SB Nation User Blog: WhoAmISir

The Bell

WhoAmISir — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:04:45 -0000

I came across a story in the Deseret News which I think is important for UTE Fans to read. Storied programs have legends, artifacts and TROPHYS! The stories around these items build the TRADITION of great programs. As part of the rich history of UTAH Football I really think UTE Fans need to address this situation. I know that we would need to make an appropriate donation to get The Bell back to its rightful place and to do preservation/restoration work needed. Give the following story a read and then let’s find out how, who, and what it would take to bring this legend, this BELL back to UTAH!

Ringing out rivalry from Ute teams of long ago

Spring - The Dark Period Ends

WhoAmISir — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:22:36 -0000

Interesting that "Pro-Day" is today up at the U especially with Spring Football Practice starting tomorrow.

To that end now we get to see how the retooling of the coaching staff and the development of the players into the positions they could be playing in this fall start to be analyzed.

Excitement from the fans standpoint and the interest in the program coming off of last year's achievements are high - vey high! I would believe that the players are excited and it will be interesting to see who the Senior Leadership will be. Robert Johnson, David Reed, Stevenson Sylvester - who else? Then the Team Leaders - the guys that are going to bring their lunch pails and lead through example, attitude, and the determination to exceed expectations. Who are they? Misi? Aiona? Louks? This is where it starts to gel guys - remember one very important thing and you've heard it before - "There is NO I IN TEAM". We need the studs but we need the TEAM.

Looking forward to the Red and White game in April - I'll be there!

Go UTES!

Where is Corbin Louks?

WhoAmISir — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:50:16 -0000

Fans of the National Football Champion Utah Utes while I am still reveling in the success of our program this past year I can’t help but look forward too. To that point Corbin Louks, who at this point would be presumed the leading candidate to takeover the QB spot for Utah next year, has been curiously absent, and not mentioned at all. Additionally, Utah has several other QB’s red shirted and recently received commitments from a JUCO standout, Terrence Cain, and a High School standout, Jordan Wynn.

I have watched Corbin develop and have seen the potential and yet in the last few games he has virtually disappeared. He is the real deal but was given no playing time in the last couple of games. Is he in the dog house? Is he thinking of transferring? I hope not but it sure makes me uneasy about the whereabouts of one Mr. Louks.

Holy Smokers – this is a must read! Washington Post Article

WhoAmISir — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:16:44 -0000

Hey Utah fans we have one very solid supporter of the Utes for National Champions. Holy Smokers – this is a must read! The Washington Post Sport Writer took it to them and is an advocate of voting the UTES #1 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/06/AR2009010600092.html

This is the best written article I have had the pleasure of laying my eyes on since the game. This guy hits all the buttons and then some.

WhoAmISir

WhoAmISir — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:25:54 -0000

To the Gentle Folks of the Alabama Crimson Tide I’m sure that there will be Ute fans that will be “over-enthusiastic” after last night’s game between our beloved teams. I for one want to say what an honor it was to be able to play in a game with a team with such a storied history. While both our teams go into the black period (no college football until spring practice) I know both teams have questions to answer. For the Crimson Tide I see great things in store for your team and I believe that you will be in the hunt again next season. For the Ute’s I believe it will be a rebuilding year next year with the lost of some key seniors and a re-tooling year with new Defensive and Offensive Coordinators coming in. But I also believe that we will be in the mix in our conference too.

I ask one thing as I close the Utah Utes earned some respect last night for the non-automatic bid conferences but I request of you to encourage the automatic bid conferences to schedule non-automatic bid conference teams. I understand the realities of only wanting home games, but I also think that to be fair home and home games should be scheduled. Encourage your conference in this direction – all we are asking is to prove ourselves on the field anything else is just talk.

Who Am I Sir – A Utah Man Am I. GO UTES!

And religion has nothing to d with it - Right

WhoAmISir — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:04:09 -0000

Just a little something I picked up cruzin' the TDS Blogg sites. I included the link so you can check it out yourself...

Written by:

“November 15, 2008

Let the fun begin

Written by: David

Filed under:

http://www.crashutah.com/byu/

…..because we all know what religion can get people to do. Bring on the heathen university to the North!”

Let the fun begin!

Who Am I Sir? A Utah Man Am I!

A Little Motivation for the Utes Offense

WhoAmISir — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:03:43 -0000

Just somethings that are being written and said about the game:

Predictions 101: TCU to take care of Utah

By NBCSPORTS Commentator John Tramanaha:

Who says there isn't a "playoff" in college football? Here's a BCS
elimination game right here, with the Mountain West Conference title essentially on the line.

Utah, which has rushed for an average of 260 yards in its last two
games, will be going up against a TCU rushing defense that leads the nation, allowing just 38.9 yards per game on the ground. The Horned Frogs also rank second nationally in total defense (214.5) and third in scoring defense (10.8). Last Saturday's 44-14 win at UNLV broke a streak of four games in which the TCU defense allowed just seven points, including the 32-7 victory over BYU on Oct. 16.

As a freshman last season Horned Frog quarterback Andy Dalton attempted a whopping 45 passes versus Utah and four of them were intercepted in a 27-20 Ute victory. Recent times have been kinder and he'll enter this contest with lots of positive vibes, having thrown nine touchdown passes and no picks in the last three games.

Utah has much less momentum, having struggled its way through a 13-10 win at New Mexico last Saturday. TCU opened this season with a 26-3 victory over those same Lobos on Aug. 30 in Albuquerque.

TCU 24-20

Ft Worth Star-Telegram

Gary Patterson’: “Our guys are giddy at the prospect of playing the Utes….”

New Mexico at Albuquerque

WhoAmISir — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:31:20 -0000

After watching the Utes play the most complete game of the season against CSU we now are in the bye week which is much needed for the stretch run. Whittingham is now officially an ESPN darling and I believe did great things for the Utes future recruiting efforts. If young warriors looking for a winning program, in a great environment and their parents do not have their interest peaked after Whittingham’s visit to ESPN then continuing to win and be the first 2 time BCS busters will seal the deal.

Now to that point the Lobo’s laid some good wood on SDSU last Saturday 70-7 and then turn around and have the wheels fall off in Colorado Springs (10/23) last night. The following are some excerpts from the ESPN recap of the game.

“The Lobos (4-5, 2-3) forced three first-quarter turnovers and were about to jump out to a 17-0” when NM fumbled and “Nobody was more relieved than Falcons freshman quarterback Tim Jefferson, who had fumbled away the ball and thrown an interception on consecutive snaps that led to 10 Lobos points”

Brian and company the offense really looked good last Saturday but take note what put AF in the hole – fumbles and pass interceptions. Defenses drill on the art of creating fumbles and when it happens Mr. Momentum changes sides as follows:

“Kirchoff (AF) scooped up quarterback Brad Gruner's (NM) fumble at the Falcons 4 and sped down the Lobos' sideline for the second-longest fumble return in (AF) school history…The Lobos never recovered from the two-touchdown turnaround.” "That didn't win the game for them," New Mexico coach Rocky Long insisted. "That got them back into the game." It demoralized the Lobos, however. "That was a killer," Lobos running back Rodney Ferguson said. "It was the killer." "It's a simple deal tonight," Long said. "If you turn the ball over and then you can't make fourth-and-short, you're going to lose."

Fumbles and interceptions, and let’s add 80 yards in penalties, in tight games which we are facing will kill the deal. ‘Nuf said!?

Fearfull of Oregon State

WhoAmISir — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:46:33 -0000

Utah thru Game 5		Trend
3rd down efficiency	49%	Up
4th down efficiency	30%	Flat
Total yards - average	423.4	Flat
Passing - average	249.2	Up
Passing efficiency	69%	Up
Passing yards - average	9	Flat
Rushing yards per game - average	174.2	Down
Rushing attempts per game - average	43.8	Flat
Yards per rush - average	4.06	Up
Penalties yards- average	76.8	Down
# of Penalties - average	8.6	Down
Turnovers - average	2.2	Flat
Fumbles lost - average	1.2	Flat
Interceptions thrown - average	1	Flat
Possession - average	35:05:24	Flat

I have watched all 5 games this year and I have my fears with Oregon State. Are the Utes going to come out and play a complete game? Is Ludwig going to open it up or fold with his play calling? Will we hang on to the ball? Is Johnson going to throw the ball out of bounds before he gets sacked – or better yet run it? Are the defensive backs going to stay with their assignments? These are some of the questions that I have and I’m not the only one asking - so are a few other folks:

“There have been too many turnovers, too many sacks and too many stalled drives against inferior competition. In easy wins over Utah State and Weber State. The Utes rank near the bottom in the national stats in sacks allowed at No. 103, are tied for 93rd in turnovers lost and are tied for 69th in turnover margin”. - Mike Sorensen

Oregon State is probably licking their lips with those 2 stats.

“Sometimes we hold the ball too long, sometimes our protection's broken down and sometimes the route structure has been very poor and we're not getting open,” - Kyle Whittingham

Johnson, O-line, Ludwig take notes here – important stuff – the BOSS is seeing these things.

Why the Utes will win on Thursday:

1.) Payback for last year.

2.) It is a BIG GAME

<3.) They are due for a complete game

How will they win:

1.) Let the game come to them – it slows the action down and helps make plays

2.) They will take a more prophylactic approach than the Trojans (had to get that in somehow)

3.) Control the time of possession and play solid defense

Open Letter to the U of U Football Coaches for a successful 2009 campaign.

WhoAmISir — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:35:08 -0000

Oregon St vs. Utah Air Force vs. Utah UNLV vs. Utah BYU vs. Utah

1st downs 18/12 20/15 19/17 21/14

3rd down eff. 3-14/7-21 3-15/6-19 3-14/7-16 5-17/7-18

4th dn eff. 3-3/0-1 0-1/1-2 0-0/1-5 0-0/2-3

Net RshYds 241/18 334/73 196/105 155/115

Net Psg Yds 129/178 56/240 144/195 269/129

Ttl Off Plys 74/67 77/72 73/72 74/68

Ps Cplt/Att/Int 12-30-2/17-37 8-14-0/20-39-2 12-27-2/23-40-11 7-41-1/17-29-2

Punts 7-232/11-458 6-237/7-348 5-211/6-316 4-162/7-314

Fumbles 1-0/1-0 2-1/2-0 2-1/3-3 2-1/0-0

Penalties 8-67/7-70 5-53/7-71 5-45/5-61 5-48/10-94

Tm Poss 31:34/28:36 32:51/27:09 30:53/29:07 28:42/31:17

Conclusions based on the statistical information from Utah Losses:

In each loss Utah did not generate more 1st downs than its opponents.

Reasons:

1st 3 losses due to injuries to key personnel

Un-imaginative play calling from the Offensive Coordinator

Last loss due to Offensive Coordinator (and head coach) not recognizing which QB was getting the job done

In each loss the opposing teams O-line got the better of Utah's D-line

Reasons:

1st 3 losses due to injuries to key personnel

Utah's Defense was on the field too long (time of possession). Why….

Un-imaginative play calling from the Offensive Coordinator

Last loss due to prevent defense and D-backs not staying with assignments

In each Utah loss the offense did not achieve superiority in total net yards.

Reasons:

1st 3 losses due to injuries to key personnel

Un-imaginative play calling from the Offensive Coordinator

In each loss Utah penalties destroyed momentum.

Reasons:

Lack of execution by the offense

Lack of discipline of the team itself

Keys to this year's 12-0 BCS Busting Team:

Instill discipline in the team - if they commit a penalty they better be running wind sprints until they drop.

Ingrain into the players assignment responsibilities - if a D-Back leaves his assignment open before the opposing QB has passed the line of scrimmage they better be running wind sprints up the bleachers until they drop.

DO NOT play prevent defense - ever!

If a running play doesn’t work do not come back to it the next play even if you run it from a different set - IT DOES NOT WORK Offensive Coordinator

The coaching staff needs to adopt the attitude that this is a business - a big business.

You want sell out crowds then win.

Reading between the lines from the Head Coach's comments after half time at the Navy game it was about time he had a little chat with the Offensive Coordinator (even the Head Coach had finally had enough) - hopefully Athletic Director Hill and Head Coach Whittingham will have another little chat with the Offensive Coordinator Ludwig shortly