SALT LAKE CITY — Ute offensive lineman Darrin Paulo summed up Utah’s offensive line performance in the Pac-12 championship game against Oregon best.

“You guys saw the film. We got our (butts) kicked. They beat us that game,” Paulo said.

Utah’s offensive line was not its usual self in the Pac-12 championship game, allowing six sacks. The Utes’ usually-dominant run game, which had averaged more than 200 yards per game heading into the Oregon game, was stifled for 116 yards — 113 of which came from Zack Moss. Utah’s offense struggled to put up points and finished the night with just 15. The Utes were unable to get the yards when it counted on fourth down and get the necessary push on the line.

“The disappointing thing is we lost the game really in the one area we’ve been undefeated this year — the line of scrimmage. We did not win the line of scrimmage for the first time all season, which was, like I said, disappointing and surprising, really.” — Utah coach Kyle Whittingham

“We certainly have to perform better than we did in the last ballgame. That was our worst performance of the year, not only with the O-line but the team overall,” head coach Kyle Whittingham said. 

In the postgame press conference after the championship game, Whittingham said the game was lost in the trenches.

“The disappointing thing is we lost the game really in the one area we’ve been undefeated this year — the line of scrimmage,” he said. “We did not win the line of scrimmage for the first time all season, which was, like I said, disappointing and surprising, really.”

The offensive line probably didn’t have a fun time in the film room following the Oregon loss, but they are learning from the film and applying that to their next opponent — Texas.

“We’re worried about Texas,” sophomore Nick Ford said.

The key for the Utes will be getting back to basics and locking down fundamentals. 

“We’ve got to rebound, we’ve got to get back to doing things that we’ve been doing all season long — protecting the passer, opening up running lanes, and we’ve got full confidence that they’ll do that,” Whittingham said.

Ford agrees.

“We have to get back to some of our fundamentals, get back to our basics to help us perform better. The more time helps us in that aspect,” Ford said.

Junior offensive lineman Orlando Umana thinks the Utes need to be more confident and aggressive.

“Just be more confident in our play, play more aggressive and together,” Umana said.

Utah will have plenty of time to correct the mistakes in the Oregon game and to prepare for Texas’ offensive line. By the time they take the field in San Antonio, 25 days will have passed since the Pac-12 championship game, though players get to go home for a few days before arriving in Texas on Christmas evening. 

“They’re a good team, so it’s good to see them on film and just break down what they do. They’re a good team on film, so it’s always good to have more time,” Paulo said.

Texas’ defensive line enters the Alamo Bowl with 1.8 sacks per game, led by linebacker Juwan Mitchell, who had three sacks. Linebacker Ayodele Adeoye and defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham both have 2.5 sacks each.

Ford describes Texas’ defensive line as “some big bodied guys.”

“They move a lot. They’re young and I think they’re good. They’re a good-looking defense, especially their D-line,” Paulo said.

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Umana also gives the Longhorns’ defensive line props.

“Their line is pretty good, we just need to do our part and come out ready,” Umana said. 

For Utah to cap off its season with a win to end the year on a positive note and send the seniors out the right way, it will have to correct its offensive line play. Ford is confident that the offensive line will get back to its usual ways.

“All of the respect in the world to them, but I’ve got faith in my boys and what we do and we’ll see what happens when that day comes,” he said. 

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