Utah Utes football: Freshman Travis Wilson focused only on his own play, improving

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah quarterback Travis Wilson said his first preseason camp with the Utes went well. The true freshman wound up getting a lot of reps and closed the gap on returning veterans Jordan Wynn and Jon Hays.

What it all means, however, remains to be seen as Utah's Aug. 30 season opener against Northern Colorado approaches.

In the meantime, Wilson isn't worrying about it. He's determined to just keep on keeping on.

"I can't get caught up in it," he said. "I just need to play how I play — just keep on studying and do the right things."

Regardless of where Wilson sits on the first post-camp depth chart (which is expected to be released Monday), he has no plans to alter his approach.

"I need to be the same person every day. I need to practice every day the same. I just need to come out and compete every day," Wilson continued. "I've got to definitely approach this season like I'm going to play. I've got to be ready if I'm called to go out there and play, so I've just got to be ready at all times."

READY TO RETURN: A knee infection kept defensive tackle Dave Kruger out of Utah's victory over Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl. It was the first missed game of his collegiate career, snapping a streak of 38 consecutive appearances.

"It was really weird," Kruger said. "It's weird looking at the game from the sideline and not being able to go in and help the boys and help out the defense."

Getting back out there, the senior captain added, is exciting. He hasn't played in a game since Utah's 17-14 setback to Colorado on Nov. 25.

"It feels like I haven't played in so long," Kruger said. "But at the same time, it feels like the season was just barely getting over. Now we're starting a new one."

EXTRA POINTS: The Utes switch to in-season mode this week with afternoon practices on their new grass field adjacent to the rising football facility . . . A dozen players are expected to be added to the roster now that school has started . . . Utah's annual "FanFest" is scheduled for Saturday, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

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