Camp Kyle ’16: Utes Break Camp

8/20/2016 2:30 PM | Football

Watch Training Camp on Pac-12 Network.

The Utes broke from #CampKyle16 after a Saturday morning practice on the 15th and final day of preseason camp at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Utah was in full pads with its traditional red helmets on a picturesque afternoon in Salt Lake City.

TODAY! https://t.co/4y4YdaKmrE
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 20, 2016

The Countdown is On ...
The countdown to kickoff from Rice-Eccles Stadium against Southern Utah stands at 12 days. UtahUtes.com has each day of @Utah_Football fall camp covered. Use #CampKyle16 on all social media posts to keep track of the Utes and chime in with your thoughts throughout preseason camp.

#CampKyle16 is in the books! See you all at Fan Fest tonight!@Rice_Eccles from 6-8pm@utahathletics pic.twitter.com/4Mes75lfJQ
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 20, 2016

Taking over @Pac12Network snapchat today!! Come follow along for a good time!

Username: pac12conference pic.twitter.com/xpZWg6VFl0
— Andy Phillips (@AndyDPhillips) August 20, 2016

UtahUtes.com is your go-to source for videos, GIFs, Facebook Live sessions, photos, quotes, social media reaction and behind-the-scenes tidbits all the way up to the Utes' season opener against the Thunderbirds on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. MT.

Day 15 Overview ...
• Live work in 11-on-11 'drive it' mode began from the offense's own 40-yard line to start the media observation period.
• The 'thud drill' policy was instituted with the first contact above the shoulders being enough to rule a ball carrier down.

Media Observation Highlights ...
• The defense recovered a fumble.
• Caleb Repp caught a pass on an out route and broke a tackle before streaking down the sideline for a chunk-yardage play.
• The defensive line broke up a pass at the line of scrimmage.
• Armand Shyne broke for a 23-yard touchdown run.
• Andy Phillips made three consecutive 46-yard field goals.

INFOGRAPHIC: Facts, figures + dates to Wasatch for in @Utah_Football's 2016 campaign!

Training Camp @ 10 MT on us. pic.twitter.com/xCMxk4lFvS
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) August 20, 2016

From Coach Whittingham ...

• This was an excellent fall camp. We accomplished what we wanted to accomplish.
• We were able to rest adequately in all areas and we still have nine practices left, we'll need every one of them.
• Through 20 practices and the official end of fall camp, we're in a pretty good position right now.
• We have to keep cleaning things up these next 12 days.
• The depth chart is pretty much settled. We had some live work today that we want to evaluate, but we're pretty well settled in.
• Concerns with linebacker and wide receiver have been addressed.
• It was a big blow to the tight end corps when Siale Fakaliatonga went down, but Evan Moeai and Harrison Handley really picked up the slack and did a great job all camp long, as did the next two guys Wallace Gonzalez and Ken Hampel. That position group handled that deflating injury and have responded.
• Gonzalez is starting to blossom and figure it out. He is still a ways away, but he has come a long way since he first put pads on for us a couple years ago.
• Team captains will be announced on Monday.
• Expected that there will be about a half dozen true freshmen who will contribute this season, including Julian Blackmon, Zack Moss, Demari Simpkins, Bradlee Anae and Donavan Thompson.

Post-Practice Impressions from the Utah Assistant Coaches and Players ...

Linebackers Coach Justin Ena

• It was a good camp. A lot of learning for our backers, hardly any experience from last year so we have to make sure we're in tune, know our assignments and that we're playing fast, while using our techniques, fundamentals and the principles of football. If we can be good at that and then understand what we're doing, we'll be alright.
• Identified true freshman Donavan Thompson as a possible breakout player in his group who could contribute this season. He may be up there with Sunia [Tauteoli] in striking ability. He has a good power base. He's a little shorter so he uses that leverage to his advantage by striking from low to high. He's a true freshman so I'm excited about his future.
• Marcus Sanders-Williams, who came back from the offense to the defense last spring. He has all of the ability in the world, too, and he's a senior so he has the leadership role, but also he understands his assignments, too. Evan Eggiman is not doing a bad job, either. He's worked hard and has been a walk-on here for two or three years, just doing things right. It's nice to have a guy who always does things right, who's always assignment-sound, and you can trust.
• Kavika Luafatasaga continues to improve his conditioning.

Offensive Lineman Garett Bolles

• Camp was great. The first couple of days were a little rough while adjusting and trying to get the offense down, but since every day has gone on, I've just kept getting better and better. I believed in myself and trusted in what my coaches have told and the vets that I play side by side with, and we put I put together. I'm really excited to see what happens this season.
• I have such great teammates and the 'O Block' is such a special group. We all tease each other. We all love each other. We are all brothers and we'll go to battle together. We're just so excited to see what happens. We have such a unique group this year and we're excited to see how far we can go.
• I'm focused on helping my teammates to the right of me and dominating whoever is in front of me.
• As long as we trust one another moving forward, we're going to put something special together.
• All of Utah's pass rushers bring something special to the table. Hunter Dimick is so special because he is so dominant in the Pac-12 and will have a future in the next league. Kylie Fitts bring something special and then you have Pita [Taumoepenu], who brings the speed. That's the reason why we have such a special group of guys on the defensive line because they all bring something different. That changes things up so much for the guys who go against them on Saturday nights. They won't know what to expect. I am grateful for all of them. They all put pressure on me, which has made me a better person and I'm really excited to.
• Likes facing both speed and power pass rushers. They both help me continue to improve my game and get better. All I can do is watch the film, try to fix my mistakes and just fix them when I come out to the next practice.

#CampKyle16 BTS ...
• The #CampKyle16 Olympics concluded with a bike race.

LIVE on #Periscope: #CampOlympics: bike racing! Featuring @mike_yam & @bigantherron https://t.co/hdL2HPNsZM
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 20, 2016

• The Pac-12 Networks crew will be on location tomorrow to film interviews and observe practice.
• The Training Camp show will air tonight at 10 p.m. MT.