Utah football: Defense building confidence ahead of Utah State matchup
Sep 16, 2026, 8:00 AM | Updated: Sep 17, 2026, 3:59 pm
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah football took an encouraging step forward against Arkansas, particularly the defense disrupting the Razorbacks at the line of scrimmage and challenging their receivers downfield.
The performance against the Arkansas Razorbacks was not just encouraging, it was confidence boosting. The intensity from all three levels of the defense shined all night long.
Two games into the season, and the defensive foundation is being established. And Utah assistant Luther Elliss said the improvement starts with habits established during the week.
“Guys are running, playing hard, playing physical,” Elliss said. “And anytime you get that as a foundation piece, a lot of good things are going to happen.”
Rotation helps Utah sustain its effort
Utah’s substitutions serve two purposes for Elliss: developing players and keeping the defensive front fresh.
Practice provides opportunities to improve, but Elliss said game experience carries additional value. The rotation also helps Utah maintain the effort required to sprint and pursue the ball throughout a game.
Even a more accomplished player can become less effective than a fresh teammate as fatigue builds.
“So we want to keep guys fresh, keep them going,” Elliss said. “Guys at 60-70% in the tank aren’t going to play as effectively as guys at 100%, so we just want to keep that rotation and play at high level.”
The secondary has operated with a similar emphasis on readiness. Chenault said players must remain prepared regardless of when their opportunity comes.
“Whenever your number’s called, you got to step up to the plate,” he said. “You don’t ever want to think that you’re not going to get in the game.”
Jireh Moe’s impact extends beyond the box score
Moe’s performance against Arkansas provided a glimpse of what Utah saw when it pursued him in the transfer portal.
Elliss said the staff valued Moe’s disruptive film and ability to generate impact plays, even while acknowledging concerns about his size.
“You see this guy that’s a Tasmanian devil, just spinning and beating guys,” Elliss said.
That description fit one of Moe’s successful moves against Arkansas. After using a stutter and noticing the blocker react inside, Moe decided to try a spin.
Moe said Utah’s success against the run helped create opportunities to pressure the quarterback as Arkansas turned more frequently to the passing game.
“As you can see, we stopped them in the run, then they converted to the pass a lot,” Moe said. “We just had to get home, which we did.”
Elliss emphasized that Moe’s contributions also include plays that help a teammate finish. Setting an inside edge or disrupting a blocking assignment can affect the offense without producing an individual statistic.
For Moe, the Arkansas performance was another opportunity to show that his size does not prevent him from making an impact.
“It’s just a blessing, another opportunity to show what I got and just to prove for us undersized people, undersized athletes, that we can do it too,” Moe said.
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Lance Holtzclaw setting the pace for Utah’s pass rush
Holtzclaw has led Utah in quarterback pressures through two games, and he sees opportunities to become even more effective getting into the backfield.
Holtzclaw credited his production to understanding the spacing around him and how Utah’s defensive tackles, linebackers and safeties are operating. That awareness helps him identify openings and find a path to the quarterback.
“Just kind of understanding the spacing, understand what our guys are doing, what our opponents are doing,” Holtzclaw said.
He also sees value in moving around the defensive front, where different alignments give him opportunities to work alongside different teammates.
Holtzclaw wants to improve at setting up rushes that allow defenders to play off one another. He believes developing that feel can create more opportunities for him and the rest of the front.
“So I think if we start getting together and start playing like that and start playing with each other rather than just everybody out there trying to go get theirs, it’ll definitely open up some holes for us,” Holtzclaw said.
James Chenault points to growing trust in the secondary
Utah’s 13 pass breakups against Arkansas reflected a secondary that was prepared to challenge throws.
Chenault credited the group’s understanding of its responsibilities, saying the defensive backs recognize that “the defense will go as far as we go.”
He also pointed to the value of playing alongside Jackson Bennee at nickel. Knowing what to expect from Bennee helps Chenault play with confidence outside, and he believes that trust works both ways.
Chenault still sees opportunities to improve his own game, particularly in recognizing formations and anticipating the routes an offense might run.
Those details become especially valuable when the secondary is asked to hold up behind an aggressive pass rush.
Utah turns its attention to Utah State
The Arkansas performance has given Utah confidence, but the players and coaches identified specific areas to sharpen.
Elliss wants consistent technique and execution. Holtzclaw sees more potential in the pass rush as teammates learn to work together. Chenault is focused on improving his recognition before the snap.
Utah State provides the next opportunity to apply those improvements.
Holtzclaw said he expects a competitive game and wants Utah to maintain the same approach it brings to every opponent. Asked what stood out about the Aggies’ offensive line, his response reflected confidence in the defense’s ability to create its own problems.
