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Utah's offensive line, which has shouldered its share of criticism this year, is continuing to make big improvements.
Quarterback Jon Hays has been sacked just three times in the last two games combined after being sacked 12 times in the two previous games.
While the line could be helped statistically by Hays' own improvement as a quarterback and the lower number of passes the Utes are attempting, the line is doing a much better job in the run game too, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said.
"You don't get 1,000 yards without doing good things up front," said Whittingham, referring to John White's 1,024 rushing yards this year.
Whittingham said rather than any coaching adjustments, the players have made adjustments.
"The leaders of that group have set the pace," he said. "Sam Brenner, Tony Bergstrom, Miles Mason, it's a credit to what they've been doing with the work ethic and preparation and all that goes into it."
Setting the tone
John White's 109-yard rushing performance Saturday, which gave him 1,024 yards on the season, earned him more compliments from Whittingham on Monday.
The Utes are 5-0 when White rushes for 100 a game and Whittingham said the correlation between White's success and the team's is clear.
"A thousand yards is a milestone, a benchmark for a running back," Whittingham said. "To be a 1,000-yard back is a great honor, particularly in a conference like the Pac-12 and with John being in his first year in the program. There are a lot of reasons for him and the football team to be proud."
Honor boy
Utah punter Sean Sellwood was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week following Saturday's performance in which he averaged 50.5 yards on his four punts in the Utes' 34-21 win at Arizona.
He tied his career long with a 67-yarder in the first quarter and placed two inside the 20-yard line in the fourth quarter.
Sellwood said he knew his 67-yarder was going to be a good one when it left his foot.
I've kicked 1,000 times in practice so you know when you hit it if it's going to be good or not," he said. "But at the other end of the spectrum, you know when it's not so good too."
Sellwood is averaging 43.9 yards on his 26 punts this year.
"It's a great honor and you have to work hard to get an honor like," Sellwood said of the weekly award.
USC quarterback Matt Barkley was the Offensive Player of the Week for completing 25 of 39 passes for 318 yards in the 42-17 win over Colorado, and Oregon rover Eddie Pleasant was the Defensive Player of the Week for his two interceptions in the Ducks' 34-17 win at Washington.