SALT LAKE CITY — A win is a win.

And for Utah, a win over in-state rival Utah State was enough. But the win came at a cost and it looks like the Utes still have some ways to go before they're ready for Pac-12 play.

The following are some instant impressions of Utah's 24-14 win over Utah State.

Britain Covey is everything

Freshman Britain Covey is the real deal, at least in the first two weeks of play. He may not be the biggest player on the field, but that doesn't stop him from being one of the best playmakers on Utah's offense.

Despite sustaining a hard targeting hit in the first quarter, Covey bounced back and was integral in Utah's win. Covey finished the game with 61 receiving yards — the team's leading receiver by far — and a 37-yard punt return that showed a glimpse of what he can do on special teams. Covey's quickness and ability to make defenders miss will likely give him the edge in special teams this year as well as one of Utah's best targets on offense.

Covey may just be Utah's "next man up" to fill the hole in the return game left by Kaelin Clay. And he's certainly the best option in the receiving game at this point in the year.

Injuries detrimental to Utah's success

No injury is ever good. It's part of the sport, but even worse when it's an integral player on the team. Defensive end Hunter Dimick was forced to watch the game in his street clothes after hurting his left knee early in the game. Dimick came into the season as one of the best defenders on the team and someone expected to put a lot of pressure on opposing offenses. Fortunately for Utah, Kylie Fitts filled in well and finished with five total tackles.

While losing Dimick hurts, losing Travis Wilson could hurt the team the most. In only two games, Wilson has looked composed and impressive in the pocket, commanding the offense and taking charge. Additionally, he's currently the most proven of all the quarterbacks on the team. While Kendal Thompson managed well in the remainder of the game and moved the chains, he wasn't a deep threat and kept the offense somewhat one-dimensional.

Long term it's hard to know how these injuries will impact Utah's success. Kyle Whittingham said after the game that he didn't expect either injury to be season-ending, but that more would be known at a later time. Wilson and Dimick are likely Utah's best options moving forward, but the team may be forced to alter their game plan depending on how long the two are out.

Special teams is 'average'

Whittingham said after the game that special teams this year is "average." And I would have to agree with him. While Utah fans have come to love Tom Hackett and Andy Phillips, there hasn't been a good showing from either of them that gives Utah an advantage in the first two games.

Hackett has been serviceable this season, but hasn't nailed a punt with the same pizazz as last season. Although he hasn't hurt the team and overall the punting has been decent, it hasn't been anything that has excelled.

Phillips, too, has struggled to make his mark this year. He did hit a 37-yard field goal to put Utah up by 10 late in the game, but kicked the ball out of bounds once and missed on a squib kick on Utah's opening kickoff. While it's still too early to worry, Phillips has some ways to go to get back to his previous success.

And despite Covey's one 39-yard return, there hasn't been much production in the return game. I saw this knowing full well there hasn't been a lot of opportunities, but you've got to maximize them when they appear. Pac-12 opponents aren't going to make it any easier on Utah.

No more 'Sack Lake City'

Utah did get its first sack of the season, with Pita Taumoepenu forcing Chuckie Keeton to fumble the ball, but there's not the same presence around this year's defensive front seven. Are they as physical as last year? Yes. Are they as talented? Yes. But Utah is missing some blitz packages that force the offensive line to break down.

Utah State's offensive line did a great job of keeping Utah's defense under wraps and helping Chuckie Keeton with some time. Keeton is shifty in the pocket and difficult to contain, but not impossible to get, as was shown last week when Utah State played Southern Utah. Utah is close and the sacks should eventually come, but losing Dimick isn't necessarily going to help.

Utah does, however, have a knack for the interceptions this year, pulling down five in its first two games of the season. Is Sack Lake City changing to something else — Interception Lake City just doesn't have the same ring to it.

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