Utah Utes football: Ute offense finishes the Red-White game in style

Utah's Red-White Game didn't leave anyone feeling blue.

The annual spring finale at Rice-Eccles Stadium ended in a 35-35 tie.

"It was a positive," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "Nobody got hurt, which at this point and time is the No. 1 issue. We came out of spring very clean."

What happened in the game was point production — and lot's of it.

The Utes scored 11 times in the 40-minute game that featured a running clock in the second half.

"It was a lot of fun," said freshman quarterback Jordan Wynn. "I felt, offensively, that the Red and White teams looked real good."

Things got off to a shaky start, however.

A mishap on the game's first snap resulted in a touchdown for the defense.

"After the first play it was definitely a lot of fun," said quarterback Corbin Louks, who shouldered blame for the early miscue. "It was good to see the guys flying around and getting out there. ... It was a lot of fun to get out and compete."

Louks went on to complete a 47-yard touchdown pass to John Peel on the Red team's next possession. The junior wound up completing 22-of-33 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns. He was intercepted once (by redshirt freshman Bryce Bennion).

It was the only significant blemish the offense had in facing a defense that was restricted to "very vanilla" coverage by the coaching staff.

"We expected to have some offensive production," said Whittingham, who noted that only two of next fall's projected starters saw action in the game. The rest, along with offensive stars like running back Matt Asiata, were held out for precautionary reasons.

Aiona Key led all receivers with nine catches and two touchdowns, while Brad Clifford topped the corps with 128 yards in the air. He and Louks teamed on a 65-yard scoring strike late in the second quarter.

On the White squad, Jereme Brooks had a team-high six receptions and running back Sausan Shakerin scored two touchdowns while racking up game-high rushing honors with 49 yards on eight carries. The most spectacular play, though, may have been a 28-yard touchdown toss from Wynn to senior Elijah Wesson.

Key, Clifford and Wesson were among the players Whittingham identified as playmakers in the game, which was highlighted by the offense.

"It's not their fault that the defense was playing one coverage. Yet at the same time you've got to compete and take advantage," said offensive coordinator Dave Schramm.

All three quarterbacks were effective on Saturday.

So much so, in fact, that a spirited competition is forecast for fall camp.

While Louks directed the Red offense, Terrance Cain and Wynn shined for the White team.