Friday, December 10
Back injury sidelines Smith
Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah will take on Fresno State in the Dec. 18 Las Vegas Bowl without one of its most important weapons: speedy punt returner and receiver Steve Smith.

Smith, who scored 11 touchdowns this season, suffered a small crack in his fourth cervical vertebra when he was hit during a 20-17 victory over BYU on Nov. 20.

"You miss his competitiveness," Utah coach Ron McBride said Monday. "Hopefully, it doesn't hurt us too much. We've got other guys that can make plays."

A junior, Smith ranked fifth in the nation this season by averaging 17.1 yards per return. He returned three punts for touchdowns, including two in a 52-7 win over New Mexico.

Patrick Dyson will return punts while Johnny Lundy and Phillippe Wells will replace Smith at receiver.

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