Spring Ball is officially a wrap as the guys will be taking a break before heading into summer workouts in June. The Red and White game mainly consisted of the third and fourth stringers with some twos and very few starters mixed in. It was not the cleanest nor most exciting game ever but here is who stood out as Ute fans got a peak and what's coming down the pipeline:
1) Neither Donovan Isom (White) or Conner Manning (Red) had a particularly stellar day. Isom was 7 of 15 passing with one interception and no touchdowns. Manning was just 16 of 33 passing with 3 interceptions (two near interceptions) and no touchdowns. In the end Isom did just enough though (with the help of his defense) to win the game for the White squad. Isom took the white team on two drives that ended in Andy Phillips field goals. Manning and the Red team didn't score a single point the entire day.
2) The defense for both sides fared much better overall and showed fans just how deep Utah is defensively while offensively it's still a work in progress in some areas. Jason Fanaika and Hayden Clegg both had sacks for the Red team while Evan Eggiman recorded 8 total tackles for the White team and Brian Allen had 6 plus a near interception on Manning.
3) There was some switching around today and players playing both sides of the ball with many of the starters sitting out. Siale Fakaloatonga intercepted Donovan Isom while playing defensive end (normally a tight end). Monte Seabrook started at Utah as a cornerback and then was moved to running back this season. Today he spent a little time a both positions for the white team. As a running back he rushed 11 times for 48 yards and was adveraging 4.3 yards per carry.
4) Like I sort of promised in Thursday's report Jameson Field looked good for the receivers. He had 6 total catches for the Red squad for 44 total yards and a long of 24 on a post route. Utah needs more of their young receivers to step up but Field has been making a case for himself all spring and he put an exlamation point on it during today's scrimmage.
5) The man of the hour for the Red and White game that saved it from being a field goal fest was none other than safety Marcus Williams for the White squad. It looked like in the wanning seconds of the scrimmage that Manning just might lead the Red squad to victory, but Williams made an acrobatic interception and took it 99 yards the other way for the game's lone touchdown. It was certainly the most remarkable play of the entire game and something Ute fans should start to get used to. A little birdie told me earlier in spring they fully expect Williams to be the next face of Utah football in the coming years. (Think Stevenson Sylvester and the infamous fist pump pose from the Sugar Bowl.) My contact thinks Williams is just that good.
1) Neither Donovan Isom (White) or Conner Manning (Red) had a particularly stellar day. Isom was 7 of 15 passing with one interception and no touchdowns. Manning was just 16 of 33 passing with 3 interceptions (two near interceptions) and no touchdowns. In the end Isom did just enough though (with the help of his defense) to win the game for the White squad. Isom took the white team on two drives that ended in Andy Phillips field goals. Manning and the Red team didn't score a single point the entire day.
2) The defense for both sides fared much better overall and showed fans just how deep Utah is defensively while offensively it's still a work in progress in some areas. Jason Fanaika and Hayden Clegg both had sacks for the Red team while Evan Eggiman recorded 8 total tackles for the White team and Brian Allen had 6 plus a near interception on Manning.
3) There was some switching around today and players playing both sides of the ball with many of the starters sitting out. Siale Fakaloatonga intercepted Donovan Isom while playing defensive end (normally a tight end). Monte Seabrook started at Utah as a cornerback and then was moved to running back this season. Today he spent a little time a both positions for the white team. As a running back he rushed 11 times for 48 yards and was adveraging 4.3 yards per carry.
4) Like I sort of promised in Thursday's report Jameson Field looked good for the receivers. He had 6 total catches for the Red squad for 44 total yards and a long of 24 on a post route. Utah needs more of their young receivers to step up but Field has been making a case for himself all spring and he put an exlamation point on it during today's scrimmage.
5) The man of the hour for the Red and White game that saved it from being a field goal fest was none other than safety Marcus Williams for the White squad. It looked like in the wanning seconds of the scrimmage that Manning just might lead the Red squad to victory, but Williams made an acrobatic interception and took it 99 yards the other way for the game's lone touchdown. It was certainly the most remarkable play of the entire game and something Ute fans should start to get used to. A little birdie told me earlier in spring they fully expect Williams to be the next face of Utah football in the coming years. (Think Stevenson Sylvester and the infamous fist pump pose from the Sugar Bowl.) My contact thinks Williams is just that good.
