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BYU Football: Scouting the Schedule – Utah

By Shaun Gordon

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 11: Utah Utes band hats and musical instruments in the access tunnel prior to the game between the Utes and the Washington State Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 11: Utah Utes band hats and musical instruments in the access tunnel prior to the game between the Utes and the Washington State Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /
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EUGENE, OR – OCTOBER 28: Braxton Burmeister #11 of the Oregon Ducks is tackled by Marquise Blair #13 of the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR – OCTOBER 28: Braxton Burmeister #11 of the Oregon Ducks is tackled by Marquise Blair #13 of the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

The Defense

Defensive Line

Only one starter is back from 2017, but he’s a good one. Bradlee Anae (Jr.) is back at defensive end, and he has a knack for getting into the backfield. Freshman Mika Tafua earned the starting nod in Week 1 at the other end spot.

The middle will be manned by Hauati Pututau (So.) and Leki Fotu (Jr.). Sophomore Pita Tonga has the most experience among the second string.

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Linebackers

The Utes traditionally only use two linebackers, and Chase Hansen (Sr.) is back at one of the spots. The converted quarterback had 51 tackles and an interception in 2017.

Cody Barton (Sr.) has the other linebacker spot locked down. He finished last season with 45 tackles and four sacks.

Cougar fans will be familiar with one backup backer, Francis Bernard (Jr.), and the other one, Donovan Thompson (Jr.), has plenty of experience as well.

Secondary

Marquise Blair (Sr.) will lead the secondary at strong safety, and he’s joined by Corrion Ballard (Sr.) at free safety and Javellin Guidry (So.) at nickleback.

Julian Blackmon (Jr.) will guard the opponents’ best wideout week in and week out. In 2017 he led all Utes with four interceptions. Jaylon Johnson (So.) will guard the opposite receiver, and he was steady for Utah last season. Cornerback is the one position where there’s little experience behind the starters, though.

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