Utah should have a much cleaner look up front when it takes the field Saturday night against Arkansas.
Coach Morgan Scalley said Tuesday that offensive linemen Keith Olson and Isaiah Garcia “should be ready to go” this week, a welcome sign for a group that was missing both players in the opener against Idaho. Olson had been projected to start, while Garcia was expected to be part of the line rotation.
The Utes opened with Zereoue Williams, Solatoa Moea’i, Alex Harrison, Roger Alderman and Cedric Jefferson across the front last Thursday. If Olson is available, he should move into the right guard spot and replace Alderman in the starting five.
Utah leaned on its depth more than usual against Idaho, in part because of those injuries and in part because the game got out of hand early enough to allow extra reps. That should change against Arkansas. Scalley said the Utes are planning to settle on a tighter lineup and won’t be rotating nearly as much.
“We had a good rotation there at the guard spot. I though guys got quality reps, and so we’ll settle in on a starting five this week that hopefully can last us throughout the game,” Scalley said.
There’s also a situation to watch in the backfield. Running back Daniel Bray suffered a concussion after just three snaps against Idaho. The sophomore is expected to have a significant role behind RB1 Wayshawn Parker this season, and Scalley said the team is moving carefully through the return process.
“He’s going through the protocol right now. It looks like we’re on track to have him back, but with concussions, you never know day to day how they handle everything. So we’re making sure that he’s safe and ready to go,” Scalley said.
No. 20 Utah (1-0, 0-0) faces Arkansas (1-0, 0-0) on Saturday at 8:15 p.m.
MDT at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The game will air on ESPN, with radio coverage on 700 AM/92.1 FM.
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