Utah run game now a 'big Mack attack'

LAS VEGAS — For the first time this season, Utah enters a game without question marks at tailback. Darrell Mack proved to the answer in last Saturday's 44-6 trouncing over then-11th-ranked UCLA.

When the Utes line up for tonight's Mountain West Conference encounter with UNLV at Sam Boyd Stadium, they'll do so with the league's reigning offensive player of the week in the backfield.

Mack earned the honor after scoring three touchdowns against the Bruins and rushing for 107 yards, becoming the first Ute since 2005 to top the century mark.

"It was great," Mack said. "I wasn't really expecting all that."

The junior, who was pulled out of a planned redshirt year when Utah's running game struggled after Matt Asiata's season-ending injury in the opener, acknowledges things were stressful in the beginning. He credits his grandmother and teammates for helping him stay focused through the battle.

"It's good to know that I've got the spot right now," Mack said. "But I could lose it at any time whenever coach feels I'm not doing something right. I've got to stay on my toes, keep working hard and everything."

Winning the MWC's weekly award was a confidence boost for Mack, who admits he used to dwell on the negative too much.

"It was pretty cool getting it my first time starting," he said. "I just hope we keep winning like that and I keep doing my job."

Quarterback Brian Johnson, whose status for the game won't be revealed until kickoff as he completes recovery from a shoulder separation, has faith in Mack to get the job done.

"He did an excellent job," said Johnson, who thinks the coaching staff made a wise decision to go with one back instead of rotating three into the game.

"Running back, similar to quarterback, is a position where you've got to get rhythm," Johnson said. "Consistency comes when you give someone an opportunity to be consistent."

Speaking of consistency, it's something both the Utes and Rebels seek. Same goes for securing a conference victory.

For Utah, that means putting last weekend's impressive victory over UCLA in the past.

"It's off. We're moving on," head coach Kyle Whittingham said. "It was a nice win, but it's time to move on. It's all about UNLV."