SALT LAKE CITY- The Utes wrapped up what appears to have been a productive spring ball with their annual Red and White Game. Despite less than spring-like weather, attendance clocked in at a little over 10,000. Those spectators got a good look at what they can expect from the team in 2022 as well as what the future may hold. Here are a few things that stood out.

It was a productive Red and White Game for @Utah_Football and @UtahCoachWhitt. What was your favorite part of the afternoon? #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/47sdM6Uk8J

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 23, 2022

QB2 Battle

It’s been repeated ad nauseum this spring, but the Utes seem to be in good shape no matter who they roll with as starting quarterback Cam Rising’s backup. Both Bryson Barnes and Ja’Quinden Jackson were impressive in the Red and White Game making plays with their feet and arms.

Barnes headed the White Team (after Rising’s one drive to start the game) and finished the day nine of 18 passing for 157 yards and two touchdowns. The White Team would go on to win the game 21-14 over the Red Team.

I can understand now why the coaches have been saying the QB2 battle has been heated. Both Barnes and Jackson have been impressive and unrelenting. #Utes

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) April 23, 2022

Jackson never relented going 11 of 17 passing for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He also had one interception in the game, but bounced back quickly from the mistake.

Both quarterbacks put up some yards with their feet. Barnes racked up 47 yards on ten runs and Jackson had 36 yards on eight attempts.

Jaylon Glover

Fans finally got to see Glover live and he didn’t disappoint. The freshman running back from Florida may not be used to the sleet and snow yet, but it didn’t slow him down one bit. Glover finished the game leading the running back group with five rushes for 36 yards and averaging 7.2 yards per carry.

Wide Receivers

Several receivers showed well in Utah’s spring game, but Devaughn Vele, Money Parks and Makai Cope really shined.

Vele had three catches for 72 yards with a long of 36. Parks had four catches for 43 yards and two touchdowns. Cope perhaps had the most impressive catch of the day with a one-handed circus grab in the air. He finished the game with three catches for 42 yards and a touchdown. He also had a long reception of 22 yards.

The Defense

Safety Cole Bishop continued to demonstrate his dominance for a defensive unit that has lost some leadership to the NFL. He recorded seven total tackles and one pass breakup in Utah’s spring scrimmage.

Freshman linebacker Lander Barton proved to be a force. It felt like there weren’t many plays that he didn’t have a hand in to some degree. His day ended with five tackles.

Barnes completes to Cope, but Barton quickly corrals him up. Barnes attempts a pass again that falls incomplete. 4th and 7. #GoUtes

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) April 23, 2022

Fellow freshman linebacker Carson Tabarraci  proved to be a handful for the White offense during Saturday’s scrimmage. He had six total tackles and half of a pass breakup.

As a whole it felt like the defenses did a good job of crashing the line at critical times and causing some havoc plays. This was an element that was sometimes absent in 2021 and will surely be a welcomed addition in 2022.

22 Forever

Proceeds from the ticket sales of the Red and White Game went to the Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe Memorial Scholarship funds. $89,280.00 was raised from the day’s event.

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