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Versatile quarterback keeps Utah unbeaten

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Quarterback Alex Smith ran for two touchdowns and Steve Savoy caught 11 passes for 150 yards in Utah's 28-7 victory over New Mexico on Friday.

The No.14 Utes (5-0, 2-0 Mountain West Conference) have won nine straight dating to last season and are off to their best start since 1994.

New Mexico (2-3, 0-1) beat Utah 47-35 last season, Utah's last loss, but its only score came on Gabriel Fulbright's 68-yard return of a fumble by Smith with 10 seconds left in the first quarter.

So effective was Utah's defense that New Mexico finished with 157 total yards (to Utah's 466) and had more punts (14) than first downs (eight). In addition, the Lobos' DonTrell Moore, the conference's leading rusher, sat out the second half because of a sprained ligament in his left knee.

"We felt last year New Mexico beat us up front," Utah coach Urban Meyer said. "And tonight, the opposite happened."

Fulbright's touchdown made it 7-7, but Utah responded with a nine-play, 84-yard drive that took less than three minutes.

Runs of 23 and 12 yards by Quinton Ganther and a 17-yard pass from Smith to Savoy set up Paris Warren's 7-yard touchdown run 2:46 into the second quarter.

"The biggest change from last year is that there's no panic," Smith said. "We weren't in a rush to do anything."

Utah made it 21-7 later in the quarter after a fake punt. On fourth and 14 from his 20, punter Matt Kovacevich ran 21 yards.

Warren hit Smith with a 21-yard pass to the 13 on a halfback option. Three plays later, Smith, who scored on a 3-yard run during the first quarter, scored from 6 yards on a draw with 4:42 left in the first half.

Savoy scored the only touchdown of the second half on a 10-yard end-around.

Smith finished 14-of-28 for 167 yards and threw his first interception of the season when Brandon Payne picked off a pass intended for Warren with 5:38 left. That ended Smith's streak of 116 passes without an interception.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Auburn vs. Tennessee was always a high point on the schedule. Then the SEC split into divisions in 1992, and the teams stopped playing every year.

Tonight's matchup, however, is a bit like the old days and could go a long way toward determining who plays for the league title.

"The history of this game, having been part of it as a player, an assistant coach and now as head coach, is that it's always been tough and hard fought," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. "I look forward to this game as much as any we've played in some time."

No.8 Auburn (4-0, 2-0) and No.10 Tennessee (3-0, 1-0) are two of the three undefeated teams in the league. They haven't met as Top 10 teams since 1990, a game that ended in a tie. The Tigers have not won in Knoxville since 1983, a stretch of three losses and the tie.

The slide started when Tennessee stunned No.1 Auburn and Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson 38-20 in 1985. The Vols went on to win the SEC title.

"The world is going to be watching two undefeated teams, two Top 10 teams," Auburn running back Carnell Williams said. "Whoever wins this game, the sky's the limit."

CONNECTICUT: Defensive lineman Tyler King had surgery on his broken right leg a day after he was injured in the Huskies' 29-17 victory over Pittsburgh. The 6-foot-6 senior, who had six tackles, including a sack, and recovered a fumble, was injured pursuing quarterback Tyler Palko during the closing minutes. He will miss at least six weeks.

DUKE: Tailback Cedric Dargan is expected to sit out today's game against the Citadel. Dargan hasn't played since the opener against Navy, when he rushed for 114 yards. He has numerous injuries to his right leg, including turf toe.

FLORIDA: A limited number of tickets are available for today's game against Arkansas. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased on the west side of the stadium at the plaza ticket booth starting at 9 a.m.

IOWA: Senior safety Sean Considine will sit out today against Michigan State because of a sprained foot. He had started 17 consecutive games.

LSU: Running back Shyrone Carey, suspended for the Sugar Bowl and the first three games of this season for trying to sell his Sugar Bowl tickets, returns today. But receiver Skyler Green, who has been slowed by a sprained left ankle, likely will not play.

RUTGERS: Running back Brian Leonard is doubtful for today's game against Syracuse because of a sore right thigh. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder has 68 rushes for 277 yards and 19 catches for 149 yards to account for 38.8 percent of the Scarlet Knights offense.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Running back Demetris Summers is expected to play today against Alabama for the first time since spraining an ankle in the second game.