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The Utah Utes have enjoyed a few extra days of recovery and preparation between games. Everyone, that is, except for receiver Shaky Smithson, who can't wait to get back on the field and erase the bad memory of the season opener.

The senior had two turnovers in the game and finished with just one catch for three yards against Pitt.

While he was benched temporarily for the miscues, Smithson remains the starter at 'X' receiver and is eager to get on the field Saturday against UNLV.

"Mistakes happen," he said. "But I've come back practicing hard. It was two careless mistakes but the coaches know I don't usually make mistakes and I'll get it fixed."

The senior has been true to his word in practice this week and has responded to the disappointing start by working hard, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said.

Smithson will not only start at receiver, but also retain his job as returner, Whittingham said.

"He has been very good," he said. "He is back in the mix and is ready to get back out there and show what he can do."

Another time?

Like all of its MWC rivalries, the future of the Utah-UNLV rivalry is unknown given Utah's move to the Pac-10 next season.

However, the proximity between the schools could make the Rebels a natural opponent for the Utes to schedule when possible.

Utah has done well recruiting the Las Vegas area and recruiting is a factor when deciding non-conference games.

"They are only 4 to 5 hours down the road, so there is a lot of interest in that game," Whittingham said. "It is always an intense game."

Familiar face

The Utes will see a familiar face on UNLV's sideline since the Rebels' pass defense coordinator and defensive backs coach is J.D. Williams, who coached Utah's corners in 2009.

Whittingham said the Utes have changed some of their defensive habits out of concern Williams might remember too much from his days on Utah's staff.

"He knows all the defensive calls and structures," Whittingham said. "You do change a little year to year, but we have had to make changes in calls to combat that. It doesn't matter what J.D. knows, it matters what the offense and QB know. If they can get that info and use it to their advantage it could be a factor, but we think we changed enough and tweaked enough it shouldn't be a factor."

BYU at Air Force

P Saturday, 2 p.m.

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