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SALT LAKE CITY — It has been a while since one coach has had more of an immediate impact on a program than co-offensive coordinator Dennis Erickson has had on Utah football this spring.
Both the Red and White team offenses put on quite a show show Saturday as the White team edged out the Red team 35-28 during the annual Red and White game Saturday in front of a rain drenched 8,537 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The Red and White offenses seemed to score at will in the first quarter, taking the first five combined drives 65 yards for touchdowns.
"(Dennis Erickson) has adjusted the tempo of the offense, he's simplified what we're doing, and he's added some elements that have been good additions--mainly utilizing the running backs in the throw game a bit more and simplifying the run game," Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said after the scrimmage. "There's not a whole lot of variation from one team to another team that runs the spread, but just those subtle changes can make a big difference."
The White team, quarterbacked by sophomore Travis Wilson, methodically marched down the field on a 14-play drive that featured eight runs by James Poole, who finished with 65 rushing yards while adding 49 receiving yards. Running back Karl Williams punched it in from two yards out to put the White team up 7-0. Williams finished with 108 yards on 19 carries and three touchdowns.
"The offensive line has been night and day compared to last year," Whittingham said. "The main reason is Dan Finn has done a great job coaching them, they've worked their tails off in the offseason, and we've been able to have some continuity in the spring without any injuries. We had 17 guys in spring camp without any days missed, and I can't ever remember that being the case."
The Red team quickly answered as quarterback Adam Schulz connected with Dres Anderson for a long 57 yard bomb that set up a eight yard TD run by Lucky Radley.
All Utah running backs had a great scrimmage, with projected starter Kelvin York adding 79 yards on 13 carries.
Delshawn McClellon lead all receivers with 102 yards on four catches, Kenneth Scott added 97 yards on five catches and Dres Anderson had 71 yards on three catches.
Both Travis Wilson and Adam Schulz had a good scrimmage. Wilson finished 13-17 for 210 yards and 2 TDs, while Schulz went 9-20 for 245 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT.
The Utes open their 2013 season on Thursday, Aug. 29 against Utah State at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
