As previously reported and confirmed by a source inside the University of Utah football program, Utes standout junior tailback Zack Moss suffered a season-ending knee injury during Thursday’s practice.
Although Utah Football hasn’t made an official statement on the injury just yet, it is expected that Moss will undergo meniscus repair surgery here in Salt Lake City sometime this week.
So many emotions. So many tears. I’m coming back stronger. God’s plan
— ❌ (@PresMoss2) November 9, 2018
Moss’s injury marks the second major loss for the Utes in the last week after QB Tyler Huntley went down with a broken clavicle in the third quarter of Saturday’s loss to Arizona State.
Before the injury, Moss was on-pace to come very close to the Utes all-time career and single season rushing records. Utah’s leading rusher with 1,092 yards and 11 touchdowns, Moss’s production will be tough to replace.
Signs indicate that Moss’s future was most likely playing on Sundays, but this development certainly clouds things up in that regard.
The ‘next man up’ is former starter and junior Armand Shyne. With 166 yards on 37 carries, Shyne has been productive in his limited snaps so far this season. Utes should see some work from their other backs as well in freshman TJ Green and co.
Huntley, who was the Utes second leading rusher will be replaced by fellow dual-threat QB Jason Shelley. Shelley, a redshirt freshman, won the backup job this fall over highly touted recruit — and now former Ute — Jack Tuttle. Shelley stands at just 5-foot-11, but his high school stats definitely stack up. The former Texas 13-5A MVP compiled 2,975 yards (195-of-306) and 24 touchdowns (4 INT) while rushing 180 times for 629 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior at Lone Star HS.
The Utes welcome Pac-12 North rival Oregon to Rice Eccles Stadium on Saturday. The focus will surely be on the backups as Utah hopes to keep conference title hopes alive.
