The University of Utah had some questions about this team following a 19-16 loss to Arizona State last week. Heading into a big Pac-12 matchup with #4 Oregon the Utes didn’t know who their quarterback was going to be. The question was answered when Kendal Thompson came out onto the field for his second start in a Utah uniform. The Utes started the game with the ball and Kendal Thompson led the Utah Offense that has struggled in the previous two games throwing the ball. Thompson was able to take the Utes down the field and score a touchdown on their first drive. That was the first time this season that Utah scored a touchdown on their first drive. On the second drive, Kendal went down with a knee injury and would not return as Travis Wilson would take over and the momentum shifted in favor of Oregon.
Kendal Thompson finished the game throwing the ball 4 times and completing 5 of those passes for 23 yards and ran the ball 5 times for 28 yards. The next play after Thompson comes off the field, Devontae Booker fumbled the ball and Oregon recovered. But the play that ultimately switched all of the momentum was Wilson hitting Kaelin Clay on a 78 yard pass and as Clay was approaching the end zone he dropped the ball at the 1 yard line as he thought he was already in the end zone. The official didn’t call a touchdown and as Clay was celebrating with his teammates, the Oregon defense picked up the ball and ran it back for a 100 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. That play turned everything in favor of Oregon. The Ducks would then score 24 unanswered points going into the locker room with a 24-7 lead over Utah.
In the third quarter, both teams exchanged field goals to make the score 27-13 before Devontae Booker would get a 27 yard touchdown reception from Travis Wilson to put the Utes within 7, 27-20 at the end of the third quarter. Oregon would then hit another field goal to put themselves up 30-20. The Utah offense would truck down the field and Andy Phillips would attempt a very difficult 48 yard field goal that would hit the upright. The Utah defense would make a stand and would keep Oregon from scoring on the next possession. Travis Wilson would take over and hit Westlee Tonga on a 13 yard touchdown pass and the Utes trailed 30-27 with 11:48 left in the game. That was as close as the Utes would get to the Ducks as Oregon would score 21 unanswered points as the Ducks leave Salt Lake City with a 51-27 win over Utah. Marcus Mariota, who I consider to be the top candidate for the Heisman Trophy played just like it on Saturday as he went 17 of 29 passing for 239 yards and 3 touchdowns. Mariota ran the ball 18 times for 114 yards and 1 touchdown as well and stayed poised and calm throughout the game. This kid is very special and Oregon fans need to cherish this talent as long as they can.
Travis Wilson improved over the 57 yard performance against ASU last week, throwing the ball 28 times and completing 18 of those passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns but also threw his first two interceptions of the season. Devontae Booker was held under 100 rushing for the first time in 5 games with 18 carries for 65 yards but did have over 100 yards receiving. He had 8 catches for 110 yards and 1 touchdown.
Positives:
The Utes can hang with the best of the them in the Pac-12 and it showed on Saturday against Oregon. Don’t let the score fool you, the Utes played well even with all the injuries and the big turnover. I was impressed with the fight and heart that the Utes showed at Rice Eccles Stadium.
Injury Update:
Kyle Whittingham said after the game that both Kendal Thompson and Tim Patrick would miss the remainder of the season as Thompson left with a knee injury and Patrick left with a severe leg injury. This is a huge hit for the Utes as Kendal Thompson was really showing some signs of how good of a quarterback he could be. Tim Patrick was the person who stepped up in place of Dres Anderson.
With all that in the rear view mirror, we all know that Travis Wilson will be the starter for the University of Utah and Kyle Whittingham said last night that he has opened up the backup quarterback battle and that battle will be between Brandon Cox and Conner Manning.
You can hear all of the postgame interviews from Kyle Whittingham, Travis Wilson, Devontae Booker, Kaelin Clay, Lowell Lotulelei
Up next for the Utes will be a trip to Palo Alto to take on Stanford. Stanford is coming off a bye week and is 5-4 on the season and 3-3 in the Pac-12. This will be a great game as both teams are evenly matched. That game will be this Saturday with kickoff at 4pm and pregame coverage at noon on ESPN 700.
