The cards have been reshuffled for the Utes’ defensive line.
After defensive tackles Kenape Eliapo and Lei Talamaivo sustained indefinite injuries in the first two weeks of the season, the question heading into this week against Utah State was, who’s going to play on the line?
Well, you can mark down ends Paul Kruger and Koa Misi as definites. Head coach Kyle Whittingham mentioned earlier in the week that there was a possibility that the cards could be shuffled and players could change positions to fill in the holes on defense.
Playing sidekick to senior Greg Newman will be a the trio of Aaron Tonga, Derrick Shelby and true freshman Sealver Siliaga.
“It’s looking like we just have a rotation,” Whittingham said. “We’re going to leave the (defensive) ends as is.”
To accommodate the changes to the defensive line, Shelby, who is a natural defensive end, has been moved inside. David Kruger, Paul’s younger brother, will be moved from backup defensive tackle and moved to the end position. From there, it’s unclear whether he will remain in his redshirt year or help fill the void of Utah’s early-season injuries.
While the Utes are currently pencil-thin at defensive end, the focus strictly moves toward Utah State this Saturday. Despite constant talks of how the Oregon offense put up an astounding 688 yards on the Aggies, the Utes remain steadfast on utilizing their strengths as they gear up for their trip to Logan.
“It’s just a game,” running back Darrell Mack said. “You just gotta go out there and win. You can’t underestimate no team. We’re gonna be ready, so it’s just as important as any other game.”
The highlight of the fourth quarter last week against UNLV was an amazing toss to Jereme Brooks for a 32-yard touchdown, and it didn’t come from Brian Johnson. Everyone knows of the Matt Asiata rollout and toss, but it began to conjure up thoughts that perhaps Johnson had sustained an injury. There were two passes thrown in the fourth against the Rebels, Asiata’s and Johnson’s 13-yard toss to Colt Sampson.
Those rumors can be laid to bed as Johnson looked as sharp as possible Wednesday in practice.
While Johnson remains healthy, the Aggies will be the second team facing the Utes this season with a duality at quarterback. Senior Sean Setzer and sophomore change-up quarterback Diondre Borel will play Saturday at Romney Stadium, but head coach Brent Guy has declined to name his starter until game time.
Coming off a one-game absence due to a hamstring injury, starting free safety Robert Johnson is amped and ready to hit the field, but couldn’t help but look back at the UNLV game with some despair.
Last year, Johnson was coming off a National Defensive Player of the Week performance against UCLA, but was hurt during the road loss to UNLV.
“It was all-the-way frustrating,” Johnson said in reference to sitting out last week. “I almost dressed up the second half. We got the win and that’s what matters, that’s my revenge.”
Johnson was adamant in relaying the message that the defense works as one unit and that they will not lose a step as a unit, no matter who is injured.
“We are expecting the new D-tackles that came in to play as good as the starting D-tackles,” Johnson said. “We ain’t gonna lose a step or anything. We are just gonna get our job done as a whole starting 11.”
Thien SokAfter a few early season injuries Utah has had to do some shuffling of players to fill in holes in the defensive line.