From Eric Weddle to the Red Rocks: What’s next in 2022?

Los Angeles Rams defensive back Eric Weddle smiles during NFC wild-card game Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. The former Ute great and longtime NFL safety came out of retirement to join the Rams’ roster for their playoff run.

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The year 2022 has just begun, but there’s plenty of things going on in University of Utah sports.

Defensive tackles coach Sione Po’uha retired while Quinton Ganther was hired as the Utes’ new running backs coach.

Former Utes star Eric Weddle came out of retirement to join the Los Angeles Rams, who defeated the Arizona Cardinals in Monday’s NFL wild-card game.

The No. 4 ranked Utah gymnastics team defeated No. 3 Oklahoma, prompting senior Sydney Soloski to say, “We were ranked No. 4 in the preseason, so obviously people thought we were pretty good at gymnastics, but this was us showing them that we are not going to stay No. 4. That is not what we are after. We have talent and are a very determined and confident team. Tonight showed that we are a force to be reckoned with, and we are only going to get better.”

Days later, the Red Rocks vaulted to No. 2 in the national rankings.

And the Runnin’ Utes fell in heartbreaking fashion at Arizona State Monday afternoon.

What more does 2022 have in store?

Numbers game

6: Losses in a row for the Utah men’s basketball team.

7: Lead that the Utah women’s basketball team had at halftime against No. 2 Stanford before losing 83-73.

197.775: The Red Rocks’ score in their win over No. 3 Oklahoma.

From the archives

Utah basketball gets commitment from Canadian guard Wilguens Exacte Jr. (Deseret News)
No. 2 Stanford rallies to beat Utah women’s basketball (Deseret News)
Star Lotulelei makes first career playoff sack in Buffalo Bills’ wild-card win over New England Patriots (Deseret News)
Who will emerge as Runnin’ Utes’ emotional leader against trio of top-10 teams? (Deseret News)
Utah football signee Ryan Peppins named Alabama Mr. Football (Deseret News)

Fanalyst

Comments from Deseret News readers

I support the Utes and coach Smith. This is not very surprising as Utah is in full rebuild. Keep your heads up guys and keep fighting, good things will still happen this year if you compete, and you will succeed in the future too. Utah basketball will come back, it just takes some time, and trust the process. Nothing wrong with the coach or the team chemistry, just be patient fans and support them.

— longjohn

College recruiters make the same mistake over and over again: they fixate on a physical prototype and ignore what they see on the field and on film. It’s a prejudice that will continue to benefit the Utes. Will be fun to watch defenders try to cover and wrap this kid (Ryan Peppins) up.

— Atkins