Utah Looks To Brand History With Tenth Directly Victory Against BYU

University+of+Utah+junior+offensive+lineman+Orlando+Umana+%2850%29+snaps+the+ball+during+an+NCAA+Football+game+vs.+Brigham+Young+University+at+LaVell+Edwards+Stadium+in+Provo%2C+Utah+on+Thursday%2C+Aug.+29%2C+2019.+%28Photo+by+Kiffer+Creveling+%7C+The+Daily+Utah+Chronicle%29

University of Utah inferior offensive lineman Orlando Umana (l) snaps the ball during an NCAA Football game vs. Brigham Young University at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. (Photo by Kiffer Creveling | The Daily Utah Chronicle)


September 10, 2021

After two years, the highly predictable Holy War matchup returns to Utah'due south schedule as they'll travel downwardly to Provo on Saturday, Sept. 11 to face up BYU. While Utah has dominated the rivalry, winning nine straight, yous never know what you are going to become from the in-state game and nothing is ever guaranteed.

Scouting the Utes:

Ranking: No. 21 (AP Poll)

Tape: (1-0, 0-0 Pac-12)

Concluding Week: Westward vs. Weber Land, xl-17

Compatible Combo: Reddish lids with white decals, crimson tops, red pants

Utah is coming off a decent performance in their season opener against Weber Country, defeating the Wildcats 40-17. While Weber did atomic number 82 at one point early on, 7-three, and the halftime score was only a 19-seven atomic number 82 for Utah. The Utes shook off the rust and put together an impressive second half performance, outscoring the Wildcats 21-10 en route to victory.

Quarterback Charlie Brewer was as advertised, finishing the day 19-27 for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Notably, Brewer was magnificent in the pocket as he waited patiently for plays to develop before serving upwardly passes on a platter, consistently hit receivers in footstep and even threading the needle on a few plays.

Equally for his favorite target, junior tight finish Dalton Kincaid was the receiver of choice equally he brought down four passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns, including a diving catch in the corner of the end zone for 6 points.

In regards to the run game, JUCO-transfer Tavion Thomas emerged equally the frontrunner, recording 107 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries (8.9 average).

Defensively, it was all about Devin Lloyd as the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week recorded 12 total tackles — seven of which were solo — with one sack, ii tackles for loss, i interception and a forced fumble.

Utes to Watch

Tavion Thomas

As previously mentioned, Thomas was fantabulous against the Wildcats as he plowed through defenders all nighttime long, finding the end zone twice and leading the game in rushing yards.

More probable, Utah volition look to run direct through the Cougar defense and it will exist interesting to see if Thomas tin replicate his week ane performance. If so, not only will the Utes emerge victorious only Thomas will solidify himself as RB1 moving frontward.

The Utah Secondary

While BYU does present a solid running back in Tyler Allgeier, the Utah defense should have him locked downwards with their defensive line and elite linebackers. That volition most probable force BYU to attack through the air, placing a lot of responsibility on the secondary.

Players like Clark Phillips 3, JaTravis Broughton and Malone Mataele volition have their work cutting out for them every bit they await to defend confronting BYU quarterback Jaren Hall and weapons similar Neil Pau'u and the Nacua brothers.

Hear it From Coach:

"The key volition be preparing the right way," caput coach Kyle Whittingham said in Mon morning's printing conference. "Gear up hard and play hard. That's a simplistic formula — [in] simple terms that's what you practice. If you don't prepare — that'due south not merely on the field, but in the film room, the weight room [and] everything that comes with it, getting your rest, hydration. In that location are a ton of unlike aspects to training and you've got to pay attending to all of them."

Scouting the Cougars:

Ranking: N/A

Tape: (1-0)

Last Calendar week: Westward vs. Arizona, 24-xvi

Uniform Combo: White lids with royal decals, royal tops, white pants

Despite existence outplayed in several key areas such as total yards, passing yards and first downs, BYU walked away with a victory in calendar week one, defeating Arizona 24-16. While the Cougars led the whole style, they did have to overcome a slight momentum shift when the Wildcats scored a safety and touchdown, closing the gap to just 8 points. Withal, cheers to an interception past Hayden Livingston in the end zone, BYU regained momentum and never looked dorsum.

While he did have a rocky starting time, quarterback Jaren Hall finally found his footing every bit he went 18-28 for 198 yards and two touchdowns. He also demonstrated an ability to move the ball with his legs and finished as BYU's second leading rusher with 36 yards on five attempts.

As for Hall'due south favorite target, Pau'u was unstoppable as he finished the day with 126 yards and ii touchdowns on eight receptions.

Defensively, BYU struggled in terms of yards every bit they immune 426 total yards and 27 start downs. Nevertheless, when it mattered the most, the Cougar defense force held its ground as they merely allowed one touchdown on the day.

Cougars to Sentry

Neil Pau'u

Pau'u is arguably the near unsafe histrion for the Cougars as he admittedly scorched the Wildcat defense in both yards and touchdowns. With Gunner Romney about likely out with injury, Pau'u will be the key to the BYU offense and if the Utah secondary tin't cease him, information technology could be a long night for the Utes.

The BYU Defensive-Line

The defensive line played a huge part in BYU'due south victory over Arizona equally they were in the backfield all nighttime long. This non just close down the Wildcat run game, which merely finished with 81 total yards, but the D-line as well accounted for iv of the five sacks and three of six tackles for loss. They will take to be on the top of their game if they accept any hope of stopping Thomas and the Utah run game this calendar week.

How to Sentry:

This week's game will be nationally televised on ESPN with starting time ready for 8:fifteen p.m. MDT.

Dave Flemming, Rod Gilmore and Alex Chappel will exist the TV coiffure on the game. Fans can also listen to the game on the Home of the Utes, ESPN700 with Bill Riley and Scott Mitchell on the telephone call.

[email protected]

@bagley_cole