No Surprise, Utes Need To Keep Feeding Zack Moss
Sep 2, 2019, 9:23 AM | Updated: 9:34 am
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah went down to Provo and beat the BYU Cougars for the ninth straight time and running back Zack Moss was a big reason why the Utes were victorious.
Both teams struggled in the first half but the Utes had a 9-6 halftime lead with a field goal and a interception return for a touchdown by Utah linebacker Francis Bernard. BYU managed to only score two field goals in the opening half.
The Utes ended up with two touchdowns that came from interceptions being returned for touchdowns, while forcing a third turnover that led to a score from Moss.
Utah’s Offense
In the recent film session from former Utah linebacker Stevenson Sylvester and BYU linebacker David Nixon, the consensus is to keep giving Zack Moss the ball. When Moss was getting the ball into the second level (around the secondary or first down marker), was when the offensive line was getting some good blocks on BYU’s defense.
“(Andy) Ludwig is going to have to call more plays like that this season,” Sylvester said.
Moss finished with 29 carries for 187 yards and one touchdown in Utah’s 30-12 win over BYU.
The former Utah linebacker believes that the first half struggles for the Utes when they were only leading 9-6 at halftime was due to offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig getting to know his players in a game setting.
“Credit goes to Andy Ludwig for making the halftime adjustment saying ‘we are going to feed Zack Moss and make him go north and south’ and sure enough it paid dividends,” Nixon said.
Utes Defense
Utah forcing three turnovers was the difference in the game and how they were able to get a win by a wide margin. Safety Julian Blackmon returned another interception for a touchdown, it’s the second straight season that he has taken a pick to the house.
“(Utah cornerback) Tareke Lewis did a good job of funneling the BYU wide receiver inside and as he does that, he sees (BYU quarterback) Zach Wilson’s eyes, so it helps him undercut the receiver but Lewis missed the interception,” Sylvester said.
Lewis tipped the ball that ultimately landed into the hands of Blackmon for the interception.
“Turnovers is the name of the game in this rivalry and Utah capitalized on them,” Nixon stated.
