Defense has been the lynchpin of the 2014 season so far for the Utes. Utah is ranked 36th in the country in points against, allowing just over 21 points per game halfway through the season. More importantly than the amount of points they allow, they are coming up with timely stops that put the team in a position to go out and win games.
The defensive headlines have been dominated by players like defensive captain Nate Orchard, Hunter Dimick, Gionni Paul and safeties Brian Blechen and Tevin Carter. But there are players all over the defense that have come up with big plays for the Utes this season, and many of them are rotation players who have yet to make a career start.
Backup defensive end/linebacker Pita Taumoepenu had a breakout game for the Utes last week against Oregon State, tallying three tackles including one and a half sacks on touted OSU quarterback Sean Mannion.
Taumoepenu’s solo sack came in the third quarter of a tightly contested game where both teams’ fortunes could have changed in the blink of an eye. The sack forced the dangerous Beaver offense off of the field and kept the Utes in the game that much longer until the offense finally found some momentum in the fourth quarter.
“I was just happy I get to help my team in some way,” Taumoepenu said. “It was third down and long, and my coach put me in as the fast nickel, so he called the play that had me blitz off of the edge. I went inside and, I don’t know, I felt like I could beat the tackle off the edge if I just use my feet. My coaches always tell me to believe in my speed and just go for it.”
Taumoepenu moved to Utah from Tonga during his junior year of high school. In his one and only season playing high school football for perennial 4A-power Timpview High School, he recorded 68 tackles, including 25 sacks, which is the third highest total in state history.
“I came from Tonga to Utah, and all I knew about playing football was coming off the edge and just go get the quarterback,” Taumoepenu said.
His then 6-foot-2-inch, 220-plus pound frame made him a pass-rushing target for all the division one schools in Utah, including neighboring BYU. After initially committing to the Cougars, problems arose because of how many scholarships BYU had already given to incoming players. Taumoepenu turned his attention towards the Utes, and head coach Kyle Whittingham was happy to oblige.
“[Utah and BYU] are both good schools, but it felt good coming here,” Taumoepenu said. “I am comfortable here, I love my teammates. They are more like brothers to me. I just love everything about the U.”
After getting a late start practicing with the team because of an eligibility rule concerning his move to the state, Taumoepenu had an uphill battle to get in shape, get bigger, get stronger and most importantly, better understand the game.
“When I came here, I saw the linemen were a lot bigger, stronger and faster. I talked with my coach a lot, and we talked one-on-one explaining how to play better and smarter,” Taumoepenu said.
Growing up playing rugby in Tonga, Taumoepenu was a natural athlete but needed time to learn the game he had only played for one season prior to coming to the Utah football program. In high school, he could get away with not knowing the nuances of the game by using his sensational size and quickness, but at the college level he was forced to slow down and learn not only proper techniques, but also when and where to employ them.
“I came here and learned that there are times to rush and there’s times to step out and beat the tackle another way,” Taumoepenu said. “I got to listen to the quarterback, you know, listen to what words they are saying. I got to think and I got to remember that so the next time they call it, I know what’s coming.”
Taumoepenu seems to finally be putting those skills to good use, just when the Utes need them most. Every week, opposing offensive coordinators are going to attempt to find ways to beat the Utah defense and its ravaging pass rush. When they try to keep the starters like Orchard and company at bay, players like Taumoepenu will be there to pick up the slack.
As for next year, the Utes are going to have a gaping hole to fill when Orchard graduates and leaves the program. Taumoepenu is looking like a good fit to take that spot, but now he’s continuing to focus on learning the game and help his teammates however and whenever he can.
“My goal is to get better and better every game and learn,” Taumoepenu said. “I have a great opportunity to learn from Nate Orchard and Hunter Dimick and the coaches. This year, I want to get better for next year so I can help the team more with what I’ve got.”
Taumoepenu and the rest of the Utes will host No. 20 USC this Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. MT.
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