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The University of Utah Athletics
Offense Shows Big Improvement In Saturday's Scrimmage
4/12/2003 12:00 AM | Football
April 12, 2003
SALT LAKE CITY -
Although Utah's first string defense is still running the show in the spring, the offense showed signs of catching up in the Utes' second scrimmage, held Saturday in Rice-Eccles Stadium. Brett Elliott completed all six of his pass attempts for 70 yards and Marty Johnson carried the ball 8 times for 57 yards and a touchdown to lead the offense.
For the second time in two scrimmages, a touchdown on the opening drive against the No. 2 defense was the only score the Ute offense managed under normal scrimmage situations. The offense also had some success getting in the end zone during the red zone drills.
The three scholarship quarterbacks took turns with the first and second string offense, with Elliott getting a bit more time with the first string than the others. Lance Rice was 2-2 in pass attempts for 28 yards. Alex Smith had a tough day, completing 3-11 pass attempts (one was dropped) for 41 yards and getting intercepted twice.
In the first drive of the game, Elliott mixed in passes to Ben Moa (3 catches for 46 yards) and hand offs to Marty Johnson to lead the offense downfield from its own 35-yard line. Moa made two of his receptions on that first drive for 24 yards, helping to set up a nice 32-yard touchdown dash up the middle by Johnson.
The defense, playing without three starters, still held the upper hand when its first unit was in. Safeties Morgan Scalley (shoulder) and Dave Revill (back) both watched the scrimmage, as did defensive end Jason Kaufusi (shoulder).
Head Coach Urban Meyer, while pleased with the offense's improvement, cautioned that "we still have a long way to go, especially the receivers." He was particularly pleased with the effort on both sides of the ball and acknowledged that "the offensive execution was better. Instead of 7-8 bad snaps, we had maybe 2-3 today. The centers are getting better and the quarterbacks are also realizing they have to make the play and bend their knees to get the ball if necessary."
Meyer also singled out Johnson and running back Brandon Warfield, saying, "Marty and Brandon really ran hard. They were much better than last week."
As for the defense? "The defense is still ahead of the offense," admitted Meyer. "They mostly kept the offense out of the end zone and they tackled well."
Jerome Wright had 3 receptions for 35 yards and Steven Savoy caught 2 passes for 16 yards. Warfield had 4 carries for 9 yards in the scrimmage setting, but broke loose for some big plays during situational drills, as did receiver Paris Warren.
Defensively, Shaun Harper had an interception and a pass breakup and Anthony White had his second pick in as many scrimmages. Ray Holdcraft recorded a sack, while Antonio Young, Bo Nagahi and Aaron Bryant all contributed pass breakups.
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