Offense rebounds for Utes, defense loses Reggie Porter

(Robert Jackson/KSL.com)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Wednesday's practice for the University of Utah football team was marked with some good news and bad news.

While the offense bounced back from its lackluster performance in yesterday's scrimmage, the defense learned some troubling news that cornerback Reggie Porter will miss the entire 2014 season with a knee injury.

"It is very disappointing," Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham told the media. "He'll have surgery in a couple weeks. It is a big blow."

The injury, which happened during the scrimmage on Tuesday, didn't look too severe at first, but after further evaluation it was determined that he'll have to miss the season.

Porter was projected to be in the mix for one of the starting corner positions for the Utes, listed as a co-starter along with Davion Orphey. While Orphey will slide into the starting role, Whittingham addressed some of the depth issues with some new guys getting a shot at corner.

Safety Brian Allen and wide receiver Dominique Hatfield will get reps at corner. Whittingham added that these players will go "double duty," meaning that existing reps at initial positions won't be limited.

Whittingham also indicated that position changes are in store for DT Sam Tevi, who will be moved to offensive tackle, and TE Wallace Gonzalez will make the move to defensive end.

The good news from today is that the offense bounced back from a poor performance yesterday. Quarterback Travis Wilson and wide receiver Kenneth Scott connected a few times on 40+ yard receptions, and quarterback Kendal Thompson was back to his old self, juking defenders and taking runs consistently to the second level.

While Whittingham was pleased that the Utah offense was running on all cylinders today, he hopes that the same effort will be shown in Saturday's scrimmage.

"The scrimmage is as close to a game as we can simulate. The bottom line is what you can do on game day, and that is the evaluation that we will put the most weight on." Robert Jackson is the cross platform sports and weather producer for ksl.com and KSL-TV. He has covered the Utes for KSL since 2008. You can catch him and co-host Brian Swinney Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. on the Ute Sports Report 1320 KFAN.

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