Utah Utes football wraps up first full scrimmage

Opportunities were plentiful as the coaching staff sought to get a look at most of the players in camp. On offense, nine players carried the ball and nine made receptions.

Contributions varied on defense as well.

Defensive end Nate Fakahafua had a strong showing. The freshman scored the first points of the scrimmage with a 23-yard return for a touchdown. He also one of nine defenders — joining Derrick Shelby, Matt Martinez, Dave Fagergren, Joape Pela, Michael Walker, Brian Blechen, LT Tuipulotu (two) and Trevor Reilly — to have a tackle-for-loss.

"Nate Fakahafua is guy that's got a ton of potential and a very high ceiling. He's playing great football for us right now," Whittingham said. "He's a guy that's going to be on the field this year."

Reilly also scored on an interception, taking a pick back 43 yards for a score. Other standouts include cornerback Mo Lee. The receiver-turned-cornerback intercepted a pass.

"I want to single him out," Whittingham said. "He's been getting better each day and he's going to be challenging for one of those starting corner jobs if he continues on the track that he's on."

Senior Lei Talamaivao registered two sacks to lead three others with one. He also had a pass breakup to join five of his teammates in doing so.

"We played really well today, I thought. We didn't really have a lot of missed assignments. We had a couple and that's it," said defensive end Joe Kruger. "Overall I thought we had a good performance today."

Kickers Coleman Petersen and Nick Marsh each connected on short field goals (30 and 29 yards, respectively) during live work. They had mixed results, however, on situational kicks — teaming to miss three of less than 37 yards and getting one blocked.

Utah camp report

DAY 7: The Utes held a situational scrimmage Thursday morning at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

STANDOUTS: Jordan Wynn (152 yards passing), DeVonte Christopher (102 yards receiving) and John White IV (47 yards rushing) headlined the offense. Defensive end Nate Fakahafua and linebacker Trevor Reilly returned interceptions for touchdowns to highlight widespread contributions on defense.

INJURIES: Nothing new, just a bunch of bumps and bruises.

NEXT UP: The second two-a-day of camp is set for Friday.

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