Red tops White in the annual spring game 25-23

In a game that meant nothing, in front of a good crown on a perfect day at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Utah fans were treated to an entertaining spring game to wrap up spring practices for the Utah football program. It ended in a 25-23 win for the Red team, but it was a a back and forth game in the running clock 4th quarter.

It was a battle between Jason Shelley (11 of 14 for 85 yards) and Drew Lisk (8 of 12 for 133 yards), as they countered each other multiple times. Jason Shelley led a scoring drive to take a lead with around two minutes remaining in the game, giving the Red team a lead after a two point conversion. Lisk followed that up with about a 1:30 drive that was capped with a touchdown to Samson Nacua, followed by a two point conversion to Jaylen Dixon — who finished a very nice spring. That left about 30 seconds on the clock with White holding a 23-22 lead, but after a celebration penalty, Red took over on the 50 and Jason Shelley was next to counter Lisk. Shelley hit a couple of out routes for a first down that set up a 57 yard field goal attempt by Matt Gay. Gay stepped up on the field for his Red team and did what he has done his entire career, and nail a clutch deep kick giving the Red team the 25-23 win.

Tyler Huntley had a solid, but short day going 6 of 12 for 72 yards and a touchdown. He had some really nice throws in his drives, but he did have one boneheaded decision to throw it into double coverage in the endzone that was almost picked off. Overall, a solid day for the starting QB, especially given he didn’t have most of his playmakers. Most of his wide outs were on the White team, and Moss didn’t play.

Jack Tuttle struggled, he threw two picks, both were overthrown, but he also had some really nice highlights. He ended the game with 86 yards on 8 of 14 passing, and he showed some nice wheels with 22 yards rushing. He hit Jake Jackson for a great 49 yard touchpass, after stepping up into some pressure and delivering a strike along the sideline. Jackson did the rest, evading tacklers and getting into the endzone.

All-in-all, it was a very entertaining spring football game, and while it didn’t really matter, it was a ton of fun to watch.

Now it’s the depressing strech of nothing for the next 4+ months. August can’t get here soon enough.