Utes' opener bumped to Aug. 30

Utah's football season will kick off a little earlier than expected. The Utes and Oregon State have agreed to move their scheduled game in Corvallis up a week, to Thursday, Aug. 30.

"I think it's a big plus," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "Particularly if we're able to get it on national television, which looks like a strong possibility."

While the network to air the game has yet to be solidified, Whittingham is expecting the university to get great exposure on a night where few other games are expected to be played.

The Beavers are part of a difficult non-conference schedule the Utes face in 2007. Utah will host UCLA on Sept. 15 and travel to projected national title contender Louisville on Oct. 6, a game that may end up getting moved up a day for ESPN.

"It's a tough opener. But it's going to be a tough schedule throughout the course of the year," Whittingham said. "It's very challenging, but hey, we've got to rise to the occasion."

Utah's other non-league game is a Sept. 29 home date against Utah State.

Dates for Mountain West Conference games, featuring Rice-Eccles Stadium visits by Air Force, New Mexico, San Diego State and Wyoming, won't be announced until April 1.

Whittingham acknowledges there are two schools of thought when it comes to playing non-conference games — playing them all before league play or spreading them out. The latter, he explained, is probably more beneficial with a challenging schedule.

"We have no complaints about where those games are placed right now," Whittingham said.

THE NEXT LEVEL: All-American cornerback Eric Weddle and defensive lineman Paul Soliai will represent Utah at the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine, Feb. 21-27 in Indianapolis. The Utes' annual "Pro Timing Day," featuring most of the Utes' graduating seniors, is set for March 12 at the Smith Center and Eccles Field House.

SPRING SCHEDULE: The Utes plan to begin spring ball on March 13 and conclude it with the traditional Red & White Game at the stadium on April 21. Camp is broken into two sessions this year because of spring break.

DUNN IS DONE: Quarterback Kevin Dunn has left the program and will reportedly end up at the University of San Diego. The redshirt sophomore-to-be never threw a pass for the Utes. His only action involved handing the ball off in Utah's 48-0 win at Utah State last fall.

A broken collarbone sidelined Dunn for the Armed Forces Bowl.