This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
No. 4 nationally in turnovers gained. No. 9 in team sacks.
Things can't be too bad for Utah's defense.
But then there are plays like this: Justin Davis bursting up the middle, past Utah's linebackers and sprinting down the sideline until Marcus Williams makes a touchdown-saving tackle 50 yards downfield.
Explosive plays were a problem for Utah's defense in the 31-27 victory over USC, a problem slightly neutralized by three takeaways and a key stop on the last drive. But the Trojans had 14 plays that gained 13 or more yards, thanks to both Davis' speed (126 yards on 10 carries) between the tackles and Sam Darnold's arm.
For a unit that prides itself on a bend-don't-break mantra, there will be some serious reflection on that statistic as No. 18 Utah (4-4) prepares for a Cal (2-2) passing offense that is No. 2 in the country averaging more than 450 yards per game.
Sophomore safety Chase Hansen said Utah's stop late in the fourth quarter, which led to USC punting and allowing the game-winning drive, was a nice way to wrap up. But at other times, Utah looked lost against the Trojans' athletic playmakers.
"They definitely gashed us a lot," Hansen said. "They're a good offense. We weren't surprised."
Four games in, it's only fair to point out Utah's injuries: Kylie Fitts was already out for the season, and the defensive line lost another star mid-game when Lowell Lotulelei left with an apparent shoulder injury. As Utah's biggest defensive tackle, Lotulelei's absence seemed to give USC a bigger gap up the middle.
The game was also senior Dominique Hatfield's first game back at corner. Wearing a knee brace during the game, the team captain at times seemed tentative, having trouble keeping up with JuJu Smith-Schuster (8 catches, 98 yards) or Darreus Rogers (5 catches, 58 yards).
But as much as the injury bug bit, so did USC's offensive line, which pushed open huge holes for Davis and kept Sam Darnold to only one sack. Trying to spot Davis, linebackers seemed to have a tough time tracking him around four starting linemen who each weigh 310 pounds or more. Darnold also added a run threat, finishing with 41 yards on the ground.
In all, USC had 213 rushing yards in the game — the most since allowing 222 last year in the blowout win over Oregon. Coach Kyle Whittingham said one of the problems was poor gap control, which allowed USC's backs to slip through.
"We had some gap problems," he said. "We didn't fit correctly with the backers a couple times. Linemen didn't slant correctly a couple times. Defensive end didn't squeeze down a couple times. We got to be better than we were tonight."
While Cal won't have the same caliber of athletes as the Trojans, the Golden Bears are nothing if not prolific. Quarterback Davis Webb leads Division I with 18 touchdown passes, as well as a nation-best 1,873 passing yards. His chief target, Chad Hansen, averages 12.5 catches per game to lead the country. Cal ranks No. 10 in the Pac-12 in rushing yards (135.3 yards per game), but lead back Vic Enwere is averaging 6 yards per carry.
In each of its games, Cal has scored at least 40 points. Utah's own offense hasn't scored that many in any game so far — so the defense knows it has its work cut out for it. Lotulelei's yet-uncertain health adds another layer to the challenge: the possibility that two of Utah's season-opening starters on defensive line could be out.
While the 11 takeaways are a positive, as are the 16 sacks, at the end of the day, defenses still need to make stops. And against the Golden Bears on the road, Utah has to hope it can still uphold its high standard in that area, as well.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
No. 18 Utah at California
P Saturday, 4 p.m. MDT
—
Utah rises to No. 18 in AP poll
Undefeated Utah was among the biggest risers in this week's AP Top 25, moving from No. 24 to No. 18 after a 31-27 win over USC Friday night. The top five remained the same as last week.
AP Top 25
The Top 25 teams in The Associated Press college football poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Sept. 24, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote, and previous ranking:
Record Pts Pv
1. Alabama (50) 4-0 1511 1
2. Ohio St. (4) 3-0 1440 2
3. Louisville (6) 4-0 1409 3
4. Michigan (1) 4-0 1292 4
5. Clemson 4-0 1267 5
6. Houston 4-0 1239 6
7. Stanford 3-0 1166 7
8. Wisconsin 4-0 1084 11
9. Texas A&M 4-0 1036 10
10. Washington 4-0 986 9
11. Tennessee 4-0 909 14
12. Florida St. 3-1 804 13
13. Baylor 4-0 729 16
14. Miami 3-0 696 15
15. Nebraska 4-0 640 20
16. Mississippi 2-2 540 23
17. Michigan St. 2-1 527 8
18. Utah 4-0 493 24
19. San Diego St. 3-0 304 22
20. TCU 3-1 241 NR
21. Arkansas 3-1 239 17
22. Texas 2-1 217 21
23. Florida 3-1 176 19
24. Boise St. 3-0 163 NR
25. Georgia 3-1 142 12
Others receiving votes • Arizona St. 135, Oklahoma 120, North Dakota St. 58, West Virginia 51, Virginia Tech 38, Colorado 33, North Carolina 26, Iowa 25, UCLA 22, Auburn 18, LSU 17, W. Michigan 14, Wake Forest 9, Memphis 6, Maryland 2, Toledo 1.