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The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Football Prepares for Spring Camp
6/21/1999 12:00 AM | Football
March 26, 1998
The Utah football team will open its spring drills on Thurs., April 2 at the Thomas Kearns McCarthey Practice Field. The spring session will run through April 29, with 15 total days of training. There are three Saturday scrimmages scheduled, including the designated "final spring scrimmage" on April 25 at 10 a.m.
The Utes kick off their spring drills with three days of "no pads" training. Over the five-week training period, Utah will practice every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, as well as two Mondays (April 6 and 27). Most weekday practices will run from 3-5 p.m. (exception is April 2, which is from 10 a.m.-noon). Saturday workouts are scheduled for 10 a.m.-noon. A complete schedule can be found on page 3 of this release.
WEATHERED IN The Utes shouldn't be affected by bad weather this spring. Although they will practice outside under most weather conditions, severe rain or snow will precipitate a move inside the Bubble. The Bubble is located just south of the Dee Glen Smith Center.
SATURDAY SCRIMMAGES The Utes will run controlled scrimmages each Saturday except the opener on April 4. Unless noted otherwise, scrimmages will be held from 10 a.m.-noon at the Thomas Kearns McCarthey Practice Field, located behind the Smith Center. The final scrimmage will be held on April 25.
CHECK THE TIME Practice times may vary from the attached schedule. Call the sports information office (581-3511/3510) for daily practice time updates.
BY THE NUMBERS Utah returns 45 lettermen and 17 starters from last year's 6-5, Western Athletic Conference Mountain Division runner-up. Seven starters, including two quarterbacks that split time, return on offense. Ten starters are back for the defense, as are both the starting punter and kicker. Utah lost 17 lettermen to graduation, among those eight starters. The offense lost eight first-teamers, the defense three and the kicking game none. The offense was hardest hit by graduation, losing first-team all-WAC wide receiver Kevin Dyson and first-team offensive lineman Danny Davis.
ALL-WAC ATTACK Six all-WAC members will suit up in 1998 for the Utes; among those first-team all-WAC linebacker Phil Glover and first-team defensive lineman Pene Talamaivao. Utes on the 1997 all-WAC second team are: punter Chris Hunter, defensive back Robert Love and offensive lineman Nathan Sybrowsky. Honorable mention all-WAC returnees are wide receiver Daniel Jones and defensive lineman Mike Thomas.
HEAD COACH RON MCBRIDE Head Coach Ron McBride is gearing up for his ninth year at the helm of the Ute program. He is already the second-winningest coach in the 105-year history of football on the Hill, with a 55-39 record (also his career record). McBride, who has taken Utah to four bowl games in the last six years--a school record--also has one WAC championship to his credit (1995). Last year's 6-5 record marked Utah's fifth-straight winning season and its seventh-straight .500 or better campaign. McBride's teams have won at least six games in each of the last seven years, averaging seven wins per year. His Utah teams have beaten arch-rival Brigham Young four times in the last five years, something last accomplished almost 30 years ago (1968-71). In 1994, he led Utah to the best record (10-2) and final national ranking (No. 9) in school history.
STAFF MOVES Some off-season moves have changed the look of the Utah football staff. Fred Whittingham, Utah's defensive coordinator from 1992-94, is returning to the fold as linebacker coach. Whittingham has most recently been defensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders. Kyle Whittingham, Utah's defensive coordinator, will also coach the safeties--a change from last year when he had the linebackers. Tommy Lee, Utah's quarterback coach since 1995, will keep those duties in his move to offensive coordinator. Fred Graves, Utah's offensive coordinator since 1995, will now be assistant head coach and wide receiver coach. A complete list of Utah's full-time coaching staff for 1998 and their responsibilities can be found below.
1998 UTE COACHING STAFF Head Coach: Ron McBride (San Jose State, 1964) Ass't. Head Coach/Receivers: Fred Graves (Utah, 1971) Defensive Coordinator/Safeties: Kyle Whittingham (Brigham Young, 1984) Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks: Tommy Lee (Williamette, 1963) Running Backs/Special Teams: Sean McNabb (UC-Riverside, 1972) Offensive Line: Don Eck (Utah, 1983) Cornerbacks: Jugi Hogue (San Jose State, 1973) Linebackers: Fred Whittingham (Cal Poly-SLO, 1963) Defensive Ends: Steve Kaufusi (Brigham Young, 1994) Defensive Tackles: Gary Andersen (Utah, 1986)
PERSONNEL PICTURE Offensive Starters Returning (7): Darnell Arceneaux*, QB (6-1, 187, So.); Boo Bendinger, WR (6-0, 222, Jr.); Josh Cochran, OL (6-5, 307, Sr.); Jonathan Crosswhite*, QB (6-2, 210, Sr.); Daniel Jones, WR (5-11, 182, Sr.); Nathan Sybrowsky, OL (6-4, 327, Sr.); Darren Walker, OL (6-3, 295, Sr.). Defensive Starters Returning (10): Kimball Christianson, DB (6-3, 209, So.); Teneil Ethridge, DB (5-10, 188, Jr.); Phil Glover, LB (6-0, 237, Sr.); Taulia Lave*, LB (6-1, 255, Jr.); Robert Love, DB (5-9, 203, Sr.); Everestt Matagi, DE (6-3, 241, Jr.); Dicky Purcell, LB (6-1, 238, Sr.); Cyrus Satoafaiga*, LB (6-0, 251, Sr.); Pene Talamaivao, DT (6-4, 313, Sr.); Mike Thomas, DT (6-1, 303, Sr.). Specialist Starters Returning (2): Chris Hunter, P/K (6-5, 232, So.); Tommy Truhe, K (5-11, 201, Jr.).
*Split starting duties
WATCH THESE GUYS Utah is stocked with honor candidates on both sides of the ball. Players to watch this spring: linebacker Phil Glover (6-0, 237, Sr.)--1997 first-team all-WAC linebacker was Utah's defensive MVP ... squats 522 pounds, benches 432 pounds, 4.38 40 speed, 38" vertical jump; wide receiver Daniel Jones (5-11, 182, Sr.)--1997 honorable mention all-WAC despite injury shortened season ... Ute Offensive Newcomer of the Year ... 4.40 40 speed, 36" vertical jump; defensive back Robert Love--1996-97 second-team all-WAC ... Utah's tackle leader last two years; punter Chris Hunter (6-5, 232, So.)--1997 second-team all-WAC ... won AT&T Long Distance Award for 80-yard punt against Tulsa ... Utah's special teams MVP.
OUT FOR THE SPRING Two key players will miss spring ball with injuries, while several others will be limited. Out until fall are: all-WAC defensive lineman Pene Talamaivao (foot surgery on Feb. 9) and second-team all-WAC offensive lineman Nathan Sybrowsky (knee injury). Some other regulars will be limited by injuries. They are: punter Chris Hunter (back), defensive lineman John Frank (groin), defensive back Brandon Dart (knee), offensive lineman Luis Park (knee), linebacker Howard Christianson (elbow), defensive lineman Richard Seals(ankle), offensive lineman Steve McKane (scapula) and tight end Dirk Christoffersen (ankle).
AT THE CONTROLS Sophomore quarterback Darnell Arceneaux (6-1, 187) goes into the spring as Utah's starter. Arceneaux started the last two games of 1997, leading Utah to wins over Rice and BYU. Still in the running is senior QB Jonathan Crosswhite (6-2, 210). Crosswhite started the first nine games of 1997 before giving way to Arceneaux.
REDSHIRTS RETURN The following is a list of Utes who redshirted last season that will play this year: Charles Bungert, OL; Brad Burnett, DB; Matt Comins, K; T.D. Crowshaw, QB; Patrick Dyson, RB; Thomas Fortune, RB; Devin Grant, OL; Tony Hingano, DL; Todd Hourigan, LB; C.J. Johnson, TE; Andy Kassotis, TE; Doug Kaufusi, OL; Ryan Lewis, OL; Luis Park, OL; Ronnie Price, DT; Scott Price, Te; Michael Richardson, OL; Courtney Richins, WR; Adam Smith, LB; Kevin Wilson, OL.
OFF A MISSION Making their first appearance at Utah's spring football camp after signing with the Utes back in 1995 are these returned missionaries: Brad Burtenshaw, WR; Sheldon Deckart, LB; Tony Dickamore, TE; Joel Gines, QB; Kautai Olevao, LB.
MCBRIDE SAYS
About the Newcomers: "We'll take a good look at some new guys and redshirts this spring. (Wide receiver) Clifford Russell and (defensive end) Bobby Enosa should make an immediate impact. Having (redshirts) C.J. Johnson, Omar Bacon and Thomas Fortune available will make our spring drills very competitive. (Defensive back) Jay Hill is going to compete for a starting position right off the bat. So is Bobby Enosa and redshirt Tony Hingano."
About the Quarterback Situation: "Darnell (Arceneaux) is the starter, followed by Jonathan (Crosswhite). Darnell won the job at the end of last year, but he'll need to win it again this spring. Darnell is the guy, but Jonathan is a legitimate challenger."
How Utah Looks: "We're going into the spring in excellent physical condition. In comparison to other years, this was one of our best in terms of winter conditioning and attitude. For the most part, guys did what they were supposed to do."
About Utah's Coaching Changes: "Fred Whittingham is the best teacher that we could hire. There's not a better teacher of the game than Fred. He also adds toughness and experience to the program. He really adds to our defensive ability ... (on offense) Tommy Lee and Fred Graves have changed roles slightly. Tommy is more in charge of day to day operations now, but Fred is still in charge of the discipline.
All we're trying to do on the offensive side is become more efficient. In the spring I'm going to coach the offensive tackles and the tight ends in the running game. Fred (Graves) will coach the tight ends in the passing game. We're going to train (graduate assistant) Cecil Thomas to coach the tight ends this spring. We're taking our time hiring another GA to make sure we get who we want. He will have the offensive tackles in the fall."
What He Wants to Accomplish in Spring: "On the defensive side of the ball we want to work on the pressure package and the pass rush up front. Offensively, we want to improve our screen game and our draw game. We also want to improve our overall percentage in the pro game. We need to make it more efficient. We really need work on the physical nature of the offense. We were not as physically dominating a year ago as I'd like."
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