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Utah football had their first scrimmage of fall camp 2015 today at Rice-Eccles Stadium. In the last 20 minutes which was open to the media, the first and second teams did not take the field. We were able to watch some punt return drills and then scrimmages with the third team. Stats were kept for the portion of the scrimmage the media did not get to see. The defense without question won the scrimmage, but the offense did have several bright spots in running back Joseph Williams, wide receiver Britain Covey, and tight end Caleb Repp, all of whom were all highlighted by head coach Kyle Whittingham. Whittingham said that he was displeased with "too many administrative penalties" (false starts, illegal formation, and other presnap penalties). It is also worth noting that Sam Tevi is beginning to separate himself from Jackson Barton at left tackle, and Cory Butler will likely stay on defense playing cornerback, though that decision will not be made permanent until the end of the week. Covey and Butler both looked very good returning punts. Covey has great vision and is very shifty in the open field. Butler has excellent speed. According to Whittingham, the early indication is that no serious injuries were sustained in the scrimmage. It is worth noting Devontae Booker, Tim Patrick, Kenneth Scott, and Raelon Singleton did not participate in the scrimmage.
Quarterbacks
Travis Wilson, Kendal Thompson, and Chase Hansen all took reps before the media viewing session. Wilson went 6-for-17 for 55 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. He ran the ball four times for 18 yards (long of 8) and one touchdown during red zone work. Thompson went 8-for-20 for 85 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. He had 55 rushing yards on 6 carries including a long of 30 yards. Hansen went 5-for-9 for 23 yards and one touchdown and one interception. He rushed the ball one time for 23 yards. Whittingham said the quarterbacks started out strong
Running Backs
Booker did not participate in the scrimmage. Instead, Williams was the main running back, and he performed well. He rushed the ball 12 times for 80 yards with one touchdown, including a 60-yard touchdown run. On the run, Whittingham said that none of Utah's defenders could catch him. Whittingham said despite the strong play of Williams, Booker will get as many carries as he wants during the season. Monte Seabrook had the next best day running the football. He 26 yards on five carries with a long rush of 18 yards. He also had one reception for -2 yards. Marcel Brooks-Brown rushed the ball twice for seven yards with a long of seven, and one reception for -5 yards. Dre'Vian Young had three carries for -1 yard, and he had one reception for five yards.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Tight end Harrison Handley led all receivers in yards with 39 yards on two catches with a long of 20 yards. Covey had the most receptions on the day with four for 24 yards with a long of 12. Wide receiver Bubba Poole had the lone touchdown catch on the day and recorded three total catches for 18 yards. Repp hauled in three passes for 27 yards, long of 16. Tight end Evan Moeai had one catch for five yards. Wide receiver Tyrone Smith had one catch for 19 yards. Wide receiver George Siaosi Wilson caught two passes for 26 yards with a long of 15 yards. Wide receiver Delshawn McClellon had one catch for 13 yards.
Defense
Whittingham praised the play of the defense in the scrimmage today and especially highlighted cornerback Reggie Porter and the front seven. The defense recorded three sacks, one by defensive tackle Viliseni Fauonuku, one by defensive end Jason Fanaika, and one by defensive tackle Filipo Mokofisi. In addition to the three sacks, the defense recorded five more tackles for loss by linebackers Jared Norris and Gionni Paul, defensive end Hunter Dimick, and defensive backs Jordan Fogal and Casey Hughes. Paul, Porter, safety Andre Godfrey, cornerback Tavaris Willaims, and cornerback Justin Thomas all had a pass breakup. Godfrey (35 yard return), Fogal (o yard return), and Butler (55 yard return) each had an interception.