Meister der Farbe » to finish as strongly as he started the 2016 season

SALT LAKE CITY -- Bittersweet is how Utah coach Kyle Whittingham described his Thursday night. He certainly wasnt going to complain about a 24-0 shutout of Southern Utah, but the win certainly wasnt as pretty as the 12th-year coach hoped for against the FCS program.The degree of difficulty is going to get higher in the ensuing weeks, Whittingham said. Thats why were kind of bittersweet because we know that performance wont be good enough down the road. Weve got to get better.Troy Williams threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns as fans got their first glimpse of the revamped Utah offense, which included a new full-time starter at quarterback for the first time since 2012. The Utes have new starters at every offensive skill position.It was a little rocky in the first half, but we started to get in a rhythm, Troy Williams said. Just first game jitters, that is all that was. Especially for me. Then I started to get comfortable and went out there and executed and came out of there with a win.I just put it in (my teammates) hands and they made it happen.Williams showed why there is optimism throughout the program for the Santa Monica College transfer that originally signed with Washington as one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. He put zip on the ball on several out routes and kept his eyes downfield while scrambling. Williams also recognized a mismatch on a 2-yard touchdown pass to Tim Patrick, who used his 6-foot-5 frame to box out 6-0 cornerback Jarmaine Doubs to take a 17-0 lead just before halftime.The Utah defense smothered its FCS opponent like it was supposed to and held Southern Utah to just 158 offensive yards. Safety Marcus Williams shined with an interception, a fumble forced and a fumble recovery.I dont feel like we were up to our potential today, Marcus Williams said. But next week were going to fix some things, tackle better and were going to come out blazing.THE TAKEAWAYSOUTHERN UTAH: The Thunderbirds didnt just roll over despite just not having the athletes to match up with Utah. It was difficult to create much offense against a Utah defense that should be one of the best in the Pac-12. Quarterback McCoy Hill flashed some with his arm and legs despite missing time in the second quarter with an injury.Just proud of the guys, Southern Utah coach Demario Warren said. They fought the whole game and never gave up. We made some mistakes. I wish we could have had a couple of plays back and hopefully change that game.But theyre a great football team and you cant make that many mistakes in a game and expect to win. ... I was definitely disappointed in the outcome and some of the mistakes we made.UTAH: A rout was expected, but there were plenty of nerves in the stands when Utah led just 3-0 late in the second quarter. The run game was nonexistent in the first half and the offensive line was far from dominant for a unit with four returning starters and a junior college All-American at left tackle.Wasnt exactly what I expected, Whittingham said. We never really were not in control of the game, but we never really had complete control of the game. It was tougher to score than I anticipated it would be. Credit them -- theyre a good football team.If were going to win next week, weve got to get better. Theres no doubt about that.QUOTABLEUtah has such a good defense, Warren said. You cant block up front too long with those guys coming at you. So then you try and keep the passing game short. But theyve some really good DBs that stick to those shorter routes. Then you try and go long and No. 20 (Williams) is flying around from sideline to sideline making a ton of plays.NEWEST ADDITIONUtah debuted its brand new high-definition scoreboard on Thursday. The $13.5 million project includes the 122-foot wide, 64-foot tall board that contains 2.6 million pixels. The digital surround sound blares from 130 speakers around the stadium.UP NEXTSOUTHERN UTAH: The Thunderbirds now turn their attention to the FCS schedule with Southeast Louisiana traveling to Cedar City, Utah on Sept. 10. The two programs last played in 2014 with the Lions winning 41-14.UTAH: The Utes host their lone true rival next week -- BYU. There were grumbles from both sets of fans when the two programs didnt play in the regular season in 2014 or 2015. The Beehive State football deities corrected that with a 2015 Las Vegas Bowl showdown in which Utah jumped out to a 35-0 first-quarter lead and held on for a 35-28 victory. Adidas Pavel Zacha Jersey . However, he did make them miss him a little less. Cundiff, who had the unenviable job of replacing Dawson last season, agreed Thursday to a one-year, $1. Keith Kinkaid Jersey . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football. http://www.cheapdevilsjerseys.com/?tag=adidas-scott-niedermayer-jersey . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. John Moore Jersey . -- The St. Johns IceCaps weathered a wild first period with the help of goaltender Jussi Olkinuora, before finding offensive inroads in the second. Ken Daneyko Jersey . I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games. CHICAGO -- Robert Stephenson is back with the Cincinnati Reds this month, getting the chance to finish as strongly as he started the 2016 season.Stephenson (2-1, 4.97 ERA) will make his sixth career appearance, fourth start, when he face the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday at Wrigley Field. He was recalled by the Reds earlier this month.In April, the 23-year-old right-hander became the first Reds pitcher to win his first two big league games since Larry Luebbers in 1993. He earned those victories after Cincinnati right-hander Homer Bailey was deemed unable to pitch at the start of the season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery.Stephenson was sent to Triple-A Louisville in late April, and he spent the bulk of the season in the minors. He went 8-9 with a 4.41 ERA in 24 starts for Louisville, including wins in his final two starts while allowing a total of three earned runs.We want to see Robert, and were giving him a chance to pitch in his regular comfortable role, which is as a starter, Price said when Stephenson was called up Sept. 2. This is an opportunity for him to continue to find his way.In three starts this month, Stephenson is 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA. On Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he allowed four runs on four hits in five innings during a no-decision.Bailey, meanwhile, threw an uneventful bullpen session at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, maintaining hopes that he may yet see major league action in the seasons final games.He was feeling good so he (wanted) to do it today, Price said. (But) if there is a risk or concern about hiis surgically repaired injury, then he will certainly not take the field.dddddddddddd.Bailey had his elbow reconstructed in the middle of the 2015 season. He returned to the Reds this season to make six appearances between July 31 and Aug. 28, going 2/3 with a 6.65 ERA. He subsequently was shut down due to biceps tenderness.Stephensons mound opponent Wednesday will be John Lackey (9-8, 3.42 ERA). The right-hander is the last Chicago starter without a double-digit win total. That is partly due to a stay on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder stiffness last month. He hopes to join the 10-win group in his 28th start of the season.Lackey got a no-decision in his last start -- a 5-4, come-from-behind Cubs win over the Brewers in 10 innings Friday. He is 2-1 with a 2.36 ERA in his past seven starts, but he is 1-2 with a 6.38 ERA in three starts against Cincinnati this season.In his career against the Reds, Lackey is 4-4 with a 3.65 ERA in 12 starts.Behind the Lackey, the Cubs bullpen could have a familiar face back.Right-handed reliever Pedro Strop, out since Aug. 11 after undergoing surgery to repair meniscus tear of his left knee, is expected to be activated from the disabled list later this week. He could make up to five appearances in the final two weeks of the season.Strop threw about 20 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday and reported no problems. He is 2-2 with a 2.89 ERA in 50 appearances this season. ' ' '