Game thoughts

[Stone]

We have great young players on this team. Ty Jordan is a baller – he runs with violence, love his stiff arms. They guy fights for extra yardage, sees the field well, has speed, and is just a beast to bring down. What a player. Also, Bernard looks really great, too (and has shown flashes this season). And both are freshman! Incredible.

The secondary seemed to get picked apart in the first half, but I am guessing that was in part because the game plan was to stop the run. Things really tightened up in the second half – so kudos to the D for playing a great game. I had a sinking feeling when CU was driving in the 4th quarter, down 27 -21, that they would score and we’d lose by 1 (flashbacks to UW’s final drive). So glad to see the D make the stop, and then then see Jordan seal the deal the next play.

The o-line needs some time. But I think they will get there. You can see missed blocks routinely. But when they get to their assignments, they do great. Maybe too much shifting around due to a variety of issues. Will be nice to get a consistent group. Really hope we get to a bowl game because those extra practices would be a boon for next year.

[Tednab]

Get our online and QB figured out ; this team has a lot of potential. A lot of improvement seen this week. Play calling a lot better as well .. if Jordan hangs around he’ll be one of , if not the best RB Utah has ever had

[Larry B]

Why wouldn’t Jordan hang around? He’s RB #1 on a team that puts RB’s in the NFL.

[Tednab]

Bolts to the NFL earlier

[Hellhound152]

Yeah, hopefully we can figure the RB spot out again for the 2023 season…

[Utesbyfive]

He’s an 18 year old true freshman. He will be a COVID freshman next season. Players who want to declare early have to be 3 years removed from high school graduation. He will be here at least two more seasons. We have another promising back coming next year in Ricky Parks.

[Tony (admin)]

Coach Whitt commented on the “extra weeks of practice” benefit of playing a bowl this season.  He downplayed that because with this weird year’s schedule it would only mean about 2 weeks of extra reps. 

[Central Coast Ute]

Covey also commented on the bowl. He said the guys are worn out. He mentioned BC and how they opted out of a bowl. The kids havent been home since spring. They’re going to want to go home for Christmas. If they do, someone might get covid and the bowl game would be canceled if they do. That goes for every team in a bowl. I wouldn’t blame any team canceling a bowl game this year if they don’t make the CFP or NY6.

[Hellhound152]

ESPN is solving their content problem with Basketball this year anyway.  That is the only reason the bowl season exists in its current format.  Bowl games without fans will fail to infuse money into the local economies and the schools will lose more money than usual in a year where they have already taken a shot to the gut in that department this season.  

The team is already going to practice this week for a game that will surely be cancelled on Friday which means in a normal season they would have had more “bowl practices” than if they had played in the Vegas Bowl.  I think the NCAA should give all teams a extra week of spring ball as a compromise.

[Trailgoat]

At this point, bowl game is a zero-sum game for the players. Kids have been through enough adversity and lock down with the Covid mitigation fatigue. Bentley is showing more consistency and clearly the new Frosh on the oline are coming together. Defense is becoming rock solid. Play the last game next week, end on a good note, and give the team a break. UofU classes don’t start until Jan 18 (online).

Next steps, sign all commits. No surprise flips. Maybe lock in a couple transfers and keep the WR crew engaged. Hope Thompson and Ennis decide to stay. Need to keep the backfield together as well. Rising’s return is key. A lot to look forward to next season.