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Pullman, Wash. • Utah running back John White didn't need to change the way he was attacking the Washington State defense — he just had to get mad.
White, who had 49 yards in the first half, finished with 186 yards on 42 carries Saturday in the Utes' 30-27 win over Washington State.
It was the seventh game this season in which he rushed for 100 yards or more. The Utes are 7-0 when he breaks the 100 mark.
White, who ran through and around UCLA's defense a week ago, had a much harder afternoon against the Cougars.
Washington State's defense did a good job of keeping him pinned, and snowy conditions didn't help White's cutting abilities.
White's frustration finally showed in the third quarter when, after a late hit by Washington State, he took his helmet off and slammed the ball to the ground.
He was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, but the incident seemed to energize him as he scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including one on a 56-yard run.
"Oh man, I was pissed at that call," White said of his penalty. "I'm a little firecracker out there. I'm not going to lie. But I've got to maintain my head and just go out there and play and forget about all the crap out there that happens."
White was just three carries shy of tying Carl Monroe's school record for the most carries in a game that Monroe set against UTEP in 1982.
He has rushed 30 or more times in three of the past four games.
"I've said it before that John White gets stronger as the game goes on," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "I'm glad he is on our team."
White now has 1,377 yards for the season, the third-highest single-season total in school history.
He needs 20 yards to move ahead of Dameon Hunter (1,396 in 2001) for second place. Monroe holds the school record with 1,507 yards, set in 1982.
The century mark
Utah is 7-0 when John White rushes for at least 100 yards:
Result Att-Yds TDs
Utah 37, Wash. St. 27 (OT) 42-186 2
Utah 31, UCLA 6 33-167 2
Utah 34, Arizona 21 27-109 2
Utah 27, Oregon State 8 35-205 1
Utah 26, Pitt 14 36-171 0
Utah 54, BYU 10 22-174 3
Utah 27, Montana State 10 19-150 1