Camp Kyle '16: Day 3

8/6/2016 3:37 PM | Football

Position battles intensify yet chemistry improves in first practice with shoulder pads.

Position battles in most position groups intensified, yet timing and coordination between the Utes picked up during the Utah football team's third day of camp for the 2016 season on Saturday at Ute Baseball Field.

Utah debuted its red helmets and wore shoulder pads for the first time this season with red shorts. The offense and special teamers were in their customary red jerseys (white for the quarterbacks to signify non-contact) and the defense donned its traditional black jerseys.

The Countdown is On ...
The countdown to kickoff from Rice-Eccles Stadium against Southern Utah stands at 26 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.

#UtahFootballFamily pic.twitter.com/oV7CAKDRxN
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 6, 2016

UtahUtes.com will be 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 when the Utes face the Thunderbirds on Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. MT.

Day 3 Overview ...
• Third practice of the season held Saturday at the Utah baseball practice field.
• Players were in red helmets and wore shoulder pads for the first time this season.
• The 'thud rule' was in effect as a ball carrier was ruled down after the first instance of solid contact.

LIVE on #Periscope: O vs D https://t.co/qC57ahLnsj
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 6, 2016

Media Observation Period Highlights ...
• 11-on-11 live work began the 20-minute media observation period with the offense taking over from its own 40-yard line. The first and second units alternated series.
• Reginald Porter came out of his break in quick fashion and broke up a pass.
• Joe Williams made some tough runs, including a 20-yard burst up the middle.
• Tim Patrick and Tyrone Smith made nice catch over the top of the defense.
• Patrick made another impressive grab down the left seam for a big grab.
• After the entire team met at midfield to be addressed by Coach Whittingham, all players broke to the east sideline for gassers with the skill positions going first followed by the linemen.
• The first and second teams then broke off into position groups for cool-down stretching, while the newcomers took additional full-team reps of live work. The offensive line also went through an additional walk-through session of their assignments.

From Coach Whittingham ...
• First three days have been a great start to fall camp.
• Linebacker Kavika Luafatasaga has a great competitive streak.
• Quarterbacking corps of Brandon Cox, Tyler Huntley, Troy Williams are growing more comfortable with centers, including Nick Nowakowski and J.J. Dielman.
• Utah has four capable options at running back: Joe Williams, Troy McCormick, Zack Moss and Armand Shyne.
• Defensive line depth may be as good as it has ever been.
• No changes to report in the battle for the starting quarterback spot.

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

Wide Receiver Caleb Repp
• Every ball thrown to me is a good ball. It's up to me to make the play.
• The wide receiving corps is always competing on the field, but they're friendly off the field.

Linebacker Sunia Tauteoli
• The running backs have stepped up so far this season. They'rr a lot more physical. It's been fun.