SALT LAKE CITY – With school starting on Monday, the Utah football team got in its 18th practice today, getting in work at the Spence and Cleone Eccles Football Center practice fields.
The Utes have two more practices before classes begin on Monday. With school starting soon, it was time for Utah football to name its 2017 captains:
Offense: #3
Troy Williams, QB, SR | #74
Salesi Uhatafe, OL, SR
Defense: #93
Lowell Lotulelei, DT, SR | #45
Filipo Mokofisi, DT, SR
Special Teams: #33
Mitch Wishnowsky, P, JR | #37
Christian Drews, LB, SR
Media Observation Highlights…
•
Cooper Bateman connected with
Troy McCormick, Jr. over the middle for a 15-plus yard gain.
•
Cooper Bateman linked up with
Raelon Singleton for a 40-yard touchdown.
•
Marquise Blair and
Julian Blackmon both came up with interceptions today.
•
Zack Moss showed his ability to escape tackles.
•
Troy Williams rolled out of the pocket for a nice completion to
Jameson Field for a 30-yard gain.
• The team focused on goal line drills toward the end of the observation period.
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Post-Practice Thoughts…
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
On the captains that were chosen today…
"I think the players did a very good job selecting them. We got the two big guys inside on defense in Lowell and Filipo, they are both great leaders. They have been leaders since last spring. They have really stepped up and taken ownership. Troy and Leka have been the same way. It wasn't even close because those are the two players that were pretty obviously separated from the group. Special teams wise it was basically a tie, so for the first time we named two special teams captains in Christian and Mitch. Christian has been a special teams warrior ever since he got here. He starts on every special teams and is a great competitor. Mitch is a great talent and has really taken charge of the specialists. Andy was the guy for four years, and now it is Mitch's turn to be the guy that everyone turns to."
On if the naming the captains says anything about the position battles going on…
"No, it has nothing to do with position battles and we made that very clear when we talked about the vote. That it is not a popularity contest, it isn't the best football players and it isn't even necessarily starters. It is who are the best leaders right now."
On what he is looking at for these last few days of camp…
"The put-in is essentially done. Now it is just a matter of starting to game plan and gear up for North Dakota. We still have too many offensive penalities that we are having to deal with right now, so there is a lot of clean up work to do on offense. Defense, they have had a good camp. They are running to the ball and have had very few assignment errors. Although, the defense has been pretty simplified. There isn't a ton of stuff for them to learn, so we have let them play. It is a matter now of just staying healthy since we play two weeks from tonight and make sure that we are conditioned. We just want to continue to polish everything up."
Offensive lineman Salesi Uhatafe
On how the offensive line is coming together…
"It is getting better. I think every day we are starting to tighten up the little things. Everyone is starting to fit into their places and finalize where we are going to play during the season."
Defensive back Javelin Guidry
On how he feels he has improved since the first day of camp…
"There is a very big difference now because I am understanding more of the zone stuff. Coach
Morgan Scalley says it is more about learning what everyone else is doing compared to what you are doing when it comes to the zone stuff."
Quarterback Troy Williams
On what it means to him to be named captain…
"It was one of my goals for the year to just be a captain, be a leader all year. I want to embrace that leadership role and be more vocal out here. I am glad that my teammates voted me a captain again."
Following the last day of fall camp on Saturday, fans can head to Rice-Eccles Stadium from 6-8 p.m. for Fan Fest. Parking and admission are free.
