One major storyline early in fall camp at the University of Utah last month was that Kyle Whittingham wanted to take more shots down the field, something his team did very little of last season.
“If we’re going to take the next step offensively in our evolution, it is being more big-play oriented on the outside,” Whittingham said on the first day of camp last month. “That’s the next phase and really the final phase. We’ve always had a strong run game, the play-action pass game is good, the intermediate game, but we’ve got to hit on those deep balls on the outside. If we can do that, watch out because this offense could be pretty good.”
It’s only been one game, but this version of Utah’s offense certainly looked like last season’s offense in a 29-26 loss at Florida. Tight end Brant Kuithe was Utah’s top pass catcher (nine receptions on 13 targets, 105 yards, TD), while Tavion Thomas (23-115-1) was the main beneficiary of a strong showing by the offensive line (39-230-2).
Meanwhile, Devaughn Vele and Solomon Enis, Utah’s two primary outside threats, both of whom are expected to produce this fall, combined for five catches for 47 yards. None of those five combined catches went for more than 14 yards.
So, after that early-camp declaration from Whittingham, what gives?
The easy answer is that Whittingham and offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig were taking what Florida gave them. Frankly, the way Utah’s offense played in the second half by pretty much going to Thomas and Kuithe, there wasn’t much need to do much else, but that won’t always be the case. With at least 11 games to play, though, the receivers need to get involved.
Vele, specifically, has been hailed for months as the legitimate downfield WR1 threat that Utah has lacked in recent seasons. If Vele can get going, Whittingham is right. Watch out, because this offense can be pretty good.
“Obviously, you want them to be more productive in the throw game,” Utes wide receivers coach Chad Bumphis said earlier this week. “My thing with Devaughn is, whether you’re open or not, demand the ball. ‘With your separation, with your mentality, the way you play the game, you are way too good to not demand the ball, Cam should look for you on every play.’
“Again, we have unbelievable weapons all over the field, but I think he’s one of those guys, too.”
As far as Enis goes, Bumphis was happy with the physicality the fifth-year senior showed in the run game at The Swamp, going as far as to single out one play.
On first-and-goal from the 7 in the closing seconds of the third quarter, Micah Bernard took a pitch from Cam Rising, made a cut inside, and walked into the end zone untouched thanks to an abundance of good blocking.
Among that good blocking was Enis driving a would-be tackler to the ground, the would-be-tackler popping right back up, then Enis driving him to the goal line as Bernard scored.
“They were very physical, I was pleased with how they looked in the run game,” Bumphis said. “Obviously, you want them to do more in the throw game, but no drops and they competed all night. I challenged them to be physical and they did, specifically Solomon Enis, I saw a side of him I hadn’t seen yet. He played ticked off and it was good to see.”
Added Enis: “Any receiver would like to see more downfield opportunities, but we trust in Coach Lud’s game plan, trusting the process. Whatever job they’re asking us to do, we’re going to try to be the best at it. If we can take more shots downfield, we wouldn’t say no, but every week, the game plan changes. We just adapt and embrace our role.”
Other things on my mind
• I’ve watched the entire goal-to-go sequence at Florida, honestly, 50 times. If Tavion Thomas doesn’t clip Cam Rising’s knee on second-and-goal from the 1, he was absolutely going to walk behind a lead block from Logan Kendall. Third-and-goal from the 3 got the most attention, but I’d argue second-and-goal from the 1 might have been just as frustrating.
• Kyle Whittingham on Monday gave his offensive line a “B-plus grade, at least,” and at least some of that had to do with an unexpected bit of shuffling. Projected right guard Sataoa Laumea was kicked outside to right tackle, while projected backup left guard Michael Mokofisi started at right guard. After that bit of a surprise move, Whittingham was pretty firm that Mokofisi and Laumea would stick long term, joining Braeden Daniels, Keaton Bills, and Paul Maile from left to right. Whittingham indicated Jaren Kump is No. 6 in the rotation, and will get practice reps both inside and outside.
• An altered pregame routine, which saw Utah come out for early warmups in sweats, retreat to the locker room, then never come back in full pads was a one-time thing in an effort to not overexert the players unnecessarily in the humidity before kickoff. Should Utah find itself in heat and humidity again, Whittingham sounds like he would do the same thing, not come back out in helmets and full pads before kickoff.
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