Nov 10, 2001
By TIM KORTE
AP Sports Writer
SALT LAKE CITY - Adam Tate got most of his 146 yards on a 73-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and Dameon Hunter ran for another 88 yards as Utah beat San Diego State 17-3 on Saturday.
The Utes (7-2, 5-1 Mountain West) won for the sixth time in seven games and likely secured the sixth bowl berth in 12 seasons under coach Ron McBride, who wore a red- and yellow-flowered lei on the sidelines.
Utah leads the conference defensively, and the Utes held San Diego State (2-8, 1-5) to 258 yards. Larry Ned, ranked second nationally at 140.1 rushing yards a game, was held to 79 as the Aztecs finished with 64 on the ground.
Arnold Parker locked up the victory when he stepped in front of a pass from Lon Sheriff to J.R. Tolver, then tipped and juggled the ball before hauling in an interception at midfield with 4:43 remaining.
Ted Tollner's career as coach of the Aztecs appears to be winding down. He's facing increasing scrutiny and there's been widespread speculation he'll be fired after next week's season-ender against Wyoming.
It's the opposite situation for McBride, who has brought the Utes back from last year's disappointing 4-7 record. As he often does, McBride joyously directed the band in playing the school fight song while the stadium cleared out.
The Aztecs took a 3-0 lead in the second quarter on a 26-yard field goal by Tommy Kirovski but that was all the scoring they got. Lance Rice threw an 11-yard TD strike to Josh Lyman and the Utes led 7-3 at halftime.
From there, Utah's offensive line set the tone, helping the 6-foot-1, 230-pound Tate rumble for 140 yards after the break. The 5-11, 233-pound Hunter gained 46 yards in the second half.
Tate put the Utes ahead 17-3 with 10:08 to play when he darted off right tackle into open field. He leaped over a diving tackle attempt by San Diego State's Jomar Butler at the 10 and then flipped over the goal line.
The Utes wore down the Aztecs instead of dazzling them, and the biggest cheers of the afternoon came when the stadium announcer gave updates on BYU's struggle at Wyoming. Utah plays a big game next week in Provo against its main rival.
The Utes went 5-0 at home this season.