Utah Football: 2022 Year In Review

[SageBow]

 

In 2022, Coach SageBow was in Year 2 of rebuilding the Utah Utes program. Gone were 2021 stars QB Blake Johnson and FS David Are. Inserted were Senior QB Russell Fernandez for one year of starting and the ever talented Sophomore FS JC Gentry to take the spots of those two legends. The Utah Utes had an identity of pounding the rock, and made games much more competitive this season than the previous one. (article template shamelessly stolen from @Piercewise1)

 

I. The Season

 

Week	Opponent	Result	Score
1	North Texas	L	3-24
2	Utah State	L	17-34
3	BYU	W	14-7
4	@Washington State	L	0-20
5	@Arizona State	L	20-31
6	@Stanford	L	7-34
7	Arizona	W	28-21
8	Oregon State	L	10-17
9	@UCLA	L	6-51
10	open
11	USC	L	7-16
12	@Oregon	L	0-48
13	Colorado	L	0-30

 

After two bad drubbings to start the year, Utah rallied with an incredible defensive effort against BYU. From there, offense was an issue the entire season. Fernandez was a liability throwing the ball, and with no star receiver, the team relied heavily on RB Troy Young and Fernandez's own legs. Knowing that, opposing defenses were able to hone in on the Ute's vulnerabilities, resulting in them getting shut out the last two weeks of the season.

 

It was an absolutely putrid offense, and with that Coach SageBow has already cleaned house on the offensive side of the ball, firing the offensive coordinator, quarterback coach, receivers coach, and offensive line coach. In the OC spot, he's poached Junior Jacobs, former offensive line coach for the dominant UCLA team that finished in the semifinals. "I expect this offense to keep us competitive next year," said SageBow. "The defense will be fine, but we have to move the ball and get in the end zone. We have to improve and meet our goals."

 

Largest Win: 28-21 over Arizona

Fernandez's best performance of the year, the passer going 23-43 for 223 yards 1 TD and 1 INT, while adding 16 carries for 136 rushing yards and another TD. WR Trevor Romero had 8 receptions for 115 yards and the lone touchdown, a 16 yard strike. Junior linebacker Mike Reyes had 7 tackles and 1 INT, while senior defensive lineman Mike Davis had 2.0 of his season's 4.5 sacks in this game.

 

Largest Loss: 48-0 against Oregon

The Utes were absolutely killed. Coming into this game, the team had already put up terrible offensive performance after performance. Sophomore RB Troy Young was held to -1 yards rushing on 14 carries and 5 yards on 5 receptions as there was no push on the offensive line against the Ducks. Oregon linebacker Steven Brown sliced through repeatedly with 7 tackles and 3 TFLs. Nothing went Utah's way defensively either as they just spent over 20 minutes chasing ghosts, Senior defensive back Brandon Wright cleaning up with 9 tackles.

 

Most Important Win: 14-7 over BYU in Overtime

Potentially the greatest win in Utah history. This was an absolute defensive slug fest as both quarterbacks through 3 interceptions. BYU QB Chris Rosales hit first in with a 7 yard rushing scamper, but on 4th and 13, Utah WR Arquimedes Antetokounmpo blocked a BYU punt. Three plays later, Fernandez hit WR Mason Purcell for a 5 yard touchdown pass. Not long later, Utah WR Trevor Romero blocked yet another punt to stifle BYU once more. Going 7-7 into overtime. Utah struggled on the first play as Fernandez threw an interception. The defense played tight as Utah forced a field goal, one that doinked off the crossbar. Fernandez then found tight end Andrew Wright for a 6 yard touchdown, and Utah defensive back Andrew Shaw picked off Rosales to ice the game.

 

Bowl Week

Utah was not bowl eligible this season

 

Accolades

 

All-PAC-12 2nd Team

ILB Jeremy Arano JR

 

All-PAC-12 3rd Team

OLB Mike Reyes JR

P Dwight Sanit SR

 

II. The Recruits

 

While the team struggled, SageBow attacked recruiting like a wild, starving hog.

 

Quarterback wise, 4* Jeffrey Wolfe signed from the Miami area and looks to be one of the stars and leaders of this new group of freshmen. He's surrounded by a great crop of skill position players, notably 4* WR David Liebl from Los Angeles. The offensive line is headlined by 4* and #44 recruit in the nation Francisco Santiago. Defensive line has Minnesota native 4* DT Randolph Hancox along with Utah natives 3* DE John Hughes and DE Jeffrey Badalyan. Highly touted 3* ILB James Raymond leads this linebacker group, and 4* CB Patrick Gormley will have every chance of starting his true freshman season.

 

In total, Utah recruited 25 players in their newest class, including five bluechip recruits on their way to a top 15 class nationally.

 

Utah Utes Recruits by Number of Stars

 

	2021	2022
5-star	0	0
4-star	5	5
3-star	9	20
2-star	8	0
1-star	2	0

III. The Future

 

Next year Utah needs to replace 10 starters; quarterback, 2 offensive line positions, running back, wide receiver, and tight end on offense while losing 2 members of the defensive line and secondary on defense. They are also looking kicker Darius Frazier and 3rd Team All-PAC-12 Punter Dwight Sanit to eligibility. Here are notable players and position battles we’re we'll see next year. (Grades are Overall / Potential, before progressions. School year as of the 2023 season)

 

QB Alcides Holden / QB Scott Mariot

4-star (Fr), C/B+ / 2-star SR, C/B

 

It is an open competition at quarterback, but it may come down to the blue chip redshirt freshman or the senior backup. Neither have ever thrown a pass in the college game, and with the new offensive coordinator coming in, it's anyone's game to win.

 

OT Noah Pressley / OT Andreas Shields

3-star (SO), B/B+ / 4-star (FR), B/C-

 

Just like quarterback, it is likely coming down to the two gentlemen above to earn the right tackle spot on this offensive line. Star lineman J'Mon Wolters holds down the left tackle spot, but the right side of this line has been suspect. Whoever wins this battle will have the tall task of protecting the quarterback and opening holes for this Utes running game.

 

CB Patrick Gormley

4-star Fr, B/B

 

A true freshman from this year's recruiting class, we think the #147 recruit in the nation will be a true freshman contributor for this team. The Utes have recruited him heavily to play the all-important nickel spot of this defense, and he's got the traits to do so. 5'-11" and 191 lbs, he doesn't have the elite length to be a man-to-man shutdown corner, but he's perfect as the inside corner of this scheme where he'll have every opportunity to break Utah defensive records over the next few years.

 

ILB Jeremy Arano

3-star Sr, B/A-

 

Jeremy is Utah's best player, leading the team with 78 tackles and 14 TFLs while picking up 2 FFs and 1 FR. He is the heart and soul of this Utes team. The captain of this team was a 2nd team All-PAC-12 player and will need to take his game to the next level for the Utes in 2023.

 

2023 Team Captains

OT J'Mon Wolters

DT Carl Melton

ILB Jeremy Arano

 

See you next year, Utah fans!