Third place, Utah

09-02-2007

By Tom Shanahan, San Diego Hall of Champions

QUARTERBACKS: Back in 2005, when Brian Johnson emerged as Utah’s starting quarterback in his sophomore season, Utah thought it had one of the most electric quarterbacks in the nation on its roster for the next three seasons. But then Johnson suffered a knee injury in December, 2005 that required surgery. Johnson wasn’t ready for the start of the 2006 season and took a medical red shirt season. So, officially, the Utes return nine starters on offense in 2007, but you could say Johnson’s presence as a junior in 2007 gives Utah 10 returning starters. In 2005, Johnson earned was a second-team All-MWC pick as a sophomore when he led the conference in passing. He completed 210-of-330 passes (63.6 percent) for 2,892 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also elusive running the ball as he gained 478 yards. Johnson’s backup is Tommy Grady, a fifth-year senior who transferred from Oklahoma.

RUNNING BACKS: Utah, with a one-back offense, returns leading rusher Darryl Poston after he gained 553 yards last year. Mike Liti is back from an injury and the Utes like the promise of power Darrell Mack and Ray Stowers to complement the slashing style of Poston. But the Utes need to improve their running game after averaging only 3.1 yards a carry a year ago.

RECEIVERS: One reason the Utes got away with a poor running game last year is they have a talented and deep cast of receiver. Junior Brent Casteel returns after he was a second-team All-MWC pick last year and senior Derrek Richards returns after he was honorable mention. Richards led the team with 60 catches for 717 yards and seven touchdowns while Casteel was Mr. Touchdown with 39 for 600 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Utes also like to use Casteel on reverses as he gained 262 yards last year. But that’s not all. A third returning wide receiver is senior Brian Hernandez and senior Matt Sims returns at tight end.

OFFENSIVE LINE: The offensive line returns four starters with two honorable mention players returning on the right side. Senior Jason Boone is back at right tackle and junior Robert Conley plays right guard. The other returning starters area senior center Kyle Gunther and sophomore left guard Zane Beadle. All four returning starters have size as 300-pounders and the Utes believe all four players are capable of all-conference honors. Jeremy Inferrera takes over at left tackle, and although he is a first-year starter as a senior, he was the Utes’ top sub on the line a year ago.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Despite the loss of two-time MWC Defensive Player of the Year Eric Weddle at safety to the NFL as a second-round draft pick by the San Diego Chargers, the Utes’ defense still returns one second-team pick and two honorable mentions. Senior Martail Burnett was honorable mention among the linemen. Burnett is joined up front by senior nose tackle Gabe Long, junior defensive end Greg Newman and sophomore tackle Kenape Eliapo. There is size among the backups with sophomore tackle Zeke Tuinei-Wiley.

LINEBACKERS: The defensive anchor is found at middle linebacker with the return of senior Joe Jianonni. He was a second-team All-MWC pick a year ago when he was second on the team in tackles with 92. He had eight tackles for a loss and four sacks. Although he will be playing alongside two first year starters in sophomore Stevenson Sylvester and senior Malakai Mokofisi, both outside linebackers saw extensive playing time in backup roles. Kyle Brady, a senior outside backer, also has gained significant snaps.

SECONDARY: The secondary is the area of most concern for the Utes in 2006. Senior free safety Steve Tate was honorable mention in 2006 after leading the Utes in tackles with 102, a total that was good for second in the conference. But after Tate, there is a lack of experience. Sophomore Joe Dale takes over at strong safety next to Tate. The cornerbacks are junior Brice McCain and redshirt freshman Mookie Murphy on the right side and sophomore Sean Smith and sophomore Justin Jones on the left side. McCain is the only one among them who saw significant playing time.

SPECIAL TEAMS: The Utes get a two-for-one deal in the kicking game with the return of junior Louie Sakoda to handle both the kicking and punting duties. Sakoda was honorable mention in the MWC, but the Utes consider him an All-American candidate as well as a candidate for both the Lou Groza and Ray Guy Awards. He was the MVP of the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth. Junior Brice McCain earned honorable mention All-MWC as a kick returner.

Returning starters: 14; Offense: 9; QB: 0; RB: 1; WR/TE: 4; OL: 4; Defense: 5; DL: 1; LB: 2; DB: 2; ST: 2.

2006 Record: 8-5, 2006 Conf. Record: 5-3

Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham (3)

Last Bowl Appearance: 2006 Fort Worth Bowl, Beat Tulsa 25-13

2006 Turnover Ratio: + 6

Home Surface: FieldTurf

Returning Lettermen: 47

Lettermen Lost: 16

Offense: Spread

Defense: 4-3