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SALT LAKE CITY - The Utes concluded their spring practices Saturday in the annual Red-White game held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in front of an estimated crowd of 15,000 people. Despite the lack of offensive production from both sides, the Red team managed to pull out a 7-0 victory against the White team.
Although Saturday's game was only a scrimmage, there was excitement in the air as fans got a first look at the newly remodeled field. Two newly placed Pac-12 logo's had been sewn onto the field a week earlier, reminding fans of the heightened level of competition Utah is preparing to enter.
On a beautiful spring afternoon, it was all defense as both teams struggled to put points on the scoreboard. Collectively, the Utes had eight deflections and two interceptions by Terrell Reese and Joseph Smith. Karl Williams also managed to force a fumble.
Additionally, the two defenses had a total of five sacks, with Trevor Reilly securing 2.5 sacks.
Our defensive line is very good. I think we have one of the top defensive lines in the Pac-12. All indications are that we're really good up front.
–Whittingham
"Our defensive line is very good," said head coach Kyle Whittingham. "I think we have one of the top defensive lines in the Pac-12. All indications are that we're really good up front."
Freshman quarterback Tyler Shreve from Highland, California and Bingham High star Harvey Langi led the Red offense, putting up respectable numbers in their first game in a Utes uniform.
Langi looked comfortable in Division I competition, muscling his way through a tough defensive opponent. With 12 carries, Langi put together several sets of runs, averaging five yards a carry for a total of 63 yards.
"I never really knew what to think coming into this spring," Langi observed. "I just need to upgrade every aspect of my abilities in the sport. I just need to polish them a little bit."
"[Langi] played well today," said offensive coordinator Norm Chow. "He was obviously given more opportunities today because the red team had the ball more than the other team. I thought he did a real nice job."
Putting points on the scoreboard in the second quarter, Shreve connected with Dexter Ransom for a 15-yard touchdown pass. Ransom led the team in receiving with four catches for 57 yards.
Shreve had a productive first half, completing eight-of-17 passes for 102 yards and one touchdown and interception. In the second half, Shreve was rather quiet going one-of-three for 20 yards.
Despite the modest offensive production from either team, Whittingham is confident about the progression his team has made.
"I feel good about our progress," Whittingham commented, "We've got a long ways to go. This summer is going to be critical for our development. We can't be there as coaches, but our progress has got to continue through the summer if we're going to have a chance to be a good football team."
As a friendly wager placed on the outcome of the game, the losing team and their coaches have to clean the Smith Athletics Center on Monday.
*E-mail: jfurlong@ksl.com*Twitter: @JFurKSL
