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Utah hosts UNLV in home opener

Sep 6, 2008 - 11:35 AM UNLV (1-0) at No. 23 Utah (1-0), 8:00 pm EDT

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- One week after holding on for an upset in the Big House, Utah returns home with revenge on its mind.

The 23rd-ranked Utes hope to avoid a letdown Saturday when they host Nevada-Las Vegas in the Mountain West Conference opener for both schools.

Utah (1-0) began its season in surprising fashion with a 25-23 upset of then-No. 24 Michigan in Ann Arbor. Brian Johnson passed for 305 yards and a touchdown while Louie Sakoda kicked four field goals as the Utes spoiled Rich Rodriguez's debut as Michigan's head coach.

But after building a 25-10 lead through the first three quarters, the Utes were forced to stave off a furious comeback attempt by the Wolverines, who missed a potential game-tying two-point conversion midway through the fourth quarter.

"It shouldn't have been as close as it was," Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said. "It's a sign of a pretty good football team when you can not play your best and come away with a win."

Seven days later, Utah returns home for a contest with the Rebels (1-0), who pulled off a stunning 27-0 upset of the Utes in Las Vegas last year. It ended Utah's 11-game winning streak vs. UNLV and marked the first time that the Utes were shut out since a 38-0 loss to Arizona State in 1993.

The Rebels previously had not beaten the Utes since October 20, 1979 - the first meeting between the schools.

Evidently motivated by the embarrassing loss, Utah reeled off seven consecutive wins before losing to Brigham Young in last season's finale. Conversely, UNLV lost its next eight contests to conclude a dismal 2-10 campaign.

However, the Rebels should be confident following last weekend's 27-17 victory over Utah State. Omar Clayton tossed three TD passes for UNLV, which recorded its third consecutive season-opening win.