SALT LAKE CITY — Utah coach Kyle Whittingham noted that the defense got after the quarterbacks real well Wednesday morning at Rice-Eccles Stadium. So much so, in fact, that he said pretty much all of “Sack Lake City” was involved.
“We expect that,” Whittingham said. “We led the nation in sacks last year and we expect to be amongst the leaders this year."
Whittingham acknowledged that it’s a challenge for Utah’s offense in practice, but added that they need to rise to the occasion and have an answer for it.
Overall, Whittingham liked what he saw in the first session of the initial double day of camp. He said it was good and that they mixed in some live work.
Whittignham also noted that the defense is still way ahead of the offense. Defensive linemen Jason Fanaika, Lowell Lotulelei, Seni Fauonuku, Hunter Dimick, Pita Taumoepenu and Stevie Tu’ikolovatu were among the players drawing praise for getting to the quarterbacks.
Defensive coordinator John Pease was pleased with a lot of things that took place. He said the defense should be ahead at this point in camp.
“Because defense is reactive and you can make up a lot of things with effort,” Pease said. “We’re really trying to fine tune everything.”
HIGH FIVE: When it comes to Utah’s interior defensive line, Whittingham said there are five guys in the rotation. All, he said, will play for the Utes this season. The crew includes Loutlelei, Tu’ikolovatu, Fauonuku, Filipo Mokofisi and Pasoni Tasini.
Whittingham said that Tasini, a 6-foot-3, 294-pound transfer from Snow College, is a bright addition to the group.
“We expect him to get better and better. That will come with reps,” he said. “But he has an upside that is special.”
FIRST SCRIMMAGE: The Utes are scheduled to scrimmage Thursday morning and Whittingham said that top quarterbacks Travis Wilson, Kendal Thompson and Chase Hansen will all see action.
“Absolutely,” Whittingham said. “They’ll continue to all three get reps until further notice.”
None of them, however, will be live to would-be tacklers. The same goes for senior running back Devontae Booker. “The first time he’ll be tackled is in the Michigan game,” Whittingham said.
EXTRA POINTS: The Utes have another double day set for Friday and a single practice on Saturday . . . Whittingham noted that Tu’ikolovatu has lost 20-25 pounds since spring ball (getting down to around 320) and is doing the things right now that go into making a good defensive tackle . . . Last week, co-offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said that sophomore quarterbacks Brandon Cox and Conner Manning are still with the program because they like it here and see the big picture. Wilson and Thompson are playing their final seasons and the depth chart won’t be so crowded next year. “It might not work our for both of them in the long run,” Roderick said. “But I think both of them want to give it every opportunity to work."
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