Utah’s coaches call it “star coverage,” a scheme made famous when former Ute defensive back Eric Weddle shut down Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson in a 2005 bowl victory.
In Saturday's episode, Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson played the role of Weddle against Oregon receiver Dillon Mitchell, just in time to preserve the Utes' 32-25 victory at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Johnson's breakup of quarterback Justin Herbert's short pass intended for Mitchell on a fourth-and-5 play at the Utah 45-yard line halted Oregon's drive with 4:39 remaining. The Ute offense managed to kill all but the last 15 seconds, before Matt Gay kicked his sixth field goal of the game.