When Utah opens its second season as a member of the Pac-12, the Utes will do so without the services of a key contributor in its secondary.
Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham announced Monday that safety Brian Blechen has been suspended for the first three games of the 2012 season. Other than the standard “violation of unspecified team rules,” no reason for the disciplinary action was given by Whittingham.
The suspension means the junior defensive back will miss games against Northern Colorado, Utah State and BYU.
As a sophomore in 2011, Blechen played in all 13 games last season, starting one of those contests. He finished third on the team in tackles with 78 and tied for second on the team with three interceptions, earning honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors.
Coming out of spring practice, Blechen was the Utes’ starter at strong safety.
