Utah Utes

Head Coach

Kyle Whittingham	4th year
07-08	9-4
Mt West	5-3
FCR	28

Previous Season Wins

Head Coach - Kyle Whittingham has proven to be a solid head coaching by winning 24 games in three seasons in the post Urban Meyer era, including nine last year. The Ute’s return 14 starters and if the offense can improve they’ll contend for the conference title and could be a BCS party crasher.

Quarterback - Senior Brian Johnson returns and despite playing only 9 games due to injury he was voted team MVP by the players, if he’s healthy expect to see overall improvement in his numbers. Remember that in 05’ he ranked 4th in total offense, expect to see Johnson run more this season and look for huge offensive numbers. Sophomore Corbin Louks saw action last season and is an excellent runner who will contribute in a reserve role this year.

Running Backs - Senior Darrell Mack returns coming off an outstanding year where he rushed for 1,204 yards with 12 TD’s. Backing him up this year will be junior Matt Asiata.

Receivers - Senior Brandon Godfrey is the leading returning receiver; he had 50 catches for 524 yards. This will be an experienced group with seniors Brent Casteel and Freddie Brown also starting on the outside, Casteel missed much of last season but is a ALL-MWC player who’ll be the go to guy. At tight end senior Colt Sampson gets the call.

Offensive Line - The O-Line is the Mt West’s best unit with potential ALL-MWC players in junior Zane Beadles at left tackle, senior Robert Conley at right guard and sophomore Caleb Schlauderaff at the left guard spot. Senior Dustin Hensel also returns and he’ll be the right tackle, sophomore Zane Taylor is the lone newcomer and he’ll make the line calls from his center position.

Defensive Line - This defensive line is led by ends, junior Koa Misi and sophomore Paul Kruger, they were 3rd and 4th in tackles last season for Utah and will both receive post season honors. Inside the Ute’s will be breaking in two new starters in sophomores Lei Talamaivao at tackle and at the nose Isley Filiaga.

Linebackers - Junior Stevenson Sylvester returns at the Rover spot, he finished last seaon 2nd in tackles with 86 and 10 for losses. Look for junior Mike Wright to get the call in the middle and for sophomore Nai Fotu to man the Stud position.

Defensive Backs - Utah returns the best pair of corers in ALL-MWC players senior Brice McCain and junior R.J. Stanford. They made major contributions to last year’s 11th national ranking against the pass. At the free safety junior Robert Johnson returns and junior Joe Dale will start at the strong safety. When they go to the nickel package junior Sean Smith will be called upon, he led the team with four interceptions last season.

Special Teams - Senior Louie Sakoda was MWC special team Player of the Year, he was 19-22 on his field goal attempts and averaged 44.3 yards on his punts. The returns will be handled by sophomore Jereme Brooks, senior Brent Casteel and sophomore Eddie Wide.

Schedule - Utah opens at Michigan, this might be the best year to face the Wolverines in awhile, but it’s still the Big House. They should cruise after that until Oregon St comes to Salt Lake, but getting TCU and BYU at home is a plus. The pieces are in place for a conference championship and with a little luck the BCS is not out of the realm of possibility.