Micah Bernard (2) of the Utah Utes runs the ball for a primary down and is tackled by Dez Malone (32) of the San Diego State Aztecs in Salt Lake Metropolis on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. The Utes gained 35-7. Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
They took a short time to get going, however Utah soccer earned its second win of the season over San Diego State at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday.
Listed below are three gamers that made an impression within the Utes’ 35-7 win.
Cole Bishop, S
Cole Bishop made his impression felt all through the sport. The sophomore security performed extra like a linebacker at instances in opposition to the Aztecs and led the group with 9 complete tackles and 5 solo tackles. He assisted on a sort out for loss and had a move breakup.
One among Bishop’s greatest performs of the evening got here on third and one within the second quarter, when he and defensive finish Jonah Elliss tackled SDSU quarterback Kyle Crum for a one-yard loss, forcing the Aztecs to punt the ball.
Bishop was making performs everywhere in the area and was one of many standout gamers of the sport. He led Utah’s protection, which performed improbable all recreation, holding the Aztecs to 173 complete yards and simply 60 passing yards.
Devaughn Vele, WR
Devaughn Vele and the Utah vast receivers lastly have been in a position to make an impression.
Via the primary two video games of the season, a lot of quarterback Cameron Rising’s targets have been going to tight ends Brant Kuithe and Dalton Kincaid.
Previous to the SDSU recreation, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham mentioned that the receivers wanted to “demand the ball.”
“Get open. Demand the ball,” Whittingham mentioned. “I’m not saying they're getting gloved up, however quarterbacks wish to throw to open guys. You’ve obtained to get open if you'd like the ball. The tight ends are a more durable matchup proper now as a result of they’re so dominant. They’re nice blockers as properly. These guys are sometimes mismatched in opposition to safeties and linebackers. They’re virtually unattainable to cowl.”
Led by Vele, Utah’s receivers have been extra productive on Saturday as Rising seemed to them extra.
Vele had three catches for 38 yards and two touchdowns. Vele caught landing passes of 15 and three yards. He additionally had a 20-yard completion on the primary play of the sport,
“They made performs. They obtained open, Cameron (Rising) obtained them the ball, they usually made performs. Solomon Enis made a few good performs and had a pleasant run after catch on a crucial third down within the second or third quarter. Devaughn Vele, I’ve been speaking him up all fall camp, and also you noticed glimpses of what his capabilities are, as he’s an enormous play man,” Whittingham mentioned.
Micah Bernard, RB
Micah Bernard was Utah’s most explosive and versatile operating again on Saturday.
The sophomore ran the ball 5 instances for 44 yards, averaging 8.8 yards per carry, and he had two receptions for 33 yards, together with a 26-yard catch.
Bernard had a key 24-yard run within the second quarter on Utah’s second landing drive.
Bernard was in a position to give Utah’s offense life within the second quarter after it struggled within the first quarter.