Brooks: Utes Rhymes With Brutes – And It’s Purely By Design
November 22, 2016 | Football, B.G. Brooks
Utah's offensive, defensive fronts will be most physical Buffs have faced
BOULDER – Jobs are most interesting when routines are absent, ruts are avoided. Klayton Adams and Jim Jeffcoat have interesting jobs. Rarely does this week present the same challenge as last week, or next week the same as this.
In Colorado football, which employs both men, this is Utah week. And from past experience in the Pac-12 Conference both Adams and Jeffcoat know that preparing for the Utes means all of your linemen – Adams coaches the ones on offense, Jeffcoat the ones on defense – must eat well, get the proper amount of rest, and suddenly don't go weak in the knees. Or anywhere else.
Confronting Utah is different from confronting Washington State – CU's last opponent. The Utes are brUtes. Saturday's four quarters at Folsom Field (5:30 p.m., Fox) matches the No. 9 Buffs against 18-wheelers whereas their four quarters last weekend pitted them against SUVs.
"There's no question they're the most physical team we've faced this year," said Jeffcoat.
Added Adams: "It's a little bit different style of football than we've seen the last few weeks in that there might not be quite as many movements and not as many moving parts. But a little bit more old school of we're-going-to- line-up-and-try-to-stop-you type of football."
It's been a trademark of Kyle Whittingham's teams for as long as he's been at Utah – and that's been 23 seasons overall, 12 as head coach, making him the Pac-12's longest tenured head man.
Defensively, noted Adams, these Utes are what they've always been: "Big, strong, they're going to load the box and man you up . . . they've always had success doing it and that's why they buy into that philosophy."
THE INTERIOR STARTING FIVE on Whittingham's 12th offensive line average just under 308 pounds. At 310 pounds, tackle Lowell Lotulelei is the heaviest of Utah's four down linemen on defense.
But senior left end Hunter Dimick is a 6-3, 272-pounder, and Adams says Dimick's size (not to mention his ability) makes him a must-locate defender that the Buffs must account for on every snap.
"They're strong athletic guys but they have some pop to them," Adams said. "But really, the biggest difference is the guys on the edge are relatively big."
Opposite Dimick, an All-America candidate who leads the nation in sacks (14.0) and sacks per game (1.27), is end Pita Taumoepenu (6-1, 245). He's second on the team in QB sacks (7.0) and has made 9 tackles for loss to Dimick's incredible 19.5.
As a unit, the Utah defense is ranked sixth in the Pac-12, allowing 387.3 yards a game. The Utes are third against the run (131.6 yards allowed) and ninth against the pass (222.1). Their 23.6 points allowed per game ranks them fifth in the conference.
Jeffcoat's D-line has held up well through 11 games, which doesn't surprise him. With the return of 325-pound noseman Josh Tupou, Jeffcoat figured through the summer months he'd have a suitable anchor when the Buffs switched defensive fronts (four-man to three-man).
"We've got guys like Josh, Samson (Kafovalu) who are very physical guys . . . they worked hard in the off season to prepare themselves," Jeffcoat said. "Then with Leo (Jackson), Tim (Coleman), Jordan (Carrell) and Jase (Franke) – I've got six guys, like I said at the beginning of the year, who can match up and play the physical style of football we need to play."
And yes, they'll need to play it Saturday. Utah's running game features tailback Joe Williams, who came out of "retirement" four games into the season and in only seven games has surpassed 1,000 yards rushing (1,088). He's averaging 155.5 rushing yards a game and has scored nine TDs.
Another Williams – QB Troy, no relation – is Utah's other running threat. He's run 91 times (Joe has carried 158) for 357 yards and five TDs, but his 130 yards lost mostly on sacks decreases his net yardage total to 227.
Still, Jeffcoat's linemen and the Buffs' defense overall must account for both Williams. And the last time they faced a running quarterback was at Arizona, where Brandon Dawkins carried 18 times for 101 yards (76 net minus sack total). The Buffs handled the Wildcats (49-24) but the Utes are a cut above in running productivity (213.4 yards a game, second in the league) and overall physicality.
"Their offensive linemen actually are very athletic, they move well and they play the game the way the game is supposed to be played – tough and physical," Jeffcoat said. "We have to match their intensity on both fronts . . . we have to know they're going to come after us."
ALONG CU'S OFFENSIVE FRONT, center Alex Kelley expects Utah to be, well, typically Utah tough. "In the past they have been," he said. "I could probably answer that question better on Saturday night, but I'm preparing for how they've played in the past. They're usually one of the most physical fronts that we face."
Kelley, a third-year starter facing his final game at Folsom Field, said that physicality presents a different look from what CU saw against Wazzu: "Washington State, they like to move their front a lot and create chaos. Utah has bigger and stouter guys who just like to press the line scrimmage and read from there. We still need to prepare like we always have but just in a little different way."
The Buffs are coming off a 258-yard, five-touchdown rushing effort in their 38-24 win last weekend against the Cougars. CU averages 209.5 ground yards a game, and coupled with their 268.7 yards a game passing the Buffs have produced the kind of weekly balance that has made them a nightmare to defend.
CU's 603 yards of total offense against WSU was a season high, and counting that game the Buffs have surpassed 500-plus yards in six of 11 games. Their lowest offensive output was 304 yards against UCLA – but they won anyway (20-10).
It's been that kind of season for the Buffs, who have found ways to win rather than creating late, losing scenarios. That hasn't been the case in the past, particularly against the Utes. CU's past three games against Utah were decided by 7, 4, and 6 points, respectively.
"They've found a way to win in the end and we didn't," said coach Mike MacIntyre, who is 0-3 against Utah. "We have to try to find a way to win it in the end, because it's going to be a close, tough battle."
Put the emphasis on tough. But rest assured: The Buffs know what they're in for.
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU
In Colorado football, which employs both men, this is Utah week. And from past experience in the Pac-12 Conference both Adams and Jeffcoat know that preparing for the Utes means all of your linemen – Adams coaches the ones on offense, Jeffcoat the ones on defense – must eat well, get the proper amount of rest, and suddenly don't go weak in the knees. Or anywhere else.
Confronting Utah is different from confronting Washington State – CU's last opponent. The Utes are brUtes. Saturday's four quarters at Folsom Field (5:30 p.m., Fox) matches the No. 9 Buffs against 18-wheelers whereas their four quarters last weekend pitted them against SUVs.
"There's no question they're the most physical team we've faced this year," said Jeffcoat.
Added Adams: "It's a little bit different style of football than we've seen the last few weeks in that there might not be quite as many movements and not as many moving parts. But a little bit more old school of we're-going-to- line-up-and-try-to-stop-you type of football."
It's been a trademark of Kyle Whittingham's teams for as long as he's been at Utah – and that's been 23 seasons overall, 12 as head coach, making him the Pac-12's longest tenured head man.
Defensively, noted Adams, these Utes are what they've always been: "Big, strong, they're going to load the box and man you up . . . they've always had success doing it and that's why they buy into that philosophy."
THE INTERIOR STARTING FIVE on Whittingham's 12th offensive line average just under 308 pounds. At 310 pounds, tackle Lowell Lotulelei is the heaviest of Utah's four down linemen on defense.
But senior left end Hunter Dimick is a 6-3, 272-pounder, and Adams says Dimick's size (not to mention his ability) makes him a must-locate defender that the Buffs must account for on every snap.
"They're strong athletic guys but they have some pop to them," Adams said. "But really, the biggest difference is the guys on the edge are relatively big."
Opposite Dimick, an All-America candidate who leads the nation in sacks (14.0) and sacks per game (1.27), is end Pita Taumoepenu (6-1, 245). He's second on the team in QB sacks (7.0) and has made 9 tackles for loss to Dimick's incredible 19.5.
As a unit, the Utah defense is ranked sixth in the Pac-12, allowing 387.3 yards a game. The Utes are third against the run (131.6 yards allowed) and ninth against the pass (222.1). Their 23.6 points allowed per game ranks them fifth in the conference.
Jeffcoat's D-line has held up well through 11 games, which doesn't surprise him. With the return of 325-pound noseman Josh Tupou, Jeffcoat figured through the summer months he'd have a suitable anchor when the Buffs switched defensive fronts (four-man to three-man).
"We've got guys like Josh, Samson (Kafovalu) who are very physical guys . . . they worked hard in the off season to prepare themselves," Jeffcoat said. "Then with Leo (Jackson), Tim (Coleman), Jordan (Carrell) and Jase (Franke) – I've got six guys, like I said at the beginning of the year, who can match up and play the physical style of football we need to play."
And yes, they'll need to play it Saturday. Utah's running game features tailback Joe Williams, who came out of "retirement" four games into the season and in only seven games has surpassed 1,000 yards rushing (1,088). He's averaging 155.5 rushing yards a game and has scored nine TDs.
Another Williams – QB Troy, no relation – is Utah's other running threat. He's run 91 times (Joe has carried 158) for 357 yards and five TDs, but his 130 yards lost mostly on sacks decreases his net yardage total to 227.
Still, Jeffcoat's linemen and the Buffs' defense overall must account for both Williams. And the last time they faced a running quarterback was at Arizona, where Brandon Dawkins carried 18 times for 101 yards (76 net minus sack total). The Buffs handled the Wildcats (49-24) but the Utes are a cut above in running productivity (213.4 yards a game, second in the league) and overall physicality.
"Their offensive linemen actually are very athletic, they move well and they play the game the way the game is supposed to be played – tough and physical," Jeffcoat said. "We have to match their intensity on both fronts . . . we have to know they're going to come after us."
ALONG CU'S OFFENSIVE FRONT, center Alex Kelley expects Utah to be, well, typically Utah tough. "In the past they have been," he said. "I could probably answer that question better on Saturday night, but I'm preparing for how they've played in the past. They're usually one of the most physical fronts that we face."
Kelley, a third-year starter facing his final game at Folsom Field, said that physicality presents a different look from what CU saw against Wazzu: "Washington State, they like to move their front a lot and create chaos. Utah has bigger and stouter guys who just like to press the line scrimmage and read from there. We still need to prepare like we always have but just in a little different way."
The Buffs are coming off a 258-yard, five-touchdown rushing effort in their 38-24 win last weekend against the Cougars. CU averages 209.5 ground yards a game, and coupled with their 268.7 yards a game passing the Buffs have produced the kind of weekly balance that has made them a nightmare to defend.
CU's 603 yards of total offense against WSU was a season high, and counting that game the Buffs have surpassed 500-plus yards in six of 11 games. Their lowest offensive output was 304 yards against UCLA – but they won anyway (20-10).
It's been that kind of season for the Buffs, who have found ways to win rather than creating late, losing scenarios. That hasn't been the case in the past, particularly against the Utes. CU's past three games against Utah were decided by 7, 4, and 6 points, respectively.
"They've found a way to win in the end and we didn't," said coach Mike MacIntyre, who is 0-3 against Utah. "We have to try to find a way to win it in the end, because it's going to be a close, tough battle."
Put the emphasis on tough. But rest assured: The Buffs know what they're in for.
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU
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