This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Utes are undefeated through their first three games, setting a higher standard for the football program.
But when it comes to Pac-12 player of the week honors, only two out of three is actually pretty good.
Junior linebacker Gionni Paul earned defensive player of the week for his hard-hitting debut for the Utes, while sophomore kicker Andy Phillips was tabbed the special teams standout for his kicks in a wet Big House atmosphere. Both were crucial to Utah's 26-10 win at Michigan Saturday, in which defense and special teams were the dominant phases of the game.
Paul had a game-high 14 tackles, and also added a pick and a fumble recovery, prompting Whittingham to call attention to his "knack" for turnovers. He was also named the National Defensive Player of the Week by Athlon Sports for his Herculean effort. The Utes never once allowed the Wolverines into the red zone, and didn't let up an offensive touchdown.
Phillips was inches away from having a perfect Saturday, instead going 4-for-5 and outscoring Michigan single-footedly. A preseason all-Pac-12 pick, Phillips made field goals from 35, 38, 48 and 50 yards, and his kick as the first half ended put Utah up for good. He also had five touchbacks on six kickoffs, which gave him a Lou Groza star of the week nomination.
Cayleb Jones of Arizona was the offensive player of the week after catching 13 passes for 186 yards.
Utah has one other player of the week this season: Kaelin Clay back in Week 1.
With Phillips edging out Clay's punt return performance this week (Clay did earn some recognition from College Football Performance Awards as the returner of the week) perhaps those two could have a bit of a friendly rivalry for the designation throughout the rest of the season.
Kyle Goonkgoon@sltrib.comTwitter: @kylegoon