UCLA still has the chance to have a memorable season and a win against the always tough on the Bruins; Utah would be special indeed. BruinBlitz.com asks the Rivals.com Utah site, UTENATION, what the Bruins would need to do to get that win, and some other stuff to better understand the Ute situation.
BruinBlitz: What is the feeling regarding the current status of the Ute football program? Are they disappointed with the season thus far, or is the season living up to expectations?
UTENATION: A few games into the season, yes. However, it became a season where not many cared about the season results after the brutal murder of Aaron Lowe. From there, the guys really rallied together and played better than expected, a lot of that due to the play and leadership of Cam Rising.
This team is a lot better than their record, but not many will complain about that since they still control first place with the tiebreaker in the Pac-12 South.
BruinBlitz: That tragic and senseless murder of Aaron Lowe on the heels of the Ty Jordan tragedy would be too much for most schools to bear, yet, Utah has weathered the awful events somehow. Can you fill us in on the tragic events and how the Ute football program went forward?
UTENATION: Losing both Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe in a span of nine months has been devastating to the team. With Jordan, they never really got the chance to grieve together since it happened in Texas on winter break and then there were the Covid protocols when they all got back, keeping them from each other even longer.
Then came the shooting of Lowe. Numerous teammates witnessed it happen, which is just heartbreaking. Both Jordan and Lowe were best friends and went to high school together. Lowe was the initial recipient of the Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship, and he changed his number to no. 22 to honor Jordan.
Both losses were devastating. When it came to Lowe’s passing, the guys were able to grieve together and, in a way, have closure on both losses.
At one point, Lowe’s mother spoke to the team and encouraged them and gave her blessing for them to keep playing. It sounds so simple, but those were words, the team needed to hear.
The outpouring of support the team has received from other schools has been extremely touching and so nice to see.
One of the first outside reactions I remember seeing about Lowe’s passing was Chip Kelly’s interview and that was complete class. You could tell it really affected him. I know the sympathy card meant a ton to the team, too.
BruinBlitz: What are Utah’s offensive strengths, who are the players, UCLA fans should be aware of?
UTENATION: Ever since the Utes benched Brewer for Rising, the Utah offense has a potent passing game to go along with trademark running attack. On any given week, the team could see any of Rising, Tavion Thomas, Micah Bernard, and TJ Pledger go for over 100.
Rising does a great job utilizing Utah’s three-headed monster at tight end with Brant Kuithe, Cole Fotheringham, and Dalton Kincaid. Both Fotheringham and Kincaid do well as blockers, while Kuithe is more of a slash.
Britain Cover is shifty and a reliable mid-range target at receiver, while Devaughn Vele has really emerged as Rising’s big-play threat. Vele can move the sticks and also get behind the defense, showing off an impressive catch radius.
BruinBlitz: It always has appeared that Utah’s defense was a team strength. Is that the case this season? What are the defensive strengths, and who are the players UCLA fans should be looking out for?
UTENATION: No, definitely not this year. Utah captain and linebacker Devin Lloydis a likely first-round draft pick and linebacker Nephi Sewell just always seems to make plays. Defensive end and captain Mika Tafua is also having a big year leading the Pac-12 in sacks. Clark Phillipsis an up-and-coming freshman and Utah’s next star at cornerback. Other than that, everyone has been highly inconsistent.
BruinBlitz: If you were UCLA’s defensive coordinator, how do you stop the Ute offensive attack?
UTENATION: Win the battle at the line of scrimmage. Like the defense, Utah’s offensive line has been extremely inconsistent. Rising masks, a lot of their deficiencies, but it’s a tall order to ask from him when the anchors in the trenches are struggling.
Aside from that, Rising is a “smart risk-taker,” but like any quarterback, you don’t want to see him try and do too much and force things.
BruinBlitz: What would you do to be successful and score points if you were the Bruin offensive coordinator?
UTENATION: Hit the edges. Utah defensive ends have really struggled with containment. Also, attack the middle of the field early, as Lloyd suspended the first half after a tough targeting call last Saturday.
Additionally, Utah’s secondary has a lot of young that the UCLA offense will try and exploit in the passing game. They’ve been down starters JaTravis Broughton and Malone Mataele.
BruinBlitz: What is your opinion on this game? Do you have a feeling who will end up winning?
UTENATION: Ute fans won’t be happy, but UCLA wins this one. A lot of my prediction is based off on Utah playing the first half without Lloyd. He’s that vital to the defense, and his importance showed glaringly after Lloyd was out.
I see this being more of an offensive shootout that plays into Utah’s strength with Rising and his electric abilities, but the start of the game will be crucial for Utah to not fall behind without Lloyd.
UCLA 38 Utah 31.
BruinBlitz: What is the feeling regarding the current status of the Ute football program? Are they disappointed with the season thus far, or is the season living up to expectations?
UTENATION: A few games into the season, yes. However, it became a season where not many cared about the season results after the brutal murder of Aaron Lowe. From there, the guys really rallied together and played better than expected, a lot of that due to the play and leadership of Cam Rising.
This team is a lot better than their record, but not many will complain about that since they still control first place with the tiebreaker in the Pac-12 South.
BruinBlitz: That tragic and senseless murder of Aaron Lowe on the heels of the Ty Jordan tragedy would be too much for most schools to bear, yet, Utah has weathered the awful events somehow. Can you fill us in on the tragic events and how the Ute football program went forward?
UTENATION: Losing both Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe in a span of nine months has been devastating to the team. With Jordan, they never really got the chance to grieve together since it happened in Texas on winter break and then there were the Covid protocols when they all got back, keeping them from each other even longer.
Then came the shooting of Lowe. Numerous teammates witnessed it happen, which is just heartbreaking. Both Jordan and Lowe were best friends and went to high school together. Lowe was the initial recipient of the Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship, and he changed his number to no. 22 to honor Jordan.
Both losses were devastating. When it came to Lowe’s passing, the guys were able to grieve together and, in a way, have closure on both losses.
At one point, Lowe’s mother spoke to the team and encouraged them and gave her blessing for them to keep playing. It sounds so simple, but those were words, the team needed to hear.
The outpouring of support the team has received from other schools has been extremely touching and so nice to see.
One of the first outside reactions I remember seeing about Lowe’s passing was Chip Kelly’s interview and that was complete class. You could tell it really affected him. I know the sympathy card meant a ton to the team, too.
BruinBlitz: What are Utah’s offensive strengths, who are the players, UCLA fans should be aware of?
UTENATION: Ever since the Utes benched Brewer for Rising, the Utah offense has a potent passing game to go along with trademark running attack. On any given week, the team could see any of Rising, Tavion Thomas, Micah Bernard, and TJ Pledger go for over 100.
Rising does a great job utilizing Utah’s three-headed monster at tight end with Brant Kuithe, Cole Fotheringham, and Dalton Kincaid. Both Fotheringham and Kincaid do well as blockers, while Kuithe is more of a slash.
Britain Cover is shifty and a reliable mid-range target at receiver, while Devaughn Vele has really emerged as Rising’s big-play threat. Vele can move the sticks and also get behind the defense, showing off an impressive catch radius.
BruinBlitz: It always has appeared that Utah’s defense was a team strength. Is that the case this season? What are the defensive strengths, and who are the players UCLA fans should be looking out for?
UTENATION: No, definitely not this year. Utah captain and linebacker Devin Lloydis a likely first-round draft pick and linebacker Nephi Sewell just always seems to make plays. Defensive end and captain Mika Tafua is also having a big year leading the Pac-12 in sacks. Clark Phillipsis an up-and-coming freshman and Utah’s next star at cornerback. Other than that, everyone has been highly inconsistent.
BruinBlitz: If you were UCLA’s defensive coordinator, how do you stop the Ute offensive attack?
UTENATION: Win the battle at the line of scrimmage. Like the defense, Utah’s offensive line has been extremely inconsistent. Rising masks, a lot of their deficiencies, but it’s a tall order to ask from him when the anchors in the trenches are struggling.
Aside from that, Rising is a “smart risk-taker,” but like any quarterback, you don’t want to see him try and do too much and force things.
BruinBlitz: What would you do to be successful and score points if you were the Bruin offensive coordinator?
UTENATION: Hit the edges. Utah defensive ends have really struggled with containment. Also, attack the middle of the field early, as Lloyd suspended the first half after a tough targeting call last Saturday.
Additionally, Utah’s secondary has a lot of young that the UCLA offense will try and exploit in the passing game. They’ve been down starters JaTravis Broughton and Malone Mataele.
BruinBlitz: What is your opinion on this game? Do you have a feeling who will end up winning?
UTENATION: Ute fans won’t be happy, but UCLA wins this one. A lot of my prediction is based off on Utah playing the first half without Lloyd. He’s that vital to the defense, and his importance showed glaringly after Lloyd was out.
I see this being more of an offensive shootout that plays into Utah’s strength with Rising and his electric abilities, but the start of the game will be crucial for Utah to not fall behind without Lloyd.
UCLA 38 Utah 31.
