Utah Utes football: Asiata runs to top of Mountain

Matt Asiata was surprised to learn he leads the Mountain West Conference in rushing.

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, however, wasn't.

"We expect him to be at the top," he said. "It's where we were hoping he would be."

Despite being slowed by a shoulder injury in last week's 31-24 loss at Oregon, Asiata netted 54 yards on 15 carries. It was more than enough to keep the Utah running back ahead of the pack in the MWC.

Asiata enters Saturday's homecoming game against Louisville with a 101.3 yards-per-game average. TCU's Joseph Turner is second at 97.5 and Air Force's Asher Clark is third at 80.7.

"That's the first time I've heard it. I just give it up to my O-line, the offense, the coaching, the play calling and stuff," Asiata said. "I've just got to do my job on the field. That's the running back's job."

In Utah's season-opening win over Utah State, Asiata ran for a career-high 156 yards and two touchdowns. A week later, he "dinged" his shoulder in a victory at San Jose State — leaving the game early for precautionary reasons after running for 94 yards and a score.

The soreness carried over into the Oregon game, where Whittingham acknowledged the injury limited Asiata's reps. He had 36 carries in the opener and 20 in the second game.

"It was really frustrating," Asiata said of not being 100 percent at Oregon. "I just tried to do my best to be out there with the boys."

Treatments went well after the game and Asiata's health is improving.

"I feel a lot better than last week," he said. "I'm just taking it all day-by-day and getting ready for Saturday. That's it."

The Utes have a bye next week before concluding their season with eight consecutive conference games.

"If we can get over the hump this week, then we've got the bye week to rest him," Whittingham said. "Hopefully, he'll be 100 percent the rest of the way."

Asiata is currently on pace to have the third-most rushing yards in a season in team history, trailing only Carl Monroe (1,507) and Dameon Hunter (1,396).

The former Hunter High and Snow College star is averaging 4.3 yards per carry and leads the Utes with 18 points scored. He's also caught seven passes for 71 yards and is currently second on the team in all-purpose yardage and total offense.

e-mail: dirk@desnews.com

NOTE: Text given to art dept. for graphic at 3:20 p.m. Wednesday

Mountain West Conference rushing leaders

Player, School Games Yards Yards per game

Matt Asiata, Utah 3 304 101.3

Joseph Turner, TCU 2 195 97.5

Asher Clark, Air Force 3 242 80.7Utes on the air

Louisville (1-1)at Utah (2-1)

Saturday, 5:30 p.m.

Rice-Eccles Stadium

TV: CBS C-HD Radio: 700 AM

Heady

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