Estimated read time: 1-2 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
Washington head football coach and former BYU quarterback Steve Sarkisian addressed the media Monday in his weekly press conference and guess what? He is impressed with Utah’s defensive line.
“They’re playing really well up front,” Sarkisian said. “I think that’s where their team starts, both the Krugers with Star (Lotulelei), then Trevor Reailly comes in and does his thing when they put him at the edge spot.”
Utah plays at Washington Saturday night in Seattle.
Sarkisian also had a lot of positive things to say about the Ute defense in general, specifically about safety Brian Blechen.
“I thought Blechen being back … he brings some attitude,” he said.
Sarkisian has become very familiar with Kyle Whittingham’s defense over the years and he defines it by that attitude.
“It’s a really attitude-based defense,” he said. “They play hard-nosed. They play physical. They don’t do a whole lot (schematically), but I think that they take on the personality of Kyle (Whittingham) and Kalani Sitake, their defensive coordinator — both guys I have a great deal of respect for. But it starts up front with them.”
However, you better believe that the Huskies will have had that pounded into their heads throughout the week of practice. Sarkisian knows where the Utah game will be won or lost.
“If we want to be effective Saturday night … it has to begin up front," he said.
Trevor Amicone is the founder of byutahinsiders.com, which covers BYU, Utah and national college football with weekly polls, bowl projections, opinions and analysis. Follow its brand new Twitter page at @BYUtahInsiders and Trevor's at @TrevorAmicone.
