Utah Utes football notebook: Team partial to outdoor spring pigskin practice

SALT LAKE CITY — Spring football is more than halfway over at the University of Utah — Tuesday's practice was the ninth of 15 scheduled sessions. It also happened to be the eighth to take place somewhere other than the outdoor practice fields.

With several inches of snow blanketing the ground, the Utes worked out indoors at the Spence Eccles Field House.

And though Utah coach Kyle Whittingham was pleased with what he saw, he's eager to get back outside.

"That's where football is supposed to be played," said Whittingham, who plans for the team to get some live work in Thursday before Saturday morning's scrimmage at Rice-Eccles Stadium. "We're hoping this is the last of the storms, but we'll see."

The weather forecast calls for temperatures in the 60s when practice resumes. Even so, odds are the grass practice fields may be too soggy — meaning the remaining spring sessions could take place at the stadium.

All outdoor practices are open to the public. Thursday's practice is scheduled for 3-5 p.m., while the scrimmage is set to begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

SCRIMMAGE REVIEW: Whittingham said he saw "a lot of good stuff" in reviewing tape of Utah's first spring scrimmage.

"The offense's execution level was pretty good," he explained. "We did some good things on defense. But we've got to get more pressure on the quarterback and generate some takeaways."

REILLY ON THE RISE: The latest depth chart includes redshirt freshman Trevor Reilly as the No. 2 at both defensive end spots.

"We think he's got a lot of upside," Whittingham said, noting that Reilly will be a guy who can help the Utes this fall if he can add 10-15 pounds to his 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame.

Reilly, who is from Valley Center, Calif., has long arms and is a smart defender.

"He's got a great motor," Whittingham said. "He has relentless pursuit to the football."

SPRINGING FORWARD: While it's likely that all of Utah's position battles will carry over to fall camp, none may be as spirited as the quest for playing time at linebacker. An already intense competition will be enhanced when highly touted high school recruit V.J. Fehoko (Farrington HS, Hawaii) joins the mix with spring ball participants Chaz Walker, Chad Manis, J.J. Williams, Matt Martinez, Boo Andersen and Jamel King.

"We have five or six guys that are really doing a good job," said Whittingham, who added that pivotal wide receiver and safety battles will also continue this fall.

INJURY UPDATE: Sophomore defensive tackle Joape Pela, who suffered a knee injury in Friday's scrimmage, needs surgery and may not return until sometime in the regular season. Pela joins a list of Utes currently sidelined with various injuries. The others, whose projected recovery times vary, include linebacker Nai Fotu (knee), defensive tackle Latu Heimuli (foot surgery), offensive lineman Tony Bergstrom (ankle), free safety Chris Washington (groin), defensive end Junior Fonua (foot) and King (hand).

e-mail: dirk@desnews.com