This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
It hurt Kenneth Scott more than it hurt you.
Known for his sure-handedness and probably Utah's best bet in a game of 500, Scott dropped two passes against UCLA that he's hearing about now for an extra five days due to Utah's bye week.
"In my home state, I'm trying to make a big play, and just took my eyes off the ball," he said Friday. "I've got to do the little things before I can do the big things."
Senior captain Dres Anderson — having redeemed himself for drops against Washington State with a 42-yard touchdown grab against the Bruins — told Scott not to worry: His team knows how good he is.
"I took that to heart, especially from him because he's like a brother to me," said Scott, who has 22 grabs for 228 yards and three touchdowns.
"Whether you're doing good or you're doing bad, it's going to happen. That was my first bad game. You can't be perfect all the time."
Nonetheless, when Utah released a new depth chart on Thursday, Scott was listed as a co-starter along with junior Tim Patrick, a lanky 6-foot-5 junior college transfer who impressed coaches with how quickly he adjusted during fall camp. Asked if there was any one player who most helped to ease his transition, Patrick said there was: Kenneth Scott.
"He just told me just to do you and go hard," Patrick said. "That's what I've been doing ever since I got here."
Both said Friday that the competition makes them better players. Whether you're holding off your backup or fighting to overtake the starter, the pressure's the same, Patrick said.
"It's not going to stop me from working hard and it's not going to stop Kenneth from working hard. Me and him on the field, we're just going to help the team no matter what, so it doesn't really matter to me."
Share of QB reps unchanged
Media were asked Friday not to share observations about which players are taking reps with the ones and which are playing with the twos.
It's a competitive disadvantage for the Utes, said Director of Player Personnel Fred Whittingham, and if they feel it's harming them to allow media at practice, they will close practices.
Hence, no report on who we saw playing with whom.
Travis Wilson slipped past media after practice, while Kendal Thompson told reporters, "It's going the exact same."
"We're both getting the same amount of reps and we're just trying to correct the mistakes we made last week and continue to stride forward and get better."
Thompson believes that Dave Christensen's offense will continue to improve as the season continues. The passing numbers — just 1,089 yards through five games — aren't yet what they expect them to be.
"If we can get that going along with the running game, the sky's the limit for the offense."
In safe hands
Against Washington State, true freshman Marcus Williams spelled an injured Tevin Carter, and for the final three quarters against UCLA, it was true freshman Andre Godfrey filling Carter's oversize shows.
That's OK, says defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake.
When they were recruited, "We told these guys that they'd have a chance to play as young guys, and we have a lot of confidence in them," he said. "I'm not afraid of those guys getting on the field."
Godfrey may have played more against Washington State but is still recovering from a high ankle sprain sustained during fall camp.
Sitake is not sure if Godfrey, Williams or junior Charles Henderson will replace Carter if he is unable to play against Oregon State, but was impressed by Godfrey's performance last Saturday.
"Being in the Rose Bowl as a true freshman, that guy did not quiver, and did not seem like a true freshman at all."
Linebackups
Kyle Whittingham disclosed Wednesday that sophomore linebacker Uaea Masina was lost for the season due to an arm injury.
Friday, Sitake — who doubles as the linebackers coach — said it's now up to Christian Drews, Tanner Larsen, and potentially some defensive ends to fill in if Utah takes another shot to depth.
"I'm excited to see how these other guys respond," Sitake said.
National sacks leader Nate Orchard has been an effective outside linebacker when called upon, and senior Jacoby Hale is again practicing after tearing his ACL in spring ball.
"We'll see what we come up with by the time we take the field against Oregon State."
Outfielder assist
Kendal Thompson and Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper were childhood baseball teammates, and they're so close that Harper asked Thompson to be a groomsman at his wedding.
After the Nats lost in Game 4 to the Giants, Thompson called his buddy to let him know he'd done his share — hitting his third home run of the series, doubling and walking.
Thompson said Harper plans to attend a Utah home game this season, either against Oregon or USC.
Birthday boys
Sitake celebrated his 39th birthday Friday — days after that of safeties coach Morgan Scalley — by doing what he does every other day.
"When you get to be my age, it's just like, who cares?" ... "I have a great life, I have great friends and I have a great job, so every day is pretty much my birthday."
Twitter: @matthew_piper —
Utah at Oregon State
O Thursday, 8 p.m.
TV • Fox Sports 1