Fuamatu-Ma'afala sidelined 2-4 weeks
The surgery on Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala's right knee was successful Thursday, but the knee was a little worse than first anticipated.
Dr. Bob Burks said he found the big running back had a lateral miniscus tear as expected, but he also found an injury to the articular cartilage, which covers the end of the bone.
"This means I anticipate his rehabilitation coming along a little more slowly," said Burks.
Dr. Burks said if things go well, Fuamatu-Ma'afala could be back for the game at New Mexico Nov. 9, but more realistically he won't return until the BYU game on Nov. 23.
"Losing Chris is a big loss for us," said Ute coach Ron McBride. "We're minus a player, but we have to go on."
To make up for the loss of Fuamatu-Ma'afala, the Utes will use Juan Johnson and Tai Lepule more and bring sophomore Omar Bacon out of his redshirt season.
- Mike Sorensen
Park City opening
What follows a good snow storm? Skiing. Park City will become the first Utah ski area to open for the 1996-97 ski season by opening its lower PayDay Run on Saturday.
Skiers will ride the PayDay chair to midway. Lift tickets will $21 for adults, $10 for children. The resort's ski school will also be open.
This is the second earliest start for the Park City area since it opened in 1963-64. The resort received nine inches of natural snow by 8 a.m. Friday, which comes on top of a two-foot base of man-made snow.