Instant observations: Utah 41, UNC 0


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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah may have started slow, but once the engines were firing on all cylinders it never looked back en route to a 41-0 win over Northern Colorado Thursday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Although there isn't much you can take away from playing an FCS team that hasn't won a game since 2010, here are a few instant observations from the season opener:

1. Utah's defensive line is good, I mean really good
Alright, so that might be like saying the water is wet or that the sun is bright, but still, watching the Kruger brothers, Nate Fakahafua and Star Lotulelei bullrush offensive linemen time and time again was unreal. Pinned back at their own 3 yard line, UNC tried to do a dive to the right side. Lotulelei broke the play up for a loss of two. Need a pass breakup? Fakahafua had two knockdowns at the line of scrimmage. The Utes held UNC to just 114 yards and didn't let the Bears cross midfield.

#box

2. Utah's kicking game is still suspect
Coleman Petersen missed a 37-yard attempt on the left hash and also missed an extra point. Granted, he was 5-6 on PATs. That could cost the Utes a game if its not corrected. Kid can play, just needs confidence. King Louie, we are calling on you to help Petersen get his head straight.

3. John White IV will be the focal point of this Utah offense
When Utah relied on John White, they were successful in moving the ball. When it tried to get away from that game plan with downfield passing, things didn't work out so well. Play-action passes will be offensive coordinator Brian Johnson's best friend if White can continue to draw defenders towards the line of scrimmage.

4. Johnson will be a successful offensive coordinator
Having being coached by the offensive minds of Mike Samford, Urban Meyer and Andy Ludwig and tutored last season under Norm Chow, Johnson has the potential to be a great offensive coordinator. He's the youngest FBS offensive coordinator in the entire country, but did a solid job calling the Utes offense tonight. Granted, it was against an FCS team, but execution and variety were visible in the calls. The Utes were run heavy, 47 runs to only 29 passes, but most of those runs came when the game was well in hand. The Utes racked up 414 yards, 221 through the air and 193 on the ground.

5. The Utes have might have the best tight ends in school history
When Jordan Wynn first came on offense, he wasn't sure if the Utes even had tight ends. Now, the Utes have three, and all three are an integral part of this offense. Jake Murphy stood out for the Utes, pulling in a team high six passes for 78 yards and a TD. David Rolf had two catches for 14 yards, and Westlee Tonga would have had a reception if not called back for a penalty.

So while you can't take away too much from a 41 point win over an FCS team, Ute fans should breathe easy knowing that Jordan Wynn did NOT get hurt.

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