Utah special teams, almost ruined a special night. Add Comment    Sep 03, 2010

All the questions people asked about how the Utes would play have been answered.  Many questioned how the inexperienced line-backing core would handle the Heisman candidate Dion Lewis running game.  Holding him to only 75 yards, a number he hit last year in some cases just after one quarter of play.  Another big question was the offensive line, who allowed ZERO sacks, and unless Pitt blizted, there was virtually no pressure on Wynn.  The young unproven receiving core also was another unknown for the Utes as they managed to rack up almost 300 yards. 

One can only hope that Shaky Smithson can shake off his performance as it seemed he alone would cause the Utes to fall to the 15^th ranked Panthers.  Fumbling his first reception and also muffing a punt, that proved to be crucial moments in the game.  The defense stepped up in a huge way! My personal favorite surprise of the game was the play of Brian Blechen,  a backup QB in high school who just looks like a beast on the field and wants to hit anybody in his way.  I was happy to see him make the game winning interception in overtime that ended all of Pitts hopes to snap Utahs 17 home game winning-streak.  The crowd also stepped up in a huge way causing confusion for Pitts offensive line with false starts and a delay of game penalty. 

The big question now, is not how the defense will handle pressure, or if our receivers can make the big plays.  It is whether  our special teams will be able to put the offense and the defense in the best position to win ball games.  A muffed punt, a blocked punt, and a botched punt is not exactly what fans want to see.  Special teams has been something that has plagued Utah football for several years it seems.  The 2008 team was able to overcome the adversary of the not so special teams play, but how many times can Utah survive with so many mistakes. 

It was however the first game of the year, many of the penalties that cost Utah 99 yards in total should be corrected rather quickly.  But despite the sloppy play, there is MUCH to be excited for.  Utah will be a team that will get the national respect it deserves.  Clean up a few of the minor mistakes and Im not convinced even TCU will be able to win this year as they visit Rice-Eccles and one of the most amped up crowds I have witnessed in my several years on being a season ticket holder.

The offense came out with some new looks, one of which I still dont know what to call.  I keep referring to it as the not I form. This might get confusing so bare with me.  Matt Asiatas not little brother is in a full back and lines up just in front on Asiata the elder, while Wynn is off set just a little bit.  It almost looks like a pro-form but with the quarterback being the one that is offset rather than the Fullback.  Anyways the formation, call it what you may, was virtually impossible for pit to stop.  The middle of the field was wide open and gave the utes opportunity to captalize with some huge gains from both Jeremy Brooks and DeVonte Christopher.

In past articles I have made calls out to our fans to bring their A games and keep the stadium electric.  I must say they rose to the occasion.  If you did not have the opportunity to see the game in person, there were several times where I literally felt my brain was about to explode.  It was so loud I could feel the noise in my chest.  A feeling I had only experienced while attending a game at the Rose Bowl,  a stadium that holds 90,000+.  I was very proud to be a part of such an amazing atmosphere and hope that EVERY game can bring such an amazing atmosphere.

After starting off a little slow in the first quarter, Utah played lights out in both the 2^nd and 3^rd quarters, but the fourth proved to be the most difficult and gut wrenching.  An illegal shift stopped what appeared to be a knock-out blow with a touchdown that was called back on Pitt.  Also having the last second field goal be attempted 3 times due to icing the kicker.  Say what you may about that issue.  Bottom line Blechen had other plans as he decided he was going to take the ball himself.  Add in an unstoppable run game and what you get is an overtime victory.  GO UTES! Now lets just make our not so special teams, a bit more special, and this season could be one for the books.

Article written by

J R