Scrimmage report
I have some general impressions on the scrimmage in the web update. Some I'm just going to give you some other notes here. Probably the biggest thing to note was coach Kyle Whittingham said he is now considering Darrell Mack the starter since Matt Asiata is still out. I'll have more on that situation in tomorrow's print edition.
Overall Whittingham was pleased with the improvement he saw, but is still frustrated the offense is making too many penalties.
"Production for our offense is a must," he said. "We have to be better on offense."
The offense had trouble moving the ball on the defense again, but part of the challenge might be that the defense is simply that good. Whittingham said it could be a notch above last year's team, particularly with the speed this team has.
"We have upgraded our team speed each and every year the last four years," he said. "Our defense moves very well. We have the fastest set of linebackers since I've been here."
Whittingham believes many of the position battles are being finalized, but will look at the film to know more.
The receivers continue to be an impressive group, with or without Aiona Key. David Reed had just two catches for 11 yards but did work extensively on the special teams. From what we all saw he'll be used there, a duty he welcomes, he said.
"I haven't done it since high school, we had a good returner in junior college, so I'd love to get a shot at it," he said.
Personally, I'd love to see both Reed and Brent Casteel as return men. Some might think that is a stupid thing to do with by exposing them to injury, but I like the idea about being aggressive in special teams, not just simply getting by.
Freshman receiver Luke Matthews got a few looks and at 6-foot-1, 205-pounds is a big target on the field. If Key doesn't get in soon, he could be in the mix to go to Michigan, Whittingham said.
As for Key, Whittingham said he had no news to report, but if he isn't here in the next couple days then he conceded it would probably be the second, third or fourth game until he could be a factor for the Utes.
Whittingham said he was pleased with the efforts of defensive tackles Greg Newman and Kenape Eliapo. Backup Lei Talamaivao is also doing well, but after him there is a dropoff. The Utes need to get Aaron Tonga healthy (strained MCL) to help with the depth and Dave Kruger has to continue to improve, otherwise the Utes don't have many backups who look like they can step in and play right now.
Ben Vroman handled the wind better than Louie Sakoda today, going 5-of-6 in field goal attempts while Sakoda was 2-of-5. I guess Sakoda is allowed one off day in his football career.
The first AP poll is out with both Utah and Michigan in the "others receiving votes" category. BYU is ranked No. 16, a notch above where the coaches put the Cougars in the USA Today coaches poll.
Overall Whittingham was pleased with the improvement he saw, but is still frustrated the offense is making too many penalties.
"Production for our offense is a must," he said. "We have to be better on offense."
The offense had trouble moving the ball on the defense again, but part of the challenge might be that the defense is simply that good. Whittingham said it could be a notch above last year's team, particularly with the speed this team has.
"We have upgraded our team speed each and every year the last four years," he said. "Our defense moves very well. We have the fastest set of linebackers since I've been here."
Whittingham believes many of the position battles are being finalized, but will look at the film to know more.
The receivers continue to be an impressive group, with or without Aiona Key. David Reed had just two catches for 11 yards but did work extensively on the special teams. From what we all saw he'll be used there, a duty he welcomes, he said.
"I haven't done it since high school, we had a good returner in junior college, so I'd love to get a shot at it," he said.
Personally, I'd love to see both Reed and Brent Casteel as return men. Some might think that is a stupid thing to do with by exposing them to injury, but I like the idea about being aggressive in special teams, not just simply getting by.
Freshman receiver Luke Matthews got a few looks and at 6-foot-1, 205-pounds is a big target on the field. If Key doesn't get in soon, he could be in the mix to go to Michigan, Whittingham said.
As for Key, Whittingham said he had no news to report, but if he isn't here in the next couple days then he conceded it would probably be the second, third or fourth game until he could be a factor for the Utes.
Whittingham said he was pleased with the efforts of defensive tackles Greg Newman and Kenape Eliapo. Backup Lei Talamaivao is also doing well, but after him there is a dropoff. The Utes need to get Aaron Tonga healthy (strained MCL) to help with the depth and Dave Kruger has to continue to improve, otherwise the Utes don't have many backups who look like they can step in and play right now.
Ben Vroman handled the wind better than Louie Sakoda today, going 5-of-6 in field goal attempts while Sakoda was 2-of-5. I guess Sakoda is allowed one off day in his football career.
The first AP poll is out with both Utah and Michigan in the "others receiving votes" category. BYU is ranked No. 16, a notch above where the coaches put the Cougars in the USA Today coaches poll.
12:45 PM
| 
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home