Though practice has yet to make the Utes perfect, it did play a key role in their season-opening 41-21 win over Texas A&M.

"This team has worked real hard, and I give a lot of credit to the way we practice," said quarterback Alex Smith. "I don't know about anybody else, but it seemed real slow out there. Because we go so fast and so hard at practice, a lot of things end up slowing down on the field. (It was) a lot easier than the looks we get in practice."

Utah racked up 582 yards of total offense and 23 first downs against the Aggies. Smith led the way by completing 21-of-29 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns. In addition, he scored twice on the ground while rushing for 76 yards.

"I give a lot of that credit to the coaches and the guys around me," said Smith. "The o-line protected so well, receivers made plays and the running backs ran hard."

Despite piling up the most yardage in the Urban Meyer era, Utah's offense still has room for improvement. Smith was sacked twice, and the Utes failed to convert on nine third-down situations.

Senior tailback Marty Johnson, who led the Utes with 77 yards rushing in his first game in nearly two years, insists he'll improve.

"It just felt good to be out there in a game and get in a rhythm," said Johnson, who admitted he zoned out a little bit and lined up on the wrong side on his first play. "I felt I did all right. It's going to be one of those things where I feel I'm going to get better each game."

Meyer said Utah's game plan was to put the ball in the hands of its most experienced players. Senior Paris Warren led the receiving corps with seven catches, while Steve Savoy and Travis LaTendresse each had five.

The Utes kept Texas A&M guessing by running the ball 45 times and attempting 31 passes.

"We wanted to wear them out, and I think it worked," said Meyer. "They were confused."

The same cannot be said of Utah's defense. Despite game-ending injuries to safeties Eric Weddle (MCL sprain, left knee) and Kawika Casco (ACL, right knee) in the first quarter, players like walk-on Casey Evans stepped up. Cornerbacks Ryan Smith and Bo Nagahi also drew praise from Meyer, who liked how they kept A&M's receivers in front of them all night long.

Quarterback Reggie McNeal threw 21 incompletions as Utah's plan to "contain him" proved effective despite the injuries.

"Our defense has worked hard. People were questioning our twos and right away Eric Weddle goes down, Kawika Casco goes down and people step up," said starting safety Morgan Scalley. "It just shows the character of this football team and that we've worked hard."