The University of Utah Utes still think they have unfinished business.
After playing in both the DIA and Varsity Cup playoffs - during which they fell in the quarterfinals in both - and after battling back from suspension to finish a solid 2014-15 season, the Utes are thinking 7s.
“We match up well against the top teams if we’re well-disciplined,” said Utah Coach John Law. “We feel we are in an upward trajectory, coming back from suspension, getting our recruiting back in line.”
“For the seniors, this has been a pretty long road, but we’ve pleased with where the program is now that we’re moving on,” said flyhalf Danny Christensen. “But we want one more shot at it. In 7s, I think we can do well. It’s something we’ve been good at, and we competed well in Las Vegas.”
The Utes have had almost a month to work on their 7s, and, while they have a small group of seniors, it will likely be the underclassmen who make Utah succeed.
Players like Gabe Ruflin, speedy Nate Kingsford, hard-working Chad Gough, Scott Strong, Alex Alba, Will Frantz, and Taylor Thomas are all players with the potential to break out for the Utes. They will be a big part of a rebuilding program, and maybe, for the team that won the first major college 7s tournament back in 2010, the rebuilding takes a big step this week in Denver.
Utah is in Pool F with Davenport, Sacramento State, and Miami of Ohio.
