Utah’s defense did not have an ideal start to the season. Despite coming up with multiple interceptions, it still was not what the coaches were striving for.
Then Hunter Dimick went down against Utah State, creating more difficulties as the team had to replace a fallen leader. But the Utes were able to do so and did not miss a single beat with Dimick off the field, so his probable return this Saturday only helps better the team.
Dimick has been eager to get back on the field since his injury and even wanted to return to play against Oregon. However, his trainers advised him otherwise, and Dimick trusts their judgment, so even though he was a bit disappointed, he knew it would be more beneficial in the long run to leave it to the professionals.
“It kind of hurt, not being out there, but I couldn’t be happier for our team and the work we put in there and having it pay off,” Dimick said.
Being able to participate fully in practice this week has been a big relief for Dimick, but it will be an even better feeling when he can line up against the Cal offense. He will not have any problem getting up to play them and knows his linebackers will only add to his energy.
The Utah defensive players’ commitment to the game motivates Dimick to play at his highest level.
“With our linebackers we have now, the passion we play with, especially when a linebacker that’s 235, 240 pounds running down skill positions, that gets all of us fired up,” Dimick said.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham is staying optimistic about Dimick’s ability to play and can’t wait for his presence back on the turf.
“It’s no secret that he brings a toughness and a physicality to the defense — not that we don’t have guys just like him, but he’s exceptional in that regard,” Whittingham said.
Other guys like him include linebackers Jared Norris and Gionni Paul, who Whittingham continues to rely on. As a former linebacker himself, Whittingham tends to favor these guys in a different manner. But even were it not for this, Norris and Paul are the ones he looks to lead the team.
Whittingham understands the steep learning curve required for playing linebacker in college and thinks Norris and Paul are some of the best to play the position.
“They’re excellent on pass drops, whether it be zone coverage or man-to-man, they both do a nice job, and that’s their strong suits,” Whittingham said. “It’s good to have linebackers like that, that you can count on for the undercoverage aspect, and they do a good job.”
As for this week, Norris is completely aware of what his team needs to do leading up to the game. Any given Saturday, any team can win, which has proved true in the Pac-12, where plenty of teams have won on the road. Norris and company will be all in and are not overlooking Cal.
“We just need to have a good week in practice, and having a week off was nice for everybody to get their bodies right, but we just need to execute in practice and it’ll carry over,” Norris said.
Norris also won’t let anything get in his way, including GameDay. He thinks it will be a lot of fun for the players and the whole community, but he can’t let it consume his thoughts.
“You have to stay focused on the task at hand and try to block out all the distractions,” Norris said.
Although the offense appeared to be the star of the game against Oregon, this does not deter Paul from his job. He wants to make the defense shine as much as the offense and is excited for the challenge in Cal quarterback and potential first-round draft pick, Jared Goff.
Paul has been waiting for a high-caliber quarterback to play against and wants to see where he stacks up against Goff, especially with all the national attention on the game.
“I think we’re going to come out here and we’re going to play ball,” Paul said. “I think we got a great scheme. We’re finally getting recognized, but our work is not done.”
@kbrenneisen