Teams Chosen for Utah's Annual Red-White Game

4/17/2008 12:00 AM | Football

April 17, 2008

SALT LAKE CITY -

THE GAME

The sixth-annual Red-White spring game is scheduled for Saturday, April 19 starting at 1 p.m. in Rice-Eccles Stadium. Admission and parking are free. Players will sign autographs after the game. Preceding the scrimmage in the stadium will a MUSS game (11 a.m.) and an Alumni game (11:50 a.m.).

CHOOSING SIDES

The Ute coaching staff has picked teams for the Red-White spring game and both sides won the Brian Johnson derby. Johnson will play the first quarter for both teams before taking a seat. Taking over the rest of the way for the Red team will be freshman DeVonte Christopher, while sophomore Chad Manis will direct the White team. Sophomore Corbin Louks will miss the game with a concussion suffered in last Friday's scrimmage.

BUT CAN HE COACH?

Former Ute Consensus All-America defensive back, and current San Diego Charger, Eric Weddle has been named head coach of the White team. Weddle's assistants include defensive coordinator Gary Andersen, receivers coach Aaron Roderick, running backs coach Dave Schramm, cornerbacks coach Aaron Alford and defensive graduate assistant E Tuiaki. Head coach of the White team is Ute strength coach Doug Elisaia, who will be assisted by offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig, offensive line coach Charlie Dickey, inside linebackers coach Kalani Sitake, safeties coach Morgan Scalley, special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Jay Hill and director of football operations Jeff Rudy.

GAME NOTES

If a team falls behind by more than 10 points, it will get the ball back after it scores until the point differential drops below double digits ... There won't be any punt or kickoff returns in the game. Punts will be kicked to "air," meaning the return team will get the ball wherever it comes to rest. In place of kickoffs, the teams will start their opening drives from the 35-yard line ... The field goal and PAT teams will be in action, which could prove a problem for the White team, which did not draft any kickers. All-American Louie Sakoda and backup Ben Vroman will take turns place-kicking for the Red team ... All of the quarterbacks will be off limits to tacklers ... Players who made position changes during spring camp are WR Mookie Murphy (from DB), LB Chaz Walker (from DB), TE Zac Eldridge (from RB), DL Troy Bunting (from LB) and DL Christian Cox (from TE).

TAKING A BREAK

Twenty-one players on the spring roster were assigned to teams but will not play, due to either injuries or precautionary purposes. They are:

Red Team

WR Brent Casteel, WR Elijah Wesson, DE Paul Kruger, QB Corbin Louks, LB Mike Wright, DB Terrell Cole, DB Tysen Clements, LB Tatum Drecksel, OL Tyler Williams, DT Isley Filiaga.

White Team

RB Matt Asiata, RB Darrell Mack, LB Stevenson Sylvester, DB Robert Johnson, DB Grayson Dart, DE Koa Misi, LB Jamel King, DT Greg Newman, WR John Peel, WR Mike Hicken, DT Kenape Eliapo.