"I think this game, because of what we just came off of, can be somewhat of a trap game," he said of the Utah matchup. "Our approach mentally is big, and we have to get ready to play our best game of the year, so our motto about getting better every day and every week is bigger than ever to me."

The Beavers were one of six unranked teams to score upsets over ranked teams last week, but their unexpected victory was arguably the biggest considering USC was ranked No. 1 at the time. The attention and hype since the upset has been unlike anything the Beavers have experienced in two years, but Riley believes his team can handle it and will be ready for the Utes.

"I have a sense and faith that this team is grounded," he said. "I've been in locker rooms after a bad game and on a plane after a bad game and we don't want to go back there."

The last time the Beavers upset USC was in 2006. They won five of their last six games after the upset over USC, including a Sun Bowl victory over Missouri 39-38.

"Now we see what we can do with this game," Riley said of the USC win. "That is the key, you are remembered for how you finish. No matter how you start, good or bad, your team has the identity of how you finish."

Briefly

Utah has about 1,000 tickets remaining for Thursday's game. . . . Offensive lineman Robert Conley, who didn't play against Weber State, will play against Oregon State. . . . Kicker Louie Sakoda was named the Co-Special Teams Player of the Week along with New Mexico kicker James Aho. Both made three field goals in their games Saturday.

lwodraska@sltrib.com