This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Kyle Whittingham on Monday said that Devontae Booker was his clear starter.
Saturday, Devontae Booker looked like Utah's clear star.
Booker carried the load again for the Utes, following a 178-yard performance in a 28-27 loss to Washington State with a 155-yard game in the Rose Bowl.
"He can just carry the load," said Kendal Thompson, who ran the zone read with Booker to devastating effect.. "I have a lot of trust in him."
Booker fought for key first downs, and he was so effective late that Utah not only used the running game to kill clock, but rode him down the field for a game-winning field goal by Andy Phillips.
UCLA again and again seemed to have Booker stopped, only for the junior college transfer to surge again. No play better epitomized this than his 6-yard touchdown to put the Utes up 24-14 in the third quarter.
Booker's physicality — combined with the offensive line's push and the threat of Thompson on keepers — kept Utah's defense fresh even as UCLA's own rush attack took its toll when given half a chance.
Now has 513 rushing yards for a 4-1 team, and fans are flashing back to Utah's last great rusher, a similarly persistent wrecking ball by the name of John White.
"Six to eight months ago, I wasn't pretty much doing anything until I got the call to come up here for school," Booker said.
Next?
"Just make the most of it, continue to work hard and just go out there and fight for each play I'm out there."
Twitter: @matthew_piper