Utes have pieces for run in Pac-12
QB, RB and top 5 WRs return after 9-win 2018 season
After a difficult transition to the Pac-12 in 2011, Utah has steadily improved and was in contention for a Pac-12 title in 2018.
The Utes return enough talent to make another run at a Pac-12 crown in 2019.
Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country entering the 2019 season. The Sentinel staff will take a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 130 to our projected No. 1 team.
Today at No. 21: Utah
Coach: Kyle Whittingham (120-61, entering 15th season; 120-61 overall)
2018 record: 9-5, 6-3 in the Pac-12 Conference; first in the South Division
Look back: While back-toback losses to Washington and Washington State to open the Pac-12 schedule weren’t ideal, Utah managed to rebound with wins during six of its next seven games. The Utes earned their first outright division crown and their first conference-championship game appearance since joining the Pac-12 in 2011. The team qualified for its fifth consecutive bowl game, earning a trip to the Holiday Bowl, eventually losing the game to Northwestern.
Offensive 8
Offensive starters lost: 3
Defensive 7
starters starters
returning: returning:
Defensive starters lost: 4
Key losses: OL Jackson Barton, OL Lo Falemaka, OL Jordan Agasiva, LB Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley,
Cody Barton, LB Chase Hansen, DB Marquise Blair, DB Corrion Ballard
Top returnees: QB Tyler Huntley, RB Zack Moss, WR Siaosi Mariner, WR Demari Simpkins, TE Jake Jackson, OL Orlando Umana, OL Darrin Paulo, DE Maxs Tupai, DT Leki Fotu, DT John Penisini, DE Bradlee Anae, DB Julian Blackmon, DB Jaylon Johnson, DB Javelin Guidry
Strengths: Utah benefits from the return of Andy Ludwig, who takes over offensive-coordinator duties after spending the past three seasons in charge of the Vanderbilt offense. Ludwig ran the Utes offense for three seasons from 2005-08.
“Getting Andy Ludwig back as our coordinator is a big plus. He’s a proven commodity,” coach Kyle Whittingham said during Pac-12 media days. “Players really embraced during spring football what Andy was center, is among the Utes’ top returning players.
bringing to the table schematically and how he operates. Right now we’ve got a great buy-in, and they believe in what he’s doing.”
Quarterback Tyler Huntley returns after missing the final five games after breaking his collarbone in a win over Oregon. Huntley finished with 1,788 yards passing with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions in nine starts last season.
Tailback Zack Moss earned second-team allconference honors after rushing for 1,096 yards with 11 touchdowns. It was the second consecutive season with at least 1,000 yards rushing for Moss, who ranks fourth among the Utes’ career rushing leaders.
Utah returns its top five receiving threats, led by junior Britain Covey, who topped the team in receptions (60), receiving yards (637) and punt-return yards (221).
The defense returns seven starters, including three
of the top four defensive linemen led by all-conference defensive end Bradlee Anae (8.0 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss). The Utes led the Pac-12 in rushing defense, allowing just 100 yards per game on the ground.
Weaknesses: Utah loses a pair of first-team all-conference offensive linemen with the departures of Jordan Agasiva and Jackson Barton. The group allowed 32 sacks, with 21 of those coming in the first eight games of last season.
“Offensive line we’ve got some holes to fill,” Whittingham added. “We came out of spring with three guys that we know are going to play for us, but we’ve got to find seven or eight guys that are going to be in that rotation upfront on the offensive line that we have confidence in.”
The Utes must account for the loss of all-conference linebackers Cody Barton and Chase Hansen. The duo combined for 230 tackles,
2019 schedule
Aug. 29 at BYU
Sept. 7 Northern Illinois Sept. 14 Idaho State Sept. 20 at USC
Sept. 28 Washington State Oct. 12 at Oregon State Oct. 19 Arizona State Oct. 26 California
Nov. 2 at Washington Nov. 16 UCLA
Nov. 23 at Arizona
Nov. 30 Colorado
23.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks last season.
Outlook: With 15 returning starters from a team that won nine games last season, it’s easy to see why Utah was the preseason pick to win the Pac-12 title. But the Utes haven’t claimed a conference championship in more than a decade.
The offense looks to rebound under Ludwig with a healthy Huntley and Moss back to lead the group. It’s a crucial element as the defense develops new leaders.