First impressions
Ok, so I was wrong. I thought Michigan was going to find a way to win Saturday. The Wolverines nearly did, but you have to give props to Utah's defense for its fourth-quarter play. Those guys looked great and were determined to prevent Michigan's comeback. Coach Kyle Whittingham said they deserved the game ball and I don't think there is anyone who wouldn't agree with that call.
We can analyze this one all week, but general impressions were guys like Nai Fotu and Paul Kruger delivered some big hits when needed, and all those direct snaps the Utes have been working on really paid off with Matt Asiata. He is a bulldozer of a player.
I had a bad feeling about the game when Jereme Brooks fumbled on a punt return and the Utes had a lot of penalties, but give them credit for pulling themselves up, not falling apart like some teams have in the past.
Brian Johnson looked great for most of the game. Utah's offense stalled in the fourth, but you can't put all that on Johnson. Michigan's defense got better, and some of Utah's players got tighter. Can't blame them, by then they had to sense how close they were to getting a win in the Big House.
Couple stats that stood out, Michigan was 3-of-13 on third down conversions, Utah was 5-of-19. Both teams finished with 36 net yards rushing. Utah lost 88, 85 of which was credited to Johnson.
Average field position for Utah in the second half was its on 47, in the first half it was 27.
Lots of game coverage tomorrow, here are some thoughts from various players and coaches and more analysis to come later.
Nai Fotu - "I''m glad I have good teammates. We didn't know what to expect, but we were ready for whatever they gave out."
Paul Kruger - "We needed to make a stand at the end and win a game and we came up with some huge plays and had a lot of pressure on them. It's always a relief to win a game, but this was a huge win."
Coach Kyle Whittingham on the offense in the fourth quarter - "We talked about staying aggressive and keeping the offense wide open, we just made some poor decisions."
Whitt on Johnson - "There were stretches where Brian Johnson was lights out, but we have to be better. We can't be streaky and have to be consistent from start to finish."
Whitt on defense - "We had some first game jitters but we have a veteran defense and we knew they were going to keep us in the game."
Whitt on offense - "Our line performed very well. Our guys held their own against an experienced line."
Johnson on the atmosphere - "I don't think this team will be intimidated by anyone."
We can analyze this one all week, but general impressions were guys like Nai Fotu and Paul Kruger delivered some big hits when needed, and all those direct snaps the Utes have been working on really paid off with Matt Asiata. He is a bulldozer of a player.
I had a bad feeling about the game when Jereme Brooks fumbled on a punt return and the Utes had a lot of penalties, but give them credit for pulling themselves up, not falling apart like some teams have in the past.
Brian Johnson looked great for most of the game. Utah's offense stalled in the fourth, but you can't put all that on Johnson. Michigan's defense got better, and some of Utah's players got tighter. Can't blame them, by then they had to sense how close they were to getting a win in the Big House.
Couple stats that stood out, Michigan was 3-of-13 on third down conversions, Utah was 5-of-19. Both teams finished with 36 net yards rushing. Utah lost 88, 85 of which was credited to Johnson.
Average field position for Utah in the second half was its on 47, in the first half it was 27.
Lots of game coverage tomorrow, here are some thoughts from various players and coaches and more analysis to come later.
Nai Fotu - "I''m glad I have good teammates. We didn't know what to expect, but we were ready for whatever they gave out."
Paul Kruger - "We needed to make a stand at the end and win a game and we came up with some huge plays and had a lot of pressure on them. It's always a relief to win a game, but this was a huge win."
Coach Kyle Whittingham on the offense in the fourth quarter - "We talked about staying aggressive and keeping the offense wide open, we just made some poor decisions."
Whitt on Johnson - "There were stretches where Brian Johnson was lights out, but we have to be better. We can't be streaky and have to be consistent from start to finish."
Whitt on defense - "We had some first game jitters but we have a veteran defense and we knew they were going to keep us in the game."
Whitt on offense - "Our line performed very well. Our guys held their own against an experienced line."
Johnson on the atmosphere - "I don't think this team will be intimidated by anyone."
10:20 PM
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4 Comments:
Lya Lya Lya......make predictions based on more than conventional hold your finger up and see which way the wind is blowing logic....how come nobody in the media ever puts themselves out on a limb to make a pick?
This was one of the most difficult and frustrating games to watch that I've tuned into in a long time. I've read some pretty glowing reviews of the Utes win over Michigan this morning in the Tribune. I saw things a little differently.
The Ute's demonstrated the pattern that has led to high mediocrity the last three years - that is, out talenting and playing a team but eliminating that advantage with numerous and costly mistakes. 140 yards in penalties - and they covered the whole rule book from 12 men in the huddle to several versions of the personal foul. Witt used another strategy against Michigan that has cost the Ute before - that is playing not to lose instead of playing to win. As a Michigan paper put it this morning - "The Utes looked like they were trying to run the clock in the third quarter." That same Michigan journalist reported hearing Witt yell to his players "only 15 more minutes." That attitude and play strategy nearly cost the Ute's a game that should have been a blow out. Sure the Michigan defense tightened up a bit and made adjustments. But, as usual, we did not make adjustments to theirs.
We're all glad about the final score, but the way we got there was very scary. Let's play to win - to finish. Let's not rush 2 linemen at BYU quarter backs so they can have 2-3 minutes to find a receiver in the end-zone to win the game on the last play. And lets not run exactly the same plays in the second half as we do in the first - if they are not working.
I am pleased with the end outcome, but I have to say I am disappointed that Brian Johnson hasn't learned to throw the ball away when he feels pressure. That guy takes more sacks than any quarterback I have ever seen. I understand he's trying not to force throws and limit interceptions, but I can't believe he hasn't developed a throw-away, flick pass when he's under duress. Minus-85 yards on the ground for a spread quarterback is a joke. I am a fan of BJ, but I can't stand how many sacks he takes.
I second everything majerssweater just said.
That was ridiculous. The worst one I can recall was BJ was running to the sideline and had the line-of-scrimmage marker right in front of him. He was about four yards behind the line of scrimmage as he RAN OUT OF BOUNDS UNTOUCHED! WTF?! He was out of the pocket, at the sideline, and only had to throw the ball 4 yards to avoid intentional grounding!
This problem is as much on BJ as it is on Ludwig and Whittingham. How they let it happen more than one time, I will never understand.
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