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QB Johnson looks to tie Utah record for career wins

Oct 18, 2008 - 10:16 AM Colorado State (3-3) at (13) Utah (7-0), 2:00 pm EDT

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- Utah senior quarterback Brian Johnson is on the verge of tying Alex Smith's school record for career wins.

Johnson seeks his 21st victory Saturday when the 13th-ranked Utes host Colorado State in a Mountain West Conference contest.

Smith led Utah to the best season in school history in 2004, when the Utes went 12-0 and routed Pittsburgh, 35-7, in the Fiesta Bowl.

Johnson has no signature wins, but he has quarterbacked the Utes (7-0, 3-0 Mountain West) to 15 victories in their last 16 games, including a 40-7 rout at Wyoming last week. The only loss was a 17-10 defeat at Brigham Young in last year's regular-season finale.

Utah impressed at least one voter, as it received a first-place vote in this week's Harris Interactive Poll - something that surprised coach Kyle Whittingham.

"Who votes for that?" Whittingham said. "I know it wasn't me, and as far as I know, my mom doesn't have a vote in that. That is news to me. I didn't realize that. I guess somebody out there loves us. I'll take it."

There is much to like about the Utes, who are averaging 37.6 points per game, which (if it holds) would rank as Utah's fourth-best scoring mark since 1892. The Utes have scored at least 30 points in every contest since a season-opening 25-23 win at Michigan.

Last week, Johnson completed only 10-of-19 passes for 110 yards, as the Utes relied heavily on their defense and special teams. Utah returned an interception and blocked punt for touchdowns in the first half to build a 27-0 halftime lead.

Colorado State (3-3, 1-1) put up a strong fight last week in a 13-7 loss to TCU, which has entered the coaches' poll. However, after scoring a touchdown on their opening drive, the Rams were blanked by the top defense in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Utah has won 19 straight games as a ranked team.

Last season, Colorado managed only a field goal in a 27-3 home loss to Utah. Johnson threw for 130 yards and two touchdowns.