From Deseret News archives:
Mack knocking on elite door
Mack needs just 102 yards — 10 below his season average — to reach the milestone against the Cowboys.
Though the Utes are focused on trying to win their sixth consecutive game, they do appreciate Mack's impending accomplishment.
"He's done a great job as our No. 1 tailback," offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig said. "I think having a 1,000-yard rusher is important. It establishes a lot of personality within the offensive unit."
Mack is closing in on a mark that hasn't been reached since 2005 when Quinton Ganther ran for 1,120 yards. The other Utes to reach four-figures rushing include Carl Monroe (1,507 in 1982), Dameon Hunter (1.396 in 2001), Mike Anderson (1,173 in 1998), Del Rodgers (1,127 in 1981), Keith Williams (1,076 in 1991), Eddie Lewis (1,018 in 1985) and Eddie Johnson, who did it twice (1,046 in 1984 and 1,021 in 1986).
"We've had some good backs come through here and it looks like Darrell is in that company," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "And that's pretty good company."
Mack, who was pulled out of a planned redshirt year when Matt Asiata broke his ankle in the season opener, currently leads the Mountain West Conference in rushing with 112.2 yards per game.
Utah is 6-0 this season when Mack runs for 100 or more yards. He has tied a school record by meeting the mark in five consecutive games — all wins.
"Total yardage is not as big of a factor as us establishing the run game the last six or seven games," Whittingham said. "It's a nice accomplishment for Darrell. We've been running the ball efficiently ever since he got the opportunity."
After seeing limited action against Air Force, Mack became Utah's starting tailback the next week against UCLA. He's kept the role ever since.
Mack is now approaching a milestone — 1,000 yards.
"That's kind of the benchmark for a very productive season out of the tailback," Whittingham said.
It won't be easy to reach this week, though. Mack will need to single-handedly top the average yards the nation's 18th-ranked rushing defense allows. The Cowboys are giving up only 100.9 yards per game on the ground.
If it's this week or next, quarterback Brian Johnson said it'll be quite an accomplishment for Mack.
"It's huge. It's huge for the offensive line. It's huge for Darrell. It's huge for our offense," he added. "He's doing such a good job running the ball. It'll be huge when he gets it."
When Mack took the job several weeks ago, he vowed to be ready and provide energy for his teammates to feed off.
