The Utah Utes have their focus set on No. 15 Pitt and nothing else now that fall camp is behind them.
Utah went into its full game mode Monday, taking full advantage of a few extra days to prepare for its season opener against the Panthers on Sept. 2.
Even though the Utes have a few extra days, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said it still may not feel like enough to him.
?You never say, ?OK, we?re ready to go, let?s play,? as a coach,? he said. ?There is always something else to work on.?
Even so, he believes the Utes are on track after he reviewed the tape of Saturday?s scrimmage.
?We?ll find out for sure in about 10 days,? he said. ?You never know until you play someone else, but we made a lot of progress and the mistakes are continuing to be fewer and fewer. We?ll know for sure in about 10 days where we are at.?
Utah?s defense anticipates Pitt will rely on its power run game with sophomore Dion Lewis leading the way.
?It?s a lot like the Alabama game,? Whittingham said of the Sugar Bowl. ?The run game is their bread and butter and you have to be physical and stand toe to toe and slug it out.?
Good impression
The player who perhaps had the best practice Monday was the newcomer, defensive lineman Star Lotulelei, who was allowed to practice for the first time with the Utes on Monday after getting his paperwork finalized.
The 6-foot-4, 330-pound sophomore transfer from Snow College impressed Whittingham.
?He really looked good today,? Whittingham said. ?He is a nice addition to our team.?
Listed third on the depth chart at tackle behind Sealver Siliga and Neli A?asa, Lotulelei could play against Pitt, Whittingham said.
Depth chart moves
The Utes released a new depth chart Monday with several changes, although none is of major impact. Former backup defensive end James Aiono is now Dave Kruger?s backup at tackle along with Latu Heimuli. ? Conroy Black is listed as a co-starter at cornerback along with Lamar Chapman. ? Receiver Reggie Dunn has earned a spot on the kickoff return team along with Shaky Smithson.
Injury report
Linebacker J.J. Williams (foot) is estimated to be out 2-3 weeks while Sausan Shakerin, Victor Spikes and Jamel King are all out indefinitely with concussions. ? Receiver Sean Fitzgerald (hamstring) remains sidelined as well.
Utah went into its full game mode Monday, taking full advantage of a few extra days to prepare for its season opener against the Panthers on Sept. 2.
Even though the Utes have a few extra days, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said it still may not feel like enough to him.
?You never say, ?OK, we?re ready to go, let?s play,? as a coach,? he said. ?There is always something else to work on.?
Even so, he believes the Utes are on track after he reviewed the tape of Saturday?s scrimmage.
?We?ll find out for sure in about 10 days,? he said. ?You never know until you play someone else, but we made a lot of progress and the mistakes are continuing to be fewer and fewer. We?ll know for sure in about 10 days where we are at.?
Utah?s defense anticipates Pitt will rely on its power run game with sophomore Dion Lewis leading the way.
?It?s a lot like the Alabama game,? Whittingham said of the Sugar Bowl. ?The run game is their bread and butter and you have to be physical and stand toe to toe and slug it out.?
Good impression
The player who perhaps had the best practice Monday was the newcomer, defensive lineman Star Lotulelei, who was allowed to practice for the first time with the Utes on Monday after getting his paperwork finalized.
The 6-foot-4, 330-pound sophomore transfer from Snow College impressed Whittingham.
?He really looked good today,? Whittingham said. ?He is a nice addition to our team.?
Listed third on the depth chart at tackle behind Sealver Siliga and Neli A?asa, Lotulelei could play against Pitt, Whittingham said.
Depth chart moves
The Utes released a new depth chart Monday with several changes, although none is of major impact. Former backup defensive end James Aiono is now Dave Kruger?s backup at tackle along with Latu Heimuli. ? Conroy Black is listed as a co-starter at cornerback along with Lamar Chapman. ? Receiver Reggie Dunn has earned a spot on the kickoff return team along with Shaky Smithson.
Injury report
Linebacker J.J. Williams (foot) is estimated to be out 2-3 weeks while Sausan Shakerin, Victor Spikes and Jamel King are all out indefinitely with concussions. ? Receiver Sean Fitzgerald (hamstring) remains sidelined as well.
