No rush
Before the game against UCLA, dual-threat quarterback Brian Johnson and the Utah coaching staff were both hoping that the star would be back for the game against UNLV this Saturday.
While the re-emergence of Johnson is still on everyone’s mind, the Utes can breathe much easier now. Backup Tommy Grady proved many doubters wrong against the Bruins, completing 17 of 30 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns.
To fill the loss of Johnson’s running ability, the Utes brought in nimble freshman Corbin Louks. Louks was listed as the third-string quarterback before the game against UCLA and was in the midst of his redshirt year.
“Fortunately, with Tommy playing the way he did against UCLA on Saturday, it gives us the luxury to be a little more conservative with our approach to bring (Brian Johnson) back,” said U head coach Kyle Whittingham. “Obviously we want to get Brian back as quickly as possible, but the nature of the injury is such that the longer we can delay the return, the less risk of re-injury.”
Unsung hero
Utah’s Caleb Schlauderaff hadn’t played at all before the game against the Bruins. But when junior Corey Seiuli went down with an ankle injury, Schlauderaff came up big at left guard.
“Caleb Schlauderaff is our unsung hero,” Whittingham said. “He was a redshirt freshman guard who had to step in when Corey Seiuli went out with an ankle injury. Just an outstanding performance from him in his first game with significant playing time at the U.”
Schlauderaff might start against the Rebels this week as Seiuli is listed as questionable.
Difference maker(s)
Neighbors of Rice-Eccles Stadium may have noticed a difference in the noise being made when the Utes beat UCLA on Saturday. Although the turnout may not have been the best (43,056), the noise created by the Ute faithful caused ten Bruin penalties.
“Our fans were outstanding,” said Whittingham. “I’ve been here a long time and that may be the most vocal, energetic crowd that we’ve had since I’ve been here. Our players fed off of that and it caused several UCLA players miscues off penalties.”
The punishing win came against a No.11 UCLA team that had previously outscored opponents 72-34.
“Between the MUSS and the Ute faithful, that was just an outstanding home field advantage,” Whittingham said. “Rice-Eccles is quickly becoming one of the most difficult places to play in the country. You got to have fans that get excited about things and it’s great to see that.”
Clean sweep
Utah’s impressive victory over the Bruins not only made a statement on the national level (UCLA dropped out of Top 25), but it also sent a message to Mountain West Conference foes. The Utes secured all three MWC Player of the Week Awards for last week’s efforts.
Starting for the first time, Darrell Mack and Robert Johnson both snagged their first conference awards on offense and defense, respectively. Junior Louie Sakoda also won the Special Teams Player of the Week, making all three of his field goal attempts from 45, 44 and 47 yards, as well as all five PAT attempts.
Mack emerged as the go-to guy at running back, rushing for 106 yards and one touchdown. The junior was also a viable threat through the air, catching three passes for 32 yards and two touchdowns.
Johnson intercepted two passes and stripped UCLA’s Marcus Everett on the two-yard line, which turned out to be a crucial turnaround play for the Utes.
“It’s exciting and I’m proud, but at the same time, I need to see more of that so it’s normal instead of a surprise,” Johnson said. “I’m looking forward to getting awards like that a whole lot more.”
Fresh out of the oven
Eight true freshmen played for the Utes against the Bruins last week, marking the most freshmen that have played at once since Kyle Whittingham began coaching at the U. Louks was joined on the offensive side by tight end Dallin Rogers, wide receiver Jereme Brooks and running back Eddie Wide.
On the other side of the ball, defensive tackle Nai Fotu, end Lei Talamaivao, and linebackers Jamel King and Justin Taplin-Ross all played their first collegiate minutes against the Bruins. Some of the players were in the middle of redshirt seasons when they were called upon to play.
“Our rule of thumb is that we want the best players out there both offensively and defensively, as well as special teams, so if we’ve got a guy that will make our team better, we’re not going to redshirt him — we’re going to utilize them,” Whittingham said.