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SALT LAKE CITY — With nine days to go before Utah’s season opener against Idaho State, the offense is starting to take shape as the team feels more comfortable with the increased tempo and individual roles.
Quarterbacks Travis Wilson and Kendal Thompson both had a decent day Tuesday, with few drops despite the day’s rain. Although Dres Anderson and Kenneth Scott continue to have good showings, newly named starter Tim Patrick and Kenric Young were standouts on the offense.
Young caught a few deep passes Tuesday, including a 40-yard-plus pass to the end zone over sophomore Mo Talley.
“We were throwing the ball efficiently today, lot of competitions,” head coach Kyle Whittingham said. “There were very few balls on the ground, which is what you need to see. If we’re going to be good on offense we need to be good at pitch and catch consistently.”
Smaller tight end role?
There has been a lot of speculation coming into the season that a Dave Christensen offense will not utilize the tight end position much. And it looks like that may be the case, according to Whittingham.
“There’s not as many two tight end formations this year, at least not yet,” he said. “But they’re still an integral part of what we’re doing. Westlee Tonga is a great athlete and we expect him to catch a bunch of balls for us this year.”
We were throwing the ball efficiently today, lot of competitions. There were very few balls on the ground, which is what you need to see. If we're going to be good on offense we need to be good at pitch and catch consistently.
–Kyle Whittingham
Last season Utah utilized — when healthy — a two tight end package with Jake Murphy and Tonga. When utilized, Murphy and Tonga were valuable assets for the offense. This season, Tonga remains the No. 1 target, with Siale Fakailoatonga as the projected backup. Both have had their moments early on in the fall camp, but their role has diminished as camp has progressed.
Running back by committee
On Monday, Whittingham said he hopes the Idaho State game will lead to some natural separation for the running backs. He further clarified his statement Tuesday, saying it’s not a major issue as long as the team is getting the production it needs in the run game.
“I don’t think it matters really anyway,” Whittingham said. “If someone does step forward and separates themselves, that person will get the majority of the reps. But as long as we’re getting numbers in the rushing game, 50 yards from each of the three or 150 from one guy, it doesn’t really matter as long as we’re getting production.”
Whittingham said he sees Devontae Booker as the one back who could easily separate himself from the pack as a natural back.
“Devontae Booker is the guy that probably has shown the most of that,” he said. “They all three bring something to the table. Troy (McCormick) is a home run back, Bubba (Poole) does everything well and Booker is probably the most natural with the ball in his hands.”
Notes
Despite the depth chart saying Hunter Dimick and Jason Fanaika will split reps at left defensive end, Whittingham said Dimick is the starter. He said there will not be a set rotation, but Fanaika will likely see about a third of the reps. … Whittingham hopes to have linebacker Gionni Paul back by the Michigan game and linebacker Jacoby Hale by midseason; however, he’s unsure how quickly they’ll be put back into the starting lineup. … Dominique Hatfield will continue to get reps on both sides of the ball and will likely play both sides in games. Whittingham said it will be that way unless he is clearly more effective on one side of the ball.
