This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Devontae Booker is looking forward to facing Oregon State again.
Last time he faced the Beavers, he punished them with a career-high 229 yards on 32 carries with three touchdowns, including the overtime winner. The lasting impression Oregon State got of the Utah running back was him shaking off three tacklers on his way to a touchdown that only he could make easy.
In the interim, Oregon State has lost four NFL Draft picks on defense, and is allowing almost 200 yards per game on the ground this season.
"I'm looking forward to the same result," he said. "You know, gashing them in the run."
Booker is also hoping that he gets more opportunities this week after 14 carries and 6 receptions in his last game against USC — Utes coach Kyle Whittingham admitted 20 touches was "too low" for Utah's leader in all-purpose yardage.
Booker rolled up 62 yards rushing and 49 yards receiving without a score on Saturday. As the Utes fell behind big in the second and third quarters, they got away from the run.
The 23-year-old back understands that, and he isn't sulking.
"Really I didn't think about it at all after the game," he said. "It is what it is, the way the game was going for SC, we really couldn't run the ball at all. … I just think they probably just got away from running this week just because of the situation."
Utah's run game has been in a funk the past two outings, limited both by attempts and tough defenses. After racking up at least 220 yards in each game against Fresno State, Oregon and Cal, the Utes didnot crack 100 net rush yards as a team against Arizona State or USC. In those games, Utah has attempted 31 team rushes or fewer.
The Utes had a player-led meeting on Monday to address the loss to USC. Booker hopes that reframes a few things for the team, including getting the running attack on track.
"Just this week, playing against USC, we've got to put it behind us," he said. "Some guys came in with their heads down, but we adjusted that in our players meeting. I think they refocused up and recommitted to the goal, and we gotta get it."
Special teams takes a step forward
The misses get noticed a lot more than the ones that are good. But quietly, Andy Phillips has made 10 of his past 11 field goals after missing a pair in the opener against Michigan.
As a captain, Phillips is expecting the special teams to continue to avoid attention for the wrong reasons. At USC, Whittingham cited the unit as a strength — a reversal of the previous week when they had helped give up major points.
"I wouldn't say we were down [after Arizona State]," Phillips said. "We hadn't had an all-around great game until last week. I think our head is good. We know where we can be, and we've worked on getting better."
Phillips said his own improvement after some issues against the Wolverines was clearing his mind of the mechanics of each kick. He spent too much time worrying, he said, and decided to loosen up and kick more with an intuitive feel.
He got some criticism against Arizona State, when one of his kickoffs was returned for a touchdown. He said he's changed up his approach in the past few weeks, and he feels confident about the kick return coverage.
So far this year, only seven of Tom Hackett's punts have been returned, with an average of less than 10 yards per return. Phillips has had a few long returns come against his kickoffs, but last week USC's long on a return was 17 yards.
Trick or treat
While the 5 p.m. Saturday kickoff might be a nice change of pace after two straight 8 p.m. home kickoffs. But for parents wringing their hands over when they can take kids trick-or-treating on Halloween night: Utah wants them at the game.
Utah athletics is encouraging fans to bring candy with them to the weekend tailgate for young fans who come in costume. Children in costume at the weekly Ute Walk will get a trick-or-treat bag starting at 2:30 p.m. on the corner of Guardsman Way and 500 South. Costumed children may be invited to participate in a halftime contest for best-dressed fan.
Twitter: @kylegoon