Utah football: Utes worked — just not on the field

SALT LAKE CITY — Make no mistake about it, the ninth-ranked Utah Utes weren't idle on Monday. They stayed busy despite not taking the practice field.

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham made that perfectly clear when asked about it. He said the Utes used their time very well.

"We didn't take Monday off. That's a relative term. We watched film, we lifted, we conditioned, we had meetings," Whittingham explained. "We just didn't come on the field for practice. So, no, we did not take Monday off. We just did not practice on the field."

The Utes did so on Tuesday. Whittingham said they had fresh legs and moved around very well.

TRADING PLACES: Tight ends Brad Clifford and Kendrick Moeai are pretty much switching spots this week.

Clifford, who had a career-high five receptions against Wyoming, suffered a shoulder injury and will not play Saturday when the Utes host Colorado State. Moeai, meanwhile, is back on the field after being sidelined with a concussion.

"Kendrick's got to step back in and pick up the slack," Whittingham said while noting that the tight end position is becoming more of a focal point.

MIDSEASON ACCOLADES: The Utes are well represented on Phil Steele's "Midseason All-Mountain West Conference team." The college football publication has wide receiver Jereme Brooks, offensive lineman Caleb Schlauderaff, defensive tackle Dave Kruger, defensive end Christian Cox, linebacker Chaz Walker, cornerback Brandon Burton, punt returner Shaky Smithson and kicker Joe Phillips on the first team.

Second-teamers include offensive linemen Tevita Stevens, Zane Taylor and Tony Bergstrom, as well as defensive tackle Sealver Siliga, safety Brian Blechen, cornerback Lamar Chapman, plus running backs Matt Asiata and Eddie Wide.

e-mail: dirk@desnews.com