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Here's how Gionni Paul puts it: The defensive line is "tough." The defensive backs are "smart."

The linebackers — well, they've got to be both. And for Utah's defense, long the hallmark unit of the program, they've got to play as well as any group in the country.

"I guess the linebackers," he said, "you could call them the Daddy of the group."

Good linebackers, according to 71-year-old, I've-seen-it-all defensive coordinator John Pease, "are worth their weight in gold." That's how the Utes feel about the duo of Jared Norris and Paul: It's a gold rush.

Consider that the Utes are nationally known for their sack-happy defensive line, Sack Lake City, and the secondary has helped account for the plus-seven turnover margin. And yet, the two defensive captains play the same position: linebacker.

For Utah, the linebackers are the glue, the heart, the backbone — whatever analogy you want to make, they're it — of the defense. There's nothing particularly special about the schemes and responsibilities they play, Pease said; they just do everything they're asked extremely well.

"If somebody makes a mistake in the front, they can make them right by being a good athlete," he said. "Gionni has the unique ability to see all the guys on the field, and know what's coming. Jared's got a lot of that, too. They're both very instinctive players."

Norris and Paul are tied for team lead in tackles at 32, but what they do goes beyond wrapping up.

Take the fourth quarter against Utah State, when Paul notched not two game-saving turnovers to seal a victory. Or in the fading moments of Utah's win over Oregon, when Norris forced a fumble with the Ducks pinned against their own goal line, and Paul recovered it. They are gifted in coverage, both tied for the team lead with three pass deflections apiece.

Tevin Carter says with Paul and Norris, the secondary doesn't have to worry as much about the run. Hunter Dimick says with the two linebackers, the defensive line can be more confident in the pass coverage.

If that sounds counter-intuitive, it might be. But that's what makes them so special, Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt said: They do it all.

"They can cover well in the slot. They can tackle well in space. They can play heavy. That's unique," he said. "That's what makes their defense so good. Every team would love if their linebackers could do what Utah's linebackers do. Everyone is trying to coach that."

Admittedly, it's a bit of a free-flowing arrangement. Telling Paul to stay in one place is akin to trying to lasso a tornado. His game is about intuition. When he intercepted a pass against the Aggies, he was technically out of position, he admitted later, but in the perfect spot to catch a tipped pass after reading Chuckie Keeton's eyes.

Paul said he didn't get away with freelancing in his previous stop with the Hurricanes.

"And I believe that's one of the reasons things didn't work out at Miami," he said. "My role wasn't big enough. I'm a leader. I make plays. At Miami, I didn't see myself in that role. But that's in the past. I'm just happy I'm here at Utah."

If there's one thing both Paul and Norris do exceptionally well, it's lead. They have a strong understanding of route recognition, zone coverage, pass rushing and where to plug holes in the run. Carter, a senior himself, said they've occasionally corrected his position on the field.

The captains are arguably the two most passionate players on the team. Norris shows his with his tattoo, a tomahawk needled into the side of his head. Paul said he's not ready for a head tattoo, but he thought about it.

Both are theatrical, demonstrative and don't turn down their volume for anyone — not even teammates.

"Jared will have his days where he snaps, but G-Bo, he's crazy 24-7, that's on and off the field," Carter said. "Every day before practice, they're loud as hell. They don't shut up. We butt heads sometimes, but at the end of the day, they make plays."

The plays — that's what inspires the most respect. When Norris catches up with Royce Freeman at the tail end of a 33-yard passing play for a tackle, Dimick said, it inspires awe. When Paul flashes through the line of scrimmage to take down a running back in the backfield, it's the same effect.

The defensive line gets sacks. The secondary gets picks. The linebackers do whatever is necessary — by any means necessary.

"I think we know how this program is supposed to be run," Norris said. "It's about how you can lead your guys into battle. I think we understand what our roles are and we do whatever we can the best we can."

Twitter: @kylegoon —

Getting it done

Utah's senior linebacking group has been having a solid season:

Gionni Paul • 32 tackles, 2.4 TFL, INT, 3 deflections, two fumbles recovered

Jared Norris • 32 tackles, 3 break-ups, 3 deflections, one forced fumble

Jason Whittingham • 9 tackles, 1 sack —

No. 23 California at No. 5 Utah

P Saturday, 8 p.m.

TV • ESPN