BYU and Utah aren’t scheduled to face each other on the gridiron again until next season, but they’re featured together in an in-depth article from CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd about how the spread offense has led to the rise of the running quarterback and a return to reliance on the ground game in general in college football.
The story is centered around Cougar signal caller Taysom Hill, who has become one of the best dual threats in the country behind center. He’s part of a trend that has seen average rushing yards by quarterbacks nearly double over the last decade.
Offering insight about how defenses try to stop mobile signal callers is the Utes head coach, Kyle Whittingham, who served as Utah’s defensive coordinator before becoming head man.
He says the logic behind the increase in rushing yards from quarterbacks is simple.
“The advent of the spread and the quarterback being a viable runner,” he said. “As a former defensive coordinator, that's your biggest nightmare — a quarterback who can hurt you both ways.”
Though principles of the spread offense might be contrary to those of a power running game, the article delves into how the system can produce an effective ground game, particularly if the quarterback isn’t accounted for.
Re-enter Hill.
“I'm very excited,” Hill said about the upcoming season. “Let's pick up where I personally left off last year.”
ESPN forecasts Utes
It’s high time for various media outlets to offer predictions about how the 2015 college football season might shake out.
ESPN’s David Lombardi recently offered his outlook on the University of Utah, saying he predicts the Utes will finish in a tie for second in the Pac-12 South.
As a best-case scenario, he says Kyle Whittingham’s team could go 10-2.
“The Pac-12 South is the ultimate toss-up, and the Utes proved good enough to beat anyone in the division last year,” Lombardi wrote. “The combination of (Devontae) Booker and their rugged front seven alone should keep Utah in every game.”
At worst, Utah could go 6-6, Lombardi says.
“Much would have to go wrong for this to happen, but the Pac-12 South is indeed a treacherous minefield,” Lombardi wrote.
Boomers buoy up Exum
In the aftermath of the ACL injury that could keep Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum on the sidelines for the entire 2015-2016 season, his teammates on the Australian national squad have vowed to provide support to the 20-year-old, according to a story by Melanie Dinjaski of Fox Sports.
“All the Boomers boys are going to keep in touch with him throughout the year,” said countryman and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova. “I’ll see him when I go to Utah and just try to keep his spirits up. If he needs us, he knows he can always reach out to all the boys. It’s just a really tough injury for him.”
Exum was hurt Aug. 4 in an exhibition game against Slovenia.
Ryan McDonald is a sports reporter at DeseretNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanwmcdonald.