The Utes couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season. As quarterback Brian Johnson said after Utah’s win over Utah State, “You have to go 3-0 to go 4-0. The only problem to Utah’s start is the shortage the Utes are having on the defensive line.”
No other position on either side of the ball has suffered more devastating injuries this year than the two defensive line slots. With upcoming opponent Air Force having one of the best rushing offenses in the nation, it’s not the most ideal time to be having those kinds of problems.
Last season, the Utes had similar problems with injury issues going into the Air Force game. The difference is, last year, the critical injuries were on offense.
Already this season, experienced defensive linemen Kenape Eliapo and Lei Talamaivao are both out with broken bones, leaving the Utes once again putting together a make-shift lineup on the fly.
“We’re just trying to find the best combination of four guys to put in there,” defensive coordinator Gary Andersen said. “We’re playing a bunch of young guys, and our goal is to keep these guys healthy.”
The remaining healthy linemen with experience are Greg Newman and Aaron Tonga. Newman is the last of the original starters and has the most experience out of the remaining healthy players. With most of the starting backup linemen being freshmen, Newman’s leadership and experience will come in handy.
Although Tonga has had experience on the field, it has been very limited. Prior to the injuries to the other players, Tonga hasn’t seen a lot of time on the starting team, but has had a solid showing so far this season.
The other starter will be freshman Sealver Siliaga. He has already started in the games against UNLV and Utah State and is expected to see more playing time.
“I got used to it real quick,” Siliaga said about the adjustment. “I’ve grown a lot since the first day of camp.”
Defensive end Derrick Shelby has also moved inside along with Newman, Tonga and Siliaga. Andersen will try this combination against Air Force.
“We have to be creative and try different things,” Andersen said. “We have to mix and match the scheme to fit certain people in certain situations.”
With the big matchup against Air Force, head coach Kyle Whittingham is confident this will be the best option.
“I think that is settled. We got very good production on Saturday,” Whittingham said. “We moved Derrick Shelby inside. Sealver Siliaga and Aaron Tonga played well and Greg Newman played the entire game. That combination is what we will stay with hopefully the rest of the year, and we’ll leave the defensive ends outside.”
With the starting defensive line set, these new faces at lineman, combined with the speed and explosiveness Paul Kruger and Koa Misi bring from the ends, this patchwork group will not only be trying to neutralize the ground attack of Air Force, but also trying to avoid injury.
Lucas IsleyGreg Newman is Utahs most experienced defensive lineman and his experience will be needed this week at Air Force.