Utah's defense dominates in East Coast win


Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

PITTSBURGH - Perhaps it is fitting that Utah's defensive performance on Saturday took place inside a stadium that is home to one of the greatest and most historic defenses in the NFL.

Utah held Pitt to just 120 total yards, forced three turnovers and sacked the two Panther quarterbacks six times in a 26-14 win at Heinz Field.

"I can't say enough about how our defense played," Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said. "The numbers were outstanding."

Utah defensive end Joe Kruger (99) strips the ball from Pittsburgh quarterback Tino Sunseri (12) as he tackles him in the fourth quarter of the NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, in Pittsburgh. Utah recovered the fumble and won 26-14. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Utah defensive end Joe Kruger (99) strips the ball from Pittsburgh quarterback Tino Sunseri (12) as he tackles him in the fourth quarter of the NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, in Pittsburgh. Utah recovered the fumble and won 26-14. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Many were wondering if the Utes' defense would be able to contain Pitt running back Ray Graham, who led the nation in rushing yards coming into the game.

The Utes answered that, and in a big way. Utah held Graham to a season-low 46 yards, more than 100 below his average.

"They dominated us defensively and took Ray away," Pitt head coach Todd Graham said.

Graham rushed for over 200 yards twice this season, and not only had more rushing yards than anyone in the nation, he had more yards through six games than legendary Pitt running back Tony Dorsett did when he won the Heisman Trophy.

Holding him to under 50 yards is something that even the Pittsburgh Steelers, who also play at Heinz Field, would be content with.

Steel Curtain? That was in the 70s. How about the "Steel Utes"?

"They were keying, had a spy everywhere I went," Graham said. "Everywhere I went someone was there."

"Our defense and front seven were getting after him pretty good," Whittingham added. "We have some big guys in there and some physicality in the front seven, plus we loaded the box."

Pittsburgh running back Ray Graham (1) gets by Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (92) in the first quarter of the NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh running back Ray Graham (1) gets by Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (92) in the first quarter of the NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Anchoring the defensive line was Derrick Shelby, who ended up winning the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week for his team-high seven tackles (6 solo), 1.5 quarterback sacks and an interception that he returned 21 yards for a touchdown.

"We knew we had to tackle this guy," Shelby said. "And it looks like we did that."

Utah forced Pitt to punt the ball nine times, and would have pitched a shutout if not for two special teams errors.

"I can't say enough about how our defense played," Whittingham said.

Utah now travels from the East to the West Coast to take on Cal in Berkley on Saturday.

Email: rojackson@ksl.com

Twitter: @rojackKSL

Related stories

Most recent Sports stories

Related topics

Sports
Robert Jackson Sports Director

    ARE YOU GAME?

    From first downs to buzzer beaters, get KSL.com’s top sports stories delivered to your inbox weekly.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast