Great win over the Cowboys, but one glaring problem?

[BleedsRedUte]

Have to admit I was pleasantly surprised with the Defense early in the game getting off the field fast multiple times. I was fully prepared to watch the bend but don’t break for several downs before hopefully getting a stop.
They had a lot of help from the opposing QB, being terrible at deep passes, allowing them to basically defend the first 15 yards only.

After watching the reporting on the pregame temperatures around 100 deg. and how the teams were combating dehydration, I thought the Utes would slowly get worn down. Didn’t happen (at least until near the end of the game).

The Utes did an adequate job of pushing the pocket back, but the lack of actually getting to the QB, by the rush ends in particular, was glaring. If the Utes are to have continued success, Connor Otoole needs to get back, but also some younger players are going to have to step up (Fitzgerald, Akana, Cloward)?? Better passing QBs will be tough to handle without a return to “Sack Lake City”.

[PNW Ute]

I disagree with that take. Oklahoma State hadn’t given up a sack all season. Their O-Line hasn’t been as good as expected at run blocking, but they’ve been excellent at pass blocking. And their QB routinely got rid of the ball very quickly. Our pass rush was just fine. It’s not like he was getting six seconds to read the defense every down. He was only holding th ball for two to three seconds. No pass rush is going to get sacks against that.

[Ute Dub]

Wrong. Sorry. OK state was in max protect all game and has been in max protect all season. 6 blocking 4 is going to be pretty strong at protecting the QB. The fact that Utah had a lot of hurries helped win the game.

[Author]

Posts