This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Earlier this week Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said the Utes need more out of the running game after John White failed to break 100 yards against the Aggies, but admitted the problem was one for the offensive line as much as it was for the running backs. But how much should a good back get on his own? Whittingham was quick with an answer. "All great backs, even when there is nothing there, should be able to get three yards," he said. "That is what a great back does." Last year White averaged 4.8 yards a carry. This year he is averaging 4.2 yards a carry so he is well above Whittingham's standard. The question is can White keep that average up as the Utes head into a tougher part of their schedule, starting with Saturday's game against BYU. White, who averaged 5.0 yards against Northern Colorado and 3.6 against Utah State, will face a defense that is giving up just 55 yards against the run. White sounded confident he could get the job done when he spoke to media members on Wednesday, saying he was ready to go 'pound the Cougars.' Course the number that seems to matter most with him isn't his average so much as the total. The Utes are 9-0 when he hits 100 yards. "I don't know why that is," he said. "I just let the stats speak for themselves." Wondering how confident you are in White's ability, particularly against BYU's defense and since White's health is still questionable after he tweaked his ankle against Utah State?