I just want to lead by example and just have these guys look up to me and make sure what I leave behind, they recognize and respect me for. – Nate Orchard
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah defensive end Nate Orchard is leading a lot of things these days. Besides being a team captain, the senior is a driving force behind a defense that tops the nation with 5.5 sacks and is tied for first with 10.5 tackles-for-loss per game.
As the Utes (2-0) prepare for Saturday’s game at Michigan (2-1), Orchard is tied for the team lead in tackles (14), tackles for loss (3), sacks (2.5) and fumble recoveries (1) — despite seeing limited action in blowout wins over Idaho State and Fresno State.
“We needed him to come this year with the mindset that he was going to be one of the best pass rushers and edge players in the Pac-12 Conference, and he’s off to a good start,” said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham.
Orchard, he added, is the Utes’ premier playmaker in the front seven and has been as advertised through two games.
Whittingham credits Utah’s No. 1 ranking in sacks and tackles for loss to the “activeness and athletic nature” of the defensive front, which includes returning veterans like Orchard.
“We play aggressive defense here, and it’s good to show up in some of those categories,” Whittingham said. “They’re not the most important categories, but they’re certainly important, and I think it just says that our guys up front are doing a good job flying around and making plays when they’re there to be made.”
Orchard is determined to do whatever he can.
“Definitely. Going into my senior year I want to do everything right — on and off the field,” he said. “I just want to lead by example and just have these guys look up to me and make sure what I leave behind, they recognize and respect me for.”
Orchard has played in all 39 games since joining the program in 2011. He’s made 116 tackles (58 solo) in his career with the Utes, including 20.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. The 6-foot-4, 255-pounder from Highland High School has also recorded nine sacks, eight pass deflections, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.
“Physically he’s always been a beast. He came in a year after me as a freshman and he was already stronger than me. He could whoop upon me,” said safety Brian Blechen. “So I have to give it to him. He’s always been a physical beast, and he’s gotten even better — to the point where he’s a nightmare for tackles.”
Blechen added that Orchard’s football intelligence has grown over time. He understands what everyone on the defense is supposed to be doing.
Sophomore defensive end Hunter Dimick, who starts on the left side opposite Orchard, credits him for having a huge impact on his adjustment.
“Since the day I got here he just helped me with things and told me how to get better with this and how to get better with that,” Dimick said.
Orchard was pleased to hear of the kind words from his teammates.
“It means a lot,” Orchard said. “It means what I’m doing is right and I should just continue to keep doing what I’m doing.”
Whittingham would be just fine with that,
“(Nate) has been a fantastic leader for us and not just this year as a captain. In years past he’s been in a leadership role as well,” he said. “I believe he’s been on the leadership council every year he’s been here and so he’s a guy that leads by example. He’s a guy that is demanding of himself, and other people see that and it’s contagious.”
Utah quarterback Travis Wilson is glad to have Orchard on his team. Wilson considers him a great friend, player and captain, as well as a freak-of-an-athlete. Wilson noted that Orchard has the ability to get in the backfield quickly.
“I hope to see him playing on Sundays,” Wilson said.
These days, though, expect to see Orchard utilized at both defensive end and linebacker much like Trevor Reilly was the past couple of seasons. Blechen believes the void can be filled skill-wise.
“They are two really different people but they play a lot of the same game,” Blechen said. “They’re smart, strong and athletic.”
Orchard tops this week’s depth chart at right end and stud linebacker. Whittingham explained that Orchard will play outside linebacker in Utah’s base package. Even though the Utes haven’t used the scheme much the past two seasons, Whittingham said that Orchard is going to see action at linebacker Saturday because of Michigan’s personnel groupings.
Regardless of where Orchard lines up, Blechen knows his fellow defensive captain will be prepared.
“Sometimes he’ll break assignment and knows when we can gamble,” Blechen said. “He’ll make a play and it’s just because he’s smart enough to know what’s going on and when he can mix it up.”
As far as a game plan, Whittingham noted that the Utes plan to put Orchard where he’ll have the most impact over the remainder of the season.
*****
Utah (2-0) at Michigan (2-1)
Michigan Stadium (109,901)
Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
TV: ABC, Ch. 4
Radio: ESPN 700
Email: dirk@desnews.com
Twitter: @DirkFacer