From Deseret News archives:
Utah juniors eagerly anticipate next season
"I took a look up and down and I didn't think we were in too bad of shape for next season," said Boone. "I'm excited to get it going."
After consecutive seasons of senior success and leadership, Boone is confident he and the other juniors on this year's team can carry the torch.
Linebacker Spencer Toone agrees. He was one of nine juniors who started for the Utes in the Fiesta Bowl.
"I think there's a lot of good leadership," said Toone. "There's a real strong corps of juniors."
Topping the class is Heisman Trophy finalist Alex Smith, who may opt to pursue a National Football League career instead of returning for his senior season.
"We'd love to have him back. He's done a fantastic job since he's been our quarterback," said Boone. "But, at the same time, everybody's very understanding he's got to make a career decision."
Smith, who plans to announce his decision soon, thinks Utah's seniors-to-be may be even stronger than the past two classes.
Replacing those who have led the Utes to back-to-back outright conference titles and a berth in the Bowl Championship Series won't be easy.
"We lose a lot of seniors. This is, by far, the most talented senior class that we've had," said new head coach Kyle Whittingham.
"We've got some good young players in the program, but we lose a great deal of talent this year. I'm not trying to make excuses or anything, but we've got to find some people to step up next year and pick up the slack."
Dan Mullen, Utah's Florida-bound quarterbacks coach, said there's a lot of talent in the program offensively. And though he's not as well versed with the defense, he's quick to note that Whittingham's troops traditionally reload each year.
"The University of Utah is now to the point where the expectation is to win the Mountain West Conference championship year in and year out," said Mullen. "Not a team that wins one year and then rebuilds."
Key junior contributors for Utah football in 2004.
DL: Kite Afeaki
OL: Jesse Boone
PK: Bryan Borreson
TE: Blake Burdette
OL: David Dirkmaat
NG: Steve Fifita
TB: Quinton Ganther
DE: Marquess Ledbetter
WR: John Madsen
LB: Grady Marshall
CB: Eugene Oates
QB: Alex Smith
KR: Justin Walker
FS: Antonio Young
E-mail: dirk@desnews.com
Comments
- No fractures on Emery's foot 10:07 a.m.
- Reports: Modest but steady growth 10:02 a.m.
- Stocks hold gains after econ reports 9:59 a.m.
- Ontario Mormons' nativity scenes 9:41 a.m.
- Rabbis join NJ gay marriage debate 9:03 a.m.
- Afghan buildup on faster timetable 9:01 a.m.
- Salahi denies crashing W.H. party 8:58 a.m.
- Suspect in police slayings killed 8:55 a.m.
- Arrests made in Roy slayings 8:35 a.m.
- Bowden meeting with school officials 8:01 a.m.
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Cougs begin bowl preparations
- Y. student vanished in China
- Max Hall issues apology
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- BYU says Hall incident resolved
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
900 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
481 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
387 - Max Hall issues apology
383 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
322 - Utes won't respond to Hall
264 - BYU is champion of the state
140 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
123 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
120 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
119
Just ran into a neighbor of mine at the gas station - thanks for buying...
As it was for President Bush as well.
Way to go! Being an insulin dependent diabetic is no small task. This boy...
Very well said. Also, our elected officials need to give patriotic duty to...
. . . since it's the situs of a case in which the Attorney General's...
I hope for a quick recovery to this great competitor.
Let's build a monorail!
Max Hall is the 'winningest' QB in BYU history. OR Max Hall is the...
With the emergence of Fes out of the D League it is looking more and more...
Emery is the best player on the floor. He will be missed, but I think they...
There are believers and there are seekers. The believers just want everyone...



You can be the first to comment on this story.