2008 Utah Utes - Recruiting Class

2008 Utah Utes Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham

Utah Utes

2008 Recruiting Class

Star of the Class

Aiona Key WR 6-4, 209, Jr. JC Citrus Heights, Calif. Mt. SAC
2007 all-conference player for Mount San Antonio College ... set a Mt. SAC touchdown reception record with 17 ... 80 receptions for 1,112 yards ... also blocked four punts and returned one for a touchdown in 2007 ... initially signed with Boise State, redshirting in 2005 and playing for special teams and as a backup receiver in 2006 (no stats) ... plays for the Mt. SAC basketball team and is currently averaging 12 points and nine rebounds a game ... prepped at Mesa Verde High (Calif.) ... first-team all-state and all-league as a wide receiver ... first-team all-league defensive back ... 36 receptions for 618 yards and nine touchdowns; 80 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions as a senior in 2004 ... also returned six punts for 118 yards ... second-team all-metro as a junior when he had 16 receptions for 410 yards and three touchdowns, as well as 61 tackles, one sack, four interceptions and 303 return yards ... also lettered in basketball and track ... personal best 7'3" in the high jump ... won the national championship with a 7'1" jump.

Potential Instant Impact Players

Dudley LaPorte TE 6-3, 240, Jr. JC Stratford, Conn. Santa Barbara CC
Nation's leading junior college tight end in receptions (30), yards (500) and touchdowns (4) in 2007 ... first-team all-Western Conference ... averaged 16.7 yards per catch and 55.6 yards per game for Santa Barbara City College ... originally signed with Eastern Michigan in 2006 ... prepped at Stratford High (Conn.) and Milford Academy (New Berlin, N.Y.) ... all-state wide receiver as a senior in 2004 ... all-Connecticut Post defensive end

Sausan Shakerin RB 6-2, 208, Fr. HS Sandy, Utah Alta HS
2007 Utah class 5A MVP ... first-team all-conference as a senior ... No. 20 ranked prep running back in the nation and the No. 2 player at any position in the state of Utah according to Scout.com ... in 2006, he became the first junior ever named Mr. Football in Utah

Rest of the Class

Sam Brenner	6-3	280	OL	Oceanside, Calif. (Oceanside HS)
Lamar Chapman	5-8	160	DB	Compton, Calif. (El Camino JC)
DeVonte Christopher	6-0	181	QB	Las Vegas, Nev. (Canyon Springs HS)
Siaki Cravens	6-1	218	LB	Temecula, Calif. (Temecula Valley HS)
Zach Davila	6-4	315	OL	Vail, Ariz. (Cienega HS)
Aiona Key	6-4	209	WR	Citrus Heights, Calif. (Mount San Antonio College)
Dave Kruger	6-5	254	DL	Orem, Utah (Timpanogos HS)
Ryan Lacy	5-10	183	WR	Antelope, Calif. (Oakmont HS)
Dudley LaPorte	6-3	240	TE	Stratford, Conn. (Santa Barbara CC)
Luke Matthews	6-1	205	WR	Phoenix, Ariz. (Desert Vista HS)
Kendrick Moeai	6-5	200	WR	West Jordan, Utah (Copper Hills HS)
David Reed	6-0	184	WR	New Britain, Conn. (Pasadena City College)
Sausan Shakerin	6-2	208	RB	Sandy, Utah (Alta HS)
Sealver Siliga	6-3	345	OL/DL	West Jordan, Utah (Copper Hills HS)
Derek Tuimauga	6-4	335	OL	South Jordan, Utah (Bingham HS)

- 2007 Utah Season
- 2007 Utah Preview   
- 2006 Utah Season

2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 8-4
2007 Record: 9-4

Aug. 30 at Oregon State L 24-7
Sept. 8 Air Force L 20-12
Sept. 15 UCLA W 44-6
Sept. 22 at UNLV L 27-0
Sept. 29 Utah State W 34-18
Oct. 5 at Louisville W 44-35
Oct. 13 SDSU W 23-7
Oct. 18 at TCU W 27-20
Oct. 27 at Colorado State W 27-3
Nov. 10 Wyoming W 50-0
Nov. 17 New Mexico W 28-10
Nov. 24 at BYU L 17-10
Poinsettia Bowl
Dec. 20 Navy 35-32

2008 Early Lookahead
Why to get excited: If it wasn't for a 4th-and-forever play by BYU, the Utes would've gone been on a nine-game winning streak to go into the off-season. Now the team is back loaded with the league's best offensive line, a fantastic backfield with QB Brian Johnson and RB Darrell Mack returning, and the defense welcoming back three of the four starting defensive backs from the league's best pass defense. Considering the talent and experience returning, a win at Michigan to start the season isn't far-fetched. That would set a big tone for the rest of the year.
Why to be grouchy: The defensive line loses two excellent all-around players in Martail Burnett on the end and Gabe Long on the nose, and loses All-Mountain West SS Steve Tate and starting linebackers Joe Jiannoni and Malakai Mokofisi. Losing receivers Derrek Richards and Brian Hernandez won't sting too much, but they were reliable veterans.
The number one thing to work on is: Making Brian Johnson the Brian Johnson who dominated the league two years ago. Never healthy after the opening game loss to Oregon State, he later came back and was efficient, but he wasn't the same weapon who looked like Mountain West Player of the Year material. If he's back to form, Utah could be unstoppable.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Derrick Richards
Biggest defensive loss: DE Martail Burnett
Best returning offensive player: RB Darrell Mack, Sr. & QB Brian Johnson, Sr.
Best returning defensive player: CB Brice McCain, Sr.      

2007 Recap
Recap: The Utes started slowly and finished on a tear in a season that was highlighted by some very strange results from the program.  Impacted by a spate of crippling injuries, Utah opened 1-3, including a head-scratching loss to UNLV, but regrouped to go 8-1, capped by a narrow three-point escape of Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl.  RB Darrell Mack evolved into a life-saver for the offense, rushing for 1,204 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns after starter Matt Asiata broke his leg in the opener.       

Offensive Player of the Year: RB Darrell Mack

Defensive Player of the Year: S Steve Tate

Biggest Surprise: Just a week after losing to Air Force, the last thing anyone expected was a Utah win over No. 11 UCLA, let alone a rout.  The Utes had five takeaways and three touchdowns from Mack, scoring the last 37 points in an improbable 44-6 ambush of the Bruins. 

Biggest Disappointment: The Utes came tantalizingly close to closing the season on a nine-game winning streak, while snapping rival BYU’s string of 14 straight Mountain West victories.  They fell short, however, on after the Cougars traveled the length of the field in the final minute for the game-winning touchdown.

Looking Ahead: The Utes head into the offseason as upbeat as they’ve been since Urban Meyer left for Gainesville.  The program returns eight starters on offense, 10 counting Asiata and shelved WR Brent Casteel.  Versatile QB Brian Johnson could be in store for a monster season after playing most of 2007 with a separated shoulder. 

Dec. 20
2007 Poinsettia Bowl
Utah 35 ... Navy 32
Utah seemingly had the game put away on a one-yard Darrell Mack touchdown run with 1:27 to play on the way to a ten-point lead, but Navy wouldn't go away with a 58-yard Zerbin Singleton touchdown catch, followed by a recovered onside kick. Utah's Joe Dale finally ended it with an interception. Brian Johnson ran for a 19-yard touchdown and threw a 40-yard scoring pass to Derrek Richards as the Utes overcame a 17-7 deficit with 21 straight points before the Midshipmen got back in it on a ten-yard catch on a pitch from Shun White. Navy ran for 316 yards to Utah's 213.
Offensive Player of the Game: Utah QB Brian Johnson completed 20 of 25 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown, and ran 11 times for 69 yards and a score.
Defensive Player of the Game: Utah S Joe Dale made 12 tackles (8 solo) and sealed the win with an interception.
Stat Leaders: Utah - Passing: Brian Johnson, 20-25, 226 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Darrell Mack, 22-76, 2 TD. Receiving: Brian Hernandez, 5-63
Navy - Passing: Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, 7-14, 122 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Eric Kettani, 12-125, 1 TD. Receiving: Zerbin Singleton, 2-64, 1 TD
Thoughts & Notes ... It was amazing that Navy was able to stay in the game as long as it did with the Utah defense doing a great job against the run. Yes, the Midshipmen gained 316 yards on the ground, but more often than not, the offense had to deal with second and third and long situations and had a hard time keeping the chains moving. ... As the game went on, it seemed like Utah QB Brian Johnson started to trust his injured shoulder a little bit more. While he avoided several big hits, he started to run harder and harder in the second half. ... Utah never provided the big break Navy needed to change the game around, but it came close on a late fumble that hit the pylon that should've been called a touchback, but wasn't. Instead of having the ball on the 20, Navy had to start on its one after a tough goal line stand. After having to go for it on fourth down, and missing, Utah easily marched for what would turn out to be the game-winning touchdown. ... In his debut as the Navy head coach, Ken Niumatalolo kept things going as usual. Including several gutty calls on fourth down (even though only one worked), it was if Paul Johnson was still on the sidelines.

Nov. 24
BYU 17 ... Utah 10
Down 10-9, BYU needed a 49-yard catch by Austin Collie on fourth-and-18, a few pass interference calls and a personal foul, and an 11-yard touchdown run from Harvey Unga with 38 seconds to play to break Utah's heart for a second straight season. Utah had taken the lead with 1:34 to play on a one-yard Darrell Mack run and got a 35-yard Louie Sakoda field goal in the third quarter, but couldn't move the ball on a last gasp drive. Mitch Payne nailed three field goals for the Cougars before their final drive.
Player of the game: BYU RB Harvey Unga ran 23 times for 141 yards and a touchdown and caught a 27-yard pass.
Stat Leaders: Utah - Passing: Brian Johnson, 17-29, 129 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Darrell Mack, 14-56, 1 TD. Receiving: Bradon Godfrey, 7-73
BYU - Passing: Max Hall, 17-40, 269 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Harvey Unga, 23-141, 1 TD. Receiving: Austin Collie, 5-126
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... How much more can Utah fans take after the last two games against BYU? An all-timer of a final Cougar drive meant a second straight brutal loss made happen on an all-timer of a pass play, but the offensive ineffectiveness had something to do with that. Only 244 yards of total offense with two interceptions and ten penalties allowed the Cougars to stay in the game. Brian Johnson never got the passing game going and Darrell Mack was held in check. Even so, after the start of the season, 8-4 isn't bad.

Nov. 17
Utah 28 ... New Mexico 10
Utah took advantage of four New Mexico turnovers with Koa Misi returning a fumble 28 yards for a score, and Brian Johnson connecting with Derrek Richards for a seven-yard touchdown to pull away in the second half. New Mexico mounted a comeback in the third quarter on a two-yard Rodney Ferguson run and a 22-yard John Sullivan field goal, but the fumbles proved critical. The Utes held the Lobos to just 279 yards of offense.
Player of the game: Utah S Steve Tate made ten tackles and a tackle for loss
Stat Leaders: Utah – Passing: Brian Johnson, 16-27, 165 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Darrell Mack, 24-77, 1 TD. Receiving: Brandon Godfrey, 6-77, 1 TD
New Mexico - Passing: Donovan Porterie, 18-41, 198 yds
Rushing: Rodney Ferguson, 19-51, 1 TD. Receiving: Marcus Smith, 6-64
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The momentum continues as the Utes win their seventh straight be taking advantage of New Mexico screw ups and getting just enough offense to get by. Brian Johnson continues to take a bit of a backseat role in the offense as he's letting the running game and defense win games, but to beat BYU, he's going to have to air it out a bit more and he'll have to be better on third downs than he was this week.

Nov. 20
Utah 50 ... Wyoming 0
Utah destroyed the Cowboys with 505 yards to 122 and a 30-point second quarter to win a laugher. Darrell Mack ran for two one-yard scores and Louie Sakoda connected on field goals from 32-26 and 41 yards out. Wyoming was sacked six times, with Gabe Long coming up with three of them, and held on to the ball for just 22:03. The two teams combined for 19 penalties.
Player of the game: Utah DL Gabe Long made five tackles, three sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss and forced a fumble.
Stat Leaders: Wyoming - Passing: Ian Hetrick, 5-9, 44 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Wynel Seldon, 8-40. Receiving: Michael Ford, 5-31
Utah - Passing: Brian Johnson, 17-29, 167 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Darrell Mack, 14-97, 2 TD. Receiving: Derrek Richards, 6-86
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... How strange a year has this been for the Utes? Now they're on a six-game wining streak and all but assured of a bowl bid. The win over Wyoming was a total team blasting, with the defense getting into the backfield all day long, and the offense taking advantage of every chance to put the game away. The running game is rumbling, Brian Johnson doesn't have to do everything, and the team is playing well at just the right time. Now the penalties have to stop, committing 11 for 90 yards against UW.

Oct. 27
Utah 27 ... Colorado State 3
Utah had few problems with Colorado State, running for 322 yards and holding the Ram attack to just 275 yards.  Ray Stowers caught a 16-yard touchdown pass and ran for a one-yard score, and Brian Hernandez caught a four-yard scoring pass. Louie Sakoda added two second quarter field goals for a 20-3 halftime lead, and the Utes coasted from there. CSU only managed a 24-yard Jason Smith field goal.
Player of the game: Utah RBs Darrell Mack and Ray Stowers combined for 274 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries. Stowers also caught a 16-yard touchdown pass
Stat Leaders: Utah - Passing: Brian Johnson, 14-21, 130 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Darrell Mack, 20-151. Receiving: Marquis Wilson, 5-66
Colorado State - Passing: Caleb Hanie, 12-18, 94 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Gartrell Johnson, 17-95. Receiving: Damon Morton, 3-50
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Very, very, very quietly, Utah has won five in a row since the shocking clunker to UNLV, and while it might not be in a position to win the Mountain West, it goes home to play Wyoming and New Mexico with a chance to get into a prime position for the regular season ender against BYU if the Cougars lose along the way. This isn't the high-octane attack the Utes might have been planning for, but that's fine. Getting a grinding ground game and great defense works too.

Oct. 18
Utah 27 ... TCU 20
Utah picked off TCU's Andy Dalton four times, with Martel Bennett returning one 55 yards for a score, Darrell Mack ran for a one-yard score, and Marquis Wilson caught a 24-yard touchdown pass, but had to hold on late as TCU got a late field goal to pull within seven, then couldn't convert the onside kick. TCU got a blocked punt return for a score and converted a trick play into a one-yard Marcus Brock rushing touchdown, but the turnovers proved too costly.
Player of the game: Utah S Steve Tate made 12 tackles, picked off a pass, and made a sack
Stat Leaders: Utah - Passing: Brian Johnson, 13-20, 120 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Darrell Mack, 32-100, 1 TD. Receiving: Marquis Wilson, 6-73, 1 TD
TCU - Passing: Andy Dalton, 20-45, 164 yds, 4 INT
Rushing: Aaron Brown, 11-59. Receiving: Aaron Brown, 5-21
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It's not like Utah moved the ball on TCU. It was a two man show with Darrell Mack earning every yard and Brian Johnson throwing efficiently, but the fourth win in a row came from the defense. Steve Tate and the Ute D stuffed the Horned Frogs time and again, and snuffed out promising, momentum-changing moments with picks. It still might be too late to win the Mountain West, but now the Utes have to focus on being No. 2.

Oct. 13
Utah 23 ... San Diego State 7
Utah ran for 282 yards, but didn't pull away until the second half when Jeremy Brooks caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from RB Louis Corbin, and Darrell Mack caught a seven-yard touchdown pass. The Utes could only manage three Louie Sakoda field goals in the first half, while the Aztecs stayed alive on a five-yard Brandon Sullivan touchdown run. But the SDSU offense sputtered in the second half and ended up being outgained 514 yards to 211.
Player of the game: Utah QB Brian Johnson completed 21 of 28 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown with an interception, and ran for three yards.
Stat Leaders: Utah - Passing: Brian Johnson, 21-28, 208 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Darrell Mack, 22-131. Receiving: Bradon Godfrey, 5-59
San Diego State - Passing: Kevin O’Connell, 14-31, 114 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Kevin O’Connell, 14-24. Receiving: Brett Swain, 5-56
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Is Utah back on track? The Louisville win was nice, and beating San Diego State certainly was a must, but offense failed to put the game away early, despite moving the ball well. Now the real season begins, going on the road to deal with a battered TCU. If the defense plays as well as it did against the Aztecs, and Darrell Mack keeps running well, this might be the second best team in the league behind BYU.

Oct. 5
Utah 44 ... Louisville 35
Utah rolled up 582 yards for the game, and got out to a 27-7 halftime lead, but had to hold on for dear life, as Louisville's Brian Brohm, without his usual targets, bombed his way back into the game, pulling within 41-35 with 3:33 to play on a 29-yard touchdown pass to Trent Guy. The Cardinals tried its second onside kick following a score, and for the second time, failed. Utah was able to get a 46-yard Louie Sakoda field goal to make it a nine-point lead with just over a minute to play. The Utes got out to their big lead on three Darrell Mack touchdown runs, from three, two, and three yards out, while the Cards got Brohm touchdown passes to with two to Guy.
Player of the game: Utah RB Darrell Mack rushed for 163 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries.
Stat Leaders: Louisville - Passing: Brian Brohm, 39-58, 467 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Brock Bolen, 8-43, 1 TD. Receiving: Patrick Carter, 9-154, 1 TD
Utah - Passing: Brian Johnson, 24-31, 312 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Darrell Mack, 32-163, 3 TD. Receiving: Bradon Godfrey, 6-78, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Louisville's defense is giving away yards and points in bunches, but it was still impressive how the Ute offense rolled. Brian Johnson played like Brian Johnson again, running well, and spreading his passes around better, but it was the steady running of Darrell Mack that kept things moving. It gave the Ute attack a focus for the Cardinals to deal with, and allowed Johnson to work a little easier on the outside. Now the Utes have to start producing in Mountain West play after starting out 0-2. San Diego State is next.

Sept. 29
Utah 34 ... Utah State 18
Utah got its leader back as Brian Johnson returned from a separated shoulder to start for the first time in three weeks, with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Jereme Brooks and a 38-yard pass to Marquis Wilson. Louie Sakoda added two field goals and Darrell Mack ran for a three-yard score as part of a 20-point run that Utah State finally stopped with a ten-yard Otis Nelson catch late in the fourth. The two teams combined to convert just nine of 31 third down chances.
Player of the game: Utah RB Darrell Mack rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, and had a reception for seven yards.
Stat Leaders: Utah State - Passing: Leon Jackson, 17-24, 139 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Derrvin Speight, 22-67. Receiving: Kevin Robinson, 7-71
Utah - Passing: Brian Johnson, 18-29, 181 yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing: Darrell Mack, 26-132, 1 TD. Receiving: Brian Hernandez, 5-50
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Brian Johnson might not have been back to being Brian Johnson, but he was certainly a lot better against Utah State than Tommy Grady has been over the last few weeks. However, considering Johnson is back, and with the way Darrell Mack ran, it should've been a much easier win. Steve Tate and the defense did a fantastic job of bottling up the Aggies until late, but still the Ute offense has to prove it can explode very soon. Against Louisville this week, it'll need to be far, far better.

Sept. 22
UNLV 27 ... Utah 0
Frank Summers scored on a 29-yard pass play, and ran for fourth quarter touchdowns from four and 36 yards out as UNLV stunned Utah. The defense forced four Ute turnovers and held the offense to just 300 yards, while the offense was able to take advantage of the opportunities, going less than 40 yards on three scoring drives. Sergio Aguayo hit field goals from 28 and 20 yards out.
Player of the game: UNLV RB Frank Summer ran 29 times for 190 yards and two touchdowns, and caught a pass for a 29-yard score.
Stat Leaders: UNLV - Passing: Travis Dixon, 12-27, 144 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Frank Summers, 29-190 yds, 2 TD. Receiving: Ryan Wolfe, 3-50
Utah - Passing: Tommy Grady, 11-21, 117 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Darrell Mack, 21-89. Receiving: Brandon Godfrey, 6-62
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Not even the hurried return of Brian Johnson could save the Utah offense against UNLV. Tommy Grady couldn't build on the good game against UCLA, and even with Darrell Mack running well, and Johnson throwing relatively well when he entered in the second half, the Utes couldn't overcome a slew of mistakes and misfires. The offense simply isn't working right now, and if things don't pick up against Utah State next week, they never will. The O has to do a far, far better job of keeping the chains moving.

Sept. 15
Utah 44 ... UCLA 6
UCLA turned it over five times, committed ten penalties, and lost a sure touchdown when WR Marcus Everett lost the ball through the end zone for a touchback, but it was the opportunistic Utah offense that made it a blowout. Following a 53-yard Marquis Wilson touchdown catch on the game's opening drive, the Bruins cut the lead to one on two Kai Forbath field goals. That would be it for UCLA, as Utah cranked out 37 unanswered points on two more Tommy Grady touchdown passes and helped by three Darrell Mack touchdowns. Four Utah scoring drives went fewer than ten yards.
Player of the game: Utah RB Darrell Mack carried 19 times for 107 yards and a score, and caught three passes for 34 yards and two more touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: UCLA - Passing: Ben Olson, 20-40, 290 yds, 3 INTs
Rushing: Kahlil Bell, 12-59. Receiving: Brandon Breazell, 6-121
Utah - Passing: Tommy Grady, 17-30, 246 yds, 3 TDs
Rushing: Darrell Mack, 19-107, 1 TD. Receiving: Derrek Richards, 4-65
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It's not like the offense ripped UCLA apart, but considering the woes of the first two games, cranking out 44 points by taking advantage of every mistake qualifies as a huge performance for Tommy Grady and the Utes. The running game didn't do much and the passing game didn't led the way to many long marches, but the O didn't screw up like UCLA's did, while the defense was suffocating. The Utes brought the pressure far better than they did against Oregon State or Air Force. Defensively, Robert Johnson played a whale of a game, as he might have served notice to the Mountain West that he'll be a defensive back who needs to be avoided.

Sept. 8
Air Force 20 ... Utah 12
Air Force came up with a late stand, stuffing a direct snap on a third and goal from the one and stuffing Ute RB Darryl Poston on fourth down in the final minute to hang on for the win. The Falcon offense got a three-yard Jim Ollis touchdown run early in the fourth and a 31-yard Ryan Harrison field goal, his second score of the day, to get ahead by eight late. Utah's attack sputtered all game long, but it came up with a 34-yard Derrek Richards touchdown catch late to get it close. Louie Sakoda added field goals from 43 and 40 yards for the Utes.
Player of the game: Air Force QB Shaun Carney was 8-of-14 for 56 yards, and carried 16 times for 113 yards.
Stat Leaders: Air Force - Passing: Shaun Carney, 8-14, 56 yds
Rushing: Shaun Carney, 16-113. Receiving: Chad Hall, 3-14
Utah - Passing: Tommy Grady, 20-39, 240 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing: Darryl Poston, 12-37. Receiving: Derrek Richards, 8-109, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The season couldn't have gotten off to a worse start. It's now obvious; the Ute offense isn't going to do much of anything without Brian Johnson. The loss of top RB Matt Asiata also helped to kill the running game, so it's sink or swim with the passing of Tommy Grady, and he can't get the job done. Worse yet, the run defense has been non-existent over the first two games and now has to deal with UCLA. The team needs to find an identity in a big hurry, and it has to find something on offense it can count on.

Aug. 30
Oregon State 24 ... Utah 7
It took a while for the Oregon State offense to produce, and then Yvenson Bernard took over with touchdown runs from nine and ten yards out, and Darrell Catchings caught a six-yard touchdown pass from Sean Canfield as part of a 24-0 run. Utah started off the scoring on a 36-yard pass from Brian Johnson to Brent Casteel, but Johnson was soon knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury and the offense never found its groove. The Beavers outrushed Utah 241 yards to 18.
Player of the game: Oregon State RB Yvenson Bernard ran 29 times for 165 yards and two touchdowns and led the team with four catches for 23 yards.
Stat Leaders: Utah - Passing: Brian Johnson, 8-13, 119 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Ray Stowers, 11-26. Receiving: Brent Casteel, 7-64, 1 TD
Oregon State - Passing: Sean Canfield, 8-19, 87 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Yvenson Bernard, 29-165, 2 TD. Receiving: Yvenson Bernard, 4-23
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Talk about getting the wind knocked out of your sails. Utah and its defense appeared ready to give Oregon State all it could handle, and then it lost RB Matt Asiata, and then came the crushing blow with the loss of QB Brian Johnson to a shoulder injury. Tommy Grady has been around the program for too long to complete just nine of 24 passes for 59 yards, and without Asiata and Johnson, there doesn't appear to be much of a running game. Assuming Johnson won't be ready for a while, Grady has to find a way to make use of his great receiving corps against Air Force or the UCLA game will be ugly. On the plus side, punter Louie Sakoda was magnificent, averaging 41.6 yards on 11 punts with five put inside the 20 highlighted by a 62-yard beauty.