Bradlee Anae gives Utes one positive to remember about the Alamo Bowl, becomes all-time sacks leader

Utah Utes defensive end Bradlee Anae (6) greets fans after the Utes’ 35-7 win over the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

SAN ANTONIO — In his final college game, Bradlee Anae made sure to follow one of the final coaching requests he’ll ever get from Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley.

The directive came earlier in the week at an Alamo Bowl press conference when Scalley was responding to a question about the star-studded 2019 class of seniors, which includes his consensus All-American defensive end.

“Bradlee, since the moment he stepped on campus, has had a high motor and a high care factor, and it’s the reason why — are you leading now?” Scalley said, referring to Anae being one-half of a sack away from becoming the Utes’ all-time leader in the category. “Are you the leading sack? ...”

Anae interrupted his coach.

“I need one more,” he said.

Next came the coach’s order.

“Well, get it,” Scalley said. “Geez, let’s do it.”

Anae didn’t wait too long into the bowl game to do just that. Midway through the first quarter, the senior teamed with fellow defensive lineman Leki Fotu to sack Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger for a 3-yard loss.

A moment later, the Alamodome P.A. announcer let the crowd know that the play made Anae the all-time career sacks leader at Utah with 30. He came into the game with 29.5 sacks, which was how many former Ute defender Hunter Dimick tallied during his career from 2013-16. It also was the fourth-most among active FBS players.

With the half-sack, Anae also increased his school record of sack yards to 212. That ranks third among active FBS players.

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