This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah's blowout win at Iowa State gave the Utes a chance to test several second- and third-string players against live action.
One of those was Tevita Finau, a 6-foot-5, 275-pound junior who transferred to Utah from Phoenix College and enrolled Sept. 24.
Finau didn't finish with any tackles, but just getting on the field in Saturday's game was the first step for a player the Utes believe will have an impact this season.
"He is a very good player," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "He comes off the ball well and he is agile. He is going to be a good player for us down the road."
Finau originally signed with West Virginia in 2008 and was touted as the top defensive player in coach Bill Stewart's first recruiting class, but he failed to qualify academically in several attempts. He finally landed at Utah through several connections with Utah players. He played at Kahuku H.S. in Hawaii, which also produced current Utah linebacker Nai Fotu and Kemoeatu brothers Chris, Ma'ake and Tevita, all of whom played for the Utes.
Utah's defensive line is considered the deepest area on the Utes' roster with Utah rotating as many as a dozen players into games.
However, defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake said the Utes have room for Finau and others. Already Finau is listed as third-string at left end behind Junior Tui'one and Derrick Shelby.
"You can never have too much depth, and he is going to be really good," Sitake said. "He has a lot of natural ability we can use. He has come a long way in the last little bit and when he gets himself into shape he is going to be good."
More of the same
While Whittingham has said he prefers to play all of the non-conference games at the beginning of the season, the Utes said they feel no difference themselves switching from a conference to a non-conference opponent.
"Each game is as serious as the one before," quarterback Jordan Wynn said.
Utah's last non-conference game this year is Nov. 13 at Notre Dame, which is the latest date the Utes have played a non-conference opponent since 1986 when the Utes, then a member of the WAC, defeated Utah State on Nov. 15, 27-10.
In the future, as a member of the Pac-12, the Utes will play all their non-conference games in the first three weeks of the season.
By the numbers
The Utes have had 14 players score touchdowns this year. … Jereme Brooks is tied for the MWC lead with four touchdown receptions. … The Utes have scored on 24 of 26 trips in the red zone, including a 9-for-9 effort against Iowa State.