Derrick Odum liked what he saw from his safety room in Utah’s opener, but he’s not spending much time on the first win. The Utes are 1-0 after handling Idaho, and now the focus shifts fast to an Arkansas offense Odum called a major test for his defense.
The biggest thing for Odum against Idaho was simple: clean football. He said the group met the standard of avoiding missed tackles, and he pointed to the way the safeties communicated and played with energy throughout the game.
“I thought they did well in that last game. We always have a goal of no missed tackles.
That always starts out the day, and I think we achieved that. Actually, I think Nate Tilmon missed that sack, so we're going to count that one.
But overall, it was a positive day. I liked their communication throughout.
I thought they played inspired football. They played hard, they played intense, and it was a good start to the season.”
Jackson Bennee stood out in a big way. Odum said Utah used him heavily in the slot and trusted him in man coverage, and Bennee delivered. He called him a competitor who wants the ball coming his way on every snap, and praised the versatility that makes him so valuable.
“Yeah, he was a man. We had him in the slot a lot and covering a lot of man-to-man, and he did really well there.
He graded out really well. Bennee's just such a competitor.
He wants the ball thrown his way every snap, and he's just so versatile for us. He can cover man, blitz, and play on the hash.
He can do everything for us right now. And again, just trying to keep him going in the right direction, but it's real positive so far.”
Odum also liked how Coltan Swan’s aggressive approach up front helped the back end. With the rush forcing quicker throws, Utah’s safeties had more freedom to break on routes and stay sticky in coverage.
“Yeah, I mean, we're anticipating the ball coming out quicker, and so now we're able to jump routes a little bit sooner than normal. And it just allows some freedom in the back end, like, you know, play aggressive and get on guys and be sticky in coverage.
To be able to do that and not give up any big plays is a real positive. So now we just got to keep doing that.”
The younger safeties got their chance, too. Manny Fuller and Marcus Wimberly both earned reps, and Odum said that mattered because practice snaps are limited. Fuller, in particular, made his presence felt with a hit on the sideline when Idaho’s quarterback started to run.
“It was really cool. I was happy to get those guys some reps.
When you're in practice, you're kind of limited on which guys you get ready. There are only so many reps you can get in; they didn't get a ton of reps during the week, and they came in and did a nice job.
They really did. Manny had a big hit on the sideline on their quarterback when he started to run.
It's just great because the whole group really is behind every guy that's out on the field, and having those guys get out there and do their thing was really cool.”
Odum was also pleased with Evans in his return after last season’s injury. He pointed to one play where Evans corrected a misalignment with the linebackers, calling it a big communication moment even if it wouldn’t have jumped out to everyone watching. Odum said Evans played “lights out” and stayed calm and under control.
“He did really well. I remember one play when we were kind of misaligned with the backers, and he fixed it and got it right where it needed to be, which is really good to see because his communication was on point.
And, you know, you guys wouldn't notice it at the time, but it was really big to get everything aligned properly. He played lights out.
He played within himself, but really calm and under control. And, you know, he did, he did really well.”
Arkansas, though, brings a different level of stress. Odum said the Hogs have an SEC roster full of athletes, a quarterback who can move, a huge and physical offensive line, fast receivers, bigger receivers, tough tight ends, and two backs he described as special.
“A big challenge. They got an SEC crew, so they got athletes everywhere.
The quarterback's a really good athlete. Their O-line is huge and physical.
They have really good receivers, you know, some guys that have a lot of speed, some bigger guys, and their tight ends are tough. Two backs that I think are really special.
So we'll have our hands full, but our guys are excited. There's a new challenge each week.
We're trying to go 1-0, and this is the next one.”
In Other News...
Utah Defense Faces An Early Test With Elijah Reed In Focus
Elijah Reed wasted little time making an impression in his first game for Utah, earning praise after starting in the season-opening win. The former Akron transfer, who began his college career at Kentucky, met with the media afterward and reflected on what it meant to get that first look in a Ute uniform while the defense settled into the rhythm it wanted to show early in the year.
Reed also turned his attention to the next challenge, a matchup with Arkansas that will give Utah an even clearer read on where its defense stands. He sounded confident in the group and discussed how the unit is sorting out roles and leaning on its plan, but the bigger question now is how that approach holds up when the competition ramps up. [Read more 🡒]
Byrd Ficklin Might Be More Than Utahs Typical Backup QB
Byrd Ficklin spent part of Utahs win over Idaho reminding people that a backup quarterback can still have a real role in shaping a game. Ficklin talked about his development at the position, the backing he has gotten from teammates and coaches, and the enjoyment he takes from being asked to do more than one thing on the field. For a program that values depth and versatility, he has quickly become the kind of player who can fit wherever he is needed.
His throw in the game drew a viral reaction, which only added another layer to a performance that already stood out in a supporting role. Ficklin addressed the attention afterward, and the response underscored why his value may go beyond the usual backup QB label. Utah has plenty to sort through at the position, but Ficklins willingness to embrace multiple jobs gives the staff another option worth watching. [Read more 🡒]
Rabbit Evans Gives Utah Defense A Needed Boost Before Arkansas
Rabbit Evans return gave Utahs defense a lift at a time when it could use one, and the safety sounded encouraged after getting back on the field for his first game since the injury. He pointed to the fumble recovery as a good moment in the comeback, and he also spent time talking through the defenses communication and the way younger players have handled their roles.
With Arkansas coming next, Evans described his preparation as part of the usual weekly grind, the kind of routine that helps him settle back in after missed time. For Utah, the bigger takeaway may be that a veteran defensive voice is back in the mix, and the timing could matter as the Utes keep sorting out depth and execution on that side of the ball. [Read more 🡒]