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Show DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE 8 Wednesday, April 18, 2012 1— THE GREAT DEBATE Does the Red-White game even matter? Fans crave springtime college football Game is nothing more than practice T he football spring game might be just another practice for the players and coaches, but it is much more than that for the fans. Those are the people that the game is for. The spring game, in many respects, is a token of appreciation to the Utah fan base for its support of the program. It is a way to give back. Football fans tend to get restless. They have gone four months without college football, and it will be another long four months until these fans get a real game. The spring game will give the football fanatics a taste of the upcoming year, just enough to hold them over until the regular season in the fall. Utah fans desperately need that taste. Television and radio media members have been singing the Utes' praises throughout spring camp and people want to see what all the fuss is about. They want answers and they want to get those answers in person. For the past few months, fans have been hearing about how Jordan Wynn has bulked up and how he actually looks like a football player now The image most fans have of Wynn is that of a Tim Lincecum look-alike who has long surfer hair and a scrawny body. For that image to be changed in the eyes of the fans, they have to see the transformation ra In •:. OD . , cs3 cn PARKER LEE StafrWriter for themselves. Fans are also concerned about the shoulder injury that sidelined Wynn last season. These were the same people who were fed a bill of goods last season when they were told that Wynn was healthy. That same story is being told this time around, and faithful fans deserve the real story first-hand. They want to see if he really can hit DeVonte Christopher in the numbers on a 40-yard post pattern. They want to see if he can perfectly place the ball in the hands of Dres Anderson on a 25-yard out route. It is one thing to hear about it, but it is another to see it. Since the offseason began, Ute diehards have been hearing about the freshman quarterback phenoms Travis Wilson and Chase See S. CRAVING Page 10 DEREK SIDDOWAY StaffWriter recruits. Sure, you get the transfers and freshmen up to "the speed of the game," but other than that, it's basically a waste of time. If you don't agree, just look at the rules: a running clock in the second half of play, no kickoff or punt returns, the defense can only rush four and incur a is-yard penalty for blitzing and if the losing team is behind by 10 or more, they keep the ball after scoring. Basically, the offense, which is not limited in any way, will run all over the defense. It's a score fest that undoubtedly drives the defensive coordinators insane. Although Brian Johnson's new bells and whistles will tear up the field, coach Sitake's defense's hands are tied. Does that sound like football? And no, I See PRACTICE Page 10 The U honored Charles GoodliffiOniiikra 82 ci) •—r c ) Tr-. ...., I t's that time of year again. In just three short days, rabid football junkies will be able to get their fix at Utah football's Red-White game. For days, your friendly neighborhood Chronicle has bombarded its loyal readership with features covering everything from the quarterback situation, projected d-line starters and, of course, the new coaching staff — namely Brian Johnson's new offense. Everything has led to Saturday's glorified practice ... I mean, spring game. For Utah football fans, the spring game is necessary to survive the summer. Since the end of the Sun Bowl, fans have been starving for some gridiron action. The spring game is just like the Hall of Fame game in Canton that kick-starts the NFL preseason: fans want to see a sack-fumble so bad they are willing to sit through two hours and 5o minutes of dropped passes, missed tackles and false starts to get it. Add in tailgating, the hangover of MUSS registration and the fact that attendance is free, and it's easy to see why people fill the stands. But we're forgetting the actual purpose of the spring game: to implement new coaching strategies and familiarize new year. for his military service In World 9 Veterans Day caletalfio ue - le 1 - - AgWtt illi tt Oppealygararb9h8nge in the 4I-e KM sal .tfli.. • . ..T r Altn.4:,•;••.144kH••••• ■ ••.;•'ib-44101 6 • C Pt.. I- 4 91'7 T-1' 11.1,yelliballeve therLDS c ) .T Uric li.h? it, 1 k rT www.dailyutahchronicle.com c 11 ‘::11 itr 6 , = re, c cc 0 ot tir ets....i., MORE NEWS THAN CAN FIT IN PRINT. Eti cl• ,,ii.4- '''',,ri ›-.- Jcids .on. F: from the pat.. ", rem. luire near Prelliani Updated regularly with current stories & breaking news. '011til sports tb" tpl * er said 17': 7pftflE, Gat °'r . tit ,AitHart.. I __,4,71 0 . of 87 b7117 WOfk KA.C„ ef rm IC :ear* t , i-s- p -, ) t78 - Ta(ces what is terlict ( ed 0 y as form or I°"Sh4re' S th t tO 111748' 6 a es 141k-by c1 / street. the will V Pr),-; TLIA B aA t2 22V1 FILE PHOTO/The Daily Utah Chronicle In the final practice before the annual spring game, Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn complimented the team on its effort but realizes there are still things that need improvement. Spring camp wraps up with Red White game Jory Carroll STAFF WRITER SPECIAL GUEST VGIC c~oGEM L MAY 172 2 2012 miivERIK„CTER get tickets at NEW ALBUM EL CAMINO ticketmaster ticketmaster.com 800.745.3000 CENTER When Kelvin York burst through a hole in the defense, "oohs" and "ahhs" erupted from the sidelines at Rice-Eccles Stadium at Tuesday's practice. In their final practice with live contact before Saturday's annual Red-White game, the Utes continued to run through the playbook and make final preparations for their spring camp finale. "[It was a] good day, heated competition, which is what you like to see. Got after each other pretty good," head coach Kyle Whittingham said. The Utes have completed 13 practices so far this spring. Even though it is the last week of camp, quarterback Jordan Wynn again pointed out that there are still some minor errors that need to be fixed. "I think we did pretty well. We [have to] clean up some stuff in the two-minute situation, but I thought it was a good day. There was a good tempo and energy," Wynn said. Utes will go without pads for Thursday's practice In order to get the most out of Saturday's spring game, the Utes' final practice will also give players a chance to take a short break from all the hard hits they've endured during the grueling schedule of the last several weeks. The team will not suit up for another practice until fall camp starts a few months from now Although the team will not participate in live action at Thursday's practice, Whittingham said he still expects to take full advantage of the time on the field. "[We'll] talk about mistakes we've made through spring, continue to make corrections and do a little work against each other," Whittingham said. "It won't be live, but there's a lot you can get done with no gear on. It's just not as physical a day as if you had the pads on." Spring camp to culminate with Red-White game Despite the fact that Saturday's Red-White game will only be a scrimmage, the team will treat it as close to 5x5 storage units for only $19 per month?! Do you need a larger space to store your items this summer? ake advantage of our 15% student discount. With this ad and your student ID you can rent at our 13053 So. Minuteman Dr. location AVAILABLE NOW THEBLACKKEYS.COM Call us! 801-523-9230 www.DraperSelfStorage.com Draper, UT 84020 DR ER S I. I. F STORAGE an actual game as possible, which will serve to show Ute fans what to expect this fall. "[The Red-White game is] watered down schematically, but you still have a chance to make plays. That's what we're looking for, guys that will step up and make plays in game-like situations," Whittingham said. "Even though the schemes will be limited on defense, there's still a chance to show what your capabilities are. All in all, there will probably be about io to 12 guys that are either not going to play or play a limited amount of time." Although Wynn will take the majority of snaps under center, he, along with Jon Hays, is one of the few players who is off limits to hits from the defense. Despite the precautionary measures, Wynn aims to be aggressive on offense and his goal is simple. "Score points," Wynn said. "The defense can only run one defense, so it's kind of a skewed thing. I'm just going to go out and have fun and try to put up some points." j.carroll@ chronicle.utah.edu |