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ST. GEORGE — Final season was a tough one for the Trailblazers in this system’s first full slate of video games as a Division I program, however head coach Paul Peterson is keen to push his group to the subsequent stage.

Utah Tech, the college previously often known as Dixie State, received just one sport within the 2021 season. And never solely did they battle with accidents to a few of their key gamers, the Trailblazers additionally had a brutal schedule that featured seven FCS playoff groups. However Peterson is anticipating extra consistency from his gamers now that they’ve had a style in opposition to among the prime expertise within the sport.

“That is what we needed,” Peterson stated. “We performed the groups which can be the highest notch on the FCS stage, and we had been shut. A few of the video games had been actually shut after which they received away from us just a little bit. We have the fitting guys. If we maintain growing then we may be there.”

After having that useful expertise in opposition to higher-level groups, the 2022 Trailblazers ought to look a lot improved from a yr in the past. Let’s check out what may be anticipated from their roster.

Offense

Utah Tech has not named a beginning quarterback, which is one thing they appear to resolve throughout fall camp. The battle is between final yr’s starter in Kobe Tracy, Hawaii switch Boone Abbott and Washington State switch Victor Gabalis. Peterson stated that even after they resolve on a starter, the opposite two quarterbacks should see some motion.

Utah Tech returns Quali Conley at operating again, who seemed good within the 2021 spring season when he ran for 400 yards and 4 touchdowns on 83 carries. Within the fall, Conley took a backseat as different gamers returned from damage; the backfield appears to be all his in 2022.

One participant Peterson stated he is excited to have wholesome once more is Deven Osborne. The 6-foot-7 receiver injured his hamstring within the group’s first sport final fall and was not capable of return to full well being in the course of the yr.

“We have a very good chief in Deven,” Peterson stated. “He is simply phenomenal. He is wholesome and able to go, so we anticipate him stepping up.”

Alongside Osborne shall be a bunch of different gifted gamers, together with Rickie Johnson and Michael Moten, final season’s second- and third-leading receivers. Tight ends Jay Mceuen and freshman Eric Olsen may additionally play a giant function.

Within the trenches, the Trailblazers return all 5 offensive linemen. Ty Hyde and Bayo Kannike are the beginning tackles, whereas Nathen Aceves, Walter Pongia and David Shinn will play on the inside. Peterson likes the depth they added to the road, so there might be another names that step up and make an influence.

Protection

Security Tyrell Grayson, who led the group in tackles in 2021 with 103 throughout 11 video games whereas additionally including two interceptions, and linebacker Will Leota had been the lone Trailblazers named to the WAC Preseason All-Convention group final season.

“He reveals up and he’s a positive tackler,” Peterson stated of Grayson. “He performed just a little bit injured, he wasn’t 100% and he was nonetheless capable of be as productive as he was. He has all of the instruments to proceed to develop and he’s going to proceed to make performs within the again finish for positive.”

Leota was a giant contributor as a real freshman final season; and despite the fact that he was just a little undersized in his first collegiate season, he possesses a real “knack for the ball,” in response to Peterson. Over the summer season he added extra weight and is able to construct upon a formidable freshman yr.

Darrius Nash is among the few veteran gamers for Utah Tech, and he types a formidable security tandem within the again finish with Grayson. Colby Williams and Devyn Perkins will spherical out the secondary at nook.

Linebacker Malaki Malaki is one other playmaker to look at for at linebacker. As a group captain, he is among the most vocal leaders on the group. He is additionally very productive on the sector, and completed second on the group in tackles whereas main the group in tackles for loss.

Alongside the line of defense, redshirt senior Dylan Hendrickson, who already has his grasp’s diploma in accounting, is among the mainstays at defensive finish. Just like the offensive line, the Trailblazers added plenty of younger gamers they’re anticipating to rotate and contribute straight away.

Outlook

The Trailblazers took a giant soar in competitors final yr once they made the transfer to Division I, however Peterson needed his younger gamers to get as a lot expertise as they may straight away. That is nonetheless a younger group, however they need to fare lots higher now that they’ve a greater really feel for the extent of play.

One enjoyable matchup shall be Utah Tech’s home-and-home collection in opposition to new convention rival Southern Utah. The Thunderbirds are inside an hour’s drive away from St. George and determine to type a heated rivalry in all sports activities. Already scheduled to play as soon as in 2022, the groups added a further sport after the College of the Incarnate Phrase left the WAC over the summer season.

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