SALT LAKE CITY – The pads came out today at the Eccles Football Center as the Utah football team took part in its fourth practice of spring ball and the first with tackling allowed.
The Utes will have two more practices this week and 10 overall before the annual Red White Game on April 13. The spring game is set to begin at 11 a.m. MT on that Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Week 2 Practice Schedule
Thursday, March 21: 3-4:45 p.m. (Eccles Football Center Fields)
Saturday, March 23: 10-noon (Eccles Football Center Fields)
With the addition of tackling to today's practice, things definitely got more physical when the circle drill was introduced.
Highlights from Wide Receivers vs. Defensive Backs Drill:
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Tareke Lewis had a nice break-up on a deep ball.
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Terrell Perriman had a great course correction on tight coverage to nab a 15+ yard catch.
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Solomon Enis had a diving catch under coverage for a first down.
Highlights from Offense vs. Defense Drills:
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Bryan Thompson had a strong catch over the middle from
Tyler Huntley for a first down.
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Julian Blackmon showed his athleticism on an interception over the middle.
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Devonta'e Henry-Cole showed his range with a catch and break along the outside for a first down.
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Demari Simpkins had a 20+ yard catch over the middle from
Jason Shelley.
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Cole Fotheringham showed his length with a 20+ yard catch over two defenders.
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Viane Moala showed consistent pressure on the quarterback, even getting a knockdown at the line of scrimmage.
Voices from Practice:
Manny Bowen | LB | Barnegat, N.J.
On how spring ball is going so far for him…
"It has been good. I'm just getting adjusted, getting to know my teammates and feeling the vibe."
On what he feels the vibe has been so far with his new team…
"They are a bunch of hardworkers. The coaches are going to push you. Coach Whitt is a general and he runs a very tight ship and these guys are all on board. The work they do here in incredible and the guys are going to push you."
On being in pads for the first time today…
"Yeah we were bringing the thud today. It was high tempo."
On who has been helping him adjust to a new team…
"The coaches have been great. Without them I think this would have been a very difficult transition, but this family atmosphere here is great. They got me here and helped me get comfortable around the guys and that has been huge."
Demari Simpkins | WR | Carol City, Fla.
On how he feels this spring has gone so far…
"It is going pretty good, but slow. This is a learning process with the new offense, so we are just trying to work inside the system and not do too much yet. We want to get the plays down and work inside the system."
On how the newcomers have adapted to the pace of college football…
"They are going to be a little tired. They aren't used to running and running gassers before practice, so it is going to take them a minute. But it is also about learning. They just have to learn and then everything else will come with it."
Kiel McDonald | Running Backs Coach
On how he feels the running backs have done this spring…
"Spring is going very well. We are learning another offense, but these guys have played enough football to where they can relate some of the schemes that we have had before with what Coach Ludwig is asking now. These guys really want to be good and I am proud of where they are at, but we have a long way to go and we have to continue that."
On the depth the position will have this fall…
"The depth is really good. You want to be able to rotate through some players and keep everybody healthy and fresh. We do have some guys coming in the fall, but we also have guys on campus right now that are going to be able to help us. It is exciting, but you want to be able to establish the depth because anything can happen."
