In Booker Utah trusts


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SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah is in contention for the Pac-12 South title, and much of the credit goes to powerful running back Devontae Booker — a player Utah relied on in its win over Oregon State.

Booker, a junior college transfer who originally committed to Washington State out of high school, earned the starting job a few weeks into the season over a talented Bubba Poole. Since then, Booker has made his presence known on the field with his ability to break tackles and extend plays.

In a crucial game for Utah on the road against Oregon State, Booker stepped up and carried the offensive load to give the Utes a 29-23 win in double overtime. Booker ended the game with 229 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries.

“As the game went on I just told the coaches let me carry the load again,” Booker told ESPN 700’s Bill Riley following Thursday’s game. “They believed in me and gave me the ball, and we made great things happen tonight.”

As a result of his play Thursday, Booker was named Athlon Sports’ National Player of the Week and has earned the respect of many in the Pac-12.

Coming into the season it was easy to see that Booker was a powerful back that deserved time on the field. But in fall camp, some fumbles and on-the-field mistakes nearly cost Booker the chance to prove himself.


Thank goodness we've got Devontae Booker. I think he's the best back in the Pac-12.

–Kyle Whittingham


Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said at the time: “If that becomes a pattern that’s going to be very discouraging and you don’t play. If you don’t protect the football, you don’t play.”

Booker, however, worked hard to prove himself and the Utah coaching staff noticed. Now, Booker is one of the most consistent aspects of the offense and is well on his way to showing his talents in a conference full of skilled athletes.

Saying nothing of Utah’s stout defense or the impressive special teams performance of Andy Phillips and Tom Hackett, the Utes will rely on Booker to move the ball and get some points in a difficult remaining schedule, which features four teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll.

“Thank goodness we’ve got Devontae Booker,” Whittingham said on ESPN 700 following Thursday’s win. “I think he’s the best back in the Pac-12.”

Whittingham points to Booker’s position as being the most vital for the team’s success moving forward.

“I don’t care what type of offenses you face, what the evolution of the game or where it’s at, it still comes down just about every week to being able to run the football with your offense and being able to taking care of the run with your defense,” Whittingham said.

Already this year, Booker has rushed for 742 yards and is averaging 6.18 yards per carry. But since being named starter against Washington State, Booker has eclipsed 150 yards or more per game (178 against Washington State, 156 against UCLA, and 229 against Oregon State) and averages 6.43 yards per carry.

Booker will face a difficult defense this week as Utah welcomes USC to Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday. USC has allowed a stingy 4.42 rushing yards per carry, but only 2.89 rushing yards per carry in October.

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