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Having three Utah linemen ranked among the top 10 defensive players in the Pac-12 in Pro Football Focus’ grading is not surprising. The more remarkable development is that Julian Blackmon and Terrell Burgess, in their first seasons as starting safeties, are Nos. 2 and 3 through eight weeks, according to PFF’s Cam Mellor.
Defensive tackle Leki Fotu (No. 1), end Bradlee Anae (No. 7) and tackle John Penisini (No. 9) join Blackmon and Burgess in receiving high grades from the PFF evaluators, who study every Power Five player on every play. The rankings are a tribute to Blackmon, who moved from cornerback to safety this year, and Burgess, who previously played behind Marquise Blair, a second-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks.
All of Utah’s defensive players did outstanding work in last Saturday’s 21-3 win over Arizona State. Tribune columnist Gordon Monson praised the Utes in this analysis and he also noted how the defense overcame the Ute offense’s four turnovers. Zack Moss’ record-breaking run capped a statement game for the now-No. 12 Utes.
The defense has been phenomenal at Rice-Eccles Stadium, since halftime of the home opener. Looking ahead to Saturday’s fifth of seven home games, questions remain about quarterback Tyler Huntley’s availability vs. California. The Bears’ secondary is comparable to Utah’s excellent group.
Ute linebackers Francis Bernard and Devin Lloyd, much like Blackmon and Burgess, have answered the preseason questions about them.
Utah women’s cross country team has dropped to No. 16 in the coaches’ poll, but the Utes’ win in Notre Dame’s invitational earlier this month remains impressive. The Utes will stage a home meet Friday at Sunnyside Park, although their top runners will rest in advance of next week’s Pac-12 Championships.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Ute defensive backs Julian Blackmon, left, and Terrell Burgess will be big parts of the one of the Pac-12's best defenses in 2019.
Other voices
Doug Haller of The Athletic, covering Arizona State, followed up on the controversy from Saturday’s game (ATH).
Cal expert Jeff Faraudo previewed Saturday’s game (SI).
Dirk Facer of the Deseret News chronicled Moss’ journey to becoming Utah’s career rushing leader (DNEWS).
Around Campus
• Utah’s women’s volleyball team remained No. 18 in the national rankings this week, as some consolation after barely missing opportunities for upsets on the road last weekend. The Utes lost to No. 15 California and No. 2 Stanford, each in five sets, while having two match-point chances against the Cardinal.
Utah will have another big weekend, this time as the home team. The Utes are in a four-way tie for fourth place in the Pac-12 at 5-3 (13-6 overall). Utah will host No. 9 Washington, the conference's third-place team, Friday ( 7 p.m.). No. 24 Washington State, one of the team tied for fourth, will visit Sunday (1 p.m.).
• Former Ute softball player Ally Dickman will appear at Saturday’s football game to receive the 2018-19 Occie Evans Award, presented to the school’s most outstanding senior female athlete.
• Utah’s women’s soccer team has an unusual 1-2-3 record in Pac-12 play, after last Friday’s 0-0 tie with Arizona. The Utes will host California at 7 p.m. Thursday following the annual Trunk or Treat promotion involving athletes from other sports (those festivities start at 6 p.m.), and will meet No. 2 Stanford at noon Sunday. Utah is 6-5-4 overall.
• The Maverik Center and the state’s four women’s gymnastics programs (Utah. BYU, Utah State and Southern Utah) officially announced a five-year contract for the Rio Tinto Best of Utah NCAA Gymnastics Meet in West Valley City. The 2020 meet is scheduled Jan. 11.
