Aug. 24, 2009
SALT LAKE CITY
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The Ute football team turns its attention to Utah State this week with the start of regular season practices. Utah's season opener against the Aggies is Thu., Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. Practices are closed to the public.
UTES CRACK BOTH POLLS
For the first time in school history, Utah is ranked in the both major preseason polls. Utah, which checked in at No. 18 in the USA Today Coaches Poll on Aug. 7, is No. 19 in the A.P. rankings, which came out on Aug. 23. Utah's No. 18 USA Today ranking is the best in school history--beating its only other preseason appearance at No. 21 in 2004. This marks the first time Utah has started the season in the A.P. Top 25. The Utes have finished the season in the Top 25 four times (AP/Coaches): 1994 (No. 10/8), 2003 (No. 21/21), 2004 (No. 4/5), 2008 (No. 2/4).
INSIDE THE HUDDLE
The team has voted
Matt Asiata,
Zane Beadles,
Stevenson Sylvester and
Koa Misi as the 2009 Ute captains ... Redshirt freshman
Sean Sellwood (punter) and
Patrick Greene (snapper) were both awarded scholarships late last week. Both are slated to start at their respective positions ... With the injury to
Koa Misi (back),
Nai Fotu will handle the starting job at right end. Misi, Foto and
Derrick Shelby are all considered starting ends ... Utah will be missing a few members of the depth chart this week with injuries. Misi (back), right guard
Walter Watts (knee) and defensive tackle
Latu Heimuli (knee) are out until further notice ... Sophomore
Greg Bird has moved to No. 2 at free safety after a solid preseason camp ...
Shaky Smithson and
Luke Matthews are now listed as the co-favorites to return punts.
OUTSIDE THE LINES
The seventh annual "Bleed Red" blood drive competition between the Utah and Utah State is scheduled for Aug. 28-Sept. 3. Donors will receive a "Bleed Red" T-shirt and will be eligible to win prizes including tickets to the Utah/BYU football game or a Nintendo Wii. Blood drive locations will be in the A. Ray Olpin Union Ballroom, Crimson View in the Union, Salt Lake LDS Institute and in the ARUP "Bloodmobile" just north of the University Bookstore.
