Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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SAN JOSE, Calif — Utah's defense recorded 10 sacks in a 34-17 win Saturday night over San Jose State, improving to 3-0 on the season, a clean sweep of their nonconference schedule.
Here are my instant observations following the Utah win:
Return of #SackLakeCity
After struggling just a bit in the opening quarter, Utah's defensive line settled into its own. Eight different Utes combined for 10 sacks, controlling the line of scrimmage and making it very difficult for San Jose State to move the football (save a late TD late when the game was no longer in doubt).
Hunter Dimick and Filipo Mokofisi each had a pair, while Sunia Tauteoli, Cody Barton, Lowell Lotuleli, Pasoni Tasini, Pita Taumoepenu and Justin Thomas each recorded a sack.
Utah's run defense also made some adjustments, and after allowing 51 rushing yards in the opening quarter, San Jose State only had 5 more the rest of the game.
Outside of the first quarter, I love the dominance that Utah had on the line of scrimmage.
Running back by committee
Armad Shyne, Zack Moss and Troy McCormick all made the most of their opportunities in the running attack, and despite two plays that stood out, they graded out pretty well.
Those two plays were Shyne missing a hole on 2nd and goal (led to a Troy Williams INT) and McCormick fumbling after a 31 yard gain.
The three running backs combined for 248 yards, with all three averaging 7.7 YPC or better. That kind of production won't be a realistic goal once Pac-12 play begins, but it was a great performance by a group playing without its starter (Joe Williams retiring from football after game vs. BYU).
The offensive line did a great job paving the way. They have improved as a unit each week, and were it not for penalties and turnovers, Utah could easily have put up a lot more points.
Penalties, turnovers kill Utah drives once again
Beginning to sound like a broken record, but it is happening once again. Untimely penalties and red zone turnovers are things that will need to be corrected or it will end up costing Utah games down the road.
Now, penalties can't be completely avoided, but silly mistakes, such as too many men on the field and false starts directly resulted in Utah keeping points off the board. Utah had a first and goal at the 3 before a false start backed Utah up. Utah couldn't make up for the lost yards and had to settle for a field goal on the drive to go up 6-3 in the first quarter.
In the third quarter, Troy Williams was a little late with his read and ended up throwing an interception when it was 3rd and goal at the 2.
Again, mistakes like these won't hurt you against San Jose State, but now that conference play is set to begin, Utah has to clean this up and in a hurry.
Cory Butler-Byrd is a playmaker
In his first game back on the team, Butler-Byrd didn't disappoint. He took his first touch of the game for 45 yards, finishing with five catches for 66 yards. He adds depth to the WR position and more importantly gives opposing defensive coordinators one more thing to have to make a game plan for.
With a player as dynamic as he is, you have to find ways to get him the ball in space, and for the most part, Utah was able to do that tonight.
