Utah Utes football: Defense rallied when pushed to brink

It was only fitting that Utah's defense was on the field for the final play of the game in the team's thrilling 23-16 overtime win over Air Force on Saturday afternoon.

The Utes were carried by their defense against the Falcons, so they might as well have closed it out.

Utah stuffed Air Force quarterback Connor Dietz on a fourth-and-2 at the Utes' 7-yard line on the final play in overtime to save the team's victory and conference-title hopes at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

"That last play was basically just man-on-man — who's tougher," said linebacker Stevenson Sylvester. "Their whole mindset was to hit you in the face."

The Utes' defensive players did plenty of their own hitting against Air Force, and kept their team in the game while the offense sputtered. Utah's defense was on the field for 38 minutes and 57 seconds before overtime. Air Force ran an astounding 75 rushing plays and gained 254 rushing yards.

The total number of yards wasn't too alarming for the Utes because the Falcons gained just 3.4 yards per carry. In key situations and in the red zone, the Utes held Air Force to field goals — except for a 1-yard touchdown run by Park City High graduate Jared Tew in the first quarter that was set up by a turnover.

"Our guys just gutted it out and continued to fight," said Utes coach Kyle Whittingham. "I think our defensive line controlled the line of scrimmage."

Several players had career highs in tackles for the Utes. Free safety Robert Johnson continued his outstanding season and recorded a career-high 15 tackles. Other Utes who set career highs in tackles were Dave Kruger (13), Koa Misi (12), Sealver Siliga (11) and Derrick Shelby (9).

Johnson played perhaps the biggest role on the defense on Saturday. In the Utes' defensive scheme, he covers the pitch man while defending the option. Whittingham said he told Johnson he might make 18-20 tackles against the Falcons, and he was close in his estimation.

"He ran about 31/2 miles tonight," Whittingham said of Johnson. "He was all over the field. He's a vital part of the defensive scheme as the free safety is every year."

The Utes didn't wear down despite being on the field for much of the game. They actually seemed to get stronger as the game progressed, and allowed just two field goals in the final three quarters and overtime.

"Never tired," Sylvester said. "We focus on being on the field. We condition so when we get in those situations we know how to react. I didn't feel tired at all. I played pretty much the whole game and I felt great."

Whittingham was concerned about going to overtime with Air Force because of its running game. He said it's hard enough to stop the Falcons' option attack on three downs, let alone four. On the final play of the game, defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake called a blast blitz, and the Utes' linebackers knocked Tew back. Dietz had nowhere to run but into a bunch of red jerseys.

"It was a great call and great execution," Whittingham said.

And it was the perfect way for the defense to conclude a great game-long effort.

e-mail: aaragon@desnews.com