Sunday morning coach

[ProudUte]

I appreciate our coaching staff and I realize that there is a lot more going on with each play call than I know.  That being said, here are a few things I would have done differently.

1. When we scored a TD and there were two separate penalties against UCLA – KW decided to take on of the penalties and go for two.  We did get the conversion.  However, had we taken both penalties on the kickoff, we would have been kicking from the UCLA 35.  Had we done that – I would have gone for an onside kick which would have been very low risk and potentially high reward.

2. On the drive where we kicked a FG, Tavion made some excellent runs to get us to the 3 on third down.  Tavion was breathing hard and was totally gassed.  I said at the time, call a time out and let him catch his breath or call a different play.  He had nothing left in the tank and it was obvious.

3. When it was third and goal for UCLA at the six, we decided to blitz Hubert and left the middle wide open.  DTR saw the blitz and had an easy pass over the middle.  I may have decided to rush three and keep eight in coverage.  It is difficult to get open on a short field with eight in coverage.

Easy to say now.

[EagleMountainUte]

1- I agree with the decision. I have zero trust in our kickoff coverage ability or acumen for understanding how critical it is to not give an extra 20-30 yards to the offense. 

2 – The play calling was so good on this drive. I was mostly upset with the extra tackle on Kincaid not being called. (I think it was this drive). Then the weird play call before the kick attempt. Why cram Vele in the short of the end field and not attempt a shot for the endzone???

3- Defense play calling in general sucks. Hubert sack or TFL being the exception and a few other timely plays. RedZone defense was abysmal compared to Oregon st.  Big difference in qb intelligence I think. 

[ProudUte]

If we did an onside kick from UCLA’s 35 – there is no way they would get the ball outside the 25 – if we kicked it at least 10 yards.  So, as I said – little risk and potentially high reward.  We could not stop UCLA, so this may have taken possession away from them.

That being said – I agree with you that our kick coverage is HORRIBLE!!!

 

[Trailgoat]

UCLA came to play and Utah did not show up. I do agree on all three of your points including the onside kick suggestion. UCLA averaged 34 yards per KO return. Onside kick it or at least on the ground kick through the front KO line would have been about a wash in yardage.

One thing standing out to me from yesterday is the talent level UCLA has assembled. Utah had a break from all the USC, UO, UW, and UCLA dysfunction to an extent over the past several years. All the talented 4 star players are getting organized under better coaching and solid transfer portal pick-ups/purchases. Props to Chip putting together a solid game plan especially on offense. Utah is outmatched on the front 7 against these good teams. We’ll seem more of same game plan next week and against UO and possibly WSU.

[tarheelute]

Only those watching on TV noticed Tavion was exhausted after four straight runs, ending with the stop on 4th down. Too bad Rising handed off, he looked to have a fair chance on the right side of the scrimmage

[loyter]

My main criticism was the following situation:
Utes down 10 points with 9 minutes on the clock. On first, second, and third down, the clock is running, and the Utes use up the ENTIRE play clock. Why are we not snapping the ball with 20 seconds on the clock? Are we so afraid of their offense that we are going to try to run a 7 minute drive and roll the dice on an onside kick?

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