At one point in the process, the Utes considered wearing white helmets this season. That thought — prompted by initial difficulties matching the red uniform color — didn't last long.

"We talked about it. There was also a black helmet in there that we looked at," said Toone. "But we like the red."

EXTRA POINTS: Three Utes on the spring roster have been declared medically ineligible to continue playing. Injuries will sideline junior offensive lineman Steve Dahl, sophomore defensive lineman Tony Castaldi and junior defensive lineman Nik Sonntag . . . Running back Joe Johnson, a sophomore who rushed for 41 yards on 11 carries in five games last season, has asked for and received permission to transfer to another program . . . "Utah Man" John Beck, a junior walk-on from Park City, has chosen to leave the team . . . Utah's locker room at the Smith Athletics Center is being remodeled. Once complete, it will include several amenities, including a couple of flat screen televisions.

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