From Deseret News archives:
Utah Utes expect real test from Beavers' freshman RB
Now comes a difficult Quizz.
Oregon State freshman Jacquizz Rodgers, who ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns in last week's 27-21 win over then top-ranked USC, is expected to provide the 15th-ranked Utes with quite a challenge in Thursday night's game at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
"Obviously, the main goal is to win the football game. But I think in order to win the football game, we're going to have to contain this kid. He's obviously going to get some yards. He's a good back," said Utah defensive tackle Greg Newman.
"We've just got to do our best to stop him and make him get in long-yard situations so we can get our pass rush going. I think that's going to be our main goal."
Rodgers, who is just 5-foot-7 and 195 pounds, leads all freshmen running backs in the nation with 449 yards rushing over four games. His per game average is significantly higher than the 60.2 rushing yards per game that Utah's defense has been giving up. The Utes' rushing defense is ranked fifth in the nation.
Newman acknowledges it's something the Utes hang their hat on a little bit. They held Michigan to 36 yards on 25 carries and shut down Air Force's highly touted option attack, limiting the Falcons to their lowest rushing total in 28 years — 53 yards on 42 attempts.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said Oregon State's ground game will provide a big challenge as well, perhaps the biggest of the season. And as always, stopping the run is priority No. 1.
"There's no doubt about that this week. Probably more so than any other week in the season with the exception of Air Force," Whittingham said. "It's a tailback-driven offense and (Rodgers) was very productive against USC."
Establishing a ground game has been a key to success for Oregon State this season. In victories over Hawaii and USC, the Beavers averaged 196.5 yards rushing. They averaged just 89 yards in setbacks to Stanford and Penn State.
The emergence of Rodgers, who is the Pac-10's Offensive Player of the Week, doesn't surprise Whittingham. He said Rodgers is a "hard-nosed kid" who, like all great backs, has the ability to get three yards when it looks like there's nothing to get.
That, Whittingham continued, aptly describes Rodgers. And that's why he's the guy Utah has to focus on and try to slow down.
"If you watch tape on him, you don't think he's a freshman because he's great and he's fearless," said Utah linebacker Stevenson Sylvester. "He's little so he squeezes through the tiniest holes.
"He's good. We've got a great competition coming to us. So we've got to go out and play our 'A' game," he added.
Defending Rodgers will be a challenge, in more ways than one.
