The Utes will take this weekend off from practices after completing a tough stretch of bye week practice and preparation for next week’s clash with the Michigan Wolverines. With no game this weekend, now would be a perfect time to take a statistical look at the Utes and Wolverines through their first two games to gain a better understanding of how next Saturday’s game at Michigan Stadium might play out.
Offense
Through two games, Utah is 2-0 with wins against Idaho State (56-14) and Fresno State (59-27), and the Wolverines are 1-1 with an opening week win against Appalachian State (52-14) and a shutout loss to 11th-ranked Notre Dame (31-0) in South Bend.
While the Utes have yet to play a nationally ranked team this season, they have nonetheless piled up the offensive numbers. Utah is averaging 309.5 yards passing per game (ranked 29th nationally) and 248 yards rushing (22nd) through the first two weeks of the season. The Wolverines have not fared as well on the offensive side of the ball, averaging 199.5 yards passing (86th) and 225 yards rushing (39th) through their first two games.
QB’s
Both teams’ offenses are led by highly-touted quarterbacks. Travis Wilson is 24-for-38 (63 percent) passing for 446 yards and six touchdowns while not throwing a single interception this year for the Utes. Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner is 32-for-46 for 362 yards (69.6 percent), three touchdowns and three interceptions. While Gardner has been more effective in pass completions through two games, Wilson has been far more effective in his pass efficiency, touchdowns thrown and yards per completion.
WR’s
Utah’s air attack is controlled by its two primary receivers, Dres Anderson and Kenneth Scott. Anderson is averaging 97.5 yards per game with only seven receptions on the season. He’s also hauled in two touchdown passes, and his 27.9 yards per catch is good enough for 10th nationally. Scott leads the Utes in receptions (10) and touchdowns (3) and is second in receiving yards with 134. Utah also averages 16.73 yards per completion as a team, which is the eighth highest total in the country.
The Wolverines’ passing game is almost entirely led by Devin Funchess but is supplemented by Jehu Chesson. Funchess has 16 receptions for 202 yards (12.6 yard average) and all three of Michigan’s receiving touchdowns. Chesson only has five receptions on the season for 52 yards and is averaging just over 10 yards per completion (10.4).
RB’s
Both the Utes and the Wolverines have split their starting reps between two running backs.
Bubba Poole has started both games for Utah, but the rushing leader in each game has been Devontae Booker. The JC transfer has rushed for 145 yards on 20 carries (7.2 yards per rush) with two touchdowns. Poole has rushed for 96 yards on 19 attempts (5.1 yards per rush) with one touchdown.
Michigan is led by Derrick Green with 195 yards on 28 carries (seven yards per rush) and a touchdown. Like Utah, the Wolverines’ secondary rusher has picked up the slack in the run game. De’Veon Smith is second on the team in yards per rush (9.7) and touchdowns (2) even though he has only rushed for 145 yards on 15 carries.
Defense
The Utah defense is once again anchored by its defensive line. The Utes lead the country in tackles for loss (21) and are second in tackles for loss per game (10.5). They are also tied for second in sacks (11) and sacks per game (5.5). Of those 11 sacks, 9.5 were accumulated by defensive linemen, as well as 13.5 of the team’s 21 tackles for loss. The defensive line is led by defensive ends Nate Orchard and Hunter Dimick, who are tied for second in the Pac-12 in total sacks (2.5) and sacks per game (1.25).
While the defensive line is racking up stats, the defense as a whole is still allowing over 20 points per game (20.5) which is still in the bottom half of the country (55th). However, the starting defense has yet to finish an entire game.
Michigan has a relatively stout rushing defense, allowing 3.09 yards per rush and 103.5 yards per game on defense (36th nationally). The pass defense has a different story, averaging 11.4 yards per completion. Overall, the Wolverine defense allows 4.18 yards per play, but only 280 yards per game, which is good enough for 26th in the country.
Special Teams
Utah ranks second in the nation in net punting (49 yards per punt) thanks to punter Tom Hackett. Ute placekicker Andy Phillips is 1-for-1 on the season in field goals, hitting a 47-yarder last week against Fresno State. Utah leads the Pac-12 in kickoff return average (41.5). Finally, Ute receiver Kaelin Clay has four kickoff returns for 166 yards.
The Michigan kickoff team has allowed 19.6 yards per kickoff return (55th), and their punt team is the 61st ranked in the country after accumulating 216 net punting yards. Wolverine placekicker Matt Wile is 1-for-4 on field goals this season; he is 1-for-1 on attempts 19 yards and shorter and is 0-for-3 on attempts 40 yards or longer.
Fun Stats
The Utes and Wolverines each have a 1-1 record against each other; the Wolverines won the opening matchup in Ann Arbor in 2001, but the Utes stole a road victory at Michigan Stadium in 2008.
The Utes are a combined 7-12 against current Big 10 schools with wins against Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern and Wisconsin.
[email protected]
@TalonChappell