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One of Utah's most important linemen is done for the year, racking up the season-ending injuries along the trenches.

Senior center J.J. Dielman, a team captain and a 2015 all-conference honoree, is done for the season http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4420166-155/utah-football-injury-bug-leaves-utes";>after a lower leg injury suffered at Cal, the Utes announced Monday afternoon. The injury likely ends his Utah career: He played in five games this year, pushing above the threshold for a medical hardship waiver.

The 22-year-old Arizona native played in 32 career games as a Ute, entering the regular starting lineup in 2014. http://bit.ly/1YspfK2";>Pro Football Focus graded him as the top returning player to Utah this fall, http://bit.ly/2aUUwEr";>even though he changed positions from tackle to center after the Utes took another http://bit.ly/2a0MiZC";>career-ending injury to presumed starter Hiva Lutui in spring.

Utah's offensive players gave their oft-repeated mantra of "next man up," but were plainly hurt to see Dielman go down for the year, having likely played his last game in a Utah uniform.

"I'm very emotional," said senior guard Isaac Asiata, who has been playing alongside Dielman for three years. "Been through everything with that guy. That guy has been the No. 1 guy I've been competing against since I don't even know when."

The injury leaves center duties in the hands of junior Lo Falemaka, who took over when Dielman exited the game against Cal and went to the locker room. His first series was difficult: He snapped a ball high, then let a pass rusher get free and nearly get a sack.

Junior quarterback Troy Williams said Falemaka quickly shook it off.

"I feel like Lo did a great job last weekend stepping in for J.J.," he said. "He told me, 'Hey man, I just had to get my jitters out real quick.' I told him, 'I understand, I understand fully. Don't worry about it.' We had a long game ahead of us, and I told him just go out there, relax and play ball. And that's what he did."

The Utes did go on to run for 176 yards against the Golden Bears, but http://bit.ly/2cJxi5V";>came up short on the final three plays at the goal line — the last of which was a run.

Falemaka had only appeared in two games prior to this season. He missed most of the 2015 season recovering from http://bit.ly/1RSmRs3";>a gunshot wound he sustained last year at an off-campus party. Falemaka was not made available to speak to the media on Monday.

Asiata said senior Nick Nowakowski, currently a backup guard, would get a look at center as well, and Asiata is also preparing for center reps if need be.

At 6-foot-5, Dielman manned the center of the line to replace Lutui and also open up time for newcomer Garett Bolles at tackle. http://bit.ly/1NPZZJ3";>The younger cousin of former NFL center Kris Dielman, he had struggles initially with snaps, but settled into the role to help Utah rush for 870 yards this year and only give up only six sacks (best in the Pac-12).

Utah's roster is fraught with injuries so far this season. Besides Lutui and Dielman, tight end Siale Fakailoatonga and defensive end Kylie Fitts have also been lost for the year. The Utes were without defensive tackle Lowell Lotulelei and receiver Cory Butler-Byrd at Cal, and lost receiver Tim Patrick, receiver Kyle Fulks and cornerback Reggie Porter during the game itself.

kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon