This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
If there's a theme to this fall, it might well be this: The Utes have no problem breeding competition within their own ranks.
They did it at quarterback. Guard. Defensive line. Corner.
One place where the battle is still burning — and may in fact be more intense since the games began — is runningback, where Bubba Poole and Devontae Booker have been named co-starters for the first time this week.
It's a move that's been a long time coming, if not printed on the depth chart, than at least in spirit. Poole, the versatile, broad-shouldered back who helped carry the load last year, has been pushed aggressively by Booker, a quick-footed wrecking ball who always seems to lean forward for extra yards and never shies from contact.
Let the battle go on, coach Kyle Whittingham said.
"I think that's a healthy thing ... it brings out the best in people," he said. "Devontae has certainly from his production, especially in the Fresno game, earned chance to become the starter. We'll see what happens throughout the practice week, but they're one and one-A, and Troy [McCormick] is number three."
For the time being, Booker is the leader in rushing yards with 145 to Poole's 96, and he also leads in yards per carry 7.2 to 5.1. Booker also has 61 receiving yards to Poole's 14, although it all came on a single catch.
Throughout camp, Booker made no secret that he hopes to be a featured back in the offense, but Poole says the relationship is more friendly than it may seem given their competition.
"He's my roommate when we travel," Poole said. "We're real close. We push each other every time. We're also competing with each other. We've got a good relationship."
It remains to be seen if one will push ahead of the other in carries or snaps, but this week the running backs are both focused on correcting their flaws and preparing for Michigan.
Top concern: pass protection. Utah has given up four sacks on the season, and while that isn't the worst figure, there's room to improve. While the Wolverines only have three sacks this year, their starting defensive line features two players who were all-Big 10 honorees last season.
"Michigan has a good defense, especially in their house," Poole said. "We mainly emphasize pass protection, keep Travis on his feet as much as we can. They have a good defensive front."
Michigan prep • While the bye is reserved for a lot of development and polishing while getting healthy, the Utes are definitely not wasting time gearing up for the big game on Sept. 20.
Whittingham said he's not worried about his young players experiencing a "wow" factor stepping into the Big House, the biggest capacity venue in college football. But he is trying to get his team used to the volume.
"We're going to be piping in crowd noise, put our offense inside for a couple days next week, get the speakers going," he said. "That's what we do every road trip."
The defense is preparing to face one of the more physical and mobile quarterbacks on the schedule this year in Devin Gardner. He ran for 483 yards last year, scoring 11 touchdowns on the ground. He also threw for nearly 3,000 yards, too, and he can complete throws outside the pocket.
The Utes happen to have a decent likeness of Gardner on their own roster: freshman quarterback Donovan Isom. Though bigger and heavier, Isom can somewhat replicate Gardner's playing style on the scout team offense.
It's important work, Whittingham said.
"He certainly is a big strong kid that moves well," he said of Gardner. "We've definitely got to be aware of him breaking out of the pocket and try to keep him in a cage as best we can. We face a lot of mobile quarterbacks this year. We face one every day with Kendal [Thompson], and Travis [Wilson] as well."
Patrick enjoying scholarship life • Utah football included in its notes this week that four walk-ons had been awarded scholarships: receivers Tim Partick and Jameson Fields, and defensive ends Wallace Gonzalez and Kylie Fitts (a transfer from UCLA who is sitting out a year).
To Patrick, the fact that his scholarship was news … was news to him.
"I got mine early in fall camp," he said. "I wasn't on scholarship for, like, a week."
But the JuCo transfer has enjoyed his scholarship long enough to get used to certain comforts. The biggest plus? Not buying his own equipment.
"It's a big improvement," he said. "JC, you're basically on your own. You gotta buy everything, cleats, gloves, all of that. Getting a scholarship here takes care of all that stuff. Just worry about football and school."
Being on scholarship does come with expectations, and much is expected of Patrick after a stellar fall camp. The 6-foot-5 receiver is backing up Kenneth Scott a Z-receiver, and he's gotten two catches for 22 yards so far.
Seeing Scott and Dres Anderson each score a pair of touchdowns this weekend has turned up his desire to get one himself.
"I want to hop in the fire too," he said. "My time will definitely come sooner or later. Hopefully against Michigan: They play a lot of man, which is my specialty."
Seabrook trying running back • First, freshman running back Tavaris Williams switched to corner. Now the offense is taking one of the rookies back.
Freshman corner Monte Seabrook tweeted Wednesday he had been moved to runningback, and Whittingham confirmed that the Utes are at least taking a look at him there during the bye. His speed - he was a high school track star - could be an asset there, and his 5-foot-10, 190-pound size is good for the position.
"He looks real good there," Whittingham said. "It's only been a couple days. We'll take a look there for at least a couple days, and we'll make a determination."
Seabrook was a do-it-all player at Newberry High in Florida, rushing for 571 yards and five touchdowns as a senior while also starring as a defensive back.
Musical selection • If you hear varying strains and covers of the Johnny Cash classic "Ring of Fire" echoing across campus, just relax: It's the Utes, practing to a song that plays over and over again.
It's a bye week and developmental practice tradition, Whittingham said. Just don't ask for an origin story.
"I think it started about 15 years ago," he said. "It's just been in place. There is no reason why it started to my knowledge, or how it started. I think it's the brainchild of one of our strength coaches. It just kinda stuck."
Does Whittingham ever tire of it?
"I just tune it out," he said. "I didn't even know it was playing until [a reporter] said something."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Utah at Michigan
O Saturday, Sept. 20
1:30 p.m., TV TBA