CoachingSearch.com released their list of the top assistant coaches for week four, and Utah co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Jim Harding was named offensive line coach of the week. In the write up, which you can read here, they said the following about Harding:
Utah’s first drive against USC went 12 plays for 59 yards for a touchdown — and all 12 plays were runs. With the game on the line in the final minutes, Utah drove 93 yards over 16 plays for the game-winning TD, converting two 4th-and-1s thanks to push from the OL. Pass protection was strong all night, as USC didn’t record a sack, and Utah had possession for nearly 38 minutes.
After a poor start to the season against Southern Utah, the Utah offensive line has improved every week. Against USC, the Utah offensive line dominated. They opened huge holes in the running game and were excellent in pass protection, not allowing a single sack. Left tackle Garett Bolles looked the part of a top tackle in the Pac-12. He will likely haunt Cameron Smith for awhile after this vicious block:
Bolles also did this as well:
Garett Bolles embarrasses people. #USCvsUTAH https://t.co/nLcIvAtoXe
— KYLE F GUNTHER (@GuntherKFAN) September 24, 2016
I have been a big fan of Harding for awhile, and this is well deserved for him.