Ute Football Team Making Final Preparations For Opener - The Official Athletic Site of the University of Utah

CAMP WINDS DOWN

With classes scheduled to begin on Wednesday, Aug. 20, the Ute football team will wind down its preseason camp this week ... The last day of "double days" is Monday ... A completely closed scrimmage (no media or fans) will be held on Tuesday, signaling the end of the camp.

FAN FEST SATURDAY

The Utah football team will participate in the fourth-annual Ute Fan Fest on Saturday, Aug. 23 from 11 a.m-2:00 p.m. in Rice-Eccles Stadium. The event will include pictures, autographs, demonstrations, coaching tips and competitions with all 19 of Utah's varsity athletic teams. Pictures with the football team will start at noon. The Fan Fest will also offer prize drawings, food, drinks and entertainment by the U. pep band, cheerleaders and Crimson Line. Fans in attendance will get a sneak preview of the Salt Lake 2002 Visitors Center and Olympic Cauldron Park, located in the south plaza of Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Fan Fest is free and open to the public.

CAMP NOTES

Head Coach Urban Meyer expects these players to make a gradual return from injuries this week: senior tight end Ben Moa (hamstring), senior running back Marty Johnson (foot), junior offensive guard Chris Kemoeatu (knee) and junior center Max Petersen (knee) ... Three freshmen tentatively pegged to play this fall will likely redshirt instead, according to Meyer. They are freshman wide receivers Kyle Brady, Joe Johnson and Thomas Huff. Brady (Tooele, Utah) has also been practicing at running back ... Senior all-conference candidate Thomas Herrion was moved from offensive tackle to left guard, changing places with sophomore Jesse Boone.

YOUNG DB'S

Freshman Eric Weddle's strong showing in camp has earned him a spot in the two deep at free safety behind Morgan Scalley. Another freshman DB has also cracked the depth chart: Ryan Smith is listed as the co-backup with Antonio Young at right corner.

WALK-ON WONDERS

Three walk-ons have worked their way into the regular rotation in the preseason. Junior Ryan Honea, who impressed the coaching staff in the spring, is the co-backup at "Z" receiver, where another former walk-on (Travis LaTendresse) has nailed down the starting spot. LaTendresse was awarded a scholarship in the spring. Juco transfer Dennis Pawelek will handle kickoffs and is the backup field goal/PAT kicker. At "X" receiver, junior college transfer John Madsen is No. 3.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Monday's two practices (9-11 a.m. and 4:05-5:45 p.m.) will be the last held on Ute Baseball Field. Tuesday's closed scrimmage will be held in Rice-Eccles Stadium. Practices for the remainder of the week will be conducted on the Thomas Kearns McCarthey Practice Fields. Wednesday's practice is scheduled for 3:50-5:30 pm., Thursday's for 3:30-5:30 p.m. and Friday's for 4:30-6:30 p.m.

OPEN & CLOSED

With the exception of the scrimmage on Aug. 19, of Utah's practices and scrimmages will be open to the media but closed to the public. Please note that televisions may tape only the first 30 minutes of practice.

INTERVIEW POLICIES

Interviews for Utah football players and coaches are conducted at the conclusion of practice. Assistant Athletics Director Liz Abel will attend the practices and arrange for interviews. To arrange for interviews outside of practice, please call Abel at 801-581-3511.