Utah’s spring football game didn’t exactly bode well for the rest of the Mountain West Conference.
The two-time defending champion Utes will head into fall without a returning starter at quarterback, after Heisman finalist Alex Smith became the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.
But Brian Johnson, who spent the 2004 season doing the cleanup work in the Utes’ weekly routs, tossed a shovel pass to redshirt freshman Brent Casteel on the first play of the spring game for a 65- yard touchdown. Johnson passed for 258 yards and three touchdowns overall.
“We may have hit the lottery with Brian,” new Utah coach Kyle Whittingham told The Salt Lake Tribune.
New offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig installed more of a pro attack, although elements of the shotgun spread will remain.
Elsewhere in the MWC beyond the Front Range, only two quarterback battles remained undetermined, and some new faces emerged to take the place of 15 conference players drafted April 23-24.
Brigham Young: New Cougars coach Bronco Mendenhall named junior-to-be John Beck the starter at quarterback. It was less than a full vote of confidence for Beck, who made the all-MWC second team. Beck and backup Matt Berry have battled injuries throughout their careers.
Former Arapahoe High School star K.C. Bills has moved from linebacker to safety but is not listed on the preseason first unit.
Nevada-Las Vegas: Form- er Utah offensive coordinator Mike Sanford, now coaching the Rebels, won’t announce a starting quarterback until the fall. Incumbent Shane Stei- chen has improved after two unproductive seasons, but junior college transfer Jarrod Jackson kept the heat on.
With extensive graduation losses on defense, junior college transfer John Guice made an immediate impact in the secondary at cornerback.
New Mexico: Veteran coach Rocky Long said the Lobos won’t know until late August at the earliest whether tailback DonTrell Moore will come back from knee surgery.
Moore was injured during the Emerald Bowl against Navy but didn’t have surgery until early February.
Long expanded the offensive package to include some elements of Utah’s shotgun spread. He brought in junior college transfer Chris Nelson to push incumbent quarterback Kole McKamey.
San Diego State: The Aztecs finished spring ball before most teams started. Although coach Tom Craft said he won’t name a starting quarterback until the first week of August camp, redshirt freshman Darren Mougey was everything advertised.
Sophomore tailback Lynell Hamilton was at full speed after sitting out last season with a lingering ankle problem.
Texas Christian: Tye Gunn started at quarterback as a freshman, the same 2002 season when the MWC newcomers beat Colorado State in the Liberty Bowl. Gunn is 10-2 as an injury-plagued, three- year starter.
Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson is looking at eight new league rivals. “There’s going to be a lot more film study in the summertime,” he said.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
