Utes’ defense celebrates its dwindling numbers

(Rick Bowmer | The Associated Press) Utah defensive end Mika Tafua (42) tackles California running back Christopher Brown Jr. (34) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Salt Lake City.The numbers are getting smaller and smaller, and that’s making Leti Fotu’s smile wider and wider.

Fotu, Utah football’s 6-foot-5, 335-pound slab of a defensive tackle, grinned when he heard the Utes had held Cal to a total of 83 yards of offense Saturday during a 35-0 victory over the Golden Bears at Rice-Eccles Stadium. It was the first shutout Utah has recorded in Pac-12 play since joining the conference in 2011.

Fotu’s smile really opened up, though, when he learned…