Saturday, September 26, 2009

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham called Saturday's game "the most complete game" the Utes have played this season.

Forgive him for his tone that was less than ecstatic after the Utes' 30-14 win Saturday.

Losing Matt Asiata for the year (torn ACL), defender Lei Talamaivao (cracked fibula) for an indefinite length (Whittingham said he wasn't sure how long he'd be out), Zane Beadles for the game (gash in his leg) and Joe Dale for most of the game (cramps/tightness) can wear on a coach.

First, how to replace Asiata and how his absence might change things. Whittingham said if Eddie Wide can produce like he did tonight, the Utes may not have to change their plans to keep pounding opponents with the run game.

Also, the Utes are hopeful backup Sausan Shakerin might be back after the bye, although Whittingham didn't seem that convinced he will be. The Utes aren't giving many details about injuries this year so we don't know what the extent of Shakerin's injuries are, but the fact that receiver Shaky Smithson already was getting some naps at running back this week makes me believe his injuries could be lingering.

Smithson will continue to get some time at running back, Whittingham said. 

Ray Stowers is also available, although his shoulder problems, plus his bad decision Saturday with a personal foul penalty, probably won't make him high on the depth chart.

I'm not going to go into many specific details of the game, you'll be able to find them here in our game coverage, but I will give some general impressions.

Utah's corners are still liabilities, especially with Brandon Burton getting back-to-back interference calls.

Kepa Gaison had a big night for the defense as did Robert Johnson. Maybe there are some leaders starting to emerge for that defense.

Offensively, Utah was good, but not great. The Utes' offense was 2-of-3 on third down conversions in the first quarter then finished 2-of-10 the rest of the night. But a lot of those issues might have been a by-product of the injuries.

Quarterback Terrance Cain was definitely his most consistent and David Reed was his usual dependable self.

Joe Phillips, the walk-on kicker, is obviously the Utes' kicker of choice now, over scholarship athletes Ben Vroman and Nick Marsh (Marsh is indefinitely suspended) after his three field goals.

Saw some scores around the country. As bad as the Utes might feel about the injuries at least they won, a lot of other favored teams can't say the same.