We’ve got to make sure that we don’t back off in any way, shape or form as coaches, or as players, and that we continue to press forward and build on last year rather than take a backward step. – Kyle Whittingham
Eighth in a 12-part series previewing the Pac-12 football season.
BURBANK, Calif. — At Pac-12 Media Days, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham made it clear. The Utes’ whole emphasis this season is about continuing to take strides forward and develop as a program. Their fifth year in the conference comes on the heels of the team’s first winning record (5-4) in league play.
“We need to continue on that trend and on that climb,” Whittingham said. “Now it’s very difficult in the Pac-12, especially the South (Division) because it’s so competitive.”
The margin between winning and losing most weeks is very thin, he explained, while also noting that the Utes prevailed in two of three overtime games in 2014.
“We’ve got to make sure that we don’t back off in any way, shape or form as coaches, or as players, and that we continue to press forward and build on last year rather than take a backward step.”
Although Utah has 17 returning starters, the Utes enter the 2015 season with a revamped coaching staff — including new coordinators on offense and defense.
Offensive line coach Jim Harding and quarterbacks coach Aaron Roderick are overseeing the offense after Dave Christensen opted to take a job at Texas A&M. Veteran coach John Pease came out of retirement to become the defensive coordinator following Kalani Sitake’s departure to Oregon State. Defensive line coach Ilaisa Tuiaki also left for Corvallis.
Besides Pease, linebackers coach Justin Ena and tight ends coach Lewis Powell were added to Utah’s staff.
OFFENSE: After rushing for 1,512 yards last season, running back Devontae Booker is billed as a Heisman Trophy candidate. He’s the focal point of an offense that includes several other seniors expected to make significant contributions — quarterbacks Travis Wilson and Kendal Thompson, wide receiver Kenneth Scott and center Siaosi Aiono. The latter is one of four returning starters on the offensive line.
DEFENSE: Utah led the nation with 55 sacks last season, leading to the nickname “Sack Lake City.” The mayor, however, has moved on to the NFL. Will the Utes be as successful without national sacks leader Nate Orchard? There’s hope with junior defensive end Hunter Dimick back in the fold. He was ninth in the country with .91 per game. Nose tackle Lowell Lotulelei was a Freshman All-American.
EXTRA POINTS: Senior punter Tom Hackett is the Pac-12’s first Ray Guy Award winner. ... Junior kicker Andy Phillips led the Utes with 113 points last season. ... Utah has finished fifth in the Pac-12 South for three straight years. ... Booker had the Pac-12’s top rushing performance in 2014 — 229 yards at Oregon State.
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