Going into his senior season at the U, All-America candidate Jason Kaufusi has the weight of the whole defense on his shoulders.
Well, to be more specific, on his surgically-repaired right shoulder, which kept the two-time all conference defensive end out of quite a bit of practice since the spring.
Kaufusi has still not fully recovered from the injury, which will likely keep him sidelined for the Utes’ season opener Thursday night against Utah State.
The team hopes he will be able to make it back for the Utes’ Sept. 6 showdown at Texas A&M-and for good reason. Kaufusi is not only one of the Utes’ most respected team leaders, he’s also considered one of the top defensive linemen in the entire nation and the star of the U defensive line.
After consecutive seasons as a first-team all-conference honoree, Kaufusi caught national attention this offseason. He was named to the watch lists for both the Rotary Lombardi Award-given to the nation’s top lineman-and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is awarded to the top defensive player in Division I.
His playmaking ability is not the only skill his team will miss.
“We really miss his leadership. That’s one of the biggest things,” coach Urban Meyer said.
“Having Jason in the game is like, you know, that side of the line is taken care of,” fellow defensive end Josh Savage said. “Whenever he’s in the game, you don’t have to worry about it at all. He gives you that comfort zone.”
Savage, who starts at left end opposite Kaufusi, will switch to the right side to replace Kaufusi, along with backup sophomore Marques Ledbetter. In Savage’s place on the left side will be senior Lewis Powell.
Though the team is anxious to get Kaufusi back on the field, his teammates are optimistic that they can fill the void for the time being.
“I think this year we have more depth than we’ve ever had in years past,” Savage said. “We’ve made some adjustments, with Jason being hurt. We know we’ve got to pick up the slack from him not being in there. We have to come out even harder and even tougher without him at that end position.”
Regardless, there is talent and depth up and down the defensive line, and the front four is expected to be a defensive stronghold once again in 2003.
“It’s one of the strengths of our team,” Meyer said. “Traditionally, Utah has been strong up on the defensive front. It’s expected to remain that way.”
The aggressive Savage has been a starter since his sophomore season and, along with Kaufusi and several other teammates, is a member of the 2003 Utah Football Leadership Committee.
On the inside, Sione Pouha will man the tackle spot alongside sophomore nose guard Steve Fifita. Pouha, a junior who made the conversion from defensive end during the offseason, is versatile enough to play along the entire line and could make a push for an all-conference spot as well.
Fifita was used extensively in a backup role during his freshman campaign, and considering his experience, his move to a starting role should be relatively smooth.
Behind those four are Powell, Ledbetter and juniors Jonathan Fanene and Tevita Kemoeatu. As a unit, they will feel the pressure to make up for Kaufusi’s absence until he returns.
“We’re the first line of defense,” Savage said. “We’ve got to make the plays that come to us, and if it gets in the backfield or gets to the linebackers, then that’s our fault.”