For a guy who has only practiced a handful of times during fall camp, Ute running back Matt Asiata was sure a popular guy after practice Monday.
It caused some consternation to at least one Ute coach, who yelled toward the assembled media, "He's been in a boot for a week — he hasn't done anything yet."
Still, Asiata talked to at least three local writers and participated in a live radio interview with a local station.
The attention around Asiata was due to the fact that Monday was his first day back to practice after sitting out because of a foot injury sustained nearly two weeks earlier. If healthy, Asiata is supposed to be the Utes' starting running back, but the question is when he'll be healthy.
"It feels good," Asiata said after practice. "I'm trying to get back into it and get my reps up."
Asiata calls himself "90 percent" right now but insists he'll be ready to play in nine days when the Utes play at Oregon State.
Coach Kyle Whittingham isn't so sure but likes Asiata's positive attitude. "That's a good sign — positive thinking," he said.
Whittingham said several players were back to full practice Monday, including Kyle Brady, Zane Taylor and Sean Smith. Asiata isn't back to full strength but suited up and participated in drills.
"It's a gradual return. We're trying to work him into the routine," said Whittingham, who added that it's "too soon" to say if Asiata will be ready for Oregon State.
UTE NOTES: The Ute squad grew from 105 to about 119 Monday with the addition of 12 to 14 walk-ons, according to Whittingham. Until class started Monday, the Utes were only allowed to practice with 105 players ... The Monday practice was at the stadium so the team could go through a "mock game" routine as the players went through pregame and in-game mechanics ... The only injury Monday was a minor leg injury to backup defensive lineman Isley Filiaga during a late running drill ... A group of about 20 Chinese tourists showed up near the end of Monday's practice and snapped pictures of the Utes practicing in the stadium.
E-mail: sor@desnews.com