University of Utah quarterback Scott Mitchell enters his junior year with more preseason publicity than any player in the school's history. He is on several lists as a Heisman candidate and is the nation's top returning junior quarterback. Mitchell is on track to break Doug Flutie's NCAA career total offense record in 1990.
Following are excerpts from preseason interviews with Mitchell:On leaving early for the NFL: "If I said I never thought about it, I'd be lying to you. But I'm just worried about the season and getting through this brutal schedule. It (the NFL) is not something I'm going to worry about now. It's something down the road and I try not to worry about things clear down the road."
On publicity by the eastern media: "If I play well I'm satisfied. I don't need someone back East telling me that."
On the promotional video sent nationwide to media members: "That's really not me. I mean, it's nice to have them do things like that. If it helps out the University of Utah and it helps Scott Mitchell, fine. But, again, I would just as soon just play football."
On breaking an ankle in the offseason playing basketball: "It's more dangerous than football. There's no padding."
On Air Force quarterback Dee Dowis:: "I've been given bulk; he's been given quicks."
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:
Wyoming running back Dabby Dawson: "He almost went to BYU? Now that's scary."
Air Force quarterback Dee Dowis: "He's (Mitchell) a throwing quarterback; I'm a running quarterback. I've never seen a guy with the touch he has."
UTEP Coach David Lee: Gil Brandt (former Dallas Cowboys' director of player personnel) tells me the guy is as good a quarterback as you see anyplace. He's a tall Ken Stabler."
Ute Coach Jim Fassel: "There's no glaring weaknesses on the kid. Not to make him sound like Superman, but he's pretty darn good. I threw for 340 yards once in college, and that wasn't even up to Scott's average. I thought I was the greatest thing since sliced bread . . . .
"He's a big Jose. The pro scouts are drooling. They are looking at him and saying, `Boy, can he play."'
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(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
Mitchell's marks
NCAA records: 10
School records: 24
WAC records: 5
CAREER
Passing yards: 5,869
Total offense: 5,703
Offensive yards per game: 259.2
1988 Season
Passing yards: 4,322
Touchdowns: 29
Total offense: 4,299