For the first time in Utah football history, the Utes have swept the Mountain West Conference's weekly awards.

Quarterback Brian Johnson, cornerback Eric Weddle and kicker Dan Beardall earned offensive, defensive and special teams recognition for their efforts in last weekend's 43-13 win over Wyoming.

"It's the best game we've played all year long, I believe," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "A complete game. Offense, defense and special teams all played well."

As for the individual accolades, Whittingham called the MWC awards a "big positive" for the Utes.

"That was good for the program," Johnson said. "It was good for us to get a little more confidence going into the New Mexico game."

On Saturday, the Utes host the Lobos (4:30 p.m., Ch. 14). The winner becomes bowl eligible. Despite two consecutive wins, Utah isn't taking anything for granted.

"We've got to keep this momentum going," Whittingham said. "We've got to understand what got us these two victories — hard work in practice, focus, dedication and continue that into this game with New Mexico."

Headlining the effort are this week's MWC honorees and receiver John Madsen, who Whittingham said is hitting his stride.

Madsen made a career-high 12 catches against the Cowboys. Beardall also had a solid outing. Though the Lou Groza Award candidate missed a PAT, he did make three field goals to extend his streak of consecutive makes to 11 — equaling a 20-year-old school-record.

Contributions were plentiful as the Utes posted their biggest victory of the season.

"I can't say enough about how our team played. I expected that. We had practiced very well the two weeks leading into the game, our best two weeks of practice of the year," Whittingham said. "So it was no surprise to me that we played as well as we did. I didn't think the game would be that lopsided, but I felt that we were going to play well."

It's a simple recipe for success.

"It's all about hard work. You get out of it what you put into it," said Johnson, who leads the MWC in total offense and ranks fifth nationally. "We know that. We just need to come out here and work hard everyday. Good things will start to happen."

Key contributions from Johnson and Weddle set the tone in the latest triumph.

Johnson threw for 384 yards and a career-high four touchdowns.

"The offensive line did a great job protecting, no sacks. They did a great job giving me time to find and make throws," said Johnson, who called his MWC honor a team award. "The receivers did a great job of catching the ball."

And that's not all.

With rushing leader Quinton Ganther sidelined with a sore knee, the 18-year-old sophomore led the Utes with a team-high 67 yards and a score.

Whittingham said he couldn't be more pleased with Johnson's performance.

Defensively, Weddle secured the spotlight by shutting down Wyoming's highly touted receiver Jovon Bouknight. The Cowboys' star was limited to four catches and 43 yards.

"He virtually took Bouknight out of the game," Whittingham said. "(Bouknight) was a non-factor. I think the biggest single impact on the football game was Eric Weddle's ability to shut down Bouknight and take him out of his game."

Weddle topped Utah with nine tackles, including seven solo stops. He also broke up three passes and recorded a sack. The Utes lined the safety up at cornerback and placed the junior on Bouknight on every man situation.

"Eric Weddle is a great weapon to have on your defense. Defensively, there's no greater weapon than a shutdown corner. That is the No. 1 weapon you can possess as a defense," Whittingham said. "He gives us that ability when we need him to come out and cover somebody. He does a nice job of that for us."

BACK ON TV: After not appearing on television for the first time this season in Saturday's 43-13 win at Wyoming, the Utes' final two games are back on the tube. This weekend's home finale against New Mexico will appear on KJZZ, Ch. 14 at 4:30 p.m.

The season-ending game at BYU on Nov. 19 is slated for 1 p.m., on ESPN Plus (KJZZ, Ch. 14).

INJURY UPDATE: Whittingham expects running back Quinton Ganther, who missed the Wyoming game with a sore knee, to be back in the lineup Saturday. After practicing Monday, Ganther agreed, saying, "No question. I'm 85 to 90 percent right now and it's feeling better every day."

Also, receiver Travis LaTendresse, who has missed three games with a high ankle sprain, practiced Monday and he said he expects to play Saturday.

Utes on the air

New Mexico (5-4, 3-3) at Utah (5-4, 3-3)

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Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

TV: Ch. 14

Radio: 700AM


E-mail: dirk@desnews.com

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