Last season’s hiring of Urban Meyer brought about one critical question for the U football team.
How would the offense fare in a new system?
Saying that Meyer’s first spring practice at the U was not a good indicator of the successes the team would have in the 2003 season is a gross understatement.
But the team shaped up by the fall and went on to win the Mountain West Conference title, along with the Liberty Bowl.
The questions have completely changed coming into this spring, as the team has an established offense and now has the task of perfecting it.
“Last season was so tough just to get everyone to know what they were doing,” U quarterback Alex Smith said. “You can see the difference in everyone when you watch practice. Everyone is having fun and they know what they are trying to accomplish.”
Now, the offense has many other goals to accomplish and according to Smith, spring ball begins with the team having to complete one important task.
“People just think we can come out here and pick up where we left off, but there is a big gap between last season and spring ball,” Smith said.
In order to close the gap, the players just need to get out on the field and remember the timing that they had with one other.
“We just need to get to know each other again, so we get comfortable,” Smith said. “Then we can start moving forward in the offense.”
Even with the success the team has had on offense, there is still a lot of progress that can be made.
“We haven’t even touched our potential and we can get much better,” Smith said.
But the team only has 15 total spring practices. Then it must wait until the fall to get together as a team with the coaches.
“There is not that much time, and it is really hard to get good in spring practice,” Smith said. “We can’t be lazy, and everyone is going to have to focus in order for us to make progress.”
In terms of personnel, the team has not lost too many starters.
Starting tailback, Brandon Warfield is gone, with Mike Liti left as the only back with game experience.
The strength of the team in terms of offensive depth is at wide receiver, which was the biggest question last season.
“We are like a family and we are just getting better,” U wide receiver Paris Warren said. “We just have to work on the little things.”
Utah lost tight end Ben Moa, but still has Warren and Steve Savoy.
Savoy emerged as one of the top receivers on the team last season, when he became the team’s deep threat.
Savoy finished last season with seven receiving touchdowns, which was the best on the team.
Jerome Wright and Travis LaTendresse fill out the roster as the slot receivers, but the Utes will need some production out of their newcomers.
Freshman Justin Walker comes in as another receiver who can be a game-breaker. He has track-star speed and with his abilities, could thrive in the spread offense.
On the line, the biggest question is at center. The team lost Max Petersen and figures to fill the position with either Andrew Johnson or Jesse Boone.
The team has many of its players coming back, which is why it is ranked in various preseason polls.
Yet the biggest advantage the team has is the experience it has gained over a year in the spread offense.
“We are way ahead of the game right now,” Warren said.
