I'm just very honored to have the opportunity to have that under my belt. It's just a great privilege to play here and to have such great people I learn from. – Garrett Bolles
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah left tackle Garett Bolles credits co-offensive coordinators Jim Harding and Aaron Roderick for putting together a great game plan in last Saturday’s 52-45 win over UCLA.
Running back Joe Williams finished with a school-record 332 yards rushing and four touchdowns.
“It was up to us five up front to execute it and that’s what we did,” Bolles said. “We sprung Joe for a couple of touchdowns. It was a great win.”
Bolles, who was joined on the starting line by left guard Isaac Asiata, center Nick Nowakowski, right guard Salesi Uhatafe and right tackle Sam Tevi, said all five guys were doing their job and pushing guys five yards off the ball.
“It’s a great feeling when you see a running back spring for 45-plus yards on some of those touchdowns,” Bolles said. “Joe did a great job and hopefully he does it this week, too.”
Bolles, a highly touted junior college transfer, is a big part of the success.
“He’s a special player. We knew that when we recruited and signed him. He’s been starting since game one,” said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. “He’s been a little aggressive at times, but that’s the type of problem you want. It’s easier to rein it in rather than try and bring it out.”
Whittingham agrees with assessments that Bolles may be one of the nation’s top run-blocking linemen.
“He’s tough, physical and finishes blocks,” Whittingham said. “He’s a mean, nasty player — not in an illegal way — but in a good way.”
Bolles, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound junior, considers his skill set to be a great blessing. He thanks the “Lord, up above” for giving him the “talent and ability to get the job done and move guys off the ball.”
Additional kudos from Bolles are given to the coaches at Snow College for giving him the tools to build on and Harding for putting him to work at Utah.
“He’s really hard on me and expects a lot out of me. I just watch film and improve every week,” Bolles said. “I’m just very honored to have the opportunity to have that under my belt. It’s just a great privilege to play here and to have such great people I learn from.”
PHILLIPS HONORED: Utah senior Andy Phillips made three field goals in the win over UCLA, connecting from distances of 46 and 45 (twice) yards. On Monday, Phillips was named a Lou Groza Award Star of the Week.
“It’s cool. Recognition is cool,” Phillips said. “But I try not to pay too much attention to that stuff.”
COMING TO OUR CITY: More details from this weekend’s visit by ESPN’s “College GameDay” show were announced. Live “hits” from Presidents Circle will take place on Friday. “College Football Live” will originate from the set Friday from 11:10 .m,-noon. The main show is broadcast 7-10 a.m. on Saturday. Fans, who are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes, can begin camping out Friday at 4 p.m.
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