Nose tackle Dave Kruger made the most of his first collegiate start.

The redshirt freshman made 13 tackles, including 1.5 behind the line of scrimmage, in Utah's 23-16 overtime win over Air Force.

"It was really satisfying," said Kruger, who was surprised by his final tally. "I didn't know that I had that many tackles. ... I just made as many plays as I could and it came out for the best."

Kruger, though, acknowledged it wasn't easy stepping in for injured starter Kenape Eliapo (eye issue). He acknowledged being on his toes a bit because it was Air Force and Utah's success was dependent on defensive line success.

"I was on edge a little bit. I tried to stay calm, tried to keep my poise , I did and it worked out for me," Kruger said. "As long as you keep calm and just use your technique, you seem to do really well."

Kruger had extra assistance on the sideline. Older brother Paul was on hand. The former Ute, who now plays for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, returned home during a bye week and reunited with his ex-teammates.

"He helped me out a little bit. He was watching me, giving me a few pointers," Dave said. "He told me to do this, he told me to do that. It worked out."

Paul, he added, helped him stay calm and relaxed.

After the game, Paul said he was proud of Dave's performance.

And with good reason.

Kruger had just seven tackles in Utah's first six games. The Air Force game was his coming-out party.

"Dave is very active. He's an active defensive tackle. He moves very well. He runs very well," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, who noted that the 6-foot-5, 272-pound Kruger needs to add 10-15 pounds to his frame — a goal he hopes the former Timpanogos star will reach by next season.

For now, though, Whittingham said Kruger is handling things very well.

He added that it's usually tougher for younger players to excel in the trenches than it is at the skill positions, at least early on.

"He's a different type of player than his brother was. Paul was more of an edge guy, a speed rusher. David is more of a physical banger inside," Whittingham explained while noting that both brothers possess quickness.

"I think he's done a nice job," he said of Dave. "He's got a lot of football ahead of him and we think he's going to develop into a very good player."

Kruger's development included a redshirt season in 2008. With Paul opting to go pro after his sophomore year, it wound up costing the brothers a chance to play together.

"I wanted to play, I wanted to be on the field and I wanted to be next to my brother," Dave said. "But at the same time I knew that my technique and my weight wasn't what it needed to be. So I pushed through that and here I am."

e-mail: dirk@desnews.com

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