Strength in secondary

It's been a while since anyone has scored on Utah's defense.

The Utes ended the 2003 season with a streak of 10 consecutive shutout quarters. Nearly nine months have passed since Wyoming quarterback Casey Bramlet's 9-yard touchdown run at Rice-Eccles Stadium. It came late in the first half of Utah's 47-17 victory over the Cowboys on Nov. 15. Two quarters and a week later, the Utes became the first team in 361 games to hold BYU scoreless. Then came a 17-0 win over Southern Mississippi in the Liberty Bowl on New Year's Eve.

"Last year's crew was the one that did that. They ended the season on a strong note, obviously, with 10 straight quarters of shutout ball," said defensive coordinator Kyle Whittingham. "Now we're back to square one. It's a whole new ball game, a whole new set of defenders. We say that was the Utes of 2003. This is the 2004 version. We haven't accomplished anything yet."

Not so fast, says one of Utah's last line of defense.

Strong safety Eric Weddle, who was a freshman all-America at cornerback last season, insists there's a connection.

"We want to build on last year. We're not just going to cancel out what we did last year. We've got half the guys coming back, and we were part of that," Weddle said. "So we're not going to cancel it out. We want to keep it going. Keep the shutout going , see how many quarters we can go."

A prospect enhanced, the Utes hope, by the decision to move Weddle from cornerback to safety. He'll replace the graduated Dave Revill and play alongside talented senior free safety Morgan Scalley.

"We think with Morgan and Weddle we again, for the second or third year in a row now, have the best pair of safeties in the conference," said Whittingham, who also oversees the position.

Last season, Scalley and Weddle combined for 133 tackles, seven pass breakups, six forced fumbles, five interceptions, five sacks and three fumble recoveries.

"We've got a good crew," said Whittingham. " If we continue to have the luxury of keeping Eric inside — and that will depend on the development of the corners — it looks pretty solid."

Gerald Fletcher and Bo Nagahi are ticketed to start at right and left corner, respectively. Whittingham said both players have worked hard all summer to create an ideal situation for the Utes to put Weddle inside, at least in their 4-3 package.

"It's awesome for me. I think safety is my natural position. That's where I think I'm the best at," said Weddle. "It just makes me utilize more of what I am."