From Deseret News archives:
Utah Utes football: Casteel anxious to resume career
After missing most of the 2007 season with a knee injury, the senior receiver is eager to resume his promising career on the field.
"I'm looking forward to it. I've been out for so long," said Casteel, who hasn't played in a game since Utah's 20-12 loss to Air Force last September. "I want to get back in the flow of things, go out there and make plays and put some points on the board for the team."
Casteel, who was an all-conference performer in 2006, went all out in practice Wednesday taking to heart a comment head coach Kyle Whittingham made to the team.
"You're going to play exactly the way you practice," Whittingham said.
Casteel put an emphasis on finishing, and it showed in numerous situations. He gave himself a passing grade for the effort.
"I feel like I did a great job today on finishing," Casteel said before updating the condition of his surgically repaired knee.
"Everything's fine," he said. "No issues. I'm going to be 100 percent."
And he won't be the only one.
Whittingham said running backs Darrell Mack and Matt Asiata are also completely healthy after minor injuries.
"They're both doing a nice job and both are ready to go," said Whittingham, who added that tight end Neli A'asa (knee scope) and defensive tackle Aaron Tonga (MCL strain) have also healed up after being sidelined for stints during camp.
PRACTICE REPORT: Whittingham said Utah's final practice with pads on went well. The Utes will polish things up in a light workout today before heading to Michigan on Friday.
"I think we are on track," he said. "It was a good practice."
Things, however, did get a little chippy, and that means just one thing.
"It's time to line up against somebody else," Whittingham said.
FAVORITES?: Several national prognosticators are picking the Utes to upset the 24th-ranked Wolverines in Ann Arbor. Such talk, though, means nothing to Whittingham.
"I don't pay attention to any of that," he said. "It doesn't faze us one way or the other."
E-mail: dirk@desnews.com
Recent comments
Does anyone know who BYU plays this weekend? What channel is it...
?? | Aug. 28, 2008 at 8:29 p.m.
That is sure a lot of spewing for someone who makes fun of those who...
Re: Better Hurray | Aug. 28, 2008 at 3:46 p.m.
I am excited to have Casteel back we missed someone who could break...
Man of Casteel | Aug. 28, 2008 at 3:26 p.m.
- Body of missing woman found 10:35 p.m.
- Coyotes beat Ducks in OT 10:32 p.m.
- All's quiet on Irish front 10:30 p.m.
- WAC hopes to avoid snub repeat 10:28 p.m.
- Kruger pick sets up Ravens victory 10:25 p.m.
- U. eyes bowl for redemption 10:22 p.m.
- Y. student vanished in China 10:11 p.m.
- Poll: Limbaugh top conservative 10:03 p.m.
- Birthdays for Monday, Nov. 30 10:01 p.m.
- For-profit colleges get fed aid 9:58 p.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Marriage definitions vary widely
- Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Fantasy is reality for BYU professor
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
855 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
472 - BYU is champion of the state
136 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
117 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
116 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Max Hall issues apology
95 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
90 - Hall's legacy measured today
79
We learned a bit more about the basketball team after this weekend.
There are 14 BYU players from Salt Lake Valley. And there are four Utah...
I was on the plane. We were definitely on the runway, ergo, it was a runway...
The apology was perfect. He explained that his rants were really reflected...
or justification?
That is because Kyle Beckerman is amazing.
RIP. My heart goes to his family.
Amy, what a great article. You get it. Keep up the good work.
Paul Krueger's pick in tonight's NFL game looked a lot like his pick of Max...
Way to go Haley!!! Hope to see you playing for the U!
All Max really needed to do was to clarify that his comments were only...
Is it any wonder that BYU is the most depised team in college football - yes,...


