From Deseret News archives:

Utah Utes football: Injuries depleting the Utes' defensive line

Published: Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008 12:22 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Through two games, there have been two constants with Utah's defensive tackles — Greg Newman and injuries.

Whoever has started alongside the senior has wound up getting hurt. Kenape Eliapo broke his foot in the Michigan game and will be out six to eight weeks. Lei Talamaivao suffered a broken fibula in Saturday's 42-21 victory over UNLV and is sidelined for the rest of the season.

"It's tough. Especially now with Lei gone," Newman said. "Some guys are going to have to step up."

Senior Aaron Tonga tops the depth chart at nose tackle this week with true freshman Sealver Siliga and Dave Kruger listed as the backups at tackle, a position where the Utes generally like to rotate four players into the mix.

"I think they're going to be able to get the job done," said Newman, who acknowledged defensive tackle can be a really hard position for a freshman to play. "You've got to have a lot of intangibles like size, strength and knowledge to figure out the scheme."

The Utes were already thin at the position before the injuries to Eliapo and Talamaivao. As such, Newman has been seeing a lot of action this season — something he appreciates.

Story continues below
"I don't get any breaks. I'm in there every snap. It's fine. I'm in shape and I feel great," Newman said. "Coach has put his trust in me to get the job done and I feel confident in my abilities to be able to do that."

Newman enters this weekend's game at Utah State as the team's fifth-leading tackler. He had a career-high eight stops against UNLV, including two tackles-for-loss and a pass breakup.

"He played at as high of a level at defensive tackle as anyone I've had play here for 10 years," said defensive coordinator Gary Andersen, who noted that Newman readily made the switch from end to tackle this season. "He played very consistent through spring ball and did a great job in fall camp. He's definitely a leader inside."

Newman's leadership has come in handy, especially with players like Tonga and Siliga lacking a lot of game experience.

"I expect them to play very well," Andersen said. "But at the end

of the day we can't replace Kenape and Lei. That's the bottom line. We need to continue to work with the kids we have. It's very unfortunate for both those (injured) kids."

It remains to be seen exactly who'll play alongside Newman this week. Whittingham hopes to have the depth chart in order by Wednesday.

"I can't give you a definitive answer on how it's going to stack up today," he said. "But certainly as the week progresses we've got to get that thing solidified and ironed out who our two-deep is going to be."

Recent comments

The Utah depth chart is short on Defense, but the coaching staff is...

true talent | Sept. 10, 2008 at 7:10 p.m.

You take one's sarcasm/joke as one being offended?

Lighten up. I...

Re: re: interesting | 9:45 p.m. | Sept. 10, 2008 at 2:58 p.m.

Someone touched on this earlier about moving D-lineman to the O-line...

Utah D-Line | Sept. 10, 2008 at 2:22 p.m.

Image

Lei Talamaivao rushes Michigan quarterback Steven Threet in the Utes' season opener. Talamaivao broke his fibula against UNLV.

previousnext

Latest comments

When Boozer was shooting the free throws, why Sloan didn't substitute Mathew...

Letters: Global warming a lie

actions, I will be forced to be accountable for them. I refuse. I am an...

What's with the Utah fans flashing the double L sign?

@mark: So Sam da Ham... you were just making it up?" I'm a climate...

Utes excited to go to San Diego

"I have no idea why BYU fans are talking smack about bowl opponents. Even if...

TCU versus BSU unpopular

You say to "quit whining and play somebody." Isn't that what everyone is...

BoM translation remarkably consistent

Reading these comments, I start wondering-- Whatever happened to faith? Why...

Utes excited to go to San Diego

All those numbers when all you reall need to know is that BYU has beat Utah...

BYU eager for crack at Oregon State

All thos numbers when all you reall need to know is that BYU has beat Utah...

So Sam da Ham, when you said this: "Not so. Al Gore is poised to make...

Advertisements