Evaluating films
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham and his staff plan to study films from the scrimmage over the weekend and adjust the depth chart accordingly.
"I don't know about a huge shift," Whittingham said before declining to discuss specifics. " I won't make any ignorant statements until — well maybe I will, hopefully I won't — I see the films."
Nothing to prove
Safety Eric Weddle and defensive tackle Kelly Talavou saw extremely limited action in Saturday's scrimmage. Neither of the seniors is being challenged for starting time this fall.
"Eric Weddle, he's a proven commodity. We know what he's all about. Kelly Talavou is the same way," Whittingham said. "There's no one pushing them for their spots and they understand that. But they're competitive enough not to let that be a factor.
"We've got to be smart with guys that are proven veterans here — that have played a lot of football for us," Whittingham continued. "It does two things. It keeps them fresh and out of harm's way and it lets us develop the younger players that desperately need the development.
Making an impact
Freshman linebacker Stevenson Sylvester, a 6-foot-2, 205-pounder out of Las Vegas, made a tackle behind the line of scrimmage. He also saw action with several projected starters.
"I like Stevenson Sylvester," Whittingham said. "He's got loads of potential and is just learning the ropes here in Division I football. But he has a lot of upside."
Whittingham was also impressed with fellow freshmen running backs R.J. Stanford and Kenton Thomas, who teamed for 85 yards in the scrimmage.
Extra points
The Utes will scrimmage again Thursday morning at Rice-Eccles Stadium. They're scheduled for two-a-days on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday and single sessions Tuesday and Friday. . . . Wide receiver Brian Hernandez missed the scrimmage. He's expected to rejoin the team Monday after attending his grandfather's funeral in Florida. . . . A brief rain storm forced the Utes to stretch out indoors before taking the practice field for the scrimmage.