SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s defense is heralded as one of the best in the country this season. The Utes have only dropped one game and are allowing just 10.3 points per game — good for fourth in the nation. Utah is also top four in total yards given up — No. 4 at 231 per game — and has allowed the fewest rushing yards per game at just 56.4 yards per contest.
Much of that defensive prowess starts with Utah’s stout defensive line. The Utes’ d-line is led by a cast of seniors, some of whom could be playing on Sundays around this time next year — Bradlee Anae at left end, John Penisini at left tackle and Leki Fotu at right tackle. The three have been masterful on the line, stuffing opposing running backs and pressuring quarterbacks. Anae leads the Utes with seven sacks and has 17 tackles, Penisini has a sack and 21 tackles and Fotu has a sack and 18 tackles.
On the right side of the line, among all the seniors, is a sophomore. Mika Tafua has played in every game for the Utes, starting seven of those contests. Tafua leads the d-linemen in tackles with 23 and has a sack to his name.
“I feel like coming from the offseason, going through fall camp, just feeling more confident in what I need to do, I feel like that carried over into the season. I feel like I’m consistently doing it and that’s what’s helping me to produce.” — Utah defensive lineman Mike Tafua
Tafua was good in his freshman year, playing in 11 games and totaling 23 tackles, but has elevated his game even more in 2019.
“I worked a lot in the offseason with one of the GAs (graduate assistant coaches). He helped me out a lot in understanding the defense and where I fit in, some techniques I can use. That really helped,” Tafua said. “I feel like coming from the offseason, going through fall camp, just feeling more confident in what I need to do, I feel like that carried over into the season. I feel like I’m consistently doing it and that’s what’s helping me to produce.”
Playing alongside three talented seniors on the defensive line in Anae, Penisini and Fotu has also helped.
“They have a lot of experience, so it kind of just helps me to understand what I need to do and where I need to fit in in this defense, especially on the defensive line, to have older guys telling me this is where I need to be,” Tafua said.
With the exception of the Washington State and Idaho State games, where he had one tackle, Tafua has had two or more tackles in every game he has played. He had a season-high five tackles against Oregon State and four tackles and a sack against BYU. He also tallied four tackles against USC and three tackles in the Arizona State and Cal games.
Tafua developed a better understanding on the defense in the offseason and as he gets further into the season, he’s able to deepen that understanding, make more plays and be more productive.
“I think I really just focused a lot in the offseason on what I need to do in my job and kind of tweak some of the techniques that I was using before. I think understanding the defense has definitely helped me do my job and has helped me to be more productive,” Tafua said.
Next up for the Utes is Washington, a team which they have not beat since 2015. Utah’s defensive line will have to play a big part if the Utes want to walk away with a crucial victory and position themselves (with some help) to be in the drivers’ seat of the Pac-12 South.
“I think with every offensive line, they all have different strengths,” Tafua said. “I feel like they have a good scheme. I feel like our defensive line is pretty aggressive, so I feel like that would benefit us going against an offensive line such as Washington.”