Game balls for Utah’s win over Cal

Offense - Zack Moss

I almost feel as if I could just copy and paste what I said last week about Zack Moss and no one would notice. I won’t exactly do that, but here’s what I said last week about the senior running back with the appropriate numbers filled in.

“It was a record-setting one for the senior running back. Moss entered the game just [one touchdown] away from becoming the all-time rushing [touchdown] leader in Utah program history and left with his name in the record books. To break the record in the way that Moss did, on a 4-yard touchdown run (that capped off a 99-yard drive that opened the scoring for the Utes) is something out of a movie. Moss could’ve broken the record on a 9-yard [touchdown] run on second-and-6 in [the third quarter]. But to break the rushing record on a run for the game [opening] touchdown over a … conference rival is something special.”

Yeah seems to fit pretty well.

In addition to the all-time rushing touchdown record, Zack Moss also set the record for most 100-yard rushing games in school history with his 115 yards on 17 carries. Three broken records in two games, not a bad 7 days for the Utah running back.

Defense - Morgan Scalley

Am I picking the Utah defensive coordinator because the Utah defense was so incredibly good that there wasn’t one single player that stood out enough to warrant the game ball? Possibly. But also, the Utah defense was so incredibly good that there wasn’t one single player that stood out enough to warrant the game ball and that is indicative of how well Morgan Scalley has this defense playing right now.

The Utah defense may be one of the best defenses that Utah has ever had, and is certainly the best performing unit in the PAC-12 right now, offense or defense. In the last four games, this Utah defense is holding opponents to 9-of-49 on third downs and has held their opponents to single-digit points in each of the past three games. This Utah defense is loaded with NFL talent, but a large reason for that is the coaching abilities of Morgan Scalley and how he has been able to develop these players into NFL prospects and turned this defense into one of the best in the country.

Special Teams - Fan Pick

I just don’t know what to do with this group anymore. They just aren’t very good. I guess that’s what is to be expected when you lose perhaps your best kicking tandem to the NFL and your star kick returner continues to rehab an ACL injury. But there just hasn’t been an impressive special teams performance this season. Jadon Redding made all five of his extra points but he also missed his only FG attempt. Ben Lennon punted three times but only averaged 38 yards per punt. And Demari Simpkins only had one punt return for eight yards. So this week I leave it up to you, the fans. Who do you think deserves the game ball on special teams after the Utes’ win over Cal?