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If not for missing the equivalent of 2½ games, due to a combination of his shoulder injury and Utah’s being way ahead at halftime of two contests, Zack Moss already would have broken the school’s career rushing record.
That milestone should come Saturday vs. Arizona State, with Moss needing 55 yards to top Eddie Johnson's mark of 3,219 yards in 1984-88. The accompanying question is how many yards Moss can compile by the end of the season. He could play in eight more games, counting the Pac-12 title game and a bowl game, so 4,000 yards is not unrealistic at all.
“He came here to get a lot of things accomplished,” said quarterback Tyler Huntley, Moss' high school teammate in Florida, “so it's good that he'll be going out a legend.”
Moss’ 91-yard touchdown last Saturday at Oregon State added to the lore. Here’s my story from Utah’s 52-7 win, plus a look at Utah’s aggressive defensive scheme. My “Utes in review” analysis focused on the upcoming game vs. Arizona State, a nemesis to Utah both on the field and in recruiting.
ASU quarterback Jayden Daniels picked the Sun Devils over Utah, and he’s a dynamic player.
Monday was former Ute coach Ron McBride’s 80th birthday, and he’s keeping busy with his foundation that supports after-school programs.
My midseason report of the Utes emphasized how they still need help from USC’s opponents.
The men’s and women’s basketball teams staged the annual Night with the Utes on Tuesday, with mixed results.
Utah’s No. 18 volleyball program enjoyed a big weekend, with coach Beth Launiere being honored during her 30th season and Kim Turner becoming the first Ute player to have her jersey retired, while the Utes beat USC and UCLA.
Expanding on a story posted on the Utah Athletics website, Ute soccer goalkeeper Carly Nelson and her family discussed how they’ve dealt with the dynamics of her coming out, and how their relationship has improved during her college years.
Utah’s 2020 gymnastics schedule is finalized, with a new element of an in-state meet on the podium at the Maverik Center, as Lya Wodraska reported.
Other voices
Pac-12 expert Jon Wilner updates his bowl projections for the conference (MERC).
Christopher Kamrani of The Athletic breaks down Utah’s performance through six games (ATH).
Dirk Facer of the Deseret News also analyzes the first half of the regular season (DNEWS).
Michelle Bodkin of the Ute Zone profiles Francis Bernard, noting he got married during Utah’s bye week (ZONE).
Around campus
• Utah is justifiably proud of having the best Graduation Success Rate among public schools in the Power Five, with 94 percent of athletes graduating within six years. The Utes have topped 90 percent in the last three reports.
Utah at least tied for the Pac-12's highest rate in seven sports: football, men's basketball, men's tennis, gymnastics, soccer, women's tennis and volleyball. Eight sports had perfect scores: men's basketball, men's and women's skiing, men's tennis, gymnastics, soccer, women's tennis and volleyball.
If you're wondering how a 100-percent score in possible with athletes transferring in men's basketball, for example, here's the answer: If the athlete is in good academic standing upon departing, the loss is not held against the program.
• Utah’s soccer team will host Arizona on Friday (7 p.m.), after losing 2-1 at USC in overtime and 2-0 at UCLA. The Utes are 6-5-3 overall, 1-2-2 in the Pac-12, tied for seventh place.
• Utah’s volleyball team is tied for first in the Pac-12 at 5-1, joining California and Stanford. The Utes, 13-4 overall, will visit those schools on Friday and Sunday. Cal is No. 15 in the AVCA poll and Stanford is No. 2.
