September 2004

"You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!"
Utah football kicks off Thursday, Sept. 2, 5:30 p.m. Utah vs. Texas A&M
by Randy Hanskat

You’ve seen the grammatically challenged billboards. You’ve heard the stadium chant jingle on the radio. You may have even seen Utah standout defensive back Morgan Scalley questioning Coach Urban Meyer’s attractiveness in a television commercial.

Now, it’s about time to hit the field as another season of Utah Football kicks off Thursday night, Sept. 2 at 5:45 p.m. in Rice-Eccles Stadium. And never has a season of football been so hotly anticipated on this campus. Depending on what pre-season poll you’re reading, the Utes are ranked anywhere from as high as #11 down to no lower than #23 in the nation.

Maybe we ain’t seen nothin’ yet in the annals of Utah Football history.

To show the new standing of this program under second-year Head Coach Urban Meyer, two heavyweights are coming to town for the first game, Texas A&M and ESPN. Yep, the Ute/Aggie showdown is ESPN’s national game Thursday night.

The point of this year’s marketing campaign originated with Coach Meyer. While he was thrilled with last year’s 10-2 record, Liberty Bowl victory, and other team and individual accolades, he wanted Utah fans to know that there was still plenty of room to improve. In fact, he estimated that one third of his complex offensive system still was never implemented last season due to the fact that it was Meyer’s first season as coach.

Put that into catchy marketing terms and “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet!”

Thus far, the success of the team and the marketing has resulted in a rush of season ticket sales which, as of August 1, had increased over 3,000 seats, with an average of 50 more sales each day. Single game tickets had just gone on sale.

Now the season’s here and this is a game you don’t want to miss.

Come next week on Thursday night when ESPN hits the air at 5:30, let’s show the country nothing’ but a sea of crimson. Go Utes!

Parking Note:
The stadium lot will be reserved all day on Thursday, Sept. 2 for game parking. Alternative parking can be found east and south of the Huntsman Center. People should take the campus shuttles or TRAX to get to their campus destinations. The Guardsman Way lot will be reserved starting at noon, and other lots around the stadium will be reserved starting at 2 p.m.

Get tickets to this season's games at http://utahutes.collegesports.com/

U-News & Views © 2004 - An online publication
by the University of Utah Alumni Association
Questions? Concerns? Contact Linda Marion, editor
(801-587-7837)