Utah football: Scrimmage will stress the tempo

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With the season opener at Michigan only weeks away, the Utah Utes continue to work on their own fast tempo.

College programs are adjusting to a 40/25 game clock this season, similar to the one used in the NFL. So far the Utes are handling the change well, quarterback Brian Johnson said.
"Luckily for us we have the clock Nazi in coach Whitt," he said of coach Kyle Whittingham. "He gets that thing going and it's a tremendous advantage for us because it makes things slow down in the game. With such a high tempo in practice the pace of the game comes easy for us."
Stressing the tempo will be a part of Saturday's scrimmage at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The practice is closed to the public.
Saturday's scrimmage will also include a lot of situational work such as 2-minute drills, third down scenarios and special teams work. Many of the starters will get only limited reps along with the third-string players as coaches focus on deciding backup roles and so forth.
"Things are start tightening up at a rapid pace and getting it ready to go," Johnson said.
Running back Matt Asiata rejoined practice Friday and participated in some individual drills after missing the week's earlier sessions with a sprained ankle.
Whittingham estimated Asiata was about 70 percent healthy.



"I didn't think it was as bad as it was when we got it diagnosed," Whittingham said. "It has lingered far longer than I thought. He's a tough kid but still not 100 percent. It's frustrating for him and us. He wants to be out there in the worst way."
The pit had fewer players in it as most who sat out earlier practices this week returned to the field. Backup center Tyler Williams (ankle), receiver Ryan Lacy (shoulder) and Aaron Tonga (knee) remain sidelined.

 

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Camp report: Day 12, Scrimmage


Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said Saturday's scrimmage at Rice-Eccles Stadium was an improvement over the one Tuesday. However, he added that the Utes still have a lot of work to do before the Aug. 30 season opener at Michigan.

"More production on offense is a must," said Whittingham, who isn't sure if Utah's defense is just that good or if the offense simply needs to get better.

The big news of the day involved the latter. Whittingham said that running backs Darrell Mack and Matt Asiata are no long listed on the depth chart as 1 and 1-A. Asiata's lingering ankle sprain, which kept him out of live action Saturday, has allowed Mack to secure the top spot with Asiata as the No. 2.

Mack saw limited action in the situational scrimmage -- netting eight yards on three carries before leaving the field with tightness in his left Achilles. Whittingham acknowledged it's something the staff is watching, but is hopeful it'll be OK with rest over the next couple of days. Mack will likely be held back a bit when camp resumes on Monday.

Sausan Shakerin wound up leading the running backs with 39 yards on seven carries. Ray Stowers had the lone red-zone touchdown, scoring on a 2-yard run.

The only other scores in the 70-snap situational scrimmage came on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Brian Johnson to Bradon Godfrey, a 13-yard fumble recovery by linebacker Nai Fotu and seven field goals -- five by Ben Vroman and two by Louie Sakoda.

Johnson completed 9-of-13 passes for 83 yards and backup Corbin Louks was 7-of-8 for 68 yards. John Peel, Freddie Brown and Jereme Brooks each had four receptions.

Though the offensive line played better than they did in the first scrimmage, the defense still shined overall.

Defensive end Paul Kruger had two sacks and Brandon Burton broke up a pass.

On special teams, Reggie Topps and Zac Eldridge blocked punts.

 

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Louks preparing like starter


Corbin Louks isn't just biding his time as Utah's backup quarterback. He's too busy.

"If you're the No. 2 guy, you've always got to be ready. You've always got to be prepared," Louks said. "You're one play away. You've got to prepare for each and every game like you're going to get in."

With starting quarterback Brian Johnson having battled knee and shoulder problems the past couple of years, Louks is well aware how quickly his role could change.

As a freshman, he played behind Johnson and Tommy Grady ? running a specific offensive package similar to what former Ute star Eric Weddle operated. Louks wound up as the team's third-leading rusher in 2007, racking up 162 yards on 33 carries.

Now that Grady is out of the picture, Louks has moved up the depth chart and his responsibilities have increased. If something happens to Johnson this time around, he is slated to take over.

"He did a great job in his role last year," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "If he's thrust into the position of being the guy, we'd have to see how he responds. My guess is he'd respond very well."

Louks, he added, is much further along than a year ago.


"You never know how a guy is going to perform when the bullets are live," Whittingham said. "You get him in a football game and everybody responds a little differently. Some guys make that transition very well."

Since arriving at Utah, Louks has added 25 pounds and maintained his quickness. The 6-foot, 195-pounder from Danville, Calif., is the third-fastest player on the team. He's got 4.42 speed in the 40 and lot's of determination.

"I'm going to do my best to push the No. 1 guy. I'll make him better, and it'll make the team better. I'm going to prepare each and every week like I may get a shot," Louks said. "So I'm just going to do my best to push Brian and he'll push the team. It'll have a wrinkle effect and just make the team better."

After being pulled out of a planned redshirt year in the third game last season, Louks went on to appear in 10 contests. The bulk of his work came on the ground.

Louks threw just eight passes in his first season of college ball, completing five for 41 yards and two touchdowns.

"He's got a strong arm. We're not trying to hide his arm or trying to conceal something," Whittingham said. "It's just last year as a true freshman his role was to come in and primarily be the quarterback run guy, which he did effectively. It wasn't a case that he can't throw."

At San Ramon Valley High School, Louks earned MVP honors after throwing for 2,489 yards and 28 touchdowns.

"I'm confident in my throwing ability. I'm confident in my receivers and I'm confident in my line. It takes all of us to complete the pass ? not just the quarterback," Louks said. "Even though I ran the ball a lot last year, I still feel like I can throw the ball well."

It's part of the job, he noted.

Louks doesn't dwell on the past or worry about the future. He's firmly entrenched on the present, refusing to even speculate on 2008 and his possible move to the starting job.

"Next year is next year. This year is this year," Louks said.

"I'm focused right now on what I've got to do this year to help the team out in any way I can, push Brian and have him lead the team ? help out wherever the team needs me. When next year comes, next year will come."