They've always been able to produce a big turnover, a sack, or a plain stop. And because of those traits, the Utes have been at their most productive on this side of the football.
Thursday's 31-28 thriller over Oregon State provided more of the same.
It was also the first time this season that the defense as a unit was exposed, and it happened against a Beavers team that did the same to USC just a short week ago.
First the good news. The Utes produced the all-important three-and-out that provided the offense with the football, which led to the final drive, which led to Louie Sakoda's game-winning field goal.
Anything short of that three-and-out, and the game goes into overtime.
The Beavers knew this, the defense knew this and every one of the 45,599 fans jammed into Rice-Eccles Stadium knew this as well.
"It was obviously crucial for us to get that stop right then and there," sophomore defensive end Paul Kruger said. "There were only a few minutes left and we needed to get the ball back to our offense. We had to step up and stop them."
Still, it was evident that Oregon State took Utah's defense to places it hadn't been this season. The steady dose of Jacquizz Rodgers as well as the heavy helping of misdirection plays clearly proved troublesome for the Utes.
"They have an awesome offense," Kruger said. "They have a great offensive line. We knew this was going to be a tough game for us. But the big thing for us was to win the fourth quarter."
Defense's day
THE GOOD
- They produced the stop that gave the offense the ball back for the winning drive.
THE BAD
- Jacquizz Rodgers rushed for 101 yards on 25 carries, and Lyle Moevao passed for 300 yards.
