PROVO — In his first game coaching BYU’s offensive line, Eric Mateos will be leading his players against No. 14 Utah’s vaunted defensive line, which is considered by many as one of the top D-lines in the country.
College football analyst Phil Steele recently ranked the Utes’ D-line as the best in the nation. Better than Clemson. Better than Alabama.
It’s a challenge that Mateos and his O-line embrace.
For Mateos, who has coached at Arkansas and Louisiana State of the Southeastern Conference, this is the type of test he’s accustomed to.
“I love it. I was raised in the SEC. In that league, it’s every week that you’re going against a first-round pick on the D-line. I guess I’ve been raised in that where it’s just fun,” Mateos said. “You have to look forward to it. I remember being a young coach and getting ready for Donte Fowler and Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett. Those were back-to-back-to-back. You’re going against first-round, top-5 picks every week. That’s fun. If you have anything in your body that’s super-competitive, you’ve got to want that. How can we consider ourselves to be a great O-line if we can’t go toe-to-toe with a great D-line?”
Utah boasts defensive end Bradlee Anae, who registered eight sacks last season, and defensive tackles Leki Fotu and John Penisini. Fotu was named to 2019 ESPN preseason college football All-America team.
Anae, Fotu and Penisini “are listed as either first or second on my All-Pac-12 preseason team, with each player likely having a future in the NFL,” Steele wrote.
Mateos respects the Utes’ strength up front.
“They are great. I’ve watched every game probably 10 times. They are excellent. We’re excited about it. I think it’s what you’ve got to want. I don’t get excited if we were going to play Southwest Baptist. No offense to my alma mater,” Mateos said. “But it’s not exciting. It’s not why we do this. We do this because you want to compete against the best. If people are saying that they’re the best, then I’m jacked for it. I know our players are.”
Last season, the Cougars surrendered three sacks to Utah in the Utes’ 35-27 come-from-behind victory at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
“They’re a great D-line,” said sophomore Brady Christensen, who started all 13 games last season at left tackle. “For us to be good, we’ve got to play great against the best. We’re excited for that challenge and we’re looking forward to testing ourselves in that first game.”
Christensen said his team has watched “a ton” of Utah games during the offseason.
“I think I’ve watched every game from last year in film sessions. They’re very, very physical and very sound. It’s not like they’re dominant in one area. They’re very sound in every aspect of the game.”
Christensen is looking forward to matching up against Anae again.
“I went against him last year. I definitely have an eye on him,” Christensen said. “He’s a stud. He’s very strong and very physical. I’m excited for the challenge.”
What is Anae’s assessment of BYU’s offensive line?
”I heard a lot about them. I heard they’re a solid group,” he said. “From what I’ve seen playing them last year, yeah, they are a solid group. But, you know, it’s all up to who comes to play on that day.”
BYU coach Kalani Sitake likes what he’s seen from his offensive line, which includes returning starters James Empey (center) and right guard Tristen Hoge (right guard).
“They’re big and we have a lot of guys that can play and most of them will return next year. It’s a really promising group and they really work well together,” Sitake said. “The fact that they’re big, strong and physical, we’re going to need them. Especially in this first game, going against a very quality opponent and a stifling defense, it’s going to be a lot of fun to see how these guys measure up. I’m excited about the matchup.”
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham always stresses the importance of the battle between the offensive and defensive lines.
”I think the line of scrimmage is a pivotal matchup every week — both sides. Not only our D-line but our O-line versus their D-line,” Whittingham said. “And that’s typically where the game is won and lost, in the trenches. That’s the name of the game. So it’ll be no different in this game. It’ll be absolutely critical to go in and win that battle.”
Hoge said it’s important for BYU’s O-line to focus on the task ahead of it rather than focus on the attention Utah’s D-line is receiving.
“Knowing that we have that challenge, nothing changes for us,” he said. “It doesn’t mean that we have to raise our play or lower our standards. We’re going to perform and face that D-line head-on. They’re a very good D-line. They’re very sound technically. They’re strong and fast. With that being said, we look forward to playing them again.”
“They’re strong in every aspect of the game. It’s not just the defensive line that’s great,” Christensen said of Utah. “They’ve lost a couple of linebackers but are reloading. Their defensive backs are great. They’re sound all around. We’ll have to play very well to beat them.”
Because of the experience of BYU’s offensive line, there are high expectations at that position, both in the season opener and for the entire year.
“I love being held to high expectations. We’re excited for the challenge,” Christensen said. “We know Utah is a really good team. But we’re good ourselves. We’re ready to compete against them.”
Contributing: Dirk Facer