Utah Utes football: Ute QB Louks shows he can run

With starting quarterback Brian Johnson still not 100 percent as he recovers from shoulder surgery in February, sophomore Corbin Louks has had the chance to show what he can do during Ute football spring drills.

A week after an excellent performance, Louks had another good day in the Utes' weekly scrimmage Friday at Rice-Eccles Stadium, especially running the football.

Louks rushed for 100 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown scamper and another for 42 yards. However, he and his coaches were disappointed with his passing, as he completed just 3-of-9 passes for 18 yards after going 11-of-16 for 66 yards in the scrimmage last Saturday.

"I did all right, but I'd like to improve my passing game," Louks said. "It wasn't up to par like past scrimmages. It was nice to get out there and try to make some plays. But I need to improve my passing game and get a higher percentage."

Whittingham said, "It's probably the best we've looked offensively this spring," but he agreed that Louks needs to improve his passing game.

"Corbin continues to make plays and still has to do a better job of putting the ball in the receivers' hands," Whittingham said. "But as far as playmaking ability and speed, he's got a lot of tools to work with. We just need to keep refining his game.

"He runs well and is an explosive guy," added offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig. "We know he can run. We just need to develop his drop-back passing."

Louks' touchdown run came on an option play around the right end, as he faked a pitch and found open ground up the middle all the way to the end zone. His other long run came on a run around left and after a fake to the right.

Johnson finished the day with 6-of-12 completions for 71 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown pass to Freddie Brown. He also rushed seven times for 17 yards.

Matt Asiata looked good running the ball, as he picked up 47 yards in just four carries, while freshman Eddie Wide III ran for 44 yards on five carries including a 12-yard touchdown. Bo Hikila, a redshirt transfer from Dixie State, scored a touchdown on an 8-yard run.

DeVonte Christopher, the quarterback from Las Vegas who finished high school in January to participate in spring drills, saw some action toward the end of the scrimmage. He ran five times for six yards but didn't complete any passes. He was also on the receiving end of the biggest hit of the day, delivered by junior defensive back Damlyn Tanner, who leveled Christopher as he ran up the sideline.