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After Cory Butler-Byrd didn't travel to Berkeley for the Cal game, a hawkish observer might've looked to his right wrist, wrapped in tape.

Is something wrong with it? No.

Underneath that tape Saturday night, as the senior receiver rolled up 170 all-purpose yards, was a hospital bracelet from a week earlier, commemorating the birth of Cory Butler II — his son.

"The most important reason I didn't go play at Cal is because my kid was born," he said after a Monday conditioning session. "It felt good. It gave me a lot more motivation to go a lot harder."

Butler-Byrd, 22, has had arguably the most eventful past few months of any Ute. He was suspended in August following a July incident in which he damaged a police vehicle and building,http://bit.ly/2bcAHVm";> to which he later entered a guilty plea in abeyance and agreed to pay restitution.

This development was more welcome: His fiancee Eunique Shaw gave birth to their son last Friday. Between that and an oblique injury, Butler-Byrd elected to stay behind as the team travelled.

http://bit.ly/2cV0C8z";>There's no doubting the Utes have plenty of use for him. Coach Kyle Whittingham cited Butler-Byrd's impact on the kick return game against Arizona as a major improvement for special teams. His one catch was a dazzler — a 69-yard crossing route that saw him juke several Arizona defenders nearly out of their cleats, and cut across the field nearly for a touchdown.

He also ran the ball — which Whittingham didn't dismiss as a future option in a week when the Utes are hurting for running back depth.

"He's a playmaker," he said. "We've got to get better at getting him the ball more."

Butler-Byrd rejoined the teamhttp://bit.ly/2bKtygj";> in late August after the end of fall camp, and sat out the first two games. The Los Angeles native said that he couldn't have felt more welcome, especially bringing the big-play potential that he does.

"Everyone seems a lot more happy," he said. "I bring a lot more energy to the game. When the big play comes, we're unstoppable."

As for parenthood, Butler-Byrd said he and his fiancee have gotten experience with younger siblings and cousins, and his fiancee's mother travelled up this past weekend to help out with the baby: "It's going to be good."

He's actually the second Ute to have a baby this fall: Kicker Andy Phillips became a father a second time over when his son Augustus Phillips was born in September.

Prepping for Nall • When a back has more than 200 yards rushing in a game before facing Utah, the coaching staff takes notice.

That's especially true when that back is sophomore Ryan Nall, a 6-foot-2, 235-pound back who can hit like a wrecking ball. He had a breakout game against Cal with 221 yards and three touchdowns on only 14 carries, and while he didn't have a rushing attempt last year against the Utes, the team is keeping their eyes out for him.

"He's a hard runner," junior linebacker Sunia Tauteoli said. "Last year he was a lot heavier, and didn't move as well. This year, he moves a lot faster. He looked good against Cal."

Oregon State is heavily reliant on the run, running for 50 more yards per game (206 yards) than passing (155 yards). The Utes are trying to keep a lid on the run game, which rolled up 474 yards against Cal in an overtime victory, and force the ball into the hands of the yet-unsteady passing game. Whittingham said the team was scheming for different formations, possibly with three linebackers, but Oregon State's base personnel groupings with three receivers likely call for more nickel packages.

There's also the X-factor: Nall's health.http://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/index.ssf/2016/10/oregon_state_injury_report_and.html";> The Oregonian reported that Nall is questionable for the game, and was wearing a boot in Tuesday's practice after "getting rolled up on" in a pile against Cal. Whittingham said the Utes won't play guessing games whether Nall will be available or not — they're planning for him.

"He's tough to replicate, he's a big physical back," he said. "We can't change our preparation based on [injury reports]."

Manalo ready for anything • Even before he evenhttp://bit.ly/2epYc37";> knew Joe Williams was back for sure, freshman running back Marcel Manalo was up for whatever was about to happen.

After a Monday conditioning session, the Sacramento-raised back said he had the best wishes for Williams, who at that point hadn't officially joined the team.

"If Joe comes back, he's a great player and a great person," he said. "I hope he comes back, plays hard and gets us a win."

Of course, William's addition this week might put a damper on Manalo's own ambitions: He was next in line to starthttp://bit.ly/2dGvv2W";> if freshman Zack Moss is unavailable this week. He entered last Saturday's game, but didn't get a carry — he's still waiting for his first as a Ute.

Manalo established himself this spring http://bit.ly/1RSmRs3";>as a potential contender at a back-up back role, but seemed lost in the shuffle after Utah added Moss and Armand Shyne over the summer. Even walk-on Jordan Howard got a role over Manalo against Arizona.

After the game, Whittingham suggested Manalo had "tailed off" after spring in his performance. Running backs coach Dennis Erickson said the biggest gulf Manalo still has to cross is playing at the speed required in the Pac-12.

"He's got a lot of physical talent, and he's getting better all the time," he said. "I think he's got a chance to be a good player. Obviously it has to happen pretty quickly."

Manalo said he wasn't discouraged by getting buried on the depth chart by new arrivals, but insisted he's kept the same mentality since he's arrived: His time will come.

Aside from Williams' re-entry to the roster, Manalo may be up.

"Coaches just say people gotta step up because people go down in football," he said. "Even though it's just a tragic time right now, because a lot of injuries are happening every week it seems like, you've just gotta be ready. Can't feel sorry for yourself or the team. You gotta do what you can to provide for the team."

kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon