Utah Utes football: It took awhile, but U. finally gets its Key

It took a month and a half longer than expected, but Aiona (I-own-a) Key is finally a member of the Utah football team.

Key was cleared to play on Friday, just in time to suit up in his No. 9 jersey for Saturday night's game against Utah State in Logan, where he stood on the sidelines for three hours.

"I knew I wasn't going to play," he said. "I was ecstatic just to dress up and get on the field.

Every day since the start of fall camp, Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham has fielded questions about the missing junior college transfer, who began his career at Boise State before playing at Mount San Antonio College, where he caught 80 passes for 1,112 yards and 17 touchdowns.

After not playing Saturday, Key participated in his first practice with the Utes Monday afternoon. He was clearly out of shape, finishing last in the wind sprints, and acknowledged the fact afterward, saying, "I thought I was more in shape, but the altitude played a big role,"

Whittingham was quick to say Key was out of shape but added "he's very talented, and we'll try to integrate him into the system."

"It was very frustrating to miss all the summer practices," Key said. "It hurts a lot, but I'll catch up. I'll run every day until it gets better. I can't be the most out-of-shape guy on the team and be a skill player ... I've definitely got to step it up."

So what was the big delay in Key joining the team? According to Key, it was a complicated procedure of transcripts being processed among the three schools.

Whittingham said Key could play at receiver on a limited basis this week, but his best chance to play immediately could be at punt returner, where the Utes have struggled, particularly in Saturday's game, which Whittingham called a "fiasco" when three balls were dropped or bobbled.

Key was one of six players trying out for the punt return position in addition to John Peel, who had the job the past two games after taking over for Jereme Brooks, who lost his job after the first game.

Besides Key, the others fielding punts for an extra 15 minutes before and after practice this week are David Reed, Terrell Cole, Justin Jones, Brice McCain and Collin Robinson.

"We chart everything," said Whittingham. He said there are several factors involved, but obviously the main requirement for a punt returner is not dropping the football.

PRACTICE REPORT: Whittingham was pleased with Tuesday's practice.

He said the Utes showed a good attitude.

"Tuesday is a heavy work day — our heaviest work day of the week," Whittingham explained. "They handled it well."

The search for someone to consistently field punt returns continued. Whittingham said a group of guys were working hard and a decision willl be made by Thursday.