From Deseret News archives:
Utah scouting report
Quinton Ganther: The senior tailback became just the eighth runner in Utah history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. He did so despite missing the Wyoming game with a knee injury. Ganther led the Utes with 1,296 all-purpose yards. How will he fare against a Georgia Tech defense that allows an average of just 98 yards per game?
Defensive MVP
Eric Weddle: The MWC defensive player of the year led the league in passes defended (interceptions plus breakups) with 15. He had 75 tackles (11 for loss) and four interceptions. The versatile Weddle played cornerback, safety, quarterback and punter this season for the Utes.
Team weaknesses
Fourth quarters: The Utes were outscored by a whopping 88-29 margin over the final 15 minutes this season. Utah State and Wyoming were the only opponents they topped in the fourth quarter. The inability to finish strong proved costly as Utah's 6-5 record indicates. Turnovers were another weak spot as the Utes lost 14 fumbles and were picked off eight times.
Team strengths
The offense: Utah finished the season ranked 12th in the nation in total offense with 466 yards per game. The Utes were 15th in both pass efficiency (147.3 rating) and passing offense (286.6 ypg) behind the play of quarterback Brian Johnson, who finished fourth in the country in total offense. He suffered a season-ending injury late in the Nov. 12 loss to New Mexico.
How they got there
The Cougars started the season 1-3, with their only win over Division I-AA Eastern Illinois at home. But BYU then ripped off a 5-1 record with road wins over New Mexico and Wyoming to become bowl-eligible.
High point
The Utes had plenty of reason to rise and shout at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Nov. 19. A 41-34 overtime victory over BYU made them bowl eligible. Adding to the celebration was the fact that Utah prevailed with an untested quarterback in backup Brett Ratliff, who threw four touchdown passes in place of Johnson.
Low point
A three-game losing streak in October erased a 3-1 start to the season. The skid began with a 31-17 loss at North Carolina and was followed by a 21-17 setback at Colorado State and a 28-19 loss at home to San Diego State. Another major disappointment was a 23-20 overtime defeat at TCU on Sept. 15, which put an end to an 18-game winning streak.
UTAH DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
XR DERREK RICHARDS 26
Freddie Brown 89
YR T. LATENDRESSE 88
Fano Tagovailoa 17
LT TAVO TUPOLA 78
Mitch Arquette 71
LG DAVID DIRKMAAT 74
Kyle Gunther 63
C JESSE BOONE 79
Andrew Johnson 55
RG ROBERT CONLEY 66
Eric Pettit 75
RT JASON BOONE 69
Jason Voss 72
ZR BRIAN HERNANDEZ 16
Fano Tagovailoa 17
HR BRENT CASTEEL 6
MARQUIS WILSON 7
QB BRETT RATLIFF 15
Danny Southwick 11
TB QUINTON GANTHER 13
Darrell Mack 12
