The onlookers might not have recognized some of the faces, but it was the U football team that was at Rice-Eccles Stadium for its first scrimmage of the spring on Saturday.
Many of the players who will likely be starting by the end of August sat out of the tackle portion of the scrimmage to avoid injury, leaving the door open for some of the younger players and walk-ons.
Sophomore walk-on wide receiver Collin Robinson was one of players who impressed, catching five passes for 34 yards. On the defensive side, two redshirt freshmen led the team. Defensive back Brandon Burton finished the game with two interceptions and fellow defensive back Chaz Walker came away with two sacks.
“Collin (Robinson) made some good plays — this is his chance to shine,” Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said. “We are thin at wide receiver and defensive tackle right now so it provides an opportunity for a lot of younger players.”
Among the players sitting out of the contact portion of the scrimmage were Brent Casteel, Matt Asiata and Paul Kruger. Casteel and Asiata are both coming off season-ending injuries from a year ago, and the U coaching staff is cautious with Kruger because he is still recovering from the surgery he underwent following a stabbing in Janurary.
The starters who did play in the scrimmage looked solid. Brian Johnson and Corbin Louks shared reps with the first-string offense at quarterback. Statistically speaking, Louks had the better day of the two as he completed 11-of-16 for 66 yards and ran the ball eight times for 39 yards. Johnson finished the day completing four of his six passes for 56 yards and a touchdown.
Holdover wide receivers Bradon Godfrey and Jereme Brooks accounted for Utah’s two touchdowns on Saturday, and Freddie Brown caught four passes for 34 yards.
Sophomore Eddie Wide got the bulk of the carries at running back. He finished with 34 yards on 12 attempts.
Defensively, sophomore tackle Lei Talamaivao also recorded a pair of sacks, and senior tackle Aaron Tonga came away with a sack and a fumble recovery.
Notes: Highly touted freshman quarterback DeVonte Christopher had a rough first outing, finishing 0-for-2 with an interception.