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The University of Utah Athletics
2023 Spring Football Chronicles: Week 2 Comes Through
4/2/2023 8:46 PM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah Football team got in another three practices in Snow Lake City, wrapping up its second week of spring ball.
The combination of youth and experience on the field has been evident as the Utes continue to improve with each practice as the 22 Forever Game on April 22 gets close. The Utes have nine practices remaining, including the spring game.
Utah hit the field twice at the Spence and Cleone Eccles Football Center, finishing the week at Rice-Eccles Stadium while also having some April Fools Day fun.
Gallery: (4-2-2023) 2023 Spring Football: Week 2
Week 2 Coaches Corner: Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
On the quarterbacks…
"I'm seeing incremental progress. We've still got a long way to go. We're starting to see a little bit of separation, but nothing that's worthy of comment right now. It's four practices down, 11 to go, so hopefully as we continue to get even deeper into Spring ball, we'll see even more separation in a good way; guys separating themselves by emerging from the pack. The No. 1 objective this Spring is to get that solidified, and if not solidified, at least a really good start on it for the Fall."
What factors will determine that battle?
"Taking care of the football is always job No. 1 for a quarterback; making sure that when we possess the ball we don't turn it over. Moving the chains, getting us in the end zone, all that stuff. But also, the stuff that's more intangible. The leadership, the 'it' factor, that field general mentality that you look for in a quarterback. The guy that can take command in the huddle. We're looking for that as well."
On depth in the tight end room…
"We moved Noah Bennee from wide receiver to tight end, and he really looks good. We moved Miki Suguturaga from defensive end to tight end and it looks like that was a good move for us. He's going to pick up some of the slack we lost when Logan Kendall left, because he was a real physical, in-line tight end. That's where Miki comes in. And when we get Brant Kuithe back, I think that position will have a whole new look. We think we're going to be OK there. Obviously, Dalton Kincaid is one of the best players in the country, a first-round draft choice in my opinion. We'll find out. He will be missed, but that should still be a position of strength for us."
On Ja'Quinden Jackson's transition to running back…
"He's just becoming more polished and more adept at the intricacies of the position, the finer points of it. That's what you'd expect. Coach Quinton Ganther is doing a great job with him. We all realize how limited his experience is at that position. Relative to the experience that he has, to where he is and how he's performing, is pretty incredible."
On Miles Battle…
"Miles Battle had a good practice today. The ones got no live work but the twos did. He was involved with the twos for a lot of those reps. He really showed up and made some plays. He's going to help us this Fall, there's no doubt about it."
On the safeties…
"The safeties are looking good, especially the first two: Cole Bishop and Sione Vaki. Those are the guys that are running with the first group. We still have Nate Ritchie on the shelf; not ready yet…We need to find out who the backups are; we've got those first three. We've got to find out who No. 4 and No. 5 are going to be."
What are the advantages to putting on the pads this Spring?
"It's real football. It's not real football when you're in just the helmets and you can't hit anybody. Football is so physical and that element is so critical. You can't really get a gauge on that unless you have the pads on. I don't want to say practices without pads are meaningless, but you really get your evaluations when you've got the pads on."
What The Utes Are Saying: Notes from the Newcomers
Freshman Wide Receiver Mikey Matthews
On wide receivers coach Alvis Whitted…
"He definitely loves the game. He's very sincere, very genuine. He knows what he's talking about; he coached Davante Adams at the Packers. I definitely try to pick his brain and get all the information I can from him."
On acclimating to this offense as a freshman…
"It's very mentally challenging; a lot of plays are different. A lot of different concepts from high school to here. Little details, like getting my depth, making sure I cross the backer's face. All that stuff is mentally hard for me, because I'm not used to that. In high school, you could just run, get the ball and go score."
Who has helped you acclimate to the college game?
"The whole receiver corps has been very welcoming. They've all helped me, even if I've made mistakes. They just say 'keep your head up' and just forget that and go onto the next play. In college, you can't linger on that bad play you had. You've just got to have a short-term memory and just go onto the next play, and make the next play."
Redshirt Freshman Quarterback Brandon Rose
What has been the difference between a year ago at this time, and now?
"I'm definitely more comfortable with the speed of the game. It's definitely slowed down for me. That's the main difference between last Spring and this Spring."
On learning the offense…
"Everything that's in right now, I know to the best of my ability. I'm loving every part of it."
On setting himself apart…
"I'm just trying to come in here and compete every day. Just do the best that I can, get out here with the squad, have some fun and throw the ball around. It'll speak for itself."
What are your strengths as a quarterback…
"I like to say first strength is my arm talent. I feel like I can make any throw in the game. The way I study and the way I translate that side of the game over I feel is very beneficial."
The combination of youth and experience on the field has been evident as the Utes continue to improve with each practice as the 22 Forever Game on April 22 gets close. The Utes have nine practices remaining, including the spring game.
Utah hit the field twice at the Spence and Cleone Eccles Football Center, finishing the week at Rice-Eccles Stadium while also having some April Fools Day fun.
The challenge is easy: roll the Oreo into the cup, eat whatever it lands in…except every cup is filled with mustard.
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 1, 2023
Thanks for playing along, team ??
Happy April Fool's! pic.twitter.com/aWYnEoRCIa
Attack the day ?? pic.twitter.com/JH5f20ai3v
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) March 28, 2023
Week 2 Coaches Corner: Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
On the quarterbacks…
"I'm seeing incremental progress. We've still got a long way to go. We're starting to see a little bit of separation, but nothing that's worthy of comment right now. It's four practices down, 11 to go, so hopefully as we continue to get even deeper into Spring ball, we'll see even more separation in a good way; guys separating themselves by emerging from the pack. The No. 1 objective this Spring is to get that solidified, and if not solidified, at least a really good start on it for the Fall."
What factors will determine that battle?
"Taking care of the football is always job No. 1 for a quarterback; making sure that when we possess the ball we don't turn it over. Moving the chains, getting us in the end zone, all that stuff. But also, the stuff that's more intangible. The leadership, the 'it' factor, that field general mentality that you look for in a quarterback. The guy that can take command in the huddle. We're looking for that as well."
On depth in the tight end room…
"We moved Noah Bennee from wide receiver to tight end, and he really looks good. We moved Miki Suguturaga from defensive end to tight end and it looks like that was a good move for us. He's going to pick up some of the slack we lost when Logan Kendall left, because he was a real physical, in-line tight end. That's where Miki comes in. And when we get Brant Kuithe back, I think that position will have a whole new look. We think we're going to be OK there. Obviously, Dalton Kincaid is one of the best players in the country, a first-round draft choice in my opinion. We'll find out. He will be missed, but that should still be a position of strength for us."
Cooking up something good ????? pic.twitter.com/oJBDY0vvn5
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) March 31, 2023
On Ja'Quinden Jackson's transition to running back…
"He's just becoming more polished and more adept at the intricacies of the position, the finer points of it. That's what you'd expect. Coach Quinton Ganther is doing a great job with him. We all realize how limited his experience is at that position. Relative to the experience that he has, to where he is and how he's performing, is pretty incredible."
On Miles Battle…
"Miles Battle had a good practice today. The ones got no live work but the twos did. He was involved with the twos for a lot of those reps. He really showed up and made some plays. He's going to help us this Fall, there's no doubt about it."
On the safeties…
"The safeties are looking good, especially the first two: Cole Bishop and Sione Vaki. Those are the guys that are running with the first group. We still have Nate Ritchie on the shelf; not ready yet…We need to find out who the backups are; we've got those first three. We've got to find out who No. 4 and No. 5 are going to be."
?????????????????? ??????-????????????????
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) March 31, 2023
Congrats, @Cole_bishop_8 ?? pic.twitter.com/jXqRDEcXC0
What are the advantages to putting on the pads this Spring?
"It's real football. It's not real football when you're in just the helmets and you can't hit anybody. Football is so physical and that element is so critical. You can't really get a gauge on that unless you have the pads on. I don't want to say practices without pads are meaningless, but you really get your evaluations when you've got the pads on."
In the ???????????????? ?? pic.twitter.com/8OPQXh1qtq
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 1, 2023
What The Utes Are Saying: Notes from the Newcomers
Freshman Wide Receiver Mikey Matthews
On wide receivers coach Alvis Whitted…
"He definitely loves the game. He's very sincere, very genuine. He knows what he's talking about; he coached Davante Adams at the Packers. I definitely try to pick his brain and get all the information I can from him."
On acclimating to this offense as a freshman…
"It's very mentally challenging; a lot of plays are different. A lot of different concepts from high school to here. Little details, like getting my depth, making sure I cross the backer's face. All that stuff is mentally hard for me, because I'm not used to that. In high school, you could just run, get the ball and go score."
Who has helped you acclimate to the college game?
"The whole receiver corps has been very welcoming. They've all helped me, even if I've made mistakes. They just say 'keep your head up' and just forget that and go onto the next play. In college, you can't linger on that bad play you had. You've just got to have a short-term memory and just go onto the next play, and make the next play."
Earn the weekend ?? pic.twitter.com/27AWQiTVlF
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 1, 2023
Redshirt Freshman Quarterback Brandon Rose
What has been the difference between a year ago at this time, and now?
"I'm definitely more comfortable with the speed of the game. It's definitely slowed down for me. That's the main difference between last Spring and this Spring."
On learning the offense…
"Everything that's in right now, I know to the best of my ability. I'm loving every part of it."
On setting himself apart…
"I'm just trying to come in here and compete every day. Just do the best that I can, get out here with the squad, have some fun and throw the ball around. It'll speak for itself."
What are your strengths as a quarterback…
"I like to say first strength is my arm talent. I feel like I can make any throw in the game. The way I study and the way I translate that side of the game over I feel is very beneficial."
Players Mentioned
CB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
S
/ Football
RB
/ Football
TE/FB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
TE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
S
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DE
/ Football
S
/ FootballFormer Utah Football Head Coach Urban Meyer inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
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