Whittingham, Moss Garner Top Pac-12 Honors
12/10/2019 11:30 AM | Football
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – University of Utah football head coach Kyle Whittingham and senior running back Zack Moss came away with top honors from the Pac-12 today, earning Pac-12 Coach of the Year and Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, respectively.
This is Whittingham's first Pac-12 Coach of the Year selection and second conference coach of the year honor in his career after winning Mountain West Coach of the Year in 2008. Moss' offensive player of the year award is his first and Utah's first conference player of the year award since quarterback Brian Johnson won Mountain West honors in 2008.
The Utes also landed eight student-athletes on the Pac-12 Football All-Conference first-team, the most by any team in the conference for the second-straight year. Utah finished with 17 total all-conference selections between the first, second and honorable mention teams.
Utah's 17 all-conference selections this season included 10 of Utah's 11 defensive starters with five landing on the first-team. Of Utah's 16 honorees, four were repeat first-team selections that are headlined by seniors Bradlee Anae, Leki Fotu and Jaylon Johnson.
Joining Moss as a first-team offensive all-conference selection are seniors Tyler Huntley and Darrin Paulo with Anae, Fotu, Francis Bernard, Julian Blackmon and Johnson all earning first-team defense honors. Sophomore Brant Kuithe and senior John Penisini were recognized on the second-team with Terrell Burgess, Javelin Guidry, Devin Lloyd, Simi Moala, Mika Tafua, Nick Ford and Orlando Umana all notching honorable mention status.
Whittingham, who also earned AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year today for the second time in his career, guided Utah to its second consecutive South Division title and third overall in his tenure as head coach. Utah holds an 11-2 record this season, the fifth 10-win season under Whittingham and the most wins by the Utes since 2008 (13-0).
This season, the Utes jumped to as high as No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings, their highest ranking in CFP history, while also ranking No. 5 in the AP and Coaches polls. The Utes won eight consecutive Pac-12 games to finish 8-1 in Pac-12 play, their best record in nine seasons as a Pac-12 member.
Utah leads the FBS and the Pac-12 in rushing defense (70.3), holding 10 opponents to fewer than 70 rushing yards in a game this season, the most since the 2006 Michigan Wolverines. On the other side of the ball, Utah has scored 30 or more points 10 times this year, ranking third in the Pac-12 in scoring (34.0 ppg) and first in rushing offense (207.0).
Moss, who also earned Pac-12 All-Conference first-team after earning second-team honors as a junior, led the Pac-12 in rushing with 113.3 yards per game (6.2 ypc) and 15 rushing touchdowns. The Hialeah Gardens, Fla., native added a career-high 26 catches for 374 yards and two receiving touchdowns to give him a team-high 1,733 all-purpose yards and 17 total touchdowns.
"Winning the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year is a great honor to me and is greatly appreciated," Moss said. "Shout-out to my teammates and coaches for putting me in the position to even be considered for this award, let alone win it. Thank you to the Pac-12 coaches for selecting me with this honor. I am beyond blessed and grateful."
This season, Moss ranks second in the Pac-12 and No. 19 in FBS football in rushing yards per carry (6.2), also ranking first in the league and No. 12 in the FBS in both rushing yards (1,359) and rushing yards per game (113.3). Moss rushed for 100 or more yards in eight of the 12 games he appeared in, including his second career 200-yard game against Arizona (203 yds, 26 carries, 1 TD).Â
With his 1,359 rushing yards this season, Moss became the first Ute to rush for 1,000 or more yards in three seasons, giving him 4,010 career rushing yards for the Utah record. Moss also set records this season in career carries (696), career rushing touchdowns (38), career 100-yard rushing games (19) and career touchdowns scored (41), also tying the school record for single-season rushing touchdowns (15).
Quick Hits On Utah's First and Second-Team All-Pac-12 Selections
#1 Tyler Huntley, QB, Sr. | First-Team All-Pac-12 Offense
Ranks sixth in ESPN's Total QBR (84.0) … ranks in the top-10 in the FBS in completion percentage (No. 2, .737), passing efficiency (No. 5, 181.9), passing yards per completion (No. 8, 14.47) and yards per pass attempt (No. 4, 10.67) … nine 200-yard passing games this season that included two in the 300-yard range … 205-of-278 passing (4 INT, 18 TDs) for 2,966 passing yards, adding 88 carries for 257 rushing yards (5 TD) … two-time Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week.
#2 Zack Moss, RB, Sr. | First-Team All-Pac-12 Offense
Ranks first in the Pac-12 and 12th in the FBS in rushing yards (1,359), rushing yards per game (113.3) and rushing touchdowns (15) … No. 14 in the FBS and first in the Pac-12 in total touchdowns (17) … 219 carries this season for 1,359 yards (6.2 ypc) and 15 touchdowns, adding 26 receptions for 374 yards (2 TD) … eight games with 100 or more rushing yards, including one 200-yard game … 91-yard rushing touchdown against Oregon State is the third-longest rushing touchdown in school history.
#77 Darrin Paulo, OL, Sr. | First-Team All-Pac-12 Offense
Started all 13 games this season … has played in 52 career games, which ranks second on the team, and has played in 40 games on the offensive line with 39 career starts … helped the Utes to a No. 1 ranking in the Pac-12 in rushing offense (207.0) and a No. 3 ranking in scoring per game (34.0).
#6 Bradlee Anae, DE, Sr. | First-Team All-Pac-12 Defense
Two-time All-Pac-12 first-team selection … 2019 Morris Trophy winner … 35 total tackles (13.5 TFL, 12.5 Sacks) with one pass defended and a forced fumble … 12.5 sacks is tied for eight in the FBS and second in the Pac-12 … had at least one sack in seven games, tying his single-game career-high of 3.0 against Northern Illinois and Arizona State … 29.5 career sacks is tied for the school record and ranks fourth among active FBS players … two-time Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week, also earning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week.
#99 Leki Fotu, DT, Sr. | First-Team All-Pac-12 Defense
Two-time All-Pac-12 first-team selection … 27 tackles (8.5 TFL, 1.0 Sack) … finished third on the team with 8.5 tackles for loss … tackle for loss of 50 yards ranks second on the team … anchored the defensive line that kept 10 of its opponents to under 70 yards rushing this season … helped Utah to a No. 1 ranking in the FBS and the Pac-12 in rushing defense (70.3).
#13 Francis Bernard, LB, Sr. | First-Team All-Pac-12 Defense
Finished second on the team in tackles with 83 (7.5 TFL), adding two interceptions that included a pick-six, one pass breakup and a forced fumble … averaged 6.4 tackles per game … three-double-digit tackles games, including reaching his season-high 12 twice (Northern Illinois, Washington State) … his pick-six against Utah was one of Utah's five defensive touchdowns this season which is tied for second in the FBS and ranks first in the Pac-12 … two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week.
#23 Julian Blackmon, FS, Sr. | First-Team All-Pac-12 Defense
Three-time All-Pac-12 selection, also earning second-team cornerback in 2017 and 2018 … fourth on the team in total tackles with 60 (4.0 TFL, 1.5 Sacks), adding a team-high four interceptions that includes one pick-six, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles … his four interceptions is tied for the Pac-12 lead … earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week for his career-high 12 tackles that included 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception against UCLA.
#1 Jaylon Johnson, CB, Jr. | First-Team All-Pac-12 Defense
Two-time All-Pac-12 first-team cornerback … 36 total tackles (1.0 TFL) with two interceptions that included one pick-six, adding 11 pass breakups … 11 pass breakups ranks fourth in the Pac-12 … has one or more pass breakups in nine of Utah's 13 games … his pick-six for 39 yards against Washington was his second-career pick-six … his two interceptions helped Utah to a No. 2 ranking in the Pac-12 in total passes intercepted (13).
#80 Brant Kuithe, TE, So. | Second-Team All-Pac-12 Offense
Leads the team in receptions (31), receiving yards (572), receiving touchdowns (6) and is second in total touchdowns (9) … his 18.45 yards per reception leads all tight ends in the FBS and Pac-12 in yards per reception, ranking 29th overall in the FBS and third in the Pac-12 … six receiving touchdowns is tied for first in the Pac-12 among tight ends … career-high 132 receiving yards on five catches and a touchdown against UCLA … earned Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week for his two rushes for 59 yards and a 15-yard rushing touchdown and three catches and two receiving touchdowns against Colorado.
#52 John Penisini, DT, Sr. | Second-Team All-Pac-12 Defense
Recorded 37 tackles (6.0 TFL, 2.0 Sacks) with one pass breakup and two forced fumbles … his 37 total tackles ranks second on the defensive line … had seven games with half a tackle for loss or more … his two forced fumbles is the second-most by a Pac-12 player this year … earned Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week for his career-high tying seven tackles with a sack and a forced fumble against Washington.
This is Whittingham's first Pac-12 Coach of the Year selection and second conference coach of the year honor in his career after winning Mountain West Coach of the Year in 2008. Moss' offensive player of the year award is his first and Utah's first conference player of the year award since quarterback Brian Johnson won Mountain West honors in 2008.
The Utes also landed eight student-athletes on the Pac-12 Football All-Conference first-team, the most by any team in the conference for the second-straight year. Utah finished with 17 total all-conference selections between the first, second and honorable mention teams.
Utah's 17 all-conference selections this season included 10 of Utah's 11 defensive starters with five landing on the first-team. Of Utah's 16 honorees, four were repeat first-team selections that are headlined by seniors Bradlee Anae, Leki Fotu and Jaylon Johnson.
Joining Moss as a first-team offensive all-conference selection are seniors Tyler Huntley and Darrin Paulo with Anae, Fotu, Francis Bernard, Julian Blackmon and Johnson all earning first-team defense honors. Sophomore Brant Kuithe and senior John Penisini were recognized on the second-team with Terrell Burgess, Javelin Guidry, Devin Lloyd, Simi Moala, Mika Tafua, Nick Ford and Orlando Umana all notching honorable mention status.
Whittingham, who also earned AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year today for the second time in his career, guided Utah to its second consecutive South Division title and third overall in his tenure as head coach. Utah holds an 11-2 record this season, the fifth 10-win season under Whittingham and the most wins by the Utes since 2008 (13-0).
This season, the Utes jumped to as high as No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings, their highest ranking in CFP history, while also ranking No. 5 in the AP and Coaches polls. The Utes won eight consecutive Pac-12 games to finish 8-1 in Pac-12 play, their best record in nine seasons as a Pac-12 member.
Utah leads the FBS and the Pac-12 in rushing defense (70.3), holding 10 opponents to fewer than 70 rushing yards in a game this season, the most since the 2006 Michigan Wolverines. On the other side of the ball, Utah has scored 30 or more points 10 times this year, ranking third in the Pac-12 in scoring (34.0 ppg) and first in rushing offense (207.0).
Moss, who also earned Pac-12 All-Conference first-team after earning second-team honors as a junior, led the Pac-12 in rushing with 113.3 yards per game (6.2 ypc) and 15 rushing touchdowns. The Hialeah Gardens, Fla., native added a career-high 26 catches for 374 yards and two receiving touchdowns to give him a team-high 1,733 all-purpose yards and 17 total touchdowns.
"Winning the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year is a great honor to me and is greatly appreciated," Moss said. "Shout-out to my teammates and coaches for putting me in the position to even be considered for this award, let alone win it. Thank you to the Pac-12 coaches for selecting me with this honor. I am beyond blessed and grateful."
This season, Moss ranks second in the Pac-12 and No. 19 in FBS football in rushing yards per carry (6.2), also ranking first in the league and No. 12 in the FBS in both rushing yards (1,359) and rushing yards per game (113.3). Moss rushed for 100 or more yards in eight of the 12 games he appeared in, including his second career 200-yard game against Arizona (203 yds, 26 carries, 1 TD).Â
With his 1,359 rushing yards this season, Moss became the first Ute to rush for 1,000 or more yards in three seasons, giving him 4,010 career rushing yards for the Utah record. Moss also set records this season in career carries (696), career rushing touchdowns (38), career 100-yard rushing games (19) and career touchdowns scored (41), also tying the school record for single-season rushing touchdowns (15).
So proud of this group ??
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 10, 2019
Our @pac12 all-conference honorees: pic.twitter.com/0gsYPqojTm
Quick Hits On Utah's First and Second-Team All-Pac-12 Selections
#1 Tyler Huntley, QB, Sr. | First-Team All-Pac-12 Offense
Ranks sixth in ESPN's Total QBR (84.0) … ranks in the top-10 in the FBS in completion percentage (No. 2, .737), passing efficiency (No. 5, 181.9), passing yards per completion (No. 8, 14.47) and yards per pass attempt (No. 4, 10.67) … nine 200-yard passing games this season that included two in the 300-yard range … 205-of-278 passing (4 INT, 18 TDs) for 2,966 passing yards, adding 88 carries for 257 rushing yards (5 TD) … two-time Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week.
#2 Zack Moss, RB, Sr. | First-Team All-Pac-12 Offense
Ranks first in the Pac-12 and 12th in the FBS in rushing yards (1,359), rushing yards per game (113.3) and rushing touchdowns (15) … No. 14 in the FBS and first in the Pac-12 in total touchdowns (17) … 219 carries this season for 1,359 yards (6.2 ypc) and 15 touchdowns, adding 26 receptions for 374 yards (2 TD) … eight games with 100 or more rushing yards, including one 200-yard game … 91-yard rushing touchdown against Oregon State is the third-longest rushing touchdown in school history.
#77 Darrin Paulo, OL, Sr. | First-Team All-Pac-12 Offense
Started all 13 games this season … has played in 52 career games, which ranks second on the team, and has played in 40 games on the offensive line with 39 career starts … helped the Utes to a No. 1 ranking in the Pac-12 in rushing offense (207.0) and a No. 3 ranking in scoring per game (34.0).
#6 Bradlee Anae, DE, Sr. | First-Team All-Pac-12 Defense
Two-time All-Pac-12 first-team selection … 2019 Morris Trophy winner … 35 total tackles (13.5 TFL, 12.5 Sacks) with one pass defended and a forced fumble … 12.5 sacks is tied for eight in the FBS and second in the Pac-12 … had at least one sack in seven games, tying his single-game career-high of 3.0 against Northern Illinois and Arizona State … 29.5 career sacks is tied for the school record and ranks fourth among active FBS players … two-time Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week, also earning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week.
#99 Leki Fotu, DT, Sr. | First-Team All-Pac-12 Defense
Two-time All-Pac-12 first-team selection … 27 tackles (8.5 TFL, 1.0 Sack) … finished third on the team with 8.5 tackles for loss … tackle for loss of 50 yards ranks second on the team … anchored the defensive line that kept 10 of its opponents to under 70 yards rushing this season … helped Utah to a No. 1 ranking in the FBS and the Pac-12 in rushing defense (70.3).
#13 Francis Bernard, LB, Sr. | First-Team All-Pac-12 Defense
Finished second on the team in tackles with 83 (7.5 TFL), adding two interceptions that included a pick-six, one pass breakup and a forced fumble … averaged 6.4 tackles per game … three-double-digit tackles games, including reaching his season-high 12 twice (Northern Illinois, Washington State) … his pick-six against Utah was one of Utah's five defensive touchdowns this season which is tied for second in the FBS and ranks first in the Pac-12 … two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week.
#23 Julian Blackmon, FS, Sr. | First-Team All-Pac-12 Defense
Three-time All-Pac-12 selection, also earning second-team cornerback in 2017 and 2018 … fourth on the team in total tackles with 60 (4.0 TFL, 1.5 Sacks), adding a team-high four interceptions that includes one pick-six, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles … his four interceptions is tied for the Pac-12 lead … earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week for his career-high 12 tackles that included 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception against UCLA.
#1 Jaylon Johnson, CB, Jr. | First-Team All-Pac-12 Defense
Two-time All-Pac-12 first-team cornerback … 36 total tackles (1.0 TFL) with two interceptions that included one pick-six, adding 11 pass breakups … 11 pass breakups ranks fourth in the Pac-12 … has one or more pass breakups in nine of Utah's 13 games … his pick-six for 39 yards against Washington was his second-career pick-six … his two interceptions helped Utah to a No. 2 ranking in the Pac-12 in total passes intercepted (13).
#80 Brant Kuithe, TE, So. | Second-Team All-Pac-12 Offense
Leads the team in receptions (31), receiving yards (572), receiving touchdowns (6) and is second in total touchdowns (9) … his 18.45 yards per reception leads all tight ends in the FBS and Pac-12 in yards per reception, ranking 29th overall in the FBS and third in the Pac-12 … six receiving touchdowns is tied for first in the Pac-12 among tight ends … career-high 132 receiving yards on five catches and a touchdown against UCLA … earned Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week for his two rushes for 59 yards and a 15-yard rushing touchdown and three catches and two receiving touchdowns against Colorado.
#52 John Penisini, DT, Sr. | Second-Team All-Pac-12 Defense
Recorded 37 tackles (6.0 TFL, 2.0 Sacks) with one pass breakup and two forced fumbles … his 37 total tackles ranks second on the defensive line … had seven games with half a tackle for loss or more … his two forced fumbles is the second-most by a Pac-12 player this year … earned Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week for his career-high tying seven tackles with a sack and a forced fumble against Washington.
He's the #Pac12FB leader in rushing yards and rushing TDs this season. ??
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) December 10, 2019
He's a living @Utah_Football legend. ??
Congrats to @PresMoss2 on becoming the first Ute win Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year. https://t.co/fRbWvdc0mI pic.twitter.com/fCSeZ26hUD
LEGEND@UtahCoachWhitt is the @pac12 coach of the year! pic.twitter.com/o4DNuQ2nPH
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 10, 2019
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