Today was the final day for practicing with pads, and the final day that media can talk to players and coaches.  It was also a day that it was very obvious that both coaches and players were ready to get the season under way.
    The defense struggled today against the scout team, prompting a frustrated coaches to boil over at times.  Offensively, Brian Johnson continues to look good, as does Brent Casteel, who will be playing his first game in almost two years.
    Coach Kyle Whittingham talked earlier this week that two years ago, when the Utes opened up against UCLA in the Rose Bowl, that his team was ill prepared to deal with the "big time" college atmosphere that the Rose Bowl holds.  Whittingham says this year will be different.  He talked about the experience factor that this team holds over the '05 team, and that the coaching staff has downplayed the whole playing the "Big House".

RANDOM NOTES -

- The Utes practiced partially inside today using not just crowd noise, but "Hail To The Victors" (Michigan fight song) blaring over the loud  speakers.

-  The Utes will hold a walk through at Michigan immediatley after getting off the plane, instead of later that night as originally planned.

INTERVIEWS -

Kyle Whittingham

Brent Casteel