No. 24 Utah paying tribute this season to the late Ty Jordan

Updated Sep. 1, 2021 1:28 p.m. ET

Associated Press

The Utah Utes will take the field this season with a decal on their helmets similar to the one they wore during the spring game — “LLTJ.”

Long Live Ty Jordan.

It's a tribute to the talented tailback who died last December at the age of 19 in what police

Jordan remains in their hearts as No. 24 Utah

“There are several ways we’re going to honor Ty, and you’ll see them as the season unfolds," coach Kyle Whittingham said.

Here's another show of respect: Cornerback Aaron Lowe switched to wearing No. 22 as a tribute to Jordan, who was a high school teammate in Mesquite, Texas.

"Ty made everyone around him better,” Lowe

The Utes will go with a tailback-by-committee

“Each have their strengths, and the flow of the game will dictate a lot of that,” Whittingham said. “But we know they’re all going to get playing time. They’ll all get carries unless something unforeseen happens. We’ll see what the production level is and go from there as far as moving forward with a depth chart.”

Weber State will be ready on a defense led by linebacker Conner Mortensen and safety Preston Smith, both of whom earned All-America honors during the Wildcats' spring season.

“I've kind of had a hard time getting a good bead on what’s coming out of their camp as to who their guy is and who they’re most happy with,” Weber State coach Jay Hill said about Utah's multiple tailback options. “No matter who’s back there at tailback, we’re gonna have to tackle them.”

QB RACE

The Utes will turn to Baylor transfer Charlie Brewer at quarterback

“They’re both very well-respected, hard workers, they prepare the way you’re supposed to," Whittingham said. "It was really close, but ultimately for Charlie, the experience factor was probably the biggest reason.”

NOISY

There soon could be a new single-game attendance record set at Rice-Eccles Stadium after the capacity was increased from 45,807 to 51,444. It was part of the south end zone expansion.

To prepare for the crowd noise, the Wildcats have been turning up the loudspeakers at practice.

“The thing's blasting when you're in the huddle and you can’t hear anything," Weber State running back Josh Davis said. "So I think that’s really gonna help going into the Utah game."

SERIES TALLY

Utah is 5-0 all-time against the Wildcats, outscoring them by a 230-61 margin. The last time they met was 2018, when the Utes won 41-10. They're also slated to meet in 2023.

FAMILIAR FACE

Hill recently brought in Gary Andersen as a voluntary staff member who will serve in an advisory role.

Andersen has been the head coach at Southern Utah, Utah State, Wisconsin and Oregon State. He also was a longtime assistant head coach/coordinator at Utah under Ron McBride, Urban Meyer and Whittingham.

“Gary is one of the best coaches in the country and we are lucky to have him with us,” Hill said.

TOP WILDCATS

Weber State was picked to win the Big Sky in the media and coaches polls. The Wildcats are also ranked sixth in the nation in the AFCA Coaches poll.

Whittingham is impressed with what Hill has done at Weber State, going 52-31. Hill played two seasons at Utah (1998-00) and also was an assistant coach with Utah for 13 seasons, including under Whittingham.

“Jay Hill has done a great job there,” Whittingham said.

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AP freelance writer John Coon contributed to this report.

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