by Mitch Brunner
The University of Utah football team held their annual spring football game last Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Red team dominated the Black team posting a 21-0 shutout. The scrimmage marks the 15th and final spring practice allowed by the NCAA.
The scoring opened up at the 5:17 mark of the second quarter. Baylor Bears transfer Charlie Brewer took a shotgun snap, looked to his right, then found Solomon Enis in the center of the end-zone coming off of a dig route.
Later in the quarter with only 31 seconds remaining, Brewer was at it again. He faked a handoff to his left, rolled to his right and threaded the needle to redshirt freshman Devaughn Vele. The young receiver made a juggling catch in the back of the endzone to make it 14-0.
The second half was rather uneventful in terms of scoring. There were two missed field goal attempts from the special teams unit. The lone score came with 17 seconds remaining in the game as Faysal Aden scored from one yard out to make it 21-0 win.
Brewer finished the day a perfect afternoon on 15-15 completions with 151 yards and two touchdowns. Ja’Quinden Jackson showed his dual threat abilities in relief of Brewer as he rushed nine times for 45 yards with the Red team. For the Black team, Peter Costelli was 3-8 on passing attempts for 23 yards. Cam Rising will be returning in August from shoulder surgery after suffering an injury during the USC game last year.
The leading rusher for the Red team was LSU transfer Chris Curry. He had 44 yards on six carries. Oklahoma transfer TJ Pledger had 31 yards on six carries for the Black team.
On the defensive side of the ball, Karene Reid had six tackles, two tackles for a loss, and a sack for the Black team. Carlton Xavier had five tackles and one sack for the Red team.
The Utes open up their season Thursday, September 2, 2021 against Weber State.
Featured image courtesy Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News