Thursday practice report

Utah’s “dry run” is complete and head coach Kyle Whittingham was pleased with how the Utes practiced Thursday afternoon. The session capped a four-day pregame week of work under warm conditions at the practice fields.
“Tomorrow it’s the real deal,” Whittingham said as the Utes officially kick into game-week mode in final preparation for next Thursday’s season opener against Pittsburgh at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Between camp and game week, the coaching staff treated the past four days as if there were a game this Saturday.
“It went well. It was a good learning experience,” Whittingham said. “We’ll have a Monday practice tomorrow (on Friday) and it’ll just count down from there.”

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Should-be baseball Hall of Famer Dale Murphy was among the visitors on the sidelines at the end of practice. He brought his son, Jake, with him. The younger Murphy returned from his LDS Church mission in Australia this morning and is enrolling at the U. He was a receiver and safety at American Fork High School.