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The University of Utah Athletics
Ute Defense, Backup Quarterback Highlight First Ute Football Scrimmage
4/13/2002 12:00 AM | Football
April 13, 2002
SALT LAKE CITY -
The defense, a backup quarterback and a "new" running back stole the show in the first scrimmage of the spring for the Utes, held at McCarthey Practice Field on Saturday.
Senior defensive back Cody Weight, one of several players battling for a spot at cornerback, stood out by grabbing two interceptions. Another corner, Bo Nagahi, had a 4-yard sack. They and their defensive mates held the offense to a single touchdown.
The touchdown came on an 8-yard pass from backup quarterback Brett Elliott to senior receiver Paris Jackson. Elliott set up the touchdown with a perfect 35-yard strike to a streaking Travis LaTendresse, a redshirt sophomore this fall who is drawing raves in the spring drills.
Elliott, who will be a sophomore this fall and has yet to play in an NCAA game, made a case for some playing time in the spring's first scrimmage. He completed 5 of 7 pass attempts for 75 yards, 1 touchdown and no interceptions. His impressive numbers came on a day when Utah's other two quarterbacks struggled. Lance Rice was 1 for 7 for 10 yards and an interception. Ryan Breska was 2 for 10 for 30 yards and an interception.
Utah's rushing game was led by a receiver. Morgan Scalley, a receiver who moved to running back last week, may have found a new home. Scalley rushed eight times for 38 yards. Edwin Benton also had eight carries (19 yards). Utah's projected starters, Marty Johnson and J.R. Peroulis, each had just two rushes.
"The defense played really well," observed Head Coach Ron McBride. "Cody Weight had a couple of really nice picks. I thought he was beat on the play on the deep route, but he got back and picked it off. Other players who really stood out were Brett Elliott, Steven Savoy, Travis LaTendresse and Morgan Scalley. Morgan is a north-south guy and he did a nice job hitting the creases.
Savoy, a Washington, D.C., native who will be a freshman in the fall, led Utah's receivers with three catches for 33 yards.
The kicking game featured redshirt freshmen Bryan Borreson and J.T. Clark. Borreson made his only PAT and also kicked field goals of 42 and 37-yards. He missed from 50 yards out. Clark made a 42-yarder and missed on a 50-yard attempt.
A large crowd was on hand for the scrimmage, which was played under sunny, warm conditions. The public is invited to all of Utah's practices and scrimmages. Utah will practice on Tuesday and Thursday this week and has another scrimmage scheduled for Saturday, starting at 10:30 a.m.
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