2009 Statistics

2010 OUTLOOK
The Utes won 10 games and extended their bowl streak to nine victories (in 12 years). This all came after it was felt 2009 would be a rebuilding year. While this upcoming campaign is not the same rebuilding project, there are still a few holes to fill, especially on the defensive side with the back seven. Departing linebacker Stevenson Sylvester is a big loss and it did not help when Nai Fotu was lost to a knee injury early in spring drills. Former quarterback Chad Manis and a few others are capable talent wise to keep this group respectable. The losses in the secondary were big too, which included big time safety Robert Johnson. At least there are two fairly solid corners where high-pressure, man-to-man defense places a great deal of pressure on these two. The defensive line is full of playmakers however and a good place to build around. This likely won't be the same stingy defense that ranked 19th nationally a year ago. By season's end as players and units continue to develop with the given talents, there is no reason to believe the drop-off will be significant.

Coaches decided to launch quarterback Jordan Wynn's career last season after Utah was already 6-1 and ranked in the Top 20 with Terrance Cain behind center. He lost two of his five starts, albeit to nationally ranked TCU and rival BYU, but became the Poinsettia Bowl MVP by passing for 338 yards in a victory over Cal. Four starters are back on the offensive line. Both Zane Taylor and Caleb Schlauderaff anchor the middle at center and guard respectively. Both will push for All-American notice before the season is over. This is a big reason why opponents better be leery when playing the Utes. Behind them exists a bevy of qualified ball carriers. Eddie Wide raked up most of his 1,069 yards in the last 10 games after Matt Asiata sustained a season-ending injury. He had six straight games of 100-plus yards and Asiata was granted a sixth year of eligibility. Jereme Brooks snarled 56 catches last fall while playing in the shadow of 1,000-yard receiver David Reed, who is now on the Baltimore Ravens roster. Besides Brooks, no other receiver had more than 13 receptions.

The first task at hand is to obviously win the Mountain West, which ultimately means beating conference/national powers TCU and BYU. Both are at home this year and later in the season which should give the receivers and secondary a good chance to get their feet under them. This puts exquisite head coach Kyle Whittingham in another position to succeed yet once again. Utah's season will be defined in the month of November.