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Show 5 SPORTS Kruger, Misi are a daunting tandem www.dailyutahchronide.com'. Thursday, September 4,2008 Plati Although there is no questioning the physical dominance of the duo, it could be the camaraderie between the defensive line that sets it apart as one of the MWC's elite. "It's exciting to see guys make plays," Kruger said. "Everyone's really tight-knit, people are hanging out, having fun together, we're all friends, it's all positive. It's a lot easier to come out and work hard at practice when you know everybody else is working hard around you. These guys care about each other." This type of commitment to school and team is more prevalent on the Ute practice field than anywhere else. While the preseason and two-a-day practices can be grueling and disheartening for some, for Misi and Kruger it has been a chance to build on the success that they experienced at the end of last season. "It's a big difference, this year from last year," Kruger said. "Coach (Whittingham) has been pushing us to perfection since last year. We did well last year and we're confident with the guys we have coming back." tlight Bryan Chouinard STAFF WRITER Rich Rodriguez knew he was going to face a lot of challenges when he took over as head coach in Ann Arbor, Mich. For starters, he had the challenge of incorporating his famous spread offense, which he mastered during his time at West Virginia. Second, he was taking over a Michigan team that lost its starting quarterback, starting running back, top two wideouts and half the starting offensive line, which included 2007 No. 1 draft pick, Jake Long. On top of it all, his young, inexperienced offense was forced to deal with the Utes1 outstanding one-two punch of Paul Kruger and Koa Misi. These two teammates and offthe-field friends are sure to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks all season. TYLER COBB/ThtDS'tyUrahOinnidt Paul Kruger sacks Michigan's quarterback during Saturday's game. The Utah defense is determined to show UNLV that it is more experienced and ready to avenge last year's loss. Kruger and Misi seem to be the perfect one-two punch for the U defensive line because they pick up one another's slack, "We both work hard and that forces us to be better," Misi said. "He makes plays, I make plays, and it makes us each work harder." "We have been working hard in practice and there is no doubt in our minds we can be a great defense," Kruger said. "We're really excited about what's going on and we have a lot of confidence in this whole defense." The defense should be confident after its performance Aug. 30 against Michigan. The defense was led by Kruger and Misi, who were in the faces of Michigan quarterbacks Nick Sheridan and Steven Threet from beginning to end. The Utes applied constant pressure from the opening kickoff, leaving Michigan unable to establish an offensive rhythm throughout the game. Kruger led the Ute defense in tackles, recording nine in the game, including one that involved teaming up with Misi for a sack. TYLER COBB/Ww Deify Utah (bmeklt "Paul (Kruger) is so quick off the ball," Misi said. "If he gets a good Defensive linemen Koa Misi and Paul Kruger feed off each other's energy during practice. The pass rush, then I get a good rush. It pressure the duo applied on Michigan's quarterback played a key role in Utah's win Aug-30. helps us both out." The two pass-rushing defensive the Ute rush defense that allowed Kruger and Misi hope to turn the ends got a good push most of the a measly 1.4 yards-per-carry for tables on the UNLV running game day against the offensive line of Michigan running backs. It was this year as part of a defense that is Michigan, which was no match for this factor that allowed the defen- more experienced and more deterthe powerful defensive line of the sive backs of Utah to play so well, mined than ever to show just how Utes. This was not only evident in which also contributed to the solid good it can be. Kruger's stats, but Misi's as well. performance of the Ute's defense. "The biggest thing for us is to By the end of the game, Misi had "The defense was consistent play to the ball," Kruger said. "We five tackles of his own on top of his from start to finish," head coach need to be working hard every play, team-leading 1.5 sacks. Kyle Whittingham said. "They re- no loafing, everybody needs to be hustling to the ball," "Koa (Misi) is a fast guy, gets good ally controlled the game." The defensive line took a small Now with Michigan out of the leverage; he's always in the backfield," Kruger said. "If I don't get way, Misi, Kruger and the Utes turn shot at Michigan as Kenape Eliapo there, I know he will. It's his speed their attention to welcoming UNLV will miss-six-to-eight weeks with a and how low he gets that makes him into Rice-Eccles Stadium this week- broken foot. b.chouinard@ a great player." end. This is an important game on chronicle.utah.edu Misi and Kruger spearheaded many different levels for the Utes. Utes hope to break Could this be Utah's best defense ever? 2-game losing streak A s an objective member of The Daily Utah Chronicle TONY PIZZA who's dedicated to the ethics of professional journalism, I'm not allowed to have a favorite U football player. But if you, the most rabid, unrelenting, jumpof his most memorable highlights during-third-down fans are lookto date will jog your memory. ing for someone to admire, or For starters, Utah's No. 42 bepossibly one day own the replica came a starting linebacker as a true jersey of, I'd highly recommend freshman last season after injuries Nai Fotu. to Utah's experienced linebacking What? You say you've never corps gave him, along with fellow heard of him? You're saying if you heard that name in a conver- linebacker Stevenson Sylvester, some on-the-job training. He's sation you'd be scratching your also the guy you'll see leveling San head wondering if Nai Fotu was Diego State running back Atiyyah his first or last name? Henderson when you enter the If Utah was a more prominent keystrokes "Nai Fotu Hit" in the football program, you'd hear ESPN's Stuart Scott spew phrases YouTube search bar. The hit is like France's Zinedine Zidane levellike "Nai Fotu. Dude can hit," ing Italy's Marco Materazzi with a every Saturday night. headbutt to the sternum in the 2006 Fotu is a guy that is going to get talked about as an NFL player World Cup, except on acid. Fotu in years to come. Yes, I said years couldn't have folded paper faster. He's also one of a handful of unto come, only because the guy is derclassmen that help make Utah's still a sophomore. 2008 defense what head coach Kyle If Dr. Evil ever wants sharks with freakin' laser beams on their Whittingham referred to as "possibly the fastest I've ever coached." heads again, he should make sure to get No. 2 to clone Fotu's The Laie, Hawaii, native's aggressiveness and throw in his name was plastered all over naball-hawking skills in order to get tional TV last weekend because the best attack sharks money can the 6-foot-i, 235-pound stud linebuy. In case Fotu's seven-lettered backer seemed to be in on every name doesn't exactly roll off your single Utah tackle. He finished tongue like Nabisco, maybe some the game with seven, including Bryan Chouinard STAFF WRITER With a disappointing Labor Day weekend behind them, the Utes turn their attention to a pair of road games this coming weekend. First, head coach Rich Manning will lead his team into Eugene, Ore., to take on the Oregon Ducks before heading across the state to Corvallis to take on Oregon State on Sunday. The Utes hope to end a two-game losing streak that started against Arizona in the season opener at Ute Field on Aug. 29. Although you couldn't tell by thefinalscore, Utah showed considerable improvement, especially along their young backline. After giving up an early goal, the defense tightened and did not concede another goal until it was necessary to move more players into the attacking zone in the final 10 minutes in an effort to tie the game up. "We are a young team, but we are making progress each game," Manning said, "We have been fortunate that all four of our games have really come down to the wire so far. We have gained some good experience, and I think it will help us going forward." As Manning and the team look to move forward, they once again came up just short against a nationally-ranked Georgia team, who were coming to Utah for the first time since Manning took over in Katy Reineke receives the ball during the Utes' season opener last Friday. The women's soccer team is headed to Oregon this week and hopes for a come back from last week's two-game loss. 2002. It was a late goal by Marah Falle in the 86th minute, her second of the game, which ensured the Utes their secondstraight loss; the third of the season. "The phrase that keeps coming to mind is 'a work in progress,'" Manning said. "I 'feel very positive and confident in the steps that we have taken, See SOCCER Page 8 IGSKIN Week #1: Sept. 4-Sept. 8 See PIZZA Page 8 ICKS Last week's winner: None NCAA 2.5 that went for lost yardage. . But if for some weird reason Fotu doesn't ring your bell or blow all your whistles, there are plenty of other Utah defenders that will be around for years to come that shouldfitthe yourfavorite-Utah-player bill. Of Utah's 11 starters on defense, defensive back Bryce McCain is the only one scheduled to leave at the end of this season. Three, including Fotu, Paul Kruger and Lei Talamaivao, have two more years left. That's a defense that Whittingham is already tabbing his fastest, and might one day concede as his best before the 2009 * season is over. Here, now and after just one game, this defense looks like a fun group of guys to watch. After the Utes completed the so-called "upset" in Michigan, I got the sense that these guys were enjoying every second of tenderizing that week's offensive opponent on the field as well. "It feels great," Fotu said. "I can't describe how I feel. It's the Big House, my first time here. I experienced this big win, so I just feel really great right now. I just have great teammates." While Fotu might be whom I keep my eyes on in search of the next amazing Utah hit in the backfield, you can't go wrong To pick up your prize come to Union Room 418 @ •OUTHtRN UNLV Utah Chiefs Patriots BYU Washington Texas A&M UNM Air Force Wyoming Texans Steelers M1U Southern Miss Auburn Oregon St. Penn St. Cardinals Cowboys Browns Mississippi Wake Forest Georgia Tech Boston College NFL NAME Jaguars E-MAIL Titans Jets Dolphins 49ers Bears Tie Breaker: Pick the final score of UNLV Colts Broncos Raiders @Utah Circle all 16 of your selections and submit sheets to Union Room 318 by 6 p.m. Friday. Winners announced every Tuesclay,but just because you win Pigskin Picks doesn't mean you black book looks like Chris Kamrani's. Staff records: Tony Pizza (0-0), Chris Kamrani (0-0), Bryan Chouinard (0-0), Marco Villano (0-0), Paige Reldsted (0-0), Chad Zavala (O-O),Ty Cobb (0-0), Jim Fisher (0-0) |
