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Friday, September 09, 2011

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Fellow Alumnus, greetings from Los Angeles! I can't tell you how excited we are to kick it off tomorrow in the Coliseum! We've had a great week of practice and it's time to get things started in our new conference. USC runs a pro-style offense, very similar to the scheme Coach Chow has implemented with the Utes. Matt Barkley #7 is one of the top QB's in the country and his top receiving threat is a returning All Pac12 true Sophomore, Robert Woods #2. Woods broke the program record last week against Minnesota for receptions in a game. USC's top back, #26 Marc Tyler was absent from their first game against Minnesota but will be back in the Lineup tomorrow night. They only have 2 returning starters on the O-line. They are a Zone team on the ground and they have a fairly effective play-action game. They also use a good amount of screens to get the ball in the hands of Woods and get him in space. Defensively they run a 4-3 scheme with a good amount of zone pressure and Tampa 2 as their base coverage. They are fast and athletic. #8, Steve Perry is their best pass rusher and their middle linebacker, #54 Chris Galippo is as productive as they come. Game 1 in the Pac12 will be a great test and we can't wait to get it started! Thanks for all of your support! We received over 75 responses to last weeks update, and we read a bunch of them to the team before the game. Your support is invaluable and we hope to do you proud tomorrow night! Thanks again for all you do! Go Utes!

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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

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Fellow Alumnus, just sitting here in the hotel with the team on the night before the game and I can't help but think of the thoughts that went through my mind and the feelings that flowed through my body when I was in their shoes. I know you all can remember how you prepared and what you felt during that time and I hope you are all thinking about the Utes wherever you are. I know this is last minute but I know the team would love to hear from you. Any message to this year's Utes would be great. The power that comes from the voices of the past is undeniable and I know our boys are grateful for what all of you have done to build such a special program. So hit me back and show your support to this year's UTES (United Together Eternal Soldiers)! Let's see how strong this fraternity is! Thank you for all you do!

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Monday, August 29, 2011

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Fellow Alumnus, Game week is here and we are pumped to get this season under way! Fall Camp went well with very few injuries and we feel like we have answered many of the questions we had going in to camp. We plan on putting a product out there that you can all be proud of. This years captains, as selected by the team, will be Star Lotulelei (D-Tackle), Matt Martinez (LB), Chaz Walker (LB), Jordan Wynn (QB), Tony Bergstrom (OL), and Luke Matthews (WR). This is a solid group of leaders that does a great job of holding the team accountable and making sure they prepare the right way. Montana State is a very solid team and they return a very athletic quaterback in DeNarius McGhee (#9) as well as 2 very athletic wide receivers in Elvis Akpla (#1) and Everett Gilbert (#14). They are primarily a spread team in the throw game and 2 tight end team in the run game. Defensively they play a lot of quarters and tampa 2 coverage without much slanting up front from the defensive line. Their best defensive players are defensive end John Laidet (#11) and linebacker Clay Bignell (#42). We appreciate your support and your continued interest in your program and we hope to see a lot of you at Rice Eccles Stadium this Thursday. It has also been great to see many of our former players doing well in the NFLs preseason. Final cut day is scheduled for a week from today but here is a list of those still currently on NFL Rosters:

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Matt Asiata Minnesota Vikings

Zane Beadles Denver Broncos

Brandon Burton Minnesota Vikings

Christian Cox New England Patriots (Injured Reserve)

Jonathan Fanene Cincinnati Bengals

Jordan Gross Carolina Panthers

Robert Johnson Tennessee Titans

Chris Kemoeatu Pittsburgh Steelers

Paul Kruger Baltimore Ravens

Brice McCain Houston Texans

Koa Misi Miami Dolphins

Sione Pouha New York Jets

Brett Ratliff Tennessee Titans

David Reed Baltimore Ravens

Caleb Schlauderaff Green Bay Packers

Sealver Siliga San Francisco 49ers

Alex Smith San Francisco 49ers

Sean Smith Miami Dolphins

Steve Smith Carolina Panthers

Shaky Smithson Green Bay Packers

Paul Soliai Miami Dolphins

R.J. Stanford Carolina Panthers

Stevenson Sylvester Pittsburgh Steelers

Zane Taylor New York Jets

Eric Weddle San Diego Chargers

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There are also a handful of players not on this list who will end up on a team before all is said and done. We are proud of all of these men for how they represent the Utah Football Fraternity and we wish them well as the regular season approaches.