Utah junior running back Devontae Booker runs with the ball in a game against USC. (Photo Courtesy of The Daily Utah Chronicle)Although traditionally not considered a running threat, Utah football's offense has been trending toward that of a potent ground attack this season, a departure from years past.
The Utes (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12) have never been a run-heavy team, but the arrival of junior running back Devontae Booker has changed that.
In 2013, Utah was led in rushing by junior Bubba Poole, who gained 607 yards on 149 carries. Through the team's first seven games in 2014, junior running back Devontae Booker has 844 yards and eight touchdowns on 146 attempts.
The Utes will face an ASU team on Saturday that has struggled against the run. The Sun Devils (6-1, 4-1 Pac-12) have allowed 180.4 yards per game on the ground this season.
Coach Kyle Whittingham said that Booker has added a new dimension to his offense that he hasn't had in recent years.
"Devontae has been a big plus for us," Whittingham said. "He's emerging as one of the best backs in the conference and really one of the top backs in the country. ... Hopefully, you'll see him continue to carry a heavy workload for us the last half of the season."
Booker said he attributes his success this season to his work ethic.
"(It's because of) my hard work," Booker said. "Working hard in practice every week, doing the little things that need to be done, not making mental errors and going out there and running hard and getting the job done."
ASU coach Todd Graham said that having Booker on the roster is the biggest difference between last year and this year for the Utes.
"The biggest difference in their team is the running back," Graham said. "I don't know him, but I like him. He makes you tackle him, he runs hard and you can tell his line has a belief in him."
Whittingham said that he has been one of the biggest keys to the team's success in recent weeks because of the quarterback controversy that has existed with juniors Travis Wilson and Kendal Thompson.
"His emergence in the last three or four games has been huge for our football team," Whittingham said. "He's been as productive a back as we've had around here for a long time and it's really added to what we're doing, especially in a stretch where we're struggling a little bit to throw the football."
While the Utes have struggled through the air, Whittingham said he is sticking with Wilson behind center.
"He's our guy," Whittingham said. "He's the guy that started and played the entire game last week and did some very good things. We took a big step forward in our throwing game, even though it's still not where it needs to be. ... If you say who's our No. 1 right now and who's our No. 2, it'll be Travis No. 1 at this point in time and Kendal No. 2."
Instead of focusing on when he has the ball this weekend, Booker said that one of the things he thinks is important this week is pass blocking when ASU blitzes.
"They blitz a lot on passing downs, so I got to be real aware to pick up the pass rush coming off the edge," Booker said. "If it's a safety blitz or corner blitz or whatever blitz they do, I've just got to be aware and be in the right spot at the right time."
The one thing Booker said needs to happen for his team to win on Saturday is execution.
"We all have to go out there and execute on defense and on offense," Booker said. "I believe we can do that and pass the ball like we did against USC."
Reach the reporter at mtonis@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @Tonis_The_Tiger
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