It's a bit far-fetched to say a prodigal son is returning to Rice-Eccles Stadium, but any way you look at it, Utah's stadium during Homecoming 2008 will be friendly confines for McBride.

The Utes leave this weekend for their final tune-up before opening conference play next weekend at home.

Before the game on Saturday, there will be a fitting tribute to Ron McBride. Whether you know who he is or not, stand up and cheer for the grumbling bear. The stadium you're sitting in and the team you're watching wouldn't be the same without him.

So far, so good for the Wildcats this season8212;but will it last through Saturday?

After a fifth-place finish at the Montana State Invitational last week, the Utah cross country team will head to Palo Alto, Calif., for the Stanford Invitational.

After struggling early in the season on special teams, the Utes have finally decided on the punt returner for their matchup against Weber State. To the surprise of many fans, it was not the player they expected at the beginning of the season.

The highlights of McBride's 13-year tenure: three bowl wins in six appearances from a team that hadn't seen a football postseason since 1964. He left the U with a career record of 88-63 and helped build the foundation of what the Ute football program is today.

The United States will defend their title in 2010, when the Ryder Cup will be held at Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, South Wales. Whethereather or not Azinger, or Woods, will be there, remains to be seen. What we do know is that in the Ryder Cup, one is much more important thaen the other.

The Utah women's volleyball team was dead set on redeeming itself from its loss to Wyoming last weekend8212;consider its dominating 3-0 win over Air Force as mission accomplished.

Two of the Utes starting receivers, Derrek Richards and Brian Hernandez, graduated last year, leaving a hole in the team's leadership, play-making ability and most notably, a ruffian style of football open for someone to fill. The receiving corps, and the offense as a whole, found that missing link in Godfrey.