Utah RB Micah Bernard Switches To CB During Rose Bowl Game Against Ohio State
Jan 1, 2022, 3:20 PM
Utah Utes running back Micah Bernard (2) runs the ball for a touchdown, putting the Utes up 52-7 after the PAT in the game against the Stanford Cardinal in Stanford, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
(Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
PASADENA, Calif. – The Utah football team is getting some help in their secondary by moving one of their running backs over.
Redshirt freshman running back Micah Bernard will play cornerback for Utah in the Rose Bowl Game against Ohio State.
This is a significant move for Utah as they have been banged up at cornerback all season. Clark Phillips III has played every game this season, while Malone Mataele missed little time in 2021.
Micah Bernard is taking reps in warmups at cornerback. #GoUtes #RoseBowl @kslsports
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) January 1, 2022
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JaTravis Broughton was the season-opening starter before suffering a season-ending injury against BYU. Faybian Marks replaced him before having his season cut short against Arizona.
Zemaiah Vaughn took his place and was playing well until he suffered an injury in the Pac-12 Championship game. Vaughn tweeted days after the game that he had successful surgery.
Going into the Rose Bowl Game, head coach Kyle Whittingham hinted at players potentially changing positions, as did defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley. Neither gave names but given the athleticism that Bernard provides, along with where he is in the running back room playing behind Tavion Thomas and T.J. Pledger, it’s a great opportunity for Bernard to see the field.
Utah and Ohio State in the Rose Bowl Game can be seen on ESPN.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com, Co-Host of Faith, Family and Football podcast with Clark Phillips III and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports.
