Offense Shines In Utah Spring Football Game
Apr 13, 2019, 2:47 PM
Utah Utes tight end Zach Hansen (86) runs with the ball downfield during the Red-White game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 13, 2019. (Silas Walker, Deseret News)
(Silas Walker, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah football team held their annual Red-White Spring Game at Rice-Eccles Stadium. It was a valiant effort from the offense with the red team beating the white team 21-14.
Starting quarterback Tyler Huntley played the first half for the white team and completed 8 of his 9 pass attempts for 158 yards through the air and rushed for 16 yards and a touchdown on two carries.
Backup quarterback Jason Shelley was the starter for the red team and finished 7-for-10 passing for 87 yards and one touchdown.
The red team scored first as Shelley connected with wide receiver Derrick Vickers for a 19-yard touchdown. Huntley tied the game late in the first quarter on a six-yard run.
Running back Devin Brumfield ran in a touchdown for the red team from four yards out to give the red team the lead. Tailback Devonta’e Henry-Cole tied the game up in the second quarter with a one yard touchdown run.
Quarterback Rex Jordan broke the tie late in the first half as he found wide receiver Solomon Enis for a 2-yard touchdown to take the 21-14 lead.
Running Backs Played Well
The performances of the running backs was a clear sign that Utah will be deep at running back in the 2019 season. Star tailback Zack Moss did not play in the spring game but the red team had 155 rushing yards.
Brumfield finished with 67 yards, wide receiver Demari Simpkins added 21 yards on just two carries, Mason Woodward had 19 yards and Shelley rushed for 18 for the red team.
The white team was held to just 20 yards on the ground, with Huntley accounting for 16 of those yards.
Still Work To Do
Kyle Whittingham had some concerns about the special teams, in particular the kicking game. Both Chayden Johnston and Jadon Redding missed a field goal. Johnston’s was from 43 yards and Redding from 31 yards.
Whittingham was pleased with the offense and the defense.
“There were some good things today,” said head coach Kyle Whittingham. “The offense executed well, even though that was a really watered-down version of the offense, but it was clean for the most part. We did a pretty good job of taking care of the football. Obviously, the defense was pretty watered down as well, but what that does is give the young guys a chance to not worry and just go out and play. We saw some guys step up and make plays and that is what we wanted to see.”
