Utah's final week of spring football got off to a chilly start. Tuesday's practice at Rice-Eccles Stadium featured a layer of snow on the sidelines.
It didn't, however, cool things off on the field.
"I think we've had a good spring. We've progressed, I think, in virtually every area," said head coach Kyle Whittingham. "Spring is all about fundamentals and technique. It's not about out scheming each other offensively or defensively. It's about making every player on your football team better fundamentally and technique-wise — and I think we've done that."
With just two practices remaining before Saturday's annual Red-White Game, Whittingham said that several Utes have emerged this spring — particularly wideouts Sean Smith, Brent Casteel, Marquis Wilson and Bradon Godfrey.
Other good competitions, he added, have taken place at cornerback, the defensive front and on the offensive line.
Progress has taken place despite several minor, but nagging injuries that have sidelined several starters for precautionary reasons. Those expected to miss Saturday's Red-White Game, which kicks off at 1 p.m., include cornerback Eric Weddle, receiver Brian Hernandez, safety Steve Tate, defensive lineman Soli Lefiti, offensive lineman Eric Pettit and linebacker Joe Jiannoni.
Safety Casey Evans, defensive lineman Kelly Talavou and defensive end Martail Burnett will see limited action. "Like everyone in America, we're a little thin particularly on the defensive side. So we'll have to limit things on Saturday. We still hope to have a game format with a running clock and so forth," Whittingham said of the annual spring finale. "If we hold up we should be able to get that done. If we get a little more banged up we may have to adjust."
Teams will be chosen today with a split-squad format planned.
The Utes will practice Thursday and Friday before Saturday's game.
QB BATTLE: Whittingham once again said the starting quarterback job won't be decided until returning starter Brian Johnson gets a chance to compete for it. The junior-to-be, who is recovering from a knee injury, expects to be cleared for full contact on June 5 when summer conditioning begins.
When fall camp opens on Aug. 7, Johnson plans to be in the mix with Brett Ratliff, Tommy Grady and Kevin Dunn.
"Nothing will be decided definitively until at least 10-12 days into the fall," Whittingham said when asked about naming a starter.
SNOW WHAT: Evidence of Monday's snowstorm surrounded the Utes at Tuesday's practice. Though the field was cleared, piles of snow blanketed the sidelines.
"It's a great surface," Whittingham said. "Whether there's snow on it or not, it's not a big issue."
EXTRA POINTS: The Utes will sign autographs after Saturday's spring game . . . KALL Sports Radio 700AM will broadcast the game . . . Jiannoni was scheduled to have surgery on his injured left foot on Tuesday . . . Sophomore receiver John Peel is making a smooth transition to safety.
E-mail: dirk@desnews.com