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ST. george – The Trailblazers start their season in three weeks and are excited to start playing some football.
Utah Tech held a full-speed test in practice Saturday morning as preparations continue for a Sept. 3 game at Sacramento State.
“It was a controlled scrimmage,” fourth-year head coach Paul Peterson told the St. George News after practice.
“We did some things on purpose offensively and defensively,” he added. We want to see more men. Everyone got some scraps. “
As fall camp progresses smoothly, Peterson noted that key athletes on both sides of the ball are continuing to develop.
“We want to get them the reps they need and then get them healthy for our games,” he said.
Avid fans are following the position battles at quarterback and wide receiver.
As previously reported by the St. George News, Utah Tech’s quarterback competition is strong with six different signal callers.
While last year’s starters Kobe Tracy and running backs Bone Abbott (Hawaii) and Victor Gabalis (Washington State) could be named the front-runners for the job, Peterson said the Trailblazers won’t name a QB1 until the SEC State game.
“I think they all have their tools that they do really well,” Peterson said. We try to call plays to help their intensity. But I think it’s going to be a game-time decision, if we don’t play one, then we’re going to play a lot of quarterbacks.
Meanwhile, another strong offense competition is to determine the starting rotation of wide receivers. On the roster, Utah Tech appears to have a deep, talented receiving corps.
“We had a lot of these guys from last year, they just got hurt,” Peterson said. “The four receivers on the sideline are hurt and it’s going to cost you. So the goal is to get those guys healthy again and go full throttle throughout the season.
Fifth-year player Devon Osborne, listed at 6-foot-8 and 205 pounds, leads a deep Trailblazers group of receivers that includes former Pine View standout Michael Moton, Keith Davis, Malcolm Ross-Turner, Ricky Johnson, AJ Simpson-Battle and Ex. Crimson Cliffs player Jayton Tanibe.
With three weeks until the start of the game, the Trailblazers are forming a team identity and coming together as a team.
“We’re doing team bonding,” Peterson said, adding that the Blazers recently had a team activity at Sand Hollow for some boating and fun.
“I think they’re having fun, but they’re working their tails off, and you can see that,” Peterson said. “If it’s not a grind, when they love being here, I think that’s when they build something special.”
Earlier this season, Peterson said the coaches were letting the players set the tone.
“These guys are working hard and as coaches we’re trying to put them in a good position and get out of their way,” he said. “And now they’re leading us, so it’s fun to watch.”
A preseason Western Athletic Conference coaches poll predicted Utah Tech to finish last in the conference. Their first WAC game is on the road against Southern Utah University on the 24th in Cedar City.
Photo gallery
Utah Tech football players run offense, St. George, Utah, Aug. 13, 2022 | Photo by E. George Gould, St. George News
Utah Tech football players run offense, St. George, Utah, Aug. 13, 2022 | Photo by E. George Gould, St. George News
Utah Tech football players run offense, St. George, Utah, Aug. 13, 2022 | Photo by E. George Gould, St. George News
Utah Tech football players run offense, St. George, Utah, Aug. 13, 2022 | Photo by E. George Gould, St. George News
Freshman kicker Ilya Uvidov (48) and his Utah Tech teammates practice special teams, St. George, Utah, Aug. 13, 2022 | Photo by E. George Gould, St. George News
Fourth-year Utah Tech head football coach Paul Peterson addresses his troops in St. George, Utah, Aug. 13, 2022 | Photo by E. George Gould, St. George News
Copyright Saint George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.
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