BYU/Utah football: Expect epic clash on the line

PROVO — Rivalry games are often won in the trenches and Saturday's BYU-Utah showdown could come down to the performances of the offensive and defensive linemen.

That's why the matchup between Ute left tackle Zane Beadles and Cougar right defensive end Jan Jorgensen should be an intriguing one.

The pair of seniors have quite a bit in common — both have been starters since they were freshmen in 2006 and both are team captains.

"It should be a great matchup," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "Zane has played excellent football for us this year. He's a guy that has been an anchor of our offensive line for the last four years."

In BYU's 38-21 victory over Air Force last Saturday, the 6-foot-3, 259-pound Jorgensen started his 50th consecutive game — having started every game in his career.

"When I first saw him, I didn't think he was a defensive end," Cougar coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "He was a returned missionary. Like many of them that worked hard on their missions, he didn't come back physically fit or ready to play. He spent his first year as a redshirt player. I could tell he was very competitive at that time. Just by sheer work ethic, and consistency and durability, he started so many games. It's pretty amazing at that position to have the success he's had and play the number of games he's played consecutively."

Jorgensen's tackle-for-loss on the Falcons' final possession of the first half gave him 42.5 in his career, which sets a new Mountain West Conference record. The previous mark was held by Chase Ortiz, who had 41.5 tackles-for-loss. Jorgensen is also the MWC's all-time career leader in sacks. He has 5.5 sacks this season and 38.5 during his career.

"He's certainly an effective pass rusher," Whittingham said of Jorgensen. "You do have to make sure you have him accounted for."

The 6-foot-4 Beadles, regarded as one of the best at his position in the nation, leads a Utah O-line that has surrendered only 15 sacks this season.

In preparing to face Utah's offensive line, Jorgensen knows he's in for a battle.

"The side I go against is pretty good," he said. "Zane Beadles has been a starter the last three years. Their guard is a pretty good player, too. I just know I'm going to have to bring my 'A' game to be effective on Saturday."

Of Beadles, Jorgensen said: "He's a very physical football player. He gets on his blocks and doesn't want to come off. He does a good job in the pass-block game and the best thing about him is his physicality and his relentlessness."

Contributing: Dirk Facer

e-mail: jeffc@desnews.com