Estimated read time: 10-11 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Teams are well into fall camp as the season inches closer. Depth charts are starting to form, and the injury bug is slowly finding its way around the league.
Last week we looked at what was happening with every Pac-12 team. With just two weeks before kickoff, here’s what’s new with each team this preseason:
Arizona
Head coach Kevin Sumlin doesn’t have much time to hammer out the details for the Wildcats before they take on BYU on Sept. 1. Sumlin told reporters he still needs to finish installing the team’s offense and defense, evaluate the depth chart and come up with the best scheme for their first opponent. One thing he did take time to mention was that he’s impressed with his linebackers’ work, saying they are energized and competitive.
Story:Training Camp Notebook: Sumlin, Cats Progressing
While Khalil Tate is the starting quarterback, the race for the backup is still at large. Sumlin said the team’s scrimmage over the weekend was important to see the quarterbacks play in situational football. Who becomes better at decision making will have the No. 2 spot.
Story:Arizona Wildcats coach Kevin Sumlin on backup QB race, standout linebackers
Arizona State
On the second play of the Sun Devils’ first scrimmage of the season, senior safety Tyler Whiley went down with a foot injury. It’s been reported that the hopeful starter broke his right ankle and suffered other foot injuries, forcing him to miss the season. Head coach Herm Edwards told the media that Whiley was “really, really coming on, too.”
Story:ASU football loses senior safety Tyler Whiley for season
In happier news, Edwards surprised defensive lineman Jordan Hoyt during a team meeting, announcing the redshirt junior would receive a full scholarship to Arizona State. Hoyt was asked to speak and shared how he thought the team could strengthen their bond. As he was speaking, the projector showed the news behind him. With his teammates cheering, Hoyt turned around to see what they were excited about. The speechless athlete was then mobbed as he stood in disbelief.
California
To get Cal students to games, the football team helped students move into their dorms after practice earlier this week. The program is trying to erase a “disconnect between some of the students and those on the football team.” Last season, the Bears filled a Pac-12-worst 58.5 percent of its seats. Six of the conference programs filled at least 91 percent of their stadiums in 2017 while Cal and UCLA (60.6 percent) were below 75 percent.
Story:Cal football players trying to get peers to go to Memorial Stadium
Colorado
With Steven Montez undoubtedly Colorado’s starting quarterback, who follows him in the depth chart is the bigger question. Quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper told reporters that sophomore Sam Noyer is “probably a little ahead” of redshirt freshman Tyler Lytle following the Buffs’ scrimmage this weekend. Noyer threw a pair of 50-yard touchdowns and an interception. Lytle didn’t find the end zone but connected with receivers to move the chains.
Story:Colorado Buffaloes backup quarterback battle continues
Colorado announced freshman linebacker Clyde Moore decided to leave the football team to return home “for personal/family reasons.” In the first week of camp, assistant coach Ross Els told media that he was a very physical player and making a good impression. The California native is expected to transfer elsewhere, and the program said he will not enroll in classes this fall. Moore was the inside linebacker for the Buffs’ 2018 recruiting class. The team, however, has freshman Jake Yurachek on the roster as a walk-on.
Story:Freshman LB Moore leaves CU Buffs football team
Oregon
The Ducks are feeling much better than they were this time last year, and it showed in their first scrimmage held over the weekend. With positive energy, both Oregon’s offense and defense had some good takeaways. Quarterback Justin Herbert started the day leading the No. 1 offense to a pair of touchdowns. The defense was able to break up passes and force three-and-outs.
Story:Football Practice Report: Aug. 12
Throughout the years, Oregon and trendy uniforms have become synonymous. The Ducks revealed their updated threads for the season on social media Wednesday. The new jerseys aren’t as wild as ones in years past, and the most noticeable change is the use of oversized numbers.
Oregon State
In a race to find a starting quarterback, the Beavers added junior college transfer Jack Colletto among senior Jake Luton and sophomore Conor Blount to the conversation. Colletto took about half of the snaps among three quarterbacks earlier this week. Some of those snaps were with the first-team offense. When and who coaches will announce their starter has yet to be determined.
Stanford
Now that the quarterbacks are healthy, the Cardinal is now working on rehabbing its offensive line. Stanford was unable to put together two sets of five for its first scrimmage, forcing the team to constantly rotate players to keep them rested.
Story:What did we learn from Stanford’s scrimmage Sunday?
UCLA
The Bruins are having a difficult time doing one of the most fundamental motions in football — snapping the ball. Consistency is reportedly the biggest issue while the team learns a new offense. Offensive line coach Justin Frye has asked his guards to learn how to play center in hopes UCLA can fix the issue.
Story:In this case, Bruins want to actually snap
USC
JT Daniels looked “comfortable” and ready for game day during the Trojans’ first scrimmage. He looked ready on paper, too — completing 10-of-12 passes for four touchdowns. Head coach Clay Helton insists that he’s not ready to name a starting quarterback yet, but with Daniels’ precision, strength and confidence, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the true freshman under center on Sept. 1.
Story:Go ahead and believe the hype — USC’s JT Daniels shows he’s ready to start at quarterback
Helton’s biggest takeaway from last year’s Cotton Bowl game against Ohio State was the Buckeyes’ ability to move their defensive linemen in and out consistently using a two-deep roster. The coach wants to match that strategy this season, keeping his guys fresh when it matters the most in a game. He started having the Trojans do two seven-on-seven or 11-on-11 drills at the same time. Helton told reporters his “two spotting” method allows the second and third team athletes more reps to learn from, which will be evaluated once the season draws closer.
Story:USC will be ready with fresh legs by using two spotting
Utah
The Utes’ receiving corps was one of the bigger question marks heading into the preseason. What they’ve shown in camp has exceeded expectations, giving the coaches what they want — a rotation of seven to eight players. Led by Siaosi Mariner, Utah’s receivers Britain Covey and Demari Simpkins are showing their talents at slot (outside as well for Simpkins). Bronson Boyd, Bryan Thompson and Samson Nacua are also proving to be threats as well.
Story:Receivers making good progress; depth chart coming together for Utah football
Former BYU linebacker Francis Bernard finally found a new team with Utah. The official announcement came on Monday after Bernard was held out of the 2017 season at BYU for “personal reasons.” He has two years of eligibility and can immediately play.
Story:Utes add former BYU linebacker Francis Bernard to program
Washington
The Huskies are eager to improve from their league-worst ranking in field-goal conversions. Improvements seem to be in the making as they’re relying on leftie Peyton Henry who drilled a 51-yard field goal earlier this week. The big kick reportedly could have been good enough from about 60 yards.
Story:Impressions from Day 11 of Huskies’ fall camp: Peyton Henry drills 51-yard field goal
Quarterback Jake Browning led Washington’s offense on a 99-yard drive for a touchdown in 22 plays during Monday’s practice. After a sack, which set up third-and-10 from the 1-yard line, Browning’s experience showed as he patiently found a receiver for an 11-yard gain. The offense used both weapons on the ground and in the air to eventually move the chains to the other side of the field.
Story:Impressions from Day 10 of Huskies’ fall camp: Jake Browning leads way on 99-yard TD drive
Washington State
Graduate transfer quarterback Gardner Minshew is starting to shine as he gets more reps. He finished 8-of-10 passes with three touchdowns in his first 11-on-11 series. His leadership is also hard to miss as he’s vocally one of the loudest on the field as he helps the offense move the chains.
Linebacker Kendrick Catis and safety Dylan Axelson are no longer with the Washington State football team. It’s unclear why either player left the program, but the duo was participating in fall camp.
Story:Linebacker Kendrick Catis, safety Dylan Axelson leave Washington State football team
