How Many Touches Will Zack Moss Get Against BYU?
Aug 25, 2019, 3:02 PM
University of Utah running back Zack Moss during fall camp. (Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
(Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah running back Zack Moss is back for his senior season with the Utes and is knocking on the door of becoming Utah’s all-time leading rusher in school history.
Earlier this month, rumors were swirling that Moss suffered an injury to his hand in practice. Moss and Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham shrugged off any suggestion of an injury to the Utes star running back during camp.
With the rivalry game week finally here, what’s the expected workload going to look like for Moss on Thursday night?
The Voice of the Utes for Learfield IMG College, Bill Riley, joined Cougar Sports Saturday on KSL Newsradio to preview the game and discuss that very question surrounding Moss.
“They’re (Utah) really deep at running back. They love this kid Jordan Wilmore, the freshman out of Los Angeles, and I think he’s kind of the number two (running back). Then you’ve got Devontate Henry-Cole, Devin Brumfield, and T.J. Green. But I think Zack’s workload will probably be 25 to 30 touches per game.”
Riley continued, “He (Moss) averaged about 20 carries a game last year but for whatever reason, they didn’t throw the ball to him a lot out of the backfield. He’s a good pass receiver. I think they are probably going to see him carry it 23 to 25 times per game and probably get targeted three to four to five times in the passing game as well.”
Last season, Moss didn’t play against BYU due to a season-ending injury he had suffered weeks prior to the rivalry game. In two games against BYU, Moss has rushed for 79 yards on 23 carries.
BYU’s rush defense was 27th in the country last season allowing only 130.1 yards per game. Moss in the nine games he played in for the Utes in 2018 averaged 120 yards per game on his own. Something’s got to give.
Should be one of the top matchups to watch in Thursday night’s rivalry game.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
