Spencer Toone played a big role in Utah's perfect season. The linebacker led the Utes with 115 tackles, second-most in the Mountain West Conference. He also had four tackles-for-loss, three fumble recoveries, two pass breakups, a quarterback sack and a forced fumble.
It wasn't enough, though, to earn the junior more than honorable mention all-conference recognition.
And that could spell trouble for Utah opponents in 2005.
Despite being inspired by team success, Toone admits there's motivation to be a better individual player as well.
Utah defensive coordinator Gary Andersen can appreciate that. He said Toone has every right to be motivated by last season's lack of personal accolades.
"I think he views himself as a kid who plays at a very high level, and he had a very, very good year," defensive coordinator Gary Andersen said. " . . . If that is something that drives Spencer then that's a great thing."
Toone, however, isn't going to dwell on it.
"All I can do is take care of my job and let everything else take care of itself," Toone said. "I have no control over those things."
What he does control, however, gets mastered. Toone has already earned his bachelor's degree and is enrolled in the MBA program.
On the field, he's just as determined.
After missing spring ball because of shoulder surgery, Toone is working hard to regain his form. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said the recently elected team captain is shaking off the rust and working through some aches and pains. Even so, Toone said he feels great.
"It's good to be back practicing with the team and stuff," he said. "That was probably the hardest thing I had to go through — just sitting out and watching everybody else do things while I was on the sidelines."
Making contributions to Utah's overall success is the former Ricks College star's top priority.
"We have some team goals that are very important. We want a win against Arizona and we want to win the Mountain West Conference," Toone said. "The individual needs the team more than himself. The team is the most important thing and I just want to have success as a team. I want us to play together as a team."
Toone's talent, though, sets him apart. One preseason publication predicts the 6-foot-2, 235-pound rover linebacker will be the league MVP. The Utah sports information office calls him an All-America candidate.
"There's a chance. We've got three football players on this defense that are outstanding and that's Spencer, Steve Fifita and Eric Weddle," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "Any one of those three could be a candidate for Player of the Year."
A difficult task, perhaps, in light of heavy graduation losses after the Utes' remarkable 22-2 run over the past two seasons.
"There's pressure but I don't think there's one person on the team who's even thinking about that," Toone said. "The only thing we are really thinking about is taking care of business on Sept. 2. That's our main focus. That's what we want to do."
Utah's season-opening game against Arizona will most likely be Toone's 22nd start for the Utes and 25th appearance overall. He's already been involved on 180 tackles since joining the program after serving an LDS Church mission to Australia. Before that he led Ricks in tackles and was a two-time all-stater at Snake River High School in Idaho.
"I just always felt this was the best place for me. I really liked the defensive scheme under Coach Whittingham," Toone said. "When I first got here I felt like this is a place where I could get in and make an impact right away."
It helped him decide between red and blue. Rival BYU was also interested in Toone, but Utah wound up securing his services.
"I always felt like I was their main guy so I was really a Ute from that point on," he said. "They treated me well and I wanted to be here."
The relationship has been mutually beneficial.
Whittingham said Toone's production is a combination of ability and the position he holds.
"He's playing a spot in the defense that should be the leading tackler," Whittingham said. "Traditionally that's the most productive and I think we've got the right guy there."
Armed with 4.47 speed in the 40 and great reaction instincts, Toone also has Andersen's endorsement.
"I don't think he's one of the best linebackers in the conference, I know he is. I'm not trading him for anybody," said Andersen, who is confident Toone will take his game up another notch with a healthier shoulder and less tendonitis in his knees. "I expect him to be even better than he was last year."
E-mail: dirk@desnews.com