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Utah offensive lineman Tony Bergstrom is always focused on the opponent in front of him. However, he can't help but think of his teammate Shawn Asiata behind him and be a little afraid.

"You never know if he is going to miss," Bergstrom said. "He is a presence back there, a big guy who can run and there is no slowing him down."

Once just a walk-on who was known more for being the brother of the other Asiata, former running back Matt, Shawn now is making a name for himself as Utah's fullback.

As running back John White piles up the yardage, Asiata, a 6-foot, 253-pound senior, is piling up praise for clearing the way for White with his bruising style of play.

"You watch the tape and by the second quarter, defenders don't want much to do with him," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham enthused. "He is a load back there and every game his face is just bloody. He takes his helmet off and there is blood everywhere. He is a throwback, an old school fullback and he has done a great job for us all year long."

Utah running backs coach Dave Schramm deserves as much credit for Asiata's presence as anyone.

Asiata left the team at the end of the 2010 season because he was tired of being injured. His brother's eligibility was up too and Asiata wasn't sure where he'd fit in with the Utes in 2011 anyway following a season in which he played in spot roles.

Schramm made it hard for Asiata to leave the team behind as he stayed in constant contact with him.

"He stayed in touch with me all the time, making sure I was going to class, getting treatments and staying in school," Asiata said. "He was a big factor in me coming back."

Even though he didn't participate in spring ball, Asiata quickly blossomed in offensive coordinator Norm Chow's system and impressed his teammates along the way.

"He hit the ground running," Bergstrom said. "He didn't know all of his assignments, but from day 1 he was out there running around clocking people. It was one of those things where we knew we had to find a way to fit him into the offense."

Best known for his hard-hitting ways, Asiata also has shown a soft touch with his hands and has four catches for 29 yards. His versatility has made the Utes call his number more and more now that they are committed to the run game.

"He should have an all-league spot for a fullback," Chow said. "The NFL people are starting to recognize who he is and he is doing a terrific job. You only keep one guy in the NFL, but even with that chance he might make it."

While an NFL future is tantalizing, Asiata is happy for now concentrating on bulldozing a path for White.

The two have formed a strong bond on the field and off it. At 5-foot-8, 186-pounds, White picked a good guy to befriend.

Remember the rule from grade school, if you are the smallest guy in the class, you better make nice with the toughest guy you can find. Asiata's presence makes it very hard for White, who says he is in a "land of giants" on the football field, to get tagged by any foes.

"We're like brothers, we do everything together," White said. "He's a beast on the field and I have to give him a lot of credit."

Asiata, who is more comfortable hitting people than talking about himself, said playing with White keeps his drive going.

"You see how he plays," he said. "He is 180 pounds but he plays like he is my size. I love blocking for him. I hear him in the backfield all the time yelling, 'Let's go, let's go.' We pump each other up like that. I'll always be there for him." —

Shawn Asiata file

Ht/Wt • 6-0/253

Class • Senior

Hometown • West Valley City

Last College • Snow College

Notable • Walked onto the team but has since earned a scholarship. … Has four catches for 29 yards this year. … Played in 13 games last year and had a 10-yard touchdown catch against San Jose State. … Hunter High graduate played in six games at Snow College before transferring to Utah. —

Utah at Wash. St.

P Saturday, 3 p.m.

TV • KJZZ