A Reunion of Utes

Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Jordan Gross, a West Jordan High and University of Utah graduate, stopped by practice on Saturday in New Orleans, along with teammates Maake Kemoeatu and Steve Smith,.
They didn’t offer much advice on winning the Sugar Bowl.
‘Just shook some hands,’ he said. ‘We didn’t want to interrupt. They’re obviously doing things right, so they don’t need any more advice.’
Asked if he knew any of the current Utes ‘ his last year was in 2003 ‘ he replied, ‘Just the coaches. None of the players, obviously, (coaches) Gary Andersen, Jay Hill. Played with Morgan Scalley. But yeah, it was good to just go see ‘em. I have watched ‘em a lot on TV this year, but it was good to watch them in person.’
And though the Utes were on the rise back in his era, Gross says he didn’t expect two BCS invitations.
‘No, it’s awesome but I’m really jealous. We never won a big bowl game like that when I was playing, and it’s a tribute to how far they’ve come the last few years.’
Asked if his Carolina teammates know who Utah is, he replied, ‘Well, when they went to the Fiesta Bowl in ’05, that was big. That put their name out there. Whenever you go undefeated, people will know who you are. They know. We talk about them enough.’
As for his predictions on Utah’s Sugar Bowl chances, he added: ‘They’re gonna have to open up the playbook.’