This article was first published as the Ute Insiders newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each Wednesday night.
Two weeks into fall camp, the Utes’ quarterback situation is still unsettled.
The competition between Charlie Brewer and Cam Rising is “neck-and-neck,” according to coach Kyle Whittingham.
Thanks in part to the performance of Brewer and Rising, and other experienced players, the offense won the day against the defense during the first scrimmage of fall camp last Saturday.
“A lot of good things out of the offense today. The offense had the better day,” said Whittingham. “Some of the premier guys on ‘D’ were not out there but still, the offense had great juice, a lot of passion and they made plays. They were really good in the throw game. That was probably the highlight of the day — the production we had in the throw game.”
There’s no timetable for naming a starting quarterback, Whittingham said. So the battle could continue for at least another week. But it appears that Utah’s passing game will have plenty of firepower.
Numbers game
499: Rushing yards by running back Tavion Thomas at Cincinnati in 2019.
85.2: QB rating of former Ute Tyler Huntley in a preseason game for the Baltimore Ravens over the New Orleans Saints.
51,444: New seating capacity at Rice-Eccles Stadium after expansion.
From the archives
Extra points
- Former Utah assistant coach and player, John Pease, dies (Deseret News)
- Why the delay in naming a starting QB? The reasons are many (Deseret News)
- Utah ranked No. 24 in AP preseason poll (Deseret News)
- Is Tyler Huntley the backup in Baltimore? (Deseret News)
- Mika Tafua is ‘embodiment’ of Utah’s defense (Deseret News)
- Top prospect in state still considering Utah (Deseret News)
Fanalyst
Comments from Deseret News readers
“Anybody shocked that this offense is doing well, just ain’t been paying attention. If you got season’s tickets, you’ll get your money’s worth.”
— Atkins
“The fact we had key defensive starters held out is an obvious factor, but we have significant depth & our O still found success. Coach KW called us a ‘complete’ team back in the Spring & that appears to be accurate....But we must remain relatively healthy & still have to win the games....I love our chances. GO UTES!”
— AZUTE5
“Did someone ask about the locker rooms? Wow! We have come so far since the days we lockered in the old Einar Nielsen Fieldhouse that had one shower room...the last team in during the fall had no hot water and the steam room had one temperature... ‘hell.’ This is a class act all the way and worthy of the Conference of Champions...we’ll get one soon, patience.”
— stathis
Up next
Aug. 19 | 6 p.m. | Soccer | Portland | @Ute Field
Aug. 27 | 6 p.m. | Volleyball | Utah Valley | @Orem
Sept. 2 | 5:30 p.m. | Football | vs. Weber State | @Rice-Eccles Stadium