The Utes know they need to protect Cam Rising if they want to win.
The good news? Utah has a renewed belief in its offensive line this season.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in the whole group,” Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig said. “We all know that’s the group that makes or breaks the whole thing and sets the tone for the entire team in terms of physicality and things of that nature. Again, that’s a good group.”
By most measurements, the Utes’ offensive front struggled in 2023. The line gave up 25 sacks on 328 passing attempts, a 7.6% sack rate. That was a drastic downgrade from their 2021 and 2022 seasons, when the Utes allowed 13 and 15 overall sacks, respectively.
Despite the struggles with its pass protection, Utah’s rushing attack was seemingly unhindered by the offensive line. The Utes rushing attack finished third in the Pac-12 and 35th in the nation, averaging 182.5 yards per game on the ground. With Ja’Quinden Jackson, who finished with a team-high 797 rushing yards last season, now gone Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham and the team have shifted to a “by committee” approach in 2024.
There will be more pressure on both the running backs and offensive line this season with seventh-year quarterback Rising’s official return from injury. Ludwig wants to protect the seventh-year quarterback this season by eliminating design runs and quickening his release.
But, none of that matters if Utah’s offensive line fails to protect the pass like it did a season ago.
Utah recently moved sophomore offensive lineman Spencer Fano from left to right tackle. Fano started one game on the right side in 2023, while the rest of his 11 starts came at left tackle. That has opened the door for redshirt freshman Caleb Lomu to earn the starting gig in Fano’s place.
Throughout fall camp, Utah worked to sharpen the communication and physicality of its newcomers, like Lomu, on the offensive line. The redshirt freshman said he’s worked to find an extra step in practice by increasing his toughness and strength. He dominated high school with his athleticism, but that all changed when he arrived in Salt Lake City.
Like Ludwig, he has also has been complimentary of Utah’s new-look offensive front since taking over at left tackle.
“We’re getting better and better each time we practice,” Lomu said. “I’m probably the newest one out of everyone else. They’ve all played multiple seasons and games, so I’m a part of the newer group.
“I feel like I’ve kicked it up a notch because I needed to be able to compete with these guys and play on their level. I couldn’t just get by with my natural talent that I have.”
Following the struggles of last season, Lomu says members of the offensive line and coaching staff have emphasized communication before snapping the ball. He hopes those improvements will provide better results than a season ago.
As Utah shifts its focus to the first contest of the season vs. Southern Utah (7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29 in Salt Lake City), the Utes will be able to showcase their revamped offensive line for the first time.
Whether or not their confidence will result in an improved product on the field is yet to be seen, but it will be put to the test in less than a week, nonetheless.
“Communication is the main thing,” Lomu said. “It’s super important that we communicate as an O-line.
“If we don’t communicate with each other, we don’t know what’s going on on the other side of the line. So altogether, we need to communicate and have trust in one another that our guys will be there. If we can trust that — and we all know what we’re doing — then we can play together as one.”