Utah football: Road warriors? That's Utah football

Utah takes its Mountain West Conference title hopes on the road Saturday.

No big deal.

While unbeaten TCU poses a huge threat, the prospect of playing one of the biggest games in school history at sold-out Amon G. Carter Stadium has not cost the Utes any sleep. Been there, done that. In coach Kyle Whittingham's five seasons, the Utes are 18-10 on the road, despite an 0-3 start.

A closer inspection of Whittingham's record indicates even greater success lately. Since losing at UNLV on Sept. 22, 2007, the Utes are 13-2 on the road, including wins at TCU, Michigan and Louisville. Last season, the Utes defeated Alabama in the Sugar Bowl at the supposedly neutral Super Dome, which was filled with tens of thousands

of Crimson Tide fans.

Alabama made the short drive to New Orleans and turned the bowl game into a road game for Utah, which didn't mind the situation. The Utes led all the way and finished a perfect season with a 31-17 victory.

So what gives?

How does a team that suffered a 27-0 loss in Las Vegas only 26 months ago turn into such road warriors?

"The preparation Monday through Friday," Whittingham said. "The work ethic, the film study, all the things guys do to get ready for a game.

"We prepare the same way whether we're at home or on the road and I think that's the key -- the way they prepare."

Defense is another factor. Since the start of last season, Utah is 10-1 on the road. In those

games, the Utes allowed an average of 15 points. They have allowed over 23 points just once. They have held eight of those 11 opponents to 17 points or less.

"Defense is always a key," Whittingham said. "We have a plan to win and it starts with playing great defense. If you play great defense you are going to be in every game."

Typically, Whittingham passes the credit to his players.

"We have a pretty good track record [because] we've had a lot of good players come through here," he said. "That's the real bottom line. We've had a lot of quality athletes play good football for us."

According to senior offensive tackle Zane Beadles, confidence and consistency are two characteristics the Utes always take on the road.

"It starts with a winning mentality," he said. "We just know we're going to win ball games. We go in with confidence and never doubt ourselves."

Referring to the Utes' approach to road games, Beadles said: "The exact same every week. Everything in the hotel is the exact same every week. The only difference is the venue.

"We treat everything the same and go through everything the same exact way so -- home or away -- it's not much different for us."

Utah went 7-0 on the road last year, including its Sugar Bowl win.

Ex-quarterback Brian Johnson helped the Utes start their dream season with a 25-23 win at Michigan.

"We had mentally tough guys who relished those situations," Johnson said. "The mixture of the two makes for a good situation."

There is a trust issue involved, too.

"Oh, definitely," Johnson said. "The kind of players we have in this program thrive on that. They enjoy being in difficult situations. It's a mentality that really helps on the road."

Utah assistant Morgan Scalley started his playing career at Utah under Ron McBride. He finished under Urban Meyer and now coaches under Whittingham. In 13 seasons, McBride's road record was a creditable 41-34. But in his last two years, the Utes were 4-8 on the road, including losses at Colorado State and San Diego State. That changed in two seasons under Meyer, when the Utes were 9-1 in road games.

"The biggest thing is the confidence you carry from doing things right, on and off the field," Scalley said. "Once you win on the road and win in a hostile environment, it starts to breed confidence -- confidence that the team can do it."

Smiling, Scalley added, "There's a swagger that comes from winning."

As a player, Scalley was a safety and the leader of Utah's defense. He enjoyed making a key stop on third down or creating a turnover because it neutralized a home team's biggest advantage.

"No question," he said. "Players thrive on it. I guess you feel some type of power by shutting a crowd down and hearing a quiet crowd. ...

"It's something we've done in the past and must continue to do. If you are going to win championships and be considered a top program in the nation, you have to win on the road. You have to win big games on the road."

Straight ahead: TCU.

luhm@sltrib.com