Curtis Marsh and Bronzell Miller-one (Elliss) was a first-round pick. MCBRIDE'S COACHING SYNOPSIS 1990-present, head coach, Utah; 1987-89, assistant head coach/offensive line, Arizona; 1985-86, offensive line, Utah; 1983-84, offensive line, Wisconsin; 1977-82, offensive coordinator, Utah; 1974-76, offensive coordinator, Cal State-Long Beach; 1972-73, offensive coordinator, Cal-Riverside; 1969-71, offensive coordinator/defensive line (one year), Gavilan Junior College; 1966-68, defensive coordinator, Piedmont Hills High School (San Jose); 1965, freshman coach/defensive coordinator/ linebackers, San Jose State. MCBRIDE'S PLAYING CAREER An all-city football and baseball standout at Los Angeles' South Gate High from 1954-57, McBride went on to become team captain at The extended McBride family reunited at the 1994 Freedom Bowl. San Jose State, where he played football from 1959-62. Following his days as a Spartan linebacker, McBride played professional football with San Jose of the USA League, where he was a linebacker and defensive coordinator. MCBRIDE'S PHILOSOPHY Known as a player's coach, McBride coined the acronym MAFU to explain his philosophy. MAFU stands for "mental toughness, aggressiveness, fanatical effort and unity." PERSONAL A 1964 San Jose State graduate, McBride earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education. McBride and his wife Vicky are parents of four children: Danny (36), Mike (34), Jill (31) and Kelly (28). Jill's husband (John Baxter) is an assistant football coach at Tulane. Birthdate: Oct. 14, 1939. Hometown: South Gate, Calif. Year 1990.. 1991.. 1992.. 1993.. 1994.. Totals School .. Utah . Utah . Utah . Utah . Utah Overall .... 4- 7... .... 7- 5... .... 6- 6... .... 7- 6... ....10- 2... ....34-26... MAC'S WAC Record 2- 6 4- 4 4- 4 5- 3 6- 2 21-19 MARK WAC Place 7th 4th 5th (tie).... 4th (tie).... 2nd (tie)... Postseason .. Weiser Lock Copper Bowl .. Freedom Bowl .. Freedom Bowl 1-2 F R E E D O M BOWL C H A M P I O NS A assistant coaches FRED GRAVES Offensive Coordinator 14th Year COACHING CAREER At Utah: 1995, offensive coordinator; 1994, assistant head coach, wide receivers; 1991-93, wide receivers; 1990, running backs; 1982-1989, wide receivers. Utah Synopsis: First-year offensive coordinator Fred Graves is in his 14th year on the U. coaching staff. He spent last year as assistant head coach and receivers coach. He will retain his receiver duties as offensive coordinator. Graves was appointed receivers coach back in 1982- his responsibility every year since, with the exception of 1990. In 1990, Graves coached the U. running backs. Bowl Games: 1992 Weiser Lock Copper, 1993 Freedom, 1994 Freedom. Prior to Utah: 1979-81, tight ends/wide receivers, New Mexico State; 1977-78, tight ends/wide receivers, Western Illinois; 1975-76, tight ends/ wide receivers, Northeast Missouri; 1974, head coach, Verbum Dei High School (Calif.). COACHING NOTES Elevated to offensive coordinator in February, Graves' 14-year tenure is the second^long-est of any current.Ute coach. He spent last year's Freedom Bowl championship season as assistant head coach-a promotion from his longtime position as receivers coach. Graves will retain his responsibilities for the receivers this fall, where his coaching skills are evidenced by the number of his proteges in the Ute record book. Graves' list of accomplishments features five first-team all-Western Athletic Conference picks, the most recent Curtis Marsh in 1994. Deron Claiborne made second-team all-WAC last year. Graves, the primary figure behind the recruitment and development of Utah's receiving cast for more than a decade, tutored the likes of All- America wideout Bryan Rowley (1991) and Carl Harry, who led the WAC in receptions in 1988. Ten of his players have advanced to the professional ranks, including Marsh, a draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in April. Last season's receiving tandem of Marsh and Claiborne was the WAC's best. Marsh led the league in touchdown catches (11) and Claiborne ranked second in receptions (63). The two combined for three 100-yard games. In 1993, Graves' wideouts made Utah history when two (Rowley and Claiborne) each grabbed 100 yards in receptions in back-to-back games. Slot back Henry Lusk was named offensive MVP of the 1993 Freedom Bowl, after a 6-catch, 140-yard game. Last year, freshman Kevin Dyson made the end zone catch that won the Freedom Bowl. In the past two years alone, four of Graves' players (Claiborne twice) caught over 700 yards in passes. Each of those four had at least one 100- yard game to his credit. Graves has spent 12 of his 13 years at Utah monitoring the U. receiving cast. He spent the 1990 season as running backs coach. In his one-year sabbatical from the receivers, Graves helped then first-year head coach Ron McBride move away from a predominantly passing offense to a pass-run mix. Last year, his receivers helped Utah become the No. 1 scoring offense in the WAC (fourth nationally), by grabbing 28 touchdown passes. The 3,061 yards (278.3 ypg) accounted for by Graves' receivers in 1994 made Utah the nation's ninth most prolific passing offense. Prior to returning to the staff of his alma mater, Graves logged seven seasons as an assistant coach at three other schools: two at Northeast Missouri, two at Western Illinois and three at New Mexico State. In 1974, he was head coach at Verbum Dei High School (Calif.). PLAYERS COACHED BY GRAVES Bryan Rowley-Utah's career reception record holder (177 catches for 3,143 yards), Rowley was named to the Sporting News' All-America second team as a junior in 1991. Rowley, voted by the fans to Utah's "All-Century Team," also tied a school record in the final regular season game of his career, when he caught his 25th career touchdown pass. He once burned Hawaii for 200 reception yards (1991), which ranks third in school history. Rowley was a first-team all-WAC pick in 1991. Carl Harry-No one in Ute history accumulated as many reception yards in a single game as Harry. He had 255 in a game against Idaho State back in 1988. A first-team all-WAC pick in 1988, Harry set the school single-season record for reception yards per game (104.1). His 1,145 yards in receptions that season also remains a Ute all-time best. Harry's career average of 67.1 yards per game ranks second in Ute history. He competed in the Blue-Gray game upon the completion of his career and played professionally for the Washington Redskins and Houston Oilers. Loren Richey-In 1986, Loren Richey caught 1 9 9 5 U T A H F O O T B A LL a school-record 17 passes against UTEP. He took three of those catches into the end zone, a feat managed by just five other Utes in the 103-year history of the program. His 213-yard game against UTEP stands as the second best ever at Utah. Richey finished his two-year Ute career as the school's career record holder in reception yards per game (83.1). In 1985, Richey set the U. record (since tied) with 73 receptions. He later signed an NFL contract with the Los Angeles Rams. Fredd Young-While an assistant at New Mexico State (1979-81), Graves coached Young, who later became an all-pro linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts. Leo Barker-Coached by Graves at New Mexico State, Barker went on to play linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals. PLAYING CAREER Graves' contributions to the Ute program extend beyond the realm of coaching. As an undergraduate, he played halfback and split end for the Utes from 1968-71. He started at halfback in 1969 and 1970, and moved to split end in 1971. His senior year, he led the team in receptions (45), After graduating in 1971, Graves played part of a season with the Chicago Bears of the NFL, and also spent time with the California Sun of the World Football League. PERSONAL DATA Birthdate-Mar. 2,1950 Hometown-Los Angeles, Calif. Education-1971, bachelor's degree (business), Utah Family-Three children: Dawnyell, Amber and Joseph. KYLE WHITTINGHAM Defensive Coordinator 2nd Year COACHING CAREER At Utah: 1995, defensive coordinator; 1994, defensive line. Utah Synopsis: In just his second year with the Ute program, 35-year-old Kyle Whittingham will i£k assistant coaches take charge of Utah's defense as its defensive coordinator. Whittingham spent last season as defensive line coach. With his new appointment, he becomes the second Whittingham to hold the defensive coordinator title at Utah: Kyle's father Fred resigned his post as Ute defensive coordinator following the 1994 season to take a coaching job with the Los Angeles Raiders of the NFL. In addition to coordinating Utah's defensive effort, Whittingham will coach the safeties this fall. Bowl Games: 1994 Freedom. Prior to Utah: 1992-93, defensive coordinator, Idaho State. 1988-91, linebackers, Idaho State; 1985-86, graduate assistant, Brigham Young. COACHING NOTES Kyle Whittingham followed his father's footsteps to Utah in 1994, and filled his shoes in 1995. Kyle, a first-year U. defensive line coach last season, assumed Fred Whittingham's coordinator position in February of '95, when the senior Whittingham departed for the NFL coaching ranks. The new Whittingham at the controls came to Utah via Idaho State, where he spent six years-the last two as the Bengals' defensive coordinator. His ISU linebackers made a mark during his tenure, but nothing like the splash Whittingham's defensive line made in his first year at Utah. Whittingham supervised the Western Athletic Conference's finest defensive line in 1994. Defensive tackle Luther Elliss, a first-round draft pick of the Detroit Lions, was a near consensus Ail-American and WAC Defensive Player of the Year. Defensive end Bronzell Miller, the WAC's sack leader (12), made the league's second team, and tackle Henry Kaufusi was tapped for honorable mention honors. As defensive line coach, Whittingham played a big role in Utah's No. 1 defensive ranking. His linemen were in on all but three of Utah's total sacks and pressured opposing quarterbacks into throwing 19 interceptions. Elliss was Utah's second leading tackier (78) and Miller led the club with five caused fumbles. Before bringing his considerable talents Utah's way, Whittingham was a bright spot in the otherwise struggling Idaho State program. In his four years as linebacker coach, Whittingham's 'backers led the team in tackles every year. In 1992, his linebackers made history, when Mahe Liavaa, Pete Davis and Brian Holland became the first Bengal trio ever (at any position) to each account for more than 100 tackles in a single season. In his first two seasons as ISU's defensive coordinator, Whittingham's defense allowed 301 and 316 points, respectively, in 1992 and '93. The 316 points in 1992 was ISU's fewest allowed in a season since 1985. Whittingham also coached a 1992 first-team all-league linebacker in Liavaa-ISU's first such honoree since the 1984 season. Whittingham went to Idaho State in 1988, after splitting the preceding season between coaching at the College of Eastern Utah (defensive coordinator) and playing for the Los Angeles Rams. During the 1985-86 seasons, he served as a graduate assistant coach at Brigham Young. PLAYERS COACHED BY WHITTINGHAM Luther Elliss-The finest defensive lineman ever to play for Utah, Elliss is Utah's career leader in tackles for loss (29-91) and ranks second in sacks (19). Elliss, a four-year starter, made the all-WAC first team the last three. A near consensus All-American in 1994, Elliss was also the WAC Defensive MVP. He blazed his way to five All-America first teams: AP, Football Writers, AFCA Coaches, Scripps Howard and UPI as a senior tackle. Elliss was a first-round draft pick (No. 20) in 1995-going to the Detroit Lions. Bronzell Miller-A second-team all-WAC player in 1994, Miller led the league in sacks with 12. He also caused five fumbles-most on the team and recorded five tackles for loss, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. He forced the fumble that stopped BYU's potential game-winning drive, deep in Utah territory in 1994, allowing the Utes to hold on for victory. Miller was later drafted by the St. Louis Rams. Mahe Liavaa-One of Whittingham's linebackers at Idaho State, he made first-team all-Big Sky linebacker in 1992-the first Bengal to earn such an honor since 1984. He totalled over 100 tackles in '92. PLAYING CAREER As a player for Brigham Young in the early '80s, Whittingham etched his name as one of the finest linebackers in school and WAC history. A four-year letterman, Whittingham made first-team all-WAC in 1981 and was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year. He was Sports Illustrated player of the week after a game against San Diego State in 1981, when he totalled 22 tackles (15 unassisted) and four sacks. He participated in the first four Holiday Bowls and contributed 16 unassisted tackles in BYU's 46-45 last-second win over Southern Methodist in the 1980 event. Following his senior season, Whittingham played in the Hula and Japan Bowls. Whittingham then launched a professional career that included stops with the Denver Gold and New Orleans Breakers in the U.S. Football League (USFL) from 1983-85. He played on the L.A. Rams' replacement squad during the second half of the 1987 season. PERSONAL DATA Birthdate-Nov. 21,1959 Hometown-Provo, Utah Education-1984, bachelor's degree (educational psychology), BYU; 1987, master's degree (athletic administration), BYU Family-Married to the former Jamie Daniels. Three children: Tyler, Melissa, Alex. SEAN MCNABB Running Backs/Special Teams 19th year COACHING CAREER At Utah: 1992-present, running backs/special teams, Utah; 1985-1991, tight ends/special teams, Utah; 1977-84, running backs/special teams, Utah. Utah Synopsis: Sean McNabb undertakes his 19th season on the Ute staff in 1995. For the past three years, he has coached the running backs and special teams, the same post he held from 1977-84. From 1985-91, he coached the tight ends and special teams. Bowl Games: 1992 Weiser Lock Copper, 1993 Freedom, 1994 Freedom. Prior to Utah: 1974-76, assistant coach, Cal State-Long Beach; 1972-73, assistant coach, UC-Riverside. COACHING NOTES The dean of the Utah football staff, Sean McNabb is in his 19th year with the program. There have been four head coaches at Utah since 1977-and each retained McNabb as an assistant. Versatility and success-McNabb trademarks- explain his longevity. He put the former to use on two notable occasions: After coaching the running backs from 1977-84, he moved to the tight ends. In seven years, his tight ends accumulated more than 7,000 yards of total offense and scored 50-plus touchdowns. Three years ago, McNabb returned to the helm of the running back game. Amazingly, in an age of specialization, McNabb has enjoyed F R E E D O M BOWL C H A M P I O NS ^k. assistant coaches J the opportunity to either play or coach every position on the field, except the secondary. As for success, his positions have prospered, regardless of their place on the field. McNabb's shift to running backs four years ago proved beneficial for the U. offense. In that time, his backs produced 14 100-yard games. Last year, McNabb took a brand new backfield and molded it into a 170-yard-per-game unit- the most yards averaged on the ground by a Ute team in a decade. Charlie Brown, rarely used since his freshman year, raced to four 100-yard games as a senior in 1994. Brown improved steadily under McNabb's coaching-with all four of his "centuries" coming in the last four games. In 1992, McNabb monitored one of Utah's best tailback combinations-Keith Williams and Pierre Jones-and then successfully moved Utah to a one-back mode a year later. In 1993, fullback Jamal Anderson rushed for 100-plus yards in five games, including 156 yards against San Diego State. Sean McNabb, the dean of the Utah coaching staff, is in his 19th year. The 1995 staff features two new coordinators: Fred Graves on offense and Kyle Whittingham on defense. During a previous eight-year stint as running backs coach (1977-84), McNabb instructed some of the biggest names in Utah rushing history, including school (and/or WAC) record-holders Tony Lindsay, Del "Popcorn" Rodgers, Carl Monroe and Eddie Johnson. In fact, of all the "modem era" (since 1946) Ute running backs to gain 100 yards in a game, more than half were coached by McNabb. McNabb works wizardry with the special teams, too. He tapped freshman Cal Beck as his No. 1 kick returner last year and Beck responded with returns that set up the winning score against both Brigham Young and Arizona (in the Freedom Bowl). Beck returned a kick 72 yards against Arizona-all the way to the Ute 5-yard line with 4:00 remaining. His 67-yard run back against BYU also set up Utah's late game-winning TD. In 1993, Keith Williams returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown at Wyoming. In 1992, La Von Edwards (who led the WAC in punt returns in 1988), completed his career as Utah's all-time punt return leader. McNabb previously coached a pair of NCAA kickoff return leaders in Carl Monroe and Errol Tucker. In 1985, Tucker became the only returner in NCAA history to lead the nation in both punt and kickoff returns the same year. Under his eye, Utah's special teams have blocked 33 kicks in the last five years. In a battle of WAC unbeatens, Utah's special teams blocked three Colorado State kicks (punt, field goal, extra point). In 1990, the Utes blocked three field goals in their first three games; one of which led to a 91 -yard game-winning touchdown return as time expired against Minnesota. On the other side of the kick, Dan Pulsipher made all 48 point after attempts (50 for 50, including two boots at the Freedom Bowl) last year. The year before, place kicker Chris Yergensen finished his career as Utah's second leading point scorer ever, with 206 points. Other kickers to benefit from McNabb's expertise include school record-holders Andre Guardi, Scott Lieber and Wayne Lammle. Punter Steve Young finished his career second all time with 18 punts over 50 yards. McNabb also tutored punter Jason Jones into one of the WAC's best in '93 and '94. McNabb began his coaching career in 1972 as an assistant to former Ute football coach Wayne Howard at UC-Riverside. He would clock 10 years as Howard's assistant-following him to Cal State-Long Beach, where he spent three years as an assistant-and then journeying with Howard to Salt Lake. PLAYERS COACHED BY MCNABB Erroll Tucker-One of the most notable return specialists in Utah history, Tucker made three All- America teams as a senior in 1985 (first team Football Writers, The Sporting News and Football News). In 1985, he became the only player ever to lead the nation in punt and kickoff returns in the same year. Tucker, a first-team all- WAC pick in 1984 and '85, averaged 29.1 yards per kickoff as a senior (2 TDs) and 24.3 yards per punt (2 TDs). He later played in the NFL for Pittsburgh, Buffalo and New England. Eddie Johnson-Utah's career rushing leader, Johnson ran for 3,199 yards from 1984-88. He owns two of the three top rushing games in Utah history (248 vs. UTEP and 224 vs. Colorado State). Named to the all-WAC team as a freshman in 1984, Johnson finished his career with a school-record 13 100-yard games. His 26 career rushing touchdowns (four in one game against Brigham Young) rates second all-time at Utah. He averaged 72.7 yards per game over four years-second best ever at Utah. Carl Monroe-In 1982, Monroe produced the finest season ever by a Ute running back when he rushed for 137.0 yards per game. He still owns 1 9 9 5 U T A H F O O T B A LL seven Utah records-11 years after the completion of his career. Monroe's 1,507 rushing yards on 309 carries in 1982 have both stood the test of time. His average of 137.0 yards per game in '82 is 35 more than the runner-up in the record books. He compiled 328 all-purpose yards against Montana State as a senior-a year in which he made the all-WAC team. In 1982, he led the nation in both all-purpose yards and kickoff returns. Monroe went on to play in the NFL for San Francisco. Tony Lindsay-The first Ute player ever to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season, Lindsay's 2,995 career rushing yards from 1977-80 remains the second best mark in Ute history. His 648 career carries is most ever at Utah. He accumulated 11 100-yard games-third all-time at the U. Del "Popcorn" Rodgers-From 1978-81, Rodgers rushed for 2,995 yards, a number that ranks third all-time at Utah 14 years later. His 12 career 100-yard games stands second in the U. books. Rodgers, drafted by Green Bay after finishing his Ute career, is currently a sportscaster in Atlanta. Jamal Anderson-The most decorated Ute runner of late, Jamal Anderson compiled five 100- yard games as a senior in 1993-tying him for second in the U. record section. He is also runner- up for most rushing TDs in a single game: Anderson twice rushed for three scores in 1993. His 11 rushing TDs that year ranks third. Anderson is currently playing for the Atlanta Falcons. Andre Guardi-The best kicker in school history, Guardi once made 11 straight field goals in 1985. His 93 kick scoring points in a season is a U. record, as is his 227 career points. He made an amazing 125 of 127 point after attempts in his career. Guardi still holds the WAC record for both consecutive extra points and conversion percentage. Dennis Smith-A three-time NCAA leader in 1989, Smith still holds two NCAA records for tight ends. In 1989. he led the nation in touchdown receptions by a tight end (18), most receptions by a tight end (73) and most career TD receptions by a tight end (25). His 25 career TD receptions is tied for first at Utah, for any position, PLAYING CAREER After attending Notre Dame for two years, McNabb transferred to UC-Riverside, where he played both offensive and defensive line for two years. PERSONAL DATA Birthdate-Aug. 17,1950 Hometown-Carlsbad, Calif. Education-1972, bachelor's degree (political science), UC-Riverside ^ assistant coaches TIM DAVIS Offensive Line, Tackles/Tight Ends 6th Year COACHING CAREER At Utah: 1990-present, offensive line; 1981-82, student assistant, tight ends/special teams. Bowl Games: 1992 Weiser Lock Copper, 1993 Freedom, 1994 Freedom. Utah Synopsis: Tim Davis, a six-year Ute assistant coach, is in his second as the man in charge of the offensive tackles and tight ends. Davis was a Ron McBride hire his first year as head coach (1990), and was assigned to the offensive line. Last year, the Utes went to two offensive line coaches, with Davis assuming responsibilities for half the line and Don Eck coaching the other half (guards and centers). Prior to Utah: 1989, offensive line, Idaho State; 1988, offensive coordinator/offensive line, Walla Walla CC; 1987, offensive line/special teams/ scouting, Arizona; 1983-86, offensive line/tight ends/special teams/scouting, Wisconsin. Bowl Games: 1984 Hall of Fame. COACHING NOTES Tim Davis helped Utah's offensive line make a 360-degree turn in his first five years on the staff. Davis, who was greeted with a porous offensive line back in 1990, eventually helped build it into arguably the finest line in the Western Athletic Conference last year. One of Davis' main projects, tackle Anthony Brown, made first-team all-WAC and was an Associated Press third-team All-American. Davis also played a key role in the development of center Lance Scott, who made the all-WAC first team his junior and senior years. In 1993, Scott became the first Ute all-WAC center in 20 years. After the 1994 season, he was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals. Davis' line helped Utah emerge as one of the nation's top offensive teams over the last two years. In 1993, it protected quarterback Mike McCoy-second in the nation in total offense. It also benefitted the likes of fullback Jamal Anderson, who frequently credited the line for his five 100-yard rushing games in 1993. Last year, the Ute offensive linemen blocked for Charlie Brown, who finished the regular season with a school-record four straight 100-yard games. And, with plenty of time to find his receivers, McCoy became the WAC's most efficient quarterback (sixth nationally) and passed for 3,035 yards and 28 TDs in '94. Individuals other than Brown and Scott to benefit from Davis' coaching include four-year starting guard Roy Ma'afala (honorable mention all-WAC in 1994), tackle Mike DeHoog (second-team all-WAC in '92), and tight end Kurt Haws (a fourth-round draft choice of the Washington Redskins in 1993). Davis hooked back up with his alma mater after a year as offensive line coach at Idaho State. He also made coaching detours to Wisconsin, Arizona and Walla Walla Community College. Davis began his coaching career in 1981 as a student assistant offensive line coach with the Utes. The following year, he coached the tight ends and assisted with the U. special teams. In 1983, Davis went to Wisconsin, where during his four-year stint, he worked with the offensive line, tight ends, special teams and scouting. The 1984 Wisconsin team finished 7-4 and played in the Hall of Fame Bowl. In 1987, Davis moved on to Arizona, where he assisted with the Wildcat offensive line and special teams and handled scouting and academics. In 1988, he served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Walla Walla Community College, helping the Warriors to a 6-4 record and a Centennial Bowl berth. PLAYERS COACHED BY DAVIS Lance Scott-A two-time all-WAC pick (1993 and '94), Scott was the first Ute center to be so honored in 20 years when he made the all-WAC team as a junior. As a senior, he was the only repeater on the all-WAC offense first team. He also made UPI honorable mention All-American in 1994. Scott went in the fifth round to the NFL Arizona Cardinals upon the completion of his career. Anthony Brown-From his tackle position, Brown was named first-team all-WAC and a third-team AP All-American as a senior. He made second-team all-WAC in 1994. Kurt Haws-Primarily a blocking tight end at Utah, Haws caught just 10 passes as a senior in 1993, but two went for touchdowns. He later was drafted in the fourth round by the Washington Redskins. PLAYING CAREER Davis began his collegiate career at Chabot College, where he started on the offensive line for two years before signing with the Utes. At Utah, Davis was the team's Most Inspirational Player in 1980. A brief professional career with the Canadian League Hamilton Tigers (1981) and the USFL Los Angeles Express (1983) followed. PERSONAL DATA Birthdate-June 17, 1958 Hometown-Castro Valley, Calif. Education-1982, bachelor's degree (physical education), Utah. 1986, master's degree (curriculum and instruction), Wisconsin Family-Married to the former Janice Price. One boy: Nicholas. WAYNE "JUGI" HOGUE Secondary 6th Year COACHING CAREER At Utah: 1990-present, defensive backs; 1977- 81, defensive backs. Utah Synopsis: Wayne "Jugi" Hogue is in his sixth year of a second-time-around appointment with the Utes. Hogue returned to the U. defensive backfield in 1990, after an eight-year foray into the world of private business. He previously served as Utah's secondary coach from 1977-81. Bowl Games: 1992 Weiser Lock Copper, 1993 Freedom, 1994 Freedom. Prior to Utah: 1974-76, defensive backs, Long Beach State; 1970-73, defensive backs, De Anza Junior College. COACHING NOTES In arguably the most prolific passing conference in the nation, Jugi Hogue's defensive backfield has put a dent on opposing teams' numbers. Hogue's secondary led the WAC in passing defense last year-the second time it has done so in the last six years under Hogue's direction. Perhaps even more impressive than Hogue's development of Utah into the best pass defense team in the conference is that it finished 13th nationally. Given the proclivity for passing in the WAC, that feat is nothing short of remarkable. Since returning to the U. staff in 1990, Hogue's secondary led the WAC in pass defense twice (1994, 1992) and finished second once (1991). F R E E D O M BOWL C H A M P I O NS ^ assistant coaches Hogue has nurtured individual success as well. In 11 total years at Utah, the veteran coach has produced seven first-team all-WAC picks. Two of those-cornerback Kareem Leary and strong safety Ernest Boyd-made the all-WAC cut last year. Boyd twice led the WAC in interceptions (1993 and '94)-tying with teammate Leary last year. Hogue's defensive backfield owns rights to several of the most exciting moments ever in Utah football. Take last September, when Kareem Leary returned two interceptions for touchdowns against eventual Pac-10 champion Oregon in a 34-16 Ute win. Of the seven first-team all-WAC defensive backs to benefit from Hogue's coaching, three have come during this most recent stint: Boyd, Leary and Sean Knox. Former Ute Sharrieff Shah was named WAC and Sports Illustrated player of the week after leading Utah to victory over Oregon State in 1991. Utah's success since Hogue's return to the staff in 1990 is merely more of the same. During his tenure with Ute football in the late '70s, he coached a secondary that ranked among the WAC leaders in pass defense. Hogue developed such outstanding players as first-team all-WAC back Jeff Griffin, who spent several seasons in the NFL with the St. Louis Cardinals, and Tony Reed, a first-team all-WAC choice in 1981. Hogue came to Utah via Long Beach State, where he coached the defensive backs from 1974- 76. His Long Beach State teams earned national rankings of ninth and 16th in total defense. He took the post with the '49ers after four years as defensive backs coach at De Anza Junior College. PLAYERS COACHED BY HOGUE LaVon Edwards-Utah's career interception leader, Edwards picked off 17 passes from 1988- 91. In 1990 and '91, under Hogue's eye, Edwards made 10 of those interceptions. As a junior, he was named Sports Illustrated player of the week after Utah's upset win at Minnesota. He broke up 12 passes that year. In 1991, Edwards was named to the all-WAC first team. Sean Knox-In his only year under Hogue, Knox was nominated to the all-WAC first team. He finished his career as Utah's all-time career interception leader (15), a record that was broken the next year by La Von Edwards. Ernest Boyd-The WAC's interception leader for two straight years (1993-94), Boyd grabbed six picks each of those years. He did so as a junior in '93, despite missing two games with a leg injury. Boyd, a first-team all-WAC pick in 1994, was also named to the UPI honorable mention All-America squad. He was WAC player of the week for Utah's win over Brigham Young. Kareem Leary-The defensive MVP of the 1992 Weiser Lock Copper Bowl, Leary came back from an injury redshirt year in 1993 to make the all-WAC first-team in 1994. He tied for the WAC interception lead as senior, with six picks. Against Rose Bowl-bound Oregon, Leary returned two interceptions for touchdowns. PLAYING CAREER Hogue, a York, S.C., native began his collegiate career at De Anza JC and closed it at San Jose State. He played semi-pro football with the San Jose Apaches from 1959-67. PERSONAL DATA Birthdate-Dec. 19, 1937 Hometown-York, S.C. Education-1973, bachelor's degree (physical education), San Jose State. Family-Married to the former Clara Inouye. Three sons: Amie, Robert and Sean. BILL SMITH Linebackers 6th Year COACHING CAREER At Utah: 1990-present, linebackers. Utah Synopsis: Bill Smith begins his sixth year of coaching the linebackers at Utah. Among Smith's duties is calling down plays from the press box during games. Bowl Games: 1992 Weiser Lock Copper, 1993 Freedom, 1994 Freedom. Prior to Utah: 1989, assistant head coach/defensive coordinator, Weber State; 1986-88, defensive coordinator, Montana; 1980-85, defensive coordinator/defensive line/linebackers, Portland State; 1978-79, head coach, Marian High School (San Diego); 1971-77, defensive coordinator, Jesuit High School (Oregon); 1970, graduate assistant, Oregon; 1968-69, offensive line, Capital High School (Idaho). COACHING NOTES Bill Smith's common name belies his uncommon coaching abilities. In his five years as linebackers coach at Utah, Smith's credentials are anything but average. Last year, his linebackers 1 9 9 5 U T A H F O O T B A LL helped make Utah the No. 1 defense in the Western Athletic Conference. In 1993, Smith's unit helped Utah attain a No. 2 Western Athletic Conference ranking in rushing defense. And, in 1992, his injury depleted position still found the means to assist Utah in its third-place WAC total defense standing. On an individual front, Smith has polished the game of three of Utah's finest linebackers in recent memory. Anthony Davis, a first-team all- WAC pick in 1990 and '91, signed with the Houston Oilers (he now plays for Kansas City) after two years under Smith's watchful eye. Mark Rexford, the team's tackle leader for the last two years from his linebacker post, made first-team all-WAC in '94. Pita Tonga was Utah's leading tackier in 1990 and its leader in tackles per game in 1992. Smith's unusual impact on Utah's defense was practically a given. The defense shined at all of his previous landing points, as well. Smith, defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Weber State in 1989, was also responsible for the Wildcat linebackers. Prior to his Weber experience, Smith developed the Big Sky's total defense leader as Montana's defensive coordinator from 1986-88. In 1988, the Griz defense yielded just 279.9 yards of total offense per game. Under Smith's guidance, the 1988 Grizzlies led the Big Sky in rushing defense, passing defense, scoring defense, completion percentage (43.1 %) and interceptions (28). They finished with an 8-4 mark and qualified for the NCAA I-AA playoffs. Portland State was another beneficiary of Smith's abilities. He served as defensive coordinator and line coach at PSU from 1980-85. His 1984 Viking defense did not relinquish a single touchdown in Western Football Conference play. Before embarking upon his collegiate coaching career, Smith spent 11 years as a high school coach. PLAYERS COACHED BY SMITH Anthony Davis-A two-time all-WAC pick (1990-91), Davis was also voted by the fans to the Ute "All Century" team. Utah's defensive MVP in 1990, Davis topped 100 tackles in 1991. A draft pick of Houston after leaving Utah, he later went to Seattle and now plays for Kansas City. Mark Rexford-Utah's leading tackier in both 1993 and '94, Rexford made the all-WAC first team as a senior. In his first year at Utah (1993), he made the all-WAC second team. He accumulated 100-plus tackles both years at Utah. PLAYING CAREER A fine player in his own right, Smith spent two seasons playing for his father Lyle Smith at assistant coaches Boise Junior College. There, he made the 1964 all-conference and All-America teams. His NCAA Division I playing experience was at Oregon, where he won all-coast honors in 1966 and played in the 1967 Senior Bowl All-Star Game. He was drafted and played professional ball for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1967. PERSONAL DATA Birthdate-Mar. 22,1945 Hometown-Boise, Idaho Education-1968, bachelor's degree (history), Oregon; 1971, master's degree (curriculum/instruction), Oregon Family-Married to the former Janine Talley. Two children: Riley and Ashley (both University of Utah students). DON ECK Offensive Line, Centers/Guards 2nd Year COACHING CAREER At Utah: 1994-present, offensive line (centers/ guards); 1987-89, offensive line; 1985-86, graduate assistant; 1983, student assistant. Utah Synopsis: Don Eck returned to his alma mater in time to lend a hand in last year's record-setting season. Eck, responsible for the centers and guards on the offensive line for his second year, also assisted at Utah on three previous occasions. From 1987-89, he served as Utah's offensive line coach, a promotion from his graduate assistant position of the previous two years. In 1983, he helped out as a student assistant. Bowl Games: 1994 Freedom. Prior to Utah: 1991-93, assistant head coach/ offensive line, James Madison; 1990, offensive line (centers/guards), Arizona; 1984, assistant, Woods Cross High School (Utah). Bowl Games: 1990 Aloha. COACHING NOTES Don Eck returned to the Utah line in 1994, when he accepted head coach Ron McBride's proposal to coach the centers and guards. Eck, Utah's offensive line coach from 1987-89, and a graduate assistant from 1985-86, worked with his best line yet last year. In his first year back, Eck helped mold the finest offensive line in the Western Athletic Conference. Lance Scott solidified his hold as the best center in the WAC, and was rewarded with his second straight first-team all-WAC nomination. He was also named honorable mention All- American by UPI. Guards Roy Ma'afala and Kaniela Neves both finished their careers as honorable mention all-WAC picks under Eck's tutelage. Ma'afala stood second on the club in de-cleaters (62). Eck inspired great efforts from his charges last year. Every center and guard who saw action graded out at or near 100 percent hustle in virtually every game. They blocked for quarterback Mike McCoy, who ranked second in the nation in total offense, and record-setting running back Charlie Brown. Brown finished the regular season with a school-record four straight 100-yard games. With plenty of time to find his receivers, McCoy became the WAC's most efficient quarterback (sixth nationally). The line also helped Utah place 11th nationally in total offense in 1994. Eck, Utah's offensive line coach in the three years prior to the McBride era (1987-89), brought a great deal of coaching maturity to the staff when he returned last year. He refined his coaching techniques during those four years away at Arizona (one year) and James Madison (three years). In 1990, he coached the centers and guards for Arizona's Aloha Bowl team. From there, he went to James Madison as assistant head coach and offensive line coach. The Dukes' 1991 team finished 12th in total offense in 1991. He experienced national success during his first stint at Utah, as well. In 1988, the Utes ranked No. 1 nationally in total offense; in 1987, they ranked sixth; and in '89, they were 13th. PLAYERS COACHED BY ECK Lance Scott-A two-time all-WAC pick (1993 and '94), Scott was the first Ute center to be so honored in 20 years when he made the all-WAC team as a junior. As a senior, he was the only repeater on the all-WAC offense first team. He also made UPI honorable mention All-American in 1994. Scott was drafted in the fifth round by the Arizona Cardinals upon the completion of his career. PLAYING CAREER Eck was a star center in his own right as a player for Utah from 1980-82. He was voted Utah's Most Valuable Lineman all three years. He made the all-WAC second team in both 1981 and '82. Eck was team captain as a senior in 1982. PERSONAL DATA Birthdate-Nov. 30, 1961 Hometown-Norwalk, Calif. Education-1983, bachelor's degree (physical education), Utah Family-Married to the former Linda Parson. One child: Douglas. TOMMY LEE Quarterback Coach 1st Year COACHING CAREER At Utah: 1995, quarterbacks. Utah Synopsis: Veteran coach Tommy Lee begins his first year at Utah and will oversee the quarterbacks. Lee, armed with loads of professional and collegiate coaching experience, will spend game days up in the press box. There, he will implement the game plan composed by offensive coordinator Fred Graves. Prior to Utah: 1993-94, offensive coordinator/ receivers, Toronto (CFL); 1991-92, offensive co-ordinator/ quarterbacks/receivers, San Antonio (W.L.A.E); 1986-90, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks, Montana; 1983-85, offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks, Portland State; 1974-83, head coach, Willamette; 1972-73, offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks, Willamette; 1970-72, head coach, St. Louis High (Hawaii); 1968-70, assistant coach, St. Louis High (Hawaii); 1966-68, head coach, Central Catholic High (Ore.); 1964- 65, assistant coach, Central Catholic High (Ore.). COACHING NOTES Longtime coach Tommy Lee brings outstanding credentials into his new position as quarterbacks coach at Utah. Lee, who spent the last two years with Toronto of the Canadian Football League as its offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, boasts 20 years of collegiate and professional coaching experience. Lee's move to Utah signals a return to the collegiate ranks for the veteran play caller. Before his two-year stint with Toronto, he spent two years as offensive coordinator with the San Antonio Riders of the now defunct World League of American Football (W.L.A.E). Lee also F R E E D O M BOWL C H A M P I O NS ik coached the quarterbacks and receivers at San Antonio. In 1992, San Antonio shared the best record (7-2) in the World League and became the first North American team in W.L.A.E history to sweep a two-game European road trip. Lee jumped to the pros after a highly-successful five-year term as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at Montana. The Grizzlies fared well during his time there-compiling a 38-20 record, including the best season in school history in 1989 (11-3). The Griz made the NCAA Division IAA playoffs twice during Lee's tenure and made the semifinals in 1989. Lee's offense ranked in the nation's Top-10 (Division IAA) four of those five seasons and he coached two all-Big Sky quarterbacks: Brent Pease and Grady Bennett. Bennett finished his career as the school's all-time passing leader (7,778 yards) and he and Pease stood in me top-three in single-season passing. Lee also recruited current Grizzly QB Dave Dickensen, one of the nation's top-five total offense and passing leaders last year. Lee went to Montana after two years as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at NCAA Division II Portland State. The Vikings won the 1984 Western Football Conference championship. While at PSU, Lee coached all-conference QB Terry Summerfield. Lee's move to the NCAA ranks came after a decade of coaching at the NAIA level for Willamette (Ore.). He assisted at Willamette his first two years (1972- 73), before moving into the head coaching slot from 1974-83. Lee's early grounding came as a high school coach. He spent a total of eight years coaching in the prep ranks at Hawaii's St. Louis High and Oregon's Central Catholic High. PLAYERS COACHED BY LEE Grady Bennett-Upon completing his career at Montana in 1989, Bennett was UM's all-time career passing leader (7,778 yards). He was listed in the top-six on UM's single-season passing charts all three years he played, including a school-record 3,091 yards in 1989. Bennett made the all-Big Sky team. Brent Pease-An all-conference player under Lee at Montana, Pease passed for 3,056 yards in one season. He was drafted in the ninth round by Minnesota and played for Houston (NFL) and Winnipeg (CFL). Jason Garrett-After playing under Lee at San Antonio of the W.L.A.E, Garrett was picked up by Dallas of the NFL. Brad Goebel-Lee coached Goebel at San Antonio of the former W.L.A.E Goebel now plays for the Cleveland Browns. Mark Johnson-Coached by Lee at San Antonio, Johnson now plays for the Shreveport Pirates of the CFL. Marvin Graves-Graves, a former Syracuse record holder, spent the rookie year of his professional career with the Lee-assisted Toronto Argonauts. PLAYING CAREER Lee enjoyed a spectacular collegiate career at Willamette in Salem, Ore., from 1959-63. He was named a 1962 NAIA All-America quarterback and Athlete of the Year. In 1985, he was honored as an NAIA District II Hall of Fame Athlete, as the Outstanding Back inductee. After college, he played a year with the Ottawa Rough Riders of the CFL. Lee will be inducted into the Willamette Hall of Fame this fall (Sept. 23). His 1960 championship team will also be honored. PERSONAL DATA Birthdate-Sept. 11,1941 Hometown-Honolulu, Hawaii Education-1963, bachelor's degree (physical education), Willamette, 1972, master's degree (education), Willamette Family-Married to the former Haunani "Nani" Won. Three children: Leimomi (Hall), Tom Pohai, Thor Hooipo. STEVE KAUFUSI Defensive Line 1st Year COACHING CAREER At Utah: 1995, defensive line; 1994, graduate assistant defensive line. Utah Synopsis: Steve Kaufusi, a graduate assistant at Utah last year, was promoted to defensive line coach in February. Kaufusi helped coach perhaps the finest defensive line in the Western Athletic Conference last year, most notably All-American Luther Elliss. Bowl Games: 1994 Freedom. COACHING NOTES After just one year as a graduate assistant, Steve Kaufusi got the nod as Utah's new defensive line coach, last February. Kaufusi not only proved his poise and expertise on the field as a graduate assistant line coach last year, his first attempt at recruiting produced a gold mine. Kaufusi's extensive recruiting on the Islands at- 1 9 9 5 U T A H F O O T B A LL A. traded some of Hawaii's most highly rated preps to commit to Utah. Although Kaufusi's coaching tenure is a short one, it's been very successful to date. Last year, he assisted then defensive line coach Kyle Whittingham in assembling the finest defensive line in the Western Athletic Conference. Elliss was named WAC defensive player of the year and was a near consensus first-team All- American from his defensive end post. Another lineman to benefit from the Whittingham- Kaufusi tandem was WAC sack leader Bronzell Miller. Miller led Utah with five caused fumbles. PLAYERS COACHED BY KAUFUSI Luther Elliss-The finest defensive lineman ever to play for Utah, Elliss is Utah's career leader in tackles for loss (29-91) and ranks second in sacks (19). Elliss, a four-year starter, made the all-WAC first team the last three. A near consensus All-American in 1994, Elliss was also the WAC Defensive MVP. He blazed his way to five All-America first teams: AP, Football Writers, AFCA Coaches, Scripps Howard and UPI as a senior tackle. Elliss was a first-round draft pick (No. 20) in 1995-going to the Detroit Lions. Bronzell Miller-A second-team all-WAC player in 1994, Miller led the league in sacks with 12. He also caused five fumbles-most on the team and recorded five tackles for loss, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. He forced the fumble that stopped BYU's potential game-winning drive, deep in Utah territory in 1994, allowing the Utes to hold on for victory. Miller was later drafted by the St. Louis Rams. PLAYING CAREER Kaufusi spent his Division I playing career down the road from Salt Lake City at Brigham Young. A defensive lineman for BYU, Kaufusi made the all-conference team in 1987. That same year, he was named BYU's best conditioned athlete. The Cougars finished second in the WAC both years he played there. Prior to his BYU career, Kaufusi was an all-conference junior college player for Dixie College. He was drafted out of BYU by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1988 and played in the NFLforfouryears(1988-91).Inl992, Kaufusi played for the London Monarchs of the World League of American Football (W.L.A.E). PERSONAL DATA Birthdate-Oct. 17,1963 Hometown-Salt Lake City Education-1994, bachelor's degree (recreation management/administration), Brigham Young Family-Married to the former Michelle Garrick. Three children: Alexis, Bronson and Corbin. Brothers Henry and Jeff are senior defenders on this year's Ute team. |
