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The University of Utah Athletics
Spring Practice: First Day in Pads
3/5/2020 6:52 PM | Football
Third Practice of the Week and First Practice in Pads
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utes wrapped up a spirited third practice and the first practice in full pads of the spring on Thursday afternoon at the Eccles Practice Fields.
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This was their final practice before taking a week off for spring break. After taking next week off, the Utes will have 12 more practices this spring concluding with the spring game on Saturday, April 11 at 11 a.m.
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All practices are open to the public.
ÂGallery: (3/5/2020) Spring Football Day 3
Voices from Practice
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
How did the first day in pads go?
It was really good, particularly from the offensive perspective. That's what you would expect. We've got nine returning starters on offense, so there is a lot of continuity coming back. Defense there is a lot of new faces. It's a complete revamping of the defense so it's to be expected the offense is ahead of the defense right now. Second year into the offense helps out as well, where last year we were installing. That being the case, it's what we expected and hopefully the defense will get better and better as the spring goes on.
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What did you like about the offense today?
Execution. We had very few mental mistakes. The two-minute drill we did at the end is probably the best two-minute drill we've done as an initial two-minute drill in the spring or the fall. It was very clean. We were fitting up the run game really well blocking wise, so there were a lot of positives.
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How's Jake Bentley assimilating himself with the offense?
Good. He's still behind the other two as far as the command of the offense, but he's closing the gap and he needs every rep he can get and he's making the most of those reps.
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Britain Covey looks back doesn't he?
Covey is back. He looks as quick and fast as ever without the brace, and we're looking for him to have a big year.
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How much more dynamic does the offense get with Covey?
A lot more dynamic. Not only on offense, but on special teams. He's one of the best punt returners and kickoff returners in the country. He just gives us another weapon, and we missed him last year.
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Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Morgan Scalley
How is it with so many new faces on defense?
I love it. It's what we get paid to do is develop these guys. We're going to find out what kind of teachers we are. I love our staff and their work ethic and mentality. I really like the mentality of these players, but right now it's about alignment, assignment football and getting tougher mentally and physically. Fatigue will make cowards of us all, and when you put the pads on it adds ten more pounds you're running with. You have to run, hit and show up, and we find out who is who and what is what.
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What did you see from some of the newcomers in their first day of pads?
We'll watch the film. For me, it's about energy and we didn't have enough of it. It's about toughness and we didn't have enough of it. That's on us as coaches. We have to get them going and have leadership show up. There are definitely some good things that are happening. I love the attention to detail and people paying attention on the sideline. We have a young group and they can't waste a rep. When they're on the sideline they need to be stealing reps and they have a great mentality for that. We're excited. We love this.
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When you lose so many guys, do you bring guys along as far as leaders are concerned or does it usually take care of itself?
You have to teach them everything from alignment, assignment, technique, how to eat, how to sleep, just everything. That's our job as coaches. We recruit them into our program, and we have to develop them and manage so we'll find out how good of coaches and teachers we are.
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ÂSpring Ball Day 3 pic.twitter.com/Iqe4lX0W3j
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) March 6, 2020
This was their final practice before taking a week off for spring break. After taking next week off, the Utes will have 12 more practices this spring concluding with the spring game on Saturday, April 11 at 11 a.m.
Â
All practices are open to the public.
Â
Voices from Practice
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
How did the first day in pads go?
It was really good, particularly from the offensive perspective. That's what you would expect. We've got nine returning starters on offense, so there is a lot of continuity coming back. Defense there is a lot of new faces. It's a complete revamping of the defense so it's to be expected the offense is ahead of the defense right now. Second year into the offense helps out as well, where last year we were installing. That being the case, it's what we expected and hopefully the defense will get better and better as the spring goes on.
Â
What did you like about the offense today?
Execution. We had very few mental mistakes. The two-minute drill we did at the end is probably the best two-minute drill we've done as an initial two-minute drill in the spring or the fall. It was very clean. We were fitting up the run game really well blocking wise, so there were a lot of positives.
Â
How's Jake Bentley assimilating himself with the offense?
Good. He's still behind the other two as far as the command of the offense, but he's closing the gap and he needs every rep he can get and he's making the most of those reps.
Â
Britain Covey looks back doesn't he?
Covey is back. He looks as quick and fast as ever without the brace, and we're looking for him to have a big year.
Â
How much more dynamic does the offense get with Covey?
A lot more dynamic. Not only on offense, but on special teams. He's one of the best punt returners and kickoff returners in the country. He just gives us another weapon, and we missed him last year.
Â
Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Morgan Scalley
How is it with so many new faces on defense?
I love it. It's what we get paid to do is develop these guys. We're going to find out what kind of teachers we are. I love our staff and their work ethic and mentality. I really like the mentality of these players, but right now it's about alignment, assignment football and getting tougher mentally and physically. Fatigue will make cowards of us all, and when you put the pads on it adds ten more pounds you're running with. You have to run, hit and show up, and we find out who is who and what is what.
Â
What did you see from some of the newcomers in their first day of pads?
We'll watch the film. For me, it's about energy and we didn't have enough of it. It's about toughness and we didn't have enough of it. That's on us as coaches. We have to get them going and have leadership show up. There are definitely some good things that are happening. I love the attention to detail and people paying attention on the sideline. We have a young group and they can't waste a rep. When they're on the sideline they need to be stealing reps and they have a great mentality for that. We're excited. We love this.
Â
When you lose so many guys, do you bring guys along as far as leaders are concerned or does it usually take care of itself?
You have to teach them everything from alignment, assignment, technique, how to eat, how to sleep, just everything. That's our job as coaches. We recruit them into our program, and we have to develop them and manage so we'll find out how good of coaches and teachers we are.
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QB
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