Utah Utes football: Brooks' breakout game ignites team

After playing a more prominent role a year ago as a freshman, receiver Jereme Brooks hadn't been involved much in the Utes' offense until Saturday.

But Brooks played a key role in the Utes' 49-16 victory, leading the team in receptions and making a long touchdown run.

With six catches for 34 yards, Brooks nearly matched his entire season total (seven) coming into the game, and his three rushes topped his season total of two.

The 5-foot-7 sophomore from Texas caught two passes on the first series of the game and a couple more before halftime.

His big play came early in the fourth quarter on a reverse that resulted in a 34-yard touchdown run.

As quarterback Brian Johnson took the snap and headed around left end, Brooks came around and took a pitch from Johnson and picked up steam as he ran around the right end. He cut back at the 25, eluded a tackler and sprinted for the end zone where he was hit as he dove for the end zone.

"I scored on that play twice last year, and it was nice to score again," he said. "I had to make one guy miss and then looked for the end zone for the touchdown."

Last year, Brooks had 15 receptions for 183 yards and 21 rushes for 129 yards.