In spite of a professed increased commitment to jumpstarting the U football team’s offensive game, at Saturday’s intra-squad scrimmage, the first of the spring, it was, as usual, the defense dominating the action.
The Utes ran about 100 situational plays, including goal-line sequences, but the Ute defenders allowed just one touchdown?an 8-yard pass from Brett Elliott to Paris Jackson?during the affair.
Needless to say, coach Ron McBride was pleased with the efforts of his veteran defensive unit.
“The defense is looking really sharp and I really like their hustle and discipline,” he said. “We’re using three or four different packages and the guys are in the right spot at the right time. I’m very excited about how the defense runs. It’s a very athletic defense.”
Senior DB Cody Weight led the defensive effort with two picks on the day.
On the other side of the ball, however, not much went right.
There were a few solid performers, like Elliott, who completed 5-of-7 attempts for 75 yards and the score, running back Morgan Scalley, who picked up 38 yards on 8 carries, and receivers Travis LaTendresse (1 catch for 35 yards) and Steven Savoy (3 33).
Otherwise, however, there were too many performances like those of the upperclass quarterbacks. Starter Lance Rice was 1-of-7 for 10 yards and 1 interception, and Ryan Breska went 2-for-10 for 30 yards and a pick.
“Elliott was good in the scrimmage but the other two were not,” McBride said. “All three quarterbacks had been playing well leading up to the scrimmage.