Utah Utes football: Run defense has been a 'huge positive'

Utah's first 6-0 start since 2004 can be attributed to a variety of factors. Among the many things the 15th-ranked Utes are doing well is defending the run. They've held all six opponents below season averages on the ground.

"You've got to stop the run to win football games," said defensive coordinator Gary Andersen. "That's one of the first things that Coach Whit is going to say to the team every single week."

The defense's main objectives, Andersen explained, are two-fold — keep points off the board and stop the run.

The latter has worked well for the Utes. After limiting Michigan to just 36 yards rushing in the Big House and holding Air Force's famed option to its second-lowest output (53 yards) in 28 years, they kept Oregon State under 100 yards on the ground.

The Beavers netted just 92 yards rushing in Thursday's 31-28 loss to the Utes.

"The bottom line is getting victories and that's what we look at the most," Andersen said. "These kids are playing solid defense and this year it seems like the run game is the place."

Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers, who tallied 186 yards in an upset win over then-No. 1 USC two weeks ago, is the only opposing running back to rush for 100 yards against Utah this season. And he barely did it, finishing with 101.

"They're doing a nice job against the run this year. It's always an emphasis. It's something that we work them on every single day," Andersen said. "This year they're playing the run extremely well. We've got to keep doing that. I know that.

"Right now it's been a huge positive. Especially where we've played some good run teams."

The Utes are giving up just 65.5 yards per game on the ground and holding opposing runners to a paltry 2.2 yards per carry. And they're doing so with undersized defensive tackles.

Converted ends Greg Newman (6-4, 260) and Derrick Shelby (6-3, 245) have held their own in the trenches. The pair are among a group of 15 Utah defenders with double-digit tackles this season.

"You've got to be able to tweak things and with the injuries to Kenape (Eliapo) and Lei (Talamaivao) that is where things really put us in a little bit of a bind," Andersen said. "But there's been some young kids who have come in and done such a great job."

Andersen attributes Utah's success against the run to a combination of talented players and pretty good tackling.

Injuries at tackle have forced Andersen to constantly alter his scheme up front. The Utes have been creative in giving a lot of different fronts and looks to confuse opposing offensive lines.