SALT LAKE CITY — What kind of encore can the 12h-ranked Utah Utes put together? A week after shutting down Arizona State in a 21-3 victory, they’re back at Rice-Eccles Stadium to take on California. Saturday’s kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
The Utes are coming off a stellar showing against the Sun Devils, holding them to 136 total yards, 25 yards passing and just four completions. The defensive line applied pressure throughout the game, senior end Bradlee Anae earned conference and national recognition by recording three sacks.
“Players, coaches — it’s all a combined effort. The players especially, led by some good leaders. ... We keep each other accountable and things like that. It’s collective.” — Utah defensive end Bradlee Anae
“They did a good job owning the scheme and just wanted to do good on the field,” said defensive line coach Lewis Powell. “They came out and executed what was practiced all week.”
The numbers were impressive. Utah’s defense left little to the imagination.
The Utes (6-1, 3-1) face Cal this week as the Pac-12 leaders in many statistical categories, including fewest first downs allowed (95), rushing defense (61.1 ypg), scoring defense (11.7 ppg), third-down conversion defense (27.4 percent) and total defense (252.1 ypg).
“Players, coaches — it’s all a combined effort,” Anae said. “The players especially, led by some good leaders. ... We keep each other accountable and things like that. It’s collective.”
Sophomore linebacker Devin Lloyd, who leads the Utes with 50 tackles, agrees.
“We’re just clocking on defense. Everybody’s doing their job,” he said. “We’re playing with a lot of energy and we’re just juiced up to play every week.”
Lloyd added that the coaches are putting them in the right position and they simply just need to go out and execute.
“Come game day it’s just time to come out and play,” he said.
Through seven games, Utah’s defense has made 38 tackles for loss and notched 38 pass breakups. The Utes have 13 sacks, nine interceptions, six quarterback hurries and three fumble recoveries.
Senior safety Julian Blackmon said they key to success is ownership and a willingness to listen to the coaches. The “buy-in” factor, he explained, is really important.
“I feel like we all really have a focus and we know what we want at the end of the day,” said Blackmon, who noted that things really intensified after a subpar showing in a loss at USC last month. “We trust our coaches and our coaches trust us. At the end of the day, they make the game plan but we are the ones that have to go out and execute.”
Utah has allowed just 23 points over its last three games, the fewest in such a stretch since 2007. Washington State, Oregon State and Arizona State have combined to covert on just 18.4% of third-down opportunities during the Utes’ current win streak.
Last week’s performance against ASU, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham acknowledged, produced numbers as good as he can remember from a statistical standpoint.
“I thought the plan was very good going in, but again the plan is only as good as the players that are executing it and the players did an outstanding job,” Whittingham said. “The front four applied pressure all night long. The backend was outstanding, obviously with the four completions the entire night for 25 yards, and that doesn’t happen often in this day and age in college football.”
Whittingham noted that defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley and his staff are doing a great job.
“But when it all boils over it comes down to your players,” Whittingham said. “That is the bottom line, their talent level and their mentality and the commitment that they have to what you are doing.”
The Utes are also getting things done on offense. They currently lead the Pac-12 in rushing offense (217.7 ypg), team passing efficiency (173.59 rating) and time of possession (34:56). Senior quarterback Tyler Huntley and running back Zack Moss are having stellar seasons.
Even so, Huntley said the team is far from satisfied as the pursuit of another division title intensifies.
“It could be even more fun if all of us just do our job like thoroughly. We’re still making a lot of mistakes,” he explained. “It feels good, though, to be winning. But we could be winning better.”
Utes on the air
California (4-3, 1-3) at No. 12 Utah (6-1, 3-1)
Rice-Eccles Stadium
Saturday, 8 p.m.
TV: FS1
Radio: ESPN 700AM