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Even before getting hurt on Tuesday, center Hiva Lutui was unlikely to play in the spring game.
Unfortunately for Utah, the senior is likely to miss some games that matter.
Coach Kyle Whittingham said Saturday that Lutui had suffered a knee injury that should keep him out of action "at least until October." Lutui was on the sidelines on crutches during the game.
That means Utah's top candidate to snap this fall is on the shelf for at least a third of the fall games, adding even more uncertainty to the only offensive line starting job that was abdicated this spring after senior Saiosi Aiono graduated.
Junior Lo Falemaka is Lutui's backup, but Whittingham said shifting another starter to center — possibly Isaac Asiata or J.J. Dielman — is also an option.
"We're going to get the best five out there," he said. "Whatever combination with the best five, we'll make it work."
The Utes also suffered another injury during the game, when defensive back Damian Greene fell in coverage on a pass to Tyrone Smith and immediately gestured for medical attention in the first quarter. He ended up taking a wagon off the field.
Whittingham didn't have a concrete update on his status after the game, but said, "It doesn't look good."
No-fer on field goals
The Utes didn't make a field goal on Saturday.
A cold and rainy front swirled heavy winds in the Rice-Eccles Stadium end zones. But still, Whittingham said he expected more from Andy Phillips (0 for 2) and Hayes Hicken (0 for 1).
Phillips' second attempt from 37 yards was close: The kick clanged off the top of the left upright, and officials took a long look at one another before signaling, "No good."
Crimson Club class announced
Utah announced six individuals and the 1994 football team will be added to the school's Hall of Fame: Shannon Bowles (gymnastics), Jim Giottonini (swimming), Kathy Kreiner (skiing), Pace Mannion (men's basketball), Kim Smith (women's basketball) and Pat Miller (ski coach).
The 1994 football season was the first time Utah had won 10 games in the sport; Smith leads women's basketball in scoring as perhaps the best player in program history; Kreiner led Utah's combined skiing title in 1983, seven years after winning Olympic gold; Mannion was the WAC player of the year in 1983; Bowles and Giottonini were All-Americans.
Twitter: @kylegoon