In 2019, Woodward again posted good numbers in 93 total tackles, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a touchdown. SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s rebuilding defense isn’t dwelling on what the coronavirus pandemic has taken away. Defensive end Mika Tafua, who is back with the Utes, is progressing in that direction. The defense will be “extremely cerebral” because of its inability to get a lot of time on the field during the pandemic to work on things like fundamentals and technique, he explained. Tafua originally signed with BYU. SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah football program will have a lot of changes on both sides of the ball heading into the 2020 season, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. RARE SWEEP: The Pac-12 reports that Utah’s sweep of its weekly football awards — Tyler Huntley (offense), Hansen (defense) and Matt Gay (special teams) — has happened just three other times in conference history. Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley took a pay cut from $1.1 million to $525,000 after Scalley admitted to using a racial slur in a 2013 text message to a recruit. 12 Cougars could have gone for more points, and more style points, while drubbing Texas State 52-14, but coach Kalani Sitake called off the dogs early for the fourth time in six games. Zach Wilson’s golden moment stole the show, but his supporting cast members had their moments, too, As expected, BYU wipes out Texas State as Cougars’ QB turns in another impressive performance, BYU grad, ‘Educated’ author Tara Westover talks family estrangement, writing memoir, "I’m breaking a big rule in the family, which is not to talk about it. “They are very good football players. Now he’s a veteran, joining linebacker Devin Lloyd as the only returning starters for the Utah defense. “It’s something that we have to get done.”. He played in 13 games in 2019 and had 47 tackles, a sack, an interception, and two forced fumbles. Every position group, Lloyd continued, has studied “hours and hours of film.” The weight room has also been a popular place. All three of those guys made plays for us and there is a reason all three are playing in the league right now,” Scalley said. Whittingham said the cornerbacks were solid with sophomore JaTravis Broughton getting the best early evaluation. No public announcement will be made, but Whittingham acknowledged that the reduction is guaranteed to happen. We feel like we have a solid group both of young athletes coming into our program as well as returners.”. PFF Coverage Grade: 88.4 (7th in the country), Stats: 21 tackles, 60.0% receptions allowed, 53.3 QB Rating allowed, PFF Coverage Grade: 89.7 (2nd in the country), Stats: 29 tackles, 56.5% receptions allowed, 44.5 QB Rating allowed, To gain some context for the talent difference between some of the top defenses in the country, we'll look at the average rating of starting "recruits" of the four teams ranked ahead of Utah in ESPN's Defense Efficiency ratings for a comparison: Clemson, Ohio State, Auburn, Wisconsin. He noted, however, that they have a lot of work to do. Here is what this defensive unit allowed in three games during the month of October: Those numbers came against conference opponents, that not too long ago, some had a significant talent advantage over Utah. In his time, he has had 11 tackles and a pass deflection. The lack of contact and loss of reps, obviously, isn’t ideal for a defensive squad seeking nine new starters in 2020. “There was definitely significant progress and you’ll see on the field,” said Lloyd, who noted that this defense is going to use mental toughness to its advantage. Experience is in short supply on the Utah defense as it prepares to head into the pandemic-shortened season. FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd (20) tackles Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Salt Lake City. Dominic Tatum is a cornerback turned safety and if injury befalls Lefeged or Bond, Tatum may see time on the field as well. Morgan has done a great job with how he’s handled it and the strides he’s made since the incident.”, More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and http://www.twitter.com/AP_Top25, FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd (20) tackles Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Salt Lake City. “I think the most important thing is that everybody gets the culture here, especially with the defensive line — just helping them understand what is expected of them and helping them get the confidence to be able to do what is asked,” said Tafua, who emphasized the importance of helping the younger guys step up. No. Eventually, Whittingham predicts, the fourth starter on that line will join them. DJ Williams led the Aggies and played two seasons. Utah's defensive scheme relies a lot upon cornerbacks that can play in tight situations in man coverage. Having a short window to evaluate players, coaches are spending lots of time in the film room each day after workouts. Start your day with the top stories you missed while you were sleeping. Utah’s starting defense will have a lot of new faces in 2020. Blackmon has plenty of playing experience having played the last two seasons at cornerback. These two recruits came to Utah as raw athletes, Burgess even started his career on the offensive side of the ball, where as Blackmon played cornerback before both eventually ended up here at safety. PFF Overall Defensive Grade: 72.2 (3rd in the conference among LB's w/at least 200 snaps), Stats: 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 9 total pressures, 1 interception (returned for TD), PFF Overall Defensive Grade: 78.7 (1st in the conference among LB's w/at least 200 snaps), Stats: 54 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 11 total pressures, 1 interception (returned for TD). 12 Cougars could have gone for more points, and more style points, while drubbing Texas State 52-14, but coach Kalani Sitake called off the dogs early for the fourth time in six games. On Friday, the Utes open camp. Fotu went to the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round; Anae was taken by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth; and the Detroit Lions picked Penisini in the sixth. Burgess has been a backup throughout his career until getting the start this season. “And, you know, I don’t see why we couldn’t do exactly what we did last year. Potentially bad news for opposing offenses. Utah quarterback Cam Rising runs into the end zone during the Utes’ scrimmage at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. USC did it in 1988, while Oregon State hit the trifecta in 2004 and 2006. Now we don't have all the answers and we are still a work in progress, but every level is good. Lefeged and Bond have more than secured their spots as starters on the roster but that doesn’t mean that Lockett will not see playing time at some point down the road. Specifically, a lot of time studying film and lifting weights. Courtesy Utah Athletics “Outstanding.” That’s how Utah coach Kyle Whittingham described the first camp scrimmage. A in depth look at the Utah State defense. So, too, could be sophomore Blake Kuithe as well as freshmen Xavier Carlton, Van Fillinger and Tanoa Togiai. Coach Sharrieff Shah coaches his corners hard, he focuses on the tiniest of details, and it shows in how well these guys are grading out according to PFF. “That corner pool is starting to develop a hierarchy. Lloyd is one of those leaders. I love teaching and coaching,” said Scalley, who has coached at Utah since 2008 and played for the Utes from 2001 to 2004. “It’s been a blessing to be back with the players I love.”. Sophomore Cam Lampkin returns after playing in eight games his freshman season. 12 BYU past Texas State 52-14, No. Whittingham said the scrimmage included a bunch of drives from various spots, high and low red-zone work and two-minute situations. We’re putting it behind us,” Whittingham said. In addition, Tafua explained he’s trying to work on all aspects of his game.