Utes' Sakoda is racking up accolades

Louie Sakoda is racking up the accolades. Better said, he's kicking up the accolades.

The junior, who handles Utah's primary kicking and punting duties, has a growing list of preseason recognitions. He was recently named one of five early candidates for the prestigious Ray Guy Award, presented each year to the nation's top collegiate punter.

Sakoda has also been named Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of Year (2006 regular season and 2007 preseason). Six annual publications have tabbed him as first-team all-conference as a placekicker.

Sakoda admits it's a bit overwhelming.

"It seems like they just keep coming. But it's definitely nice to get that recognition," Sakoda said. "I worked hard last year and it seemed to pay off. I'm working even harder this year."

The bar, he acknowledges, has been set high.

"It puts a little added pressure," Sakoda said. "(But) I feel like coming into camp there's actually less pressure on me. Because it seems like last year I had to prove myself."

And he did.

As a sophomore, Sakoda averaged 44 yards on 59 punts, He also made all 43 of his PATs and was 16-of-20 on field-goal attempts.

Handling both duties, he admits, isn't easy.

"It's difficult to juggle but I love that challenge," Sakoda said. "It's always fun to go to practice and do both, show that I can excel in both."

SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED: Three players who came to the program as walk-ons — sophomore linebacker Kepa Gaison, junior defensive end Greg Newman and sophomore kicker/punter Ben Vroman — were awarded scholarships Monday night.

SHOULDER PADS ADDED: The Utes donned shoulder pads for the first time as they work their way through the NCAA's mandated acclimation period.

"It went very well. We had the same intensity and effort that we had the first two days," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "That's what it's all about right now, just making sure we're dialed in and getting the focus we need to begin these two-a-days."

The Utes will practice with helmets and shoulder pads again today before sporting full pads on Wednesday.

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com