Bruins Nation - UCLA Football Opposition Preview: UtahBlog Of The Bruins, By The Bruins, For The Bruinshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48017/bruinsnation_f.png2014-10-02T09:00:16-07:00http://www.bruinsnation.com/rss/stream/66458642014-10-02T09:00:16-07:002014-10-02T09:00:16-07:00Oppo Notes: Examining Utah's Defense
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With Saturday just around the corner, we wrap up our preview of this week's opposition, the Utah Utes, with a look at their defensive unit, the strength of their squad.</p> <p>While the <a href="http://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla-bruins-utah-utes/2014/10/1/6881511/opposition-preview-utah-utes-offense">Utah Utes have been less-than-stellar on the offensive side of the ball</a>, their defensive prowess is the strength of the entire team and it will be the best defensive unit the <a href="https://www.bruinsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">UCLA Bruins</a> have faced all season long. On the season, these Utes rank a very respectable 30th in points per game (19.8) and 51st in yards per game (370). By comparison our allegedly vaunted UCLA defense that features some elite talent in <span>Eric Kendricks</span> and <span>Myles Jack</span> comes in at 63rd for points per game (24.8) and 102nd in yards per game (451). So, expect <span>Brett Hundley</span> and our UCLA offense under Noel Mazzone to have to work and earn their points and yards this upcoming Saturday (unless, of course, <span>Ishmael Adams</span> has some more special teams heroics in store for us).</p>
<p>Delving a bit deeper into Kyle Whittingham's defensive unit reveals a couple of interesting notes - while the Utes have been very stout against the run, coming in at 26th in the nation (107.5 yards per game), they've been decidedly mediocre against the air attack, finishing 96th in the nation against the pass (262.0 yards per game). While that could be a product of the fact that they had big leads in their opening games (against Idaho State and Fresno State), forcing those teams to pass to try to keep up, it's more likely indicative of a very good front-seven that eliminates the run game - the Utes are led by junior LB Jared Norris from Centennial HS in Bakersfield (35 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks).</p>
<p>As our friends at SBN sister site Block U pointed out last week, <a href="http://www.cougcenter.com/wsu-football-vs-utah-tv-schedule-odds/2014/9/26/6848323/wsu-vs-utah-previewing-the-utes-with-block-u">the Utes run a 4-3 defense designed to stop the run and force the ball into the hands of the QB</a>. The problem with that, of course, is our QB is a Heisman contender who brings first-round NFL Draft talent to the table - while UCLA forcing <span>Mike Bercovici</span> to beat the Bruins was a smart play, inviting Brett Hundley to do the same is a sure-fire recipe for a defensive disaster. Of course, <a href="http://www.cougcenter.com/wsu-football-vs-utah-tv-schedule-odds/2014/9/27/6854177/wsu-vs-utah-pass-rush-sacks-blitz">Utah will likely be running a variety of blitz packages to get at Hundley (utilizing their plan against mobile Michigan QB Devin Gardner)</a>, which hopefully means Mazzone will be preparing with quick hitting routes over the middle to guys like Duarte that were effective against the Sun Devils.</p>
<p>If Hundley has time, with the offense we run, he should be able to carve up a Utah secondary that has been inconsistent at best. <span>Lurking in that secondary for Hundley will be Utah's third-leading tackler, senior DB Eric Rowe. For those who may not have noticed, Rowe was the DB that Hundley beat with a 64 yard TD throw in their last meeting at the Rose Bowl. </span><a href="http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsutahsports/58479028-59/rowe-utah-booker-defense.html.csp" style="font-size: 11.8181819915771px; background-color: #ffffff;">For Rowe, he's seeking revenge, which might be tall order against an even more polished Hundley</a><span>.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span></span><span>Rowe and his partners in the defensive secondary will need a lot of help from their front seven, which has been able to push around opposing OLs, picking up 4.5 sacks per game (good for 7th in the nation). That doesn't bode well for an OL that, over the past few seasons, have been very suspect at protecting Brett Hundley. If Brendel and his OL unit can cobble together enough time to slow Utah's pass rush, the Bruins could be off to a big day at home.</span></p>
<p>That's your defensive preview of this Saturday's opponent, the <a href="https://www.blocku.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Utah Utes</a>. Fire away in the comment section with your additions, takes, and comments as our Bruins gear up for a big Pac-12 duel at the Rose Bowl this Saturday.</p>
<p>GO BRUINS</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla_bruin_football/2014/10/2/6887541/ucla-utah-preview-looking-at-the-utes-defensive-unitBellerophon2014-10-01T12:09:55-07:002014-10-01T12:09:55-07:00Opposition Preview: Utah Utes Offense
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<figcaption>Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A look at the offensive side of the ball for UCLA's upcoming Pac-12 Conference opponent, the Utah Utes.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.bruinsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">UCLA Bruins</a> (4-0, 1-0) will finally get their 2nd home game of the year this Saturday at 7 PM PST in the Rose Bowl as they take on the <a href="https://www.blocku.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Utah Utes</a> (3-1, 0-1) in a Pac-12 game.</p>
<p>The Utes are never going to be a team confused as an offensive juggernaught, they rank just <a target="_blank" href="http://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/team-stat/total-offense-category">79th in the NCAA</a> this season in yards per game (389.7). That number would rise a little if their game against Idaho State was taken into acount, but <a target="_blank" href="http://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/team-stat/total-offense-category">this website goes to the trouble of only counting FBS opponents</a>. I feel as though that is a far more productive way to look at a a team's statistics.</p>
<p>The Utes are actually a little worse in yards per play, averaging just 5.1 per play (83rd in the NCAA, 10th in the Pac-12). They're 70th in 3rd down conversions at almost 39% (38.89%, 10th in the Pac-12 again ahead of only Oregon State and Washington).</p>
<p>The rushing game of the Utes is probably their strong suit, ranking 64th nationally in yards per rushing attempt with 4.1 (actually very close to UCLA at 53rd and 4.3 per attempt). The Utes are also one of the most run-heavy schools in the country (33rd nationally and 2nd in the Pac-12, rushing on almost 57% of their offensive snaps).</p>
<p>The Utes are still a team that has their carries dominated by mostly one running back in <span>Devontae Booker</span>, a transfer from <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/american" class="sbn-auto-link">American</a> River College that grabbed the starting role in camp. Booker is a pretty normal sized RB at 5'11", 203 pounds. He and <span>Bubba Poole</span> (the Utes leading returning rusher from 2013 with 607 on 149 carries) had been splitting carries up until their last game against Washington State, but Booker got 24 carries in that game to Poole's 5 and Booker was effective in putting up 178 yards (7.4 per carry) to Poole's 9 (1.8 per carry).</p>
<p><span>Troy McCormick</span> and backup QB Kendal Thompson also have more than 20 carries this season, but it appears that Booker has taken a hold on the job over the by-commitee approach. Actually it is similar to what has happened with the Bruins and <span>Paul Perkins</span>.</p>
<p>Starting QB <span>Travis Wilson</span> can also run a little bit, though he looks ridiculous doing so with his 6'7", 233 pound frame. If you just look at his numbers without context, he looks like he's put together a nice start to the season.</p>
<p>56-96 for 783 yards with 7 touchdowns to 0 interceptions. Pretty good, right?</p>
<p>In my opinion, the Utes passing offense has been sort of a mirage of effectiveness. The Utes are one of the worst teams in the Pac-12 in terms of completion percentage (just 54.26%, 99th nationally, 12th in the Pac-12), passing yards per game (just 212 yards per game, 88th nationally and 11th in the Pac-12), and yards per attempt (6.8 yards per attempt, 74th nationally and 9th in the Pac-12).</p>
<p>They live off of the big play (3 30+ yards passing plays vs. Idaho State, 4 vs. Fresno State, 1 vs. Michigan with a 29-yard TD reception as well) and lots of long punt returns to set up amazing field position.</p>
<p>The only game they had without multiple explosive plays (last week against Wazzu) in the passing game, they lost.</p>
<p><span>Kenneth Scott</span> (6'3", 208), <span>Dres Anderson</span> (6'2", 190), <span>Kaelin Clay</span> (5'10", 193), <span>Tim Patrick</span> (6'5". 190), TE Westlee Tonga (6'4", 244) and even Poole and Booker out of the backfield can all make big plays downfield.</p>
<p>Luckily, the one thing that UCLA's defense has been great at under Jim Mora is limiting explosive plays. I don't think that <span>Travis Wilson</span> is capable of dinking and dunking his way downfield consistently against the Bruins, so as long as the Bruins hold down the Utes big play ability, this contest should favor the UCLA defense as much as any game so far this season.</p>
<p>The Utes offensive line is pretty much your typical Utah OL, big dudes that aren't overly athletic but do a decent job protecting the QB and leaning on people to create some running lanes. The starters from the Washington State game were <span>Jeremiah Poutasi</span> (6'6", 330), <span>Junior Salt</span> (6'2", 315), Siaosi Alano (6'2", 305), <span>Isaac Asiata</span> (6'4", 316) and JJ Dielman (6'5", 290). Utah's middle of the road in sacks allowed (62nd at 2 per game).</p>
<p>Until next time, Go Bruins!</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla-bruins-utah-utes/2014/10/1/6881511/opposition-preview-utah-utes-offenseIE Angel2014-09-30T15:00:03-07:002014-09-30T15:00:03-07:00Opposition Preview: Utah Coaches, Special Teams
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<figcaption>Kyle Whittingham in a familiar pose, congratulating Coach Mora | Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We start our look at Utah with Kyle Whittingham and his coaching staff, as well as Utah's special teams</p> <p>Kyle Whittingham has been the national coach of the year. That is a claim which none of Doughnut's football hires can make, including Coach Mora. Whittingham earned this honor after Utah's dream season in 2008, when the Utes went undefeated while a member of the Mountain West Conference, and then thumped Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl. That Utah team finished 4th in the coach's poll and 2nd in the AP poll.</p>
<p>It is has been a different story for Whittingham and the Utah football program since switching over to the Pac-12. Utah has not achieved a winning conference record in any season since joining the Pac-12, and is off on the wrong foot this year with a loss in their conference opener to Washington State 28-27.</p>
<p>This is Whittingham's 10th year as head coach at Utah. He took over the program after Urban Meyer left for Florida. And Utah is the only head coaching job which Whittingham has held. He was Utah's defensive coordinator for 10 seasons before moving up to head coach with Meyer's departure. His overall record in 10 seasons is a solid 79-40, including a win as co-head coach with Meyer in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl before Meyer left for sunnier climes.</p>
<p>Whittingham's team is 0-2 vs. UCLA with Jim Mora at the helm. Whittingham's team was 1-0 vs. UCLA with CRN at the helm, as the Utes thumped UCLA in Utah's first season in conference play (and CRN's last season at UCLA). Whittingham's team was also 1-0 vs. UCLA with Karl Dorrell at the helm, as the Utes thumped UCLA in 2007 in Dorrell's final season. So apparently, whenever Whittingham's Utah team beats UCLA, Doughnut fires the head football coach after the season. That will hopefully be enough incentive for the Bruins to come out fighting this weekend.</p>
<p>Utah's offensive coordinator is Dave Christensen, and the defensive coordinator is Kalani Fifita Sitake. Christensen is in his first season at Utah, after being the head coach at Wyoming for five seasons. His tenure at Wyoming was mixed, to say the least, including <a href="http://trib.com/sports/college/wyoming/wyoming-ad-tom-burman-suspends-dave-christensen-fines-him-k/article_abdf5507-27bd-50db-95ca-674fef651696.html?comment_form=true" style="background-color: #ffffff;">a postgame meltdown after a loss to Air Force.</a> A very familiar name, Dennis Erickson, remains on the Utah staff as running back coach, after being co-offensive coordinator last season. Sitake has been on Utah's staff since Whittingham took over as head coach in 2005, and has served as defensive coordinator since 2009.</p>
<p><a href="http://trib.com/sports/college/wyoming/wyoming-ad-tom-burman-suspends-dave-christensen-fines-him-k/article_abdf5507-27bd-50db-95ca-674fef651696.html?comment_form=true" style="background-color: #ffffff;"></a>Utah has been excellent on special teams this year. Playing at altitude helps. But the stats do show a solid performance. Senior Kaelin Clay, from Long Beach Poly and Mount SAC, has already returned three punts for touchdowns, and is averaging 26.1 yards on eight returns. He also has a 100 yard kickoff return for a TD to his credit this season. The kickoff return and one of the punt returns came in the season opener against Idaho State. Another TD punt return came in Utah's win over Michigan in the Big House, with the final TD return coming last week against Washington State. Utah's special teams, meanwhile, have held the opponents to a 3.7 punt return average on six punts, thanks in no small part to junior punter <span>Tom Hackett</span>, who was all Pac-12 last year.</p>
<p>Sophomore Andy Phillips handles the FG, PAT and kickoff duties for Utah. He was honorable mention all-conference and 3rd team freshman all-american last year, converting 17 of 20 FG attempts. This year, he is 7 of 9, with a long of 50 yards.</p>
<p>Special teams would appear to be in good hands for Utah coming into Saturday's game. Now, if we can just take care of the rest...Remember, no UCLA head football coach has retained his job under Doughnut's reign of error after losing to Utah. It would probably be a good idea to not try Doughnut's patience this week. Very little rouses him from his normal stupor, but apparently losing to Utah is a trigger.</p>
<p>Go Bruins !!</p>
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