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The Daily Utah Chronicle

The University of Utah's Independent Student Voice

The Daily Utah Chronicle

The University of Utah's Independent Student Voice

The Daily Utah Chronicle

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Utah Opens Season Against SUU

Fans+wave+flags+around+the+stadium+in+a+Pac-12+football+game+against+the+Arizona+State+Sun+Devils+at+Rice-Eccles+Stadium+in+Salt+Lake+City%2C+Saturday%2C+Oct.+17%2C+2015.+Madeline+Rencher%2C+Daily+Utah+Chronicle.+Photo+credit%3A+Madeline+Rencher
Fans wave flags around the stadium in a Pac-12 football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. Madeline Rencher, Daily Utah Chronicle. Photo credit: Madeline Rencher

They’re tired of beating up on each other — the Utes are ready for the season to begin.

Utah will be taking on SUU in its first game of the 2016 season on Thursday, Sept. 1, and although SUU is an FCS school, Utah is preparing just like it would any other game. Utah takes every opponent seriously, especially one that’s building a reputation of sending players to the NFL.

While head coach Kyle Whittingham doesn’t like to spend a lot of time reflecting on past years within a football program (not even his own), he does acknowledge the star power SUU has had and the potential star power it could have in store for Thursday’s game.

“They’ve got all our attention, all our respect,” Whittingham said. “They had a terrific year last year. They got three players on NFL rosters right now from last year’s team, and [granted] it’s last year, but it shows the level of talent they have been able to get into the program.”

Utah finished with a 10-3 record last season, its first 10-win season since joining the Pac-12, and it was capped off with a victory against BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl. But again, as Whittingham always mentions, last season’s records, players, etc., have no bearing on what a team will look like the next year, and that’s certainly the case with the Utes.

The Utes will be debuting their new quarterback Troy Williams, and Whittingham is anxious to see what he amounts to when it matters most. Sure, he beat out freshman Tyler Huntley and fifth-year senior Brandon Cox, who is no longer with the Utes, but Williams, who was also named a captain for this season, has to be able to play well when it counts, and he knows it.

“I still have to earn my stripes and go out and perform on game day,” Williams said. “I’m ready to lead this team, and I’m excited to show everybody what I can do.”

Williams is eager to showcase what his entire team can do. With no more Devontae Booker, the team won’t be as run-heavy as it was last season, and Williams has been working on building a better repertoire with the receiving core.

No matter who he ends up throwing to in the game, Williams has faith that each one of his guys can get the job done. And if anything, he thinks his receivers will make him look better than he really is.

“[I have been] getting comfortable with the fellas and learning who they are,” Williams said. “And once you get that type of companionship with those guys, they turn into your brother, and you’re ready to do anything for your brother, and I’m ready to compete with them.”

Although some people thought backup Tyler Huntley could be redshirted this season, college football is about winning now as Whittingham put it, and he wants to make sure that if worse comes to worse, he’ll be ready to play at a high level if his name is called up.

Whittingham has no doubt that his team will come together for a win on Thursday. While fans may set their own expectations for the team following Thursday’s outcome, Whittingham won’t know what to expect until a few games in. The team won’t be displaying its entire playbook, it’ll be saving a few things for Pac-12 play, but it will come out full strength.

“We just need to go out and play now, see where we’re at and find out what type of team we are,” Whittingham said.

The first game of the season kicks off Thursday at 6 p.m.

[email protected]

@kbrenneisen

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