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The University of Utah Athletics
Ute Defense Dominates First Scrimmage Of The Preseason
8/15/2002 12:00 AM | Football
Aug. 15, 2002
SALT LAKE CITY -
As expected, Utah's defense dominated the first scrimmage of the preseason, held Wednesday night in Rice-Eccles Stadium, but the Ute offense also had some success, especially on the ground.
The No. 1 defense was simply overpowering, as it was all last season when it was one of the best defenses in the nation. Co-backup quarterbacks Ryan Breska (0-4) and Brett Elliott (1-3) simply could not get anything going through the air against the first-string defense. Third-string running back Edwin Benton managed 28 yards on five carries.
One of the most impressive aspects of the scrimmage was the No. 2 defense, which coughed up 64 yards rushing by J.R. Peroulis and Brandon Warfield, but held starting QB Lance Rice to 4 of 6 passing for 13 yards.
Only fourth-string quarterback Alex Smith, a highly touted freshman recruit, had any success passing. Smith completed 5 of 10 passes, two attempts which were dropped, for 79 yards and 1 touchdown. His touchdown was a 35-yarder to Paris Warren, an Oregon transfer who will have to sit out of competition this year per NCAA transfer rules.
Coach Ron McBride was not alarmed by the offense's performance, stating that the goal of the scrimmage was to establish a run game. In addition, the offense is still in the process of implementing its complete pass package.
A few Utes did not participate in the scrimmage or played very little. All-conference linebacker Sheldon Deckart and starting running back Marty Johnson did not play at all, to allow their backups extra time. All-conference defensive end Jason Kaufusi saw extremely limited action, contributing a sack for seven yards before taking the rest of the night off.
The defense got on the scoreboard when first-year linebacker Marquess Ledbetter, a sophomore, picked up a fumble and raced 22 yards into the end zone.
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