Just like last year, these two positions are the heart of a defense that should just rock a lot of the offenses it sees in 2002.
The line just plugs Lauvale Sape into the noseguard spot that Ma'ake Kemoeatu held for three years, and Sape made second-team All-MWC last year without being a regular starter. He had 11 tackles for loss and five sacks in 2001.
Everyone else up front is a returning starter, and every starter has a backup who's pushing hard for time. "It's a pretty good group," said coach Ron McBride. "There's not much difference in the first and second string." In some ways, the depth is better than last year.
End Jason Kaufusi and tackle Garrett Smith are defending their All-MWC first-team honors from last year. Smith is on Lombardi Award (offensive or defensive line) and Outland Trophy (interior linemen) watch lists, and Kaufusi is on the Lombardi watch list.
Junior end Josh Savage anchors at left end with 10 starts in 20 career games including all but one game last year. He had seven tackles-for-loss and four sacks.
"We feel real good about (the defensive line). We have 10 defensive linemen. It's a strong point," said McBride.
Veteran Marcus Jones backs up Kaufusi, and converted linebacker Marquess Ledbetter is challenging Jones. Lewis Powell played in nine games last year and backs up Smith. Sione Pouha moved from offense to defense a year ago and is remarkably strong and quick, backing up at left end but able to also play tackle. Redshirt freshman Steve Fifita is the only rookie. He'll give the line a different look when he plays because he's smaller but quicker, McBride said.
Linebacker starts two veterans in Sheldon Deckart at rover and Brooks Bahr at strong side, while sophomore Zach Tune takes over the middle duties with ferocity. "Very solid," McBride said of this group.
Deckart underwent two shoulder surgeries in the offseason but says he's felt fine with fall contact. He is considered the top linebacker in the Mountain West Conference and is on the Bronko Nagurski watch list for the nation's top defender. He led Utah in tackles last year with 86, 13 for loss.
Following their second scrimmage on Saturday, Utah coaches made a few changes to their depth charts.
Jeremy Lyman moves into the backup spot for Deckart, replacing junior-college transfer Ray Holdcraft. Lyman remains a backup for Zach Tune in the middle. Sophomore Corey Dodds is backup at the "stud" linebacker spot.
E-MAIL: lham@desnews.com