Utah's rebuilt offensive line leans on a 'chop wood, carry water' approach

Utah's offensive line, which replaced all five starters this season, has leaned on a "chop wood, carry water" mantra from first-year line coach Jordan Gross, the Deseret News reported. Gross had the group read "Chop Wood Carry Water" by Joshua Medcalf during fall camp, and he said he reminds players every week that success comes from repeating the same process. "It's harder to do than people can realize," he said. ^[1]

The Utes lost two NFL first-round tackles from last year's line and also had to replace longtime line coach Jim Harding. Gross, who came to Utah after coaching his high school alma mater in Fruitland, Idaho, is in his first season as a college coach. Two weeks ago the group won the Big 12's weekly offensive line award. ^[1]

Left tackle Zereoue Williams has anchored the line and drawn NFL draft interest. Utah settled on a starting five of Williams, freshman Kelvin Obot, Alex Harrison, Keith Olson and Cedric Jefferson, a Montana State transfer. All but Obot are seniors, but Jefferson is the only one who had full-time starting experience before this season. ^[1]

Against Colorado, quarterback Devon Dampier was pressured 14 times and sacked three times, and the Utes struggled to run the ball consistently before the line improved in the fourth quarter. Obot was injured early in that game, and ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Wednesday that he will miss Saturday's game. Senior Solatoa Moea'i, who has 43 career games and 11 starts, is expected to fill in. ^[1]

Gross said the second half of the schedule is "loaded with quality opponents" and that defenses increasingly are bringing pressure, including Houston this week. Coach Morgan Scalley said he was pleased with how the line responded after Obot's injury. ^[1]