Regardless of the changes made to the offense with the arrival of new coach Urban Meyer, the U football offense still has to count on one position to keep everything together.
“We still have to rely on our front five, and I think they are ready after two-a-day camps,” Meyer said.
The offensive line is the key to any offense, and this year the Utes have a tough task on that front, considering they have to replace two linemen who now play in the NFL.
Former All-American left tackle Jordan Gross was picked up by the Carolina Panthers with the eighth overall pick in the draft, while former center Dustin McQuivey signed on with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Not only do the Utes need to replace those two, but this year’s line, just like the rest of the team, has to adjust to the new system.
“In spring, we struggled. We have come such a long way since then, but I just can’t quantify it,” U center Max Petersen said.
Petersen has the tough task of replacing McQuivey, but has apparently filled in more than adequately at center.
“Max has been great at picking everything up and is going to be great,” U running back Brandon Warfield said.
Meyer knows Petersen can get the job done.
“Max Petersen can bring us almost what Dustin McQuivey gave us,” Meyer said.
Petersen has close ties to McQuivey, and envisions playing up to his level.
“Dustin was great and I think I can be great too,” Petersen said. “I talk to him a lot, and I want to be the player he was.”
Replacing Gross is quite another matter.
“You don’t replace Jordan Gross,” Meyer said.
Sophomore Jesse Boone will be succeeding Gross at left tackle, which was not the plan at the beginning of camp.
Senior Thomas Herrion, who started at right tackle last year, was slated to start at left tackle, but Meyer recently decided to switch the two.
“There is a job description for every player on the offensive line, and those two fit better in the positions they are in now,” Meyer said.
Herrion will take over at left guard, which was quite a transition, as could be expected.
“It’s always tough to switch positions, but Thomas and Jesse have handled it well and have picked things up quickly and will be fine,” Meyer said.
On the right side of the line, the Utes were surprised by the play of junior Makai Aalona, who has done so well that he beat out senior Sean Souza, an experienced starter, at right tackle.
The team moved Souza to right guard, which forces last year’s starting left guard, Chris Kemoeatu, to the bench behind Souza.
The benefit of having so many offensive linemen on the roster is added depth that cushions the impact of injuries.
“If any one of us goes down, we know there is a backup that can fill in the position nicely,” Petersen said.
If Petersen were to get hurt, sophomore Andrew Johnson would take his place. Souza also has experience at center, since he took over for McQuivey last season for three games.
“Andrew is really good, and I know he will do well if he plays center, and it’s comforting to know that we have players like Sean [Souza] who can switch positions,” Petersen said.
In terms of the line as a whole, if each player just completes his assignment, good things will happen and the U running game will flourish.
“I know we can bust huge runs and make big plays if our line can just meet their assignments,” Warfield said.
Petersen knows how important it is for the O-line to block well.
“We have so many tremendous athletes on this team, we know big things can happen if we just do our jobs,” Petersen said.
In terms of pass protection the Ute offensive line is more comfortbale with the new style now.
“Now that we have had time to work on the new system, we will be ready for the opener,” Petersen said.