TEAM PROFILE: 2007 Utah Utes

Utah Utes, 8-4

Playmakers:

DE- Martail Burnett: 40.5vert, former safety gained 50lbs, top ends in MtWest
6-3, 262 SR (Cal)- 07 1st MtWest 07’, HM MtWest 06’

SS- Steve Tate: 10+ tackles last 2 bowl games
5-11, 195 SR (Ut)- 07’ 1st MtWest 07’

K/P- Louie Sakoda: slightly better punter than kicker, Ray Guy finalist 06
5-10, 178 SR (Cal)- 07’ 1st MtWest 07’ Punter, 2nd MtWest 07’ Kicker, HM MtWest 06’ Kicker/Punter

RB- Darrell Mack: physical runner, can catch
6-0, 219 JR (Cal)- 2nd MtWest 07’

OG- Robert Conley- top guards in conf, athletic & strong, lead team in pnck blocks in 06
6-1, 316 JR (Tex)- 2nd MtWest 07’, HM MtWest 06’

OT- Zane Beadles: already one of conf best OL
6-4, 312 SO (Ut)- 2nd MtWest 07’

DT- Gabe Long: joined team in 2nd week of 06’, all JUCO 1st team
6-3, 290 SR (Cal)- 2nd MtWest 07’

CB/KR- Brice McCain: teams fastest player, 4.32 40, true cover corner, good KR too
5-9, 189 JR (Tex)- 2nd MtWest 07’ CB, HM MtWest 06’ KR

WR/KR- Derrek Richards: 4.40 40, better season as rec in 06’
5-11, 175 SR (Ut)- 2nd MtWest KR 07’, HM MtWest WR 07’, HM MtWest WR 06’

FS- Robert Johnson: track star in JUCO, also HM JUCO in 06’
6-3, 185 SO (Cal)- HM MtWest 07’

DE- Paul Kruger: former QB, on mission since 04’, very athletic, 53tackles, 2sack, int
6-5, 255 FR (Ut)- 1st Frosh AllAmerica 07’, HM MtWest 07’

ROV- Stevenson Sylvester: fluid and fast, covers a lot of ground
6-2, 220 SO (Nev)- HM MtWest 07’

Watch Out For:
RB/WR/KR- Jerome Brooks: 19rush 104y 2tds, 12rec 169y 2tds, KR too, explosive
5-9, 165 FR (Tex)


Team Info:

Pass Off: 199.2 yrds/g, 85th in NCAA
-Brian Johnson not a great QB, should have more success than they do passing with their skill position players
-only top receiver over 10 per catch in Marques Wilson (18Rec)
-BIGGEST WEAKNESS

Rush Off: 163.7 yrds/g, 49th in NCAA
-Darrell Mack great behind Conley and Beadles
-should be better next year, all come back

Pass Def: 188.1 yrds/g, 15th in NCAA
-great combination of athleticism and hitting
-how they beat then #11 UCLA 44-6, forced Ben Olson into 3int
-BIGGEST STRENGTH

Rush Def: 131.7 yrds/g, 37th in NCAA
-only time single player ran for 100+ in 4 loses (UNLV, Air Force, OrSt, BYU)
-get good play out all 3 levels
-KEY TO GAME

Special Teams:
Kicking- A
Punting- A
Return Game- A

Key Stats:
3rd Down Conv- 66/190 (35%) vs. 54/187 (29%)
Penalties- 78, 725yrds (60.4per) vs. 72, 597yrds (49.8per)
Turnovers- 20 vs. 36 (+14)
TOP- 31:53 vs. 28:07

Coaching:
Head Coach- Kyle Whittingham, 3rd year- 16-12, 9-8 in MtWest, 2-0 Bowls
-served as def coordinator for 10years at Utah

*Utah has won last 6 bowl games
*7-3 in bowls since 92’