Greg Newman was used to delivering the blindside hits, not receiving them.

But as soon as the weapon penetrated his skin last January, Newman knew he was in trouble.

The University of Utah defensive tackle had been stabbed in the back twice with a screwdiver during a fight.

The four-inch deep wounds were only an inch away from puncturing his kidney.

Realizing how close he came to having football taken away, the Westlake High graduate is savoring every moment of his senior season.

And there has been plenty to savor.

Utah is ranked No. 14 in the country and coming off a thrilling 31-28 victory over Oregon State on a last-second field goal.

Newman had a chance to play in front of 108,421 fans at the Big House in the season opener and help the Utes beat the University of Michigan.

"It kind of opened my eyes a little bit and made me want to make the most out of my last year," Newman said of the stabbing incident. "I have loved every second of this season and just really appreciate the chance to play."

Newman wasn't expecting any trouble as he prepared to leave a house party in Salt Lake City 10 months ago.

But as Newman, his teammate Paul Kruger and Kruger's siblings began walking to their car, a vehicle pulled up and its passenger yelled obscenities at them.

Newman responded by throwing a snowball and more words were exchanged.

Three other cars soon arrived and a fight ensued.

Kruger was stabbed in the ribs and abdomen with a knife and Newman took the screwdriver in the back.

"I shouldn't have thrown anything at the car, but I just flaked and was being a dumb college kid," Newman said. "I just hate when people disrespect other people."

Newman suffered internal bleeding, but was released from the hospital the following day. He needed more than a month of recovery to get back into football shape.

"It really made me focus on getting better, getting healthy and working my butt off to get prepared for this year," Newman said. "I wanted to make sure I was at my very best."

After all, Newman already had one season taken from him.

He started his college career at Colorado in 2004, but decided to transfer when the program became engulfed in a recruiting scandal.

Having redshirted as a freshman at Colorado, Newman knew he would lose a year of eligibility if he moved to another Division I program.

"But one day I just decided it was time to go and took off," Newman said. "I pretty much packed up my stuff in a U-Haul and got to Utah and never looked back."

As a walk-on with no scholarship, Newman sat out the 2005 season because of transfer rules.

He was Utah's backup defensive end before switching to tackle last year.

In his first season as a full-time starter, the 6-foot-4, 260-pound Newman has made 29 tackles, including six tackles for a loss.

"I wanted to get on the field and contribute and it has been really good for me," he said. "I have been making a lot of plays and I really appreciate getting out there to help the team."

Louie Sakoda's last-second field goal to beat Oregon State last Thursday touched off a wild celebration.

Newman said three fans broke their legs jumping down to the field and one man suffered a heart attack.

"It was incredible. The whole student section rushed the field and the place was going nuts," Newman said. "It took me an hour to get to the locker room. It was awesome."

The scene would pale in comparison to what could happen when Utah hosts bitter rival Brigham Young to end the regular season.

If both teams stay undefeated, it would likely be a BCS-busting showdown to determine which team goes to a big-money bowl.

The rivalry has produced some epic finishes over the last few years, but the ramifications would shake the state.

"It would be the biggest game in school history if it happens," Newman said. "There is no middle ground here. You are either a Utah fan or a BYU fan, and there is immediate tension if you meet an opposing fan. But we have to take care of the rest of our games first."

And with everything he's been through, Newman is just happy to play a part.

"I have no regrets about anything," Newman said. "Football isn't everything, but you have to make the most of your opportunities. I feel like I have done that."