Upcoming Event: Football versus Idaho on September 3, 2026
Football
vs Idaho
.png&width=31&height=31&type=webp)
The University of Utah Athletics
#UTAHvsSJSU Practice Report: Utes Prep for Spartans
9/13/2016 7:48 PM | Football
This season's road opener at San Jose State is four days away and UtahUtes.com will be with the @Utah_Football team every step of the way as it gets ready for Saturday's non-conference finale against the Spartans in CEFCU Stadium.
Today was Utah's final media availability before the San Jose State game so be sure to keep using #UTAHvsSJSU for a behind-the-scenes look at how the Utes are preparing for the Spartans.
Video, photos, quotes, social media reaction and behind-the-scenes tidbits can be found here to get you ready for Week 3 of the season before the Utes face the Spartans on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. MT on CBS Sports Network.
Red Swarm. #goutes pic.twitter.com/4Q63LiTqXC
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) September 13, 2016
Practice Highlights ...
• The Utes were in full pads with the thud drill being instituted during their final workout that was open to media of San Jose State week.
• The scout team wore blue jerseys with white numbers.
• 11-on-11 work was opening drill during media observation.
• Tight end Wallace Gonzalez came up with an impressive catch.
• Kyle Fulks made an impressive reception before being covered up by Reggie Porter.
• Siaosi Wilson had a nice grab after running a comeback route.
• Demari Simpkins had a catch over the middle in traffic.
• After full-team live work, the kickoff coverage took central stage at midfield for a series of reps with concentration on their lane assignments.
• During the special teams session, the remainder of the team broke off to the sidelines to concentrate on their specific techniques: the offensive line went through its assignments, the receivers caught passes from a machine, the tight ends focused on getting through contact at the line of scrimmage and the defensive line shored up its pass rush moves.
From Coach Whittingham ...
On changes in the wide receiver depth chart this week: "Well, we're just trying to find the right combination to get the right guys in the right spots. Last week's depth chart was inaccurate. It was more last week than this week that we made those switches, but we just decided to put them on the depth chart this week so it's not a big change."
On San Jose State: "They're very good skill-wise. They have a receiving corps that is very talented and the quarterback does a nice job getting the ball to them. The quarterback is very mobile. The running back runs hard and they're good up front. They're good on offense. I haven't studied a whole lot of the defense yet, but they're an athletic team."
Impressions form the Utah Assistant Coaches ...
Assistant Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Dennis Erickson
• Had a lot of fun during his time as a coach at San Jose State. He learned a lot about coaching.
• Will employ a running back by committee approach: Zack Moss, Troy McCormick and Armand Shyne will get the majority of Utah's running back reps.
Defensive Line Coach Lewis Powell
• Injuries do happen, but they do have some guys that they can shift and move around to hopefully fill the void.
• Pita Taumoepenu has taken a lot more reps [compared to last season]. He's a lot bigger so he can take on the run and take on double teams. He's still pretty explosive.
Ute News ...
• Senior running back Joe Williams has retired from football.
• "Joe Williams is going to retire from football," Whittingham said. "His body is just worn out. It has nothing to do with playing time or any bad feelings, he's leaving on good terms. I think you noticed in some games that he's just not the same guy. He has some things that are really bothering him physically so he's going to retire. We wish him well. He did a great job for us. He worked hard. He was a great teammate and we wish him all the best. He'll be around [the team]. He just won't be playing football anymore."
• Williams is on schedule to graduate in December.
• Senior defensive end Kylie Fitts is out for the remainder of the season.
• "Unfortunately, Kylie Fitts is done for the year. [His injury] was way more extensive than we thought when we first got the initial report so unfortunately he is done for the year," Whittingham said.
• The coaching staff will work to apply for a medical redshirt year for Fitts so he can play for Utah in 2017.
• Senior wide receiver Cory Butler-Byrd has been reinstated after serving a two-game suspension.
• "Cory Butler-Byrd has been reinstated so he's eligible to play. Whether or not he does play this week is to be determined, but he is now eligible to play. He served his two-game suspension so we feel like he's done everything that has been asked of him. He still has things that he'll adhere to the rest of the way, but he's good to go."
#UTAHvsSJSU
• A local youth football team watched practice and had the team autograph posters after the workout.
Today's links: Rivalry hangover? What rivalry hangover?@Utah_Football is ready to rumble.https://t.co/CJ6pbUwEPV
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) September 14, 2016
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
DE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
TE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DE
/ Football
RB
/ FootballCrimson Corner with Bill Riley - College football analyst Yogi Roth
Wednesday, May 06
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Utah Football Head Coach Morgan Scalley
Wednesday, April 29
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Utah Football legend Brian Johnson
Friday, February 20
Utah Football Head Coach Morgan Scalley Introductory Press Conference | 1.06.25
Tuesday, January 06