Huntley, Utah offense focused on faster start vs BYU
September 4, 2017
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) There was a moment of terror for Utah fans Saturday as their worst fears came to life. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Huntley, making his first start, threw an interception to end the first drive of the game on Utah's own 24-yard line.
Huntley's dual-threat ability helped win the job over returning starter and two-time captain Troy Williams, but accuracy and running the offense was an issue in 2016. And there he was with an interception on his third attempt of the game deep in Utah's territory.
The Utes, however, didn't panic because the quarterback didn't. They went onto a 37-16 victory over FCS North Dakota.
''Nothing phases him,'' receiver Darren Carrington said. ''He came right to the sideline and was like, `That play's over with. We're about to go score on the next drive.' It's like it didn't even happen.
''That's definitely what you want in a quarterback.''
Huntley bounced back and showed flashes of why first-year offensive coordinator picked the youngster to lead his fast-paced, pass-first, spread scheme. He threw for 227 yards and a touchdown and ran for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Defenders had to respect the option, which helped Zack Moss get 128 yards rushing and a touchdown. Huntley also connected with Carrington early and often for 10 receptions, 127 yards and a touchdown.
But there were moments where Huntley reverted to bad habits, particularly during that first drive. The first call was a pass, but Huntley bailed early and was brought down for a two-yard loss. Then the interception was thrown into coverage.
''Maybe pressing a little bit early,'' Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. ''But other than that, he settled in and played very well relative to his first start as a (Power 5) quarterback.
''What you saw after those couple series is what he's all about. ... He's going to get better and better as the season wears on as he gets more comfortable and more settled in.''
Starting faster is what Huntley is focused on this week against rival BYU and he believes that's more of a mental thing than physical. He dismissed any notion of nerves being an issue and said it was just a matter of knocking the dust off after not starting a game since high school in 2015.
''We're going to come out fast and execute fast, that's the biggest thing,'' Huntley said. ''It's just a mindset. You can't go out there worried or nothing. You've just got to go out there and perform and execute the plays that are presented to you. That's coming out strong.''
Whittingham noted the team had less live hitting during the preseason than he can ever remember. So there was some early adjustment just getting that feel of all-out football under the lights again.
Huntley finished with a 71.9 completion percentage, but also left some plays on the field. He had Carrington open for a 30-yard touchdown on the second drive of the game, but simply missed.
Those are the early moments Utah wants to capitalize on against BYU.
''We were just anxious to hit somebody out there,'' Carrington said, ''and just to get the speed and the feel of the first game.''
A better start was the talking point on Monday, but there's bound to be some growing pains within a new offense. Utah opened the season with new starters at quarterback, running back, three receiver spots and four of the five positions on the offensive line.
The Utes also kept the calls more basic against a FCS program than what's expected the rest of season.
''I definitely feel like we're growing into it a little bit,'' Carrington said about the offense. ''I feel like we've got it down pat, pretty much. It's such a new offense and there's so much in the offense, you have to grow into it a little bit because none of us had played a game in this offense.''
The Utes will face a bigger test on the road against BYU. The Cougars (1-1) were on the wrong end of a lopsided 27-0 loss to No. 13 LSU, but the defense has been the bright spot. It has allowed an average of 158.5 passing yards in the first two games.
''Our defense is nice because we rely on speed,'' BYU linebacker Matt Hadley said. ''We have gotten as big and strong as we can, but we are also fast.''
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Tar Heels' high-scoring attack facing rare uncertainty at QB
September 4, 2017
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) North Carolina's quarterback uncertainty has extended into the season.
Coach Larry Fedora already knew it would be tough to replace No. 2 overall NFL draft pick Mitch Trubisky at quarterback long before the start of a preseason camp that saw the Tar Heels trying to sort through their options. But things didn't get any clearer in a season-opening loss with LSU graduate transfer Brandon Harris and redshirt freshman Chazz Surratt never able to keep the offense running in its traditional fast-paced hum.
Fedora wouldn't commit Monday to a starter for Saturday's game against No. 16 Louisville and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson, either.
''Based on what you saw Saturday, whether or not that was enough to make a change, I don't know yet,'' Fedora said. ''But we'll see how they handle this week in practice.''
Harris started after winning the preseason battle for the job.
''You can't do it all on one game,'' Fedora said. ''You just, you can't. There's too many things, too many variables. But we'll see. We'll continue to battle it out there and we're going to put the guy on the field that we think can help us win the football game.''
Harris had a mistake-filled afternoon in the 35-30 loss to California. He threw two interceptions - a no-no with Fedora's emphasis on ball security - and missed a wide-open receiver in the end zone with an overthrown ball.
He completed just 7 of 16 passes for 60 yards and ultimately ceded the majority of the second-half work to Surratt, a former Associated Press instate prep player of the year.
''I have no idea,'' Harris said Saturday when asked where he thought the QB competition stood. ''That'd probably be a better question for the head coach.''
Surratt completed 18 of 28 passes, though many were safe calls such as short routes or screens. He threw for 161 yards (5.8 yards per attempt) and a TD while also running for a score on the game's final play with the outcome already determined, but avoided any turnovers.
''I learned just be yourself and do what you do every day in practice,'' Surratt said Saturday. ''That is what Coach Fedora preached to me. I just tried to stay within myself and let the game come to me.''
The Tar Heels got 89 plays and tallied 440 yards, but they never looked much like the fast-paced and efficiently running offensive machine that has been the norm through Fedora's first five seasons with Trubisky, Marquise Williams or Bryn Renner at the start of his tenure.
It's been the thing UNC could lean on to cover a history of shaky defensive performances. But as its offense rotates QBs while replacing its top three receivers and top two tailbacks, the defense repeated past mistakes by surrendering two TDs of at least 50 yards to a team picked to finish last in its Pac-12 division.
The pressure will only increase against the Cardinals and Jackson, who accounted for 485 yards of total offense and two scores in the season-opening win against Purdue.
''It is sometimes hard to do that,'' Fedora said of his team finding a rhythm with the QB rotation. ''The way we practice, both those guys are getting the same amount of reps and they're both working with both groups all the time.
''Would you prefer it was one guy all the time with the 1s and nobody got injured so you could have continuity all the time? Yeah, you'd prefer that. But that's just not what we have right now.''
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Oklahoma St.'s improved running game helps balance offense
September 4, 2017
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) The last two seasons, No. 10 Oklahoma State has boasted a powerful offense led by Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Mason Rudolph and preseason All-American receiver James Washington.
Now, if their performance in a Week 1 victory over Tulsa is any indication, the Cowboys' running game looks pretty potent, too.
Rudolph completed 20 of 24 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns and Washington had six receptions for 145 yards and two TDs. Oklahoma State also racked up 332 yards rushing, with four different runners scoring touchdowns, as the Cowboys cruised to a 59-24 triumph on Saturday.
Sophomore running back Justice Hill, who rushed for 1,142 yards and six touchdowns last year to earn Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors, piled up 132 yards and one TD on just 15 carries (an 8.8-yard average).
It was Oklahoma State's depth that really made a difference, though, as freshman backups J.D. King and L.D. Brown each totaled over 90 yards and scored touchdowns.
Cowboys coach Mike Gundy liked the offensive balance and hopes it can continue.
''We're getting back on track for balance and, for me, balance is very important,'' said Gundy, whose team was eighth in the nation in passing offense last year but just 66th in rushing. ''We got good running back play. Obviously, Hill was able to make guys miss in space, which is important. Some young guys that were getting a few reps, I like where they're at, at this time. The balance is going to be important. We're not going to be able to just come out and throw for 500 yards and rush for 75 yards and win games. We're going to have to have balance, for a variety of reasons. I thought, for the first game, our running game worked out pretty well.''
While Hill's performance wasn't much of a surprise considering what he accomplished last season, it was evident that his offseason work in the weight room, which added about 15 pounds to his 5-foot-10 frame, made an impact. He seemed a little more of a physical runner and he made several impressive jukes to make defenders miss tackles.
''I think any time a running back can put on good weight, and it's muscle mass, and it makes him stronger and faster, it's going to be a good thing,'' said OSU offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich of Hill. ''He's done a great job, he loves to compete, he's a tremendous talent. He's just a huge weapon for us offensively and we've got to keep going to him. And he's going to continue to grow (as a player). A very talented young man, he's squared away. He does everything off the field exactly right, and he's just a very mature guy that you love to have on your ballclub.''
Rudolph also appreciated having a strong running game that can help take up some attention from opposing defenses.
''It's been great,'' Rudolph said. ''I kind of wanted to see the freshman guys come out and play, and J.D. answered the bell, as well as L.D. getting the first few snaps of his career. And then Justice, I think you saw it with his added size and weight and make-you-miss capability, he had a great game. All three of those guys. When you can rush for 300 and throw for the same, it's fun and it keeps the defense off-guard.''
Coming into the season, the backup spots behind Hill were a question mark, especially after junior Jeff Carr transferred to Texas A&M-Kingsville, but the freshman duo of King (95 yards on six carries) and Brown (five rushes for 92 yards), certainly raised some eyebrows. Another freshman, Ja'Ron Wilson, carried the ball five times in the fourth quarter, gaining eight yards.
''I liked what I saw from J.D., from a standpoint of thinking he ran physically and protected the ball really well,'' Gundy said. ''Early in your career, those things are really important to prove that you're physical enough to compete at this level and take care of the ball. I thought he did a good job of that. He showed a little bit more burst in the open field than I thought he had.
''L.D. made a couple of plays and showed that he has the chance to run the ball a little bit. I thought we got some good play from those guys.''
