How did the Utah Utes stymie UCLA’s solid rushing attack? ‘When you play more physical, it opens up your scheme’

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s rushing defense did it again. The national leaders, who were giving up just 56 yards per game, held UCLA to only 50 in Saturday’s 49-3 victory over the Bruins.

“We just came out and laid one on them,” said defensive end Bradlee Anae. “And we found out who the more physical team was for sure.”

UCLA came to town averaging 217.2 yards rushing over its previous six games. Senior running back Joshua Kelley was leading the Pac-12 in rushing with 107.6 yards per outing.

The Utes won the ground battle, though. Same goes for any skirmish, conflict and/or war of sorts connected with it.

 “We just wanted to execute what (defensive coordinator) Morgan Scalley had for us this week and do what we do week in and week out to prove to every team what we’re capable of. When you play more physical, it opens up your scheme and other possibilities for the defense to make plays.” — Utah defensive end Bradlee Anae

“That’s your first indicator of physicality,” said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. “We certainly won the rushing battle and controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage.”

Led by two by Anae, Utah sacked UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson five times — resulting in a net loss of 58 yards. The Utes wound up making 10 stops behind the line of scrimmage and forced five takeaways (three fumbles, two interceptions).

 “We just wanted to execute what (defensive coordinator) Morgan Scalley had for us this week and do what we do week in and week out to prove to every team what we’re capable of,” Anae said. “When you play more physical, it opens up your scheme and other possibilities for the defense to make plays.”

Safety Julian Blackmon had an especially strong showing with a game-high 12 tackles (nine solo) with 1.5 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. The performance helped Utah extend its streak of consecutive quarters without surrendering a touchdown at home to 14 quarters.

“Really good players. The front four is, I’m biased, but I think is the best in the country. Linebackers are active and tough and making plays. Secondary is covering,” Whittingham said. “Morgan Scalley is getting them in the right place spots and right locations and his staff is doing a great job with fundamentals and technique. You just add that all together and it’s a pretty good defense.”

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Utah’s offense is also doing quite well. The Utes tallied 536 yards against UCLA. Quarterback Tyler Huntley completed 14-of-18 passes for 335 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Zack Moss netted 127 yards and two scores. Tight end Brant Kuithe led the Utes with five receptions. He and wide receiver Samson Nacua had long TD catches — covering 69 and 83 yards, respectively.

“We just went out there and tried to win. We don’t care what the score is. We just want to come out and execute plays and put in our best effort,” Moss said. “It’s not about the team we’re going against, it’s about us.”

Speaking of the Utes, they’re closing in on a second consecutive outright Pac-12 South title and accompanying appearance in the conference championship game. They’re at Arizona (4-6, 2-5) on Saturday (8 p.m., FS1). The Wildcats are coming off a 34-6 loss at Oregon that allowed the sixth-ranked Ducks (9-1, 7-0) to clinch the Pac-12 North crown. 

Utah closes its schedule at Colorado the following week at home. The Utes control their own destiny in the division race — holding a one-game lead over USC.

 Whittingham is pleased with the business-like approach the Utes, who moved up to No. 7 in this week’s Associated Press top 25 and eighth in the coaches poll, took into the game with UCLA.

“Great preparation by our guys, they worked hard at practice all week long,” he said. “They stayed focused, blocking out all the outside noise and all the stuff that’s going on and just paying attention to what they got in front of them. And that’s what we need to do again this week.”

Utah is seventh in the College Football Playoff rankings, which will be updated on Tuesday.

No. 7 Utah (9-1, 6-1) at Arizona (4-6, 2-5)

Arizona Stadium — Tucson

Saturday, 8 p.m.

TV: FS1

Radio: ESPN 700AM