SALT LAKE CITY — Terrell Burgess is turning out to be quite a starting safety for the 17th-ranked Utah Utes.
Through five games, the senior from San Marcos, California, is second on the team with four pass breakups and third in tackles with 22. He’s one of five Utah defenders with an interception and one of 12 with a tackle for loss.
Burgess and two-time all-conference cornerback Julian Blackmon, who is also a senior, have stepped into safety roles vacant due to the graduation of Marquise Blair and Corrion Ballard.
In last Saturday’s 38-13 win over Washington State, Utah’s pass defense bounced back from a subpar performance in a loss at USC. The Utes held the nation’s top passing attack to 252 yards while recording two interceptions and 12 pass breakups. Burgess led the latter with three.
“He might have played his best game as a Ute. He’s played some other really good ones but this one is right up there,” said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. “Between him and Julian, they played very well on Saturday night.”
“He puts you in positions that you wouldn’t even think of being in. So at the end of the day just having him being as experienced and as ready as he is it helps us a lot.” — Utah safety Julian Blackmon, on Terrell Burgess
Whittingham also noted the play of sophomore R.J Hubert, who finished with seven tackles.
“I think we just came out focused. We just tried to know what they were doing before they did. I think we had a good week of practice and I think it worked out well for us in the game,” Burgess said. “I think that’s the main thing. I think we just tried to make sure that everything just went as well as it could be.”
Even so, Burgess explained that there’s always room for improvement as the Utes prepare for their next game, Oct. 12 at Oregon State. They’re determined to keep progressing from here on out, he continued, and make sure that what happened against USC doesn’t occur again.
Burgess is among those leading the charge in a secondary that also features standouts like Jaylon Johnson, Tareke Lewis, Javelin Guidry, Hubert and Blackmon.
Early in camp, Blackmon recalls being asked early in camp who would have a breakout season this fall. He didn’t hesitate in naming Burgess, who is also a valuable return specialist.
“The reason why I said that is his preparation. He’s always been a great player, there’s just been great players in front of him. So he never got to shine,” Blackmon said. “Then when he had the chances to execute, he executed. So just in terms of Terrell he’s a really good leader and we’re excited for what he’s about to do for the rest of the season because he’s a really great player.”
Blackmon added that he couldn’t ask for a better partner at safety, especially someone as reliable and smart as Burgess.
“He puts you in positions that you wouldn’t even think of being in,” Blackmon said. “So at the end of the day just having him being as experienced and as ready as he is it helps us a lot.”
Senior linebacker Francis Bernard also has good things to say about Burgess.
“He’s stepped up a ton in that new safety role,” Bernard noted. “It’s just a credit to the way he’s worked this whole offseason, the way he’s worked his whole career and you can tell — especially watching (the Washington State) game film this is probably the best game he’s played and I know there’s many more to come.”