For a Utah offense that has seen ups and downs this season, Whittingham said it’s nice to know there’s something he can lean on. That being said, here is the report card for the Utes.
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After being unable to force a turnover against either USC or Oregon State, the Utes got three in the first half and were gifted field position another time when Washington punter Korey Durkee dropped a snap in Huskies territory. “We have to make it so the refs aren’t losing and winning games”.
Travis Wilson ran for two touchdowns and provided the capper with a 3-yard scoring run with 3:27 left after the Utes had gone scoreless in the second half. He completed under 50 percent of his passes. The Utes (7-1, 4-1 Pac-12) are in control of the South Division, a game ahead of No. 22 UCLA and Southern California, while Washington has struggled after a strong start to the season. In the receiving end, Kenneth Scott had 44 yards in two receptions while Harrison Handley added 43 yards and one touchdown in two receptions. Booker has accounted for 43.2% of Utah’s scrimmage yards this season, but he will have a stiff challenge against a stout Washington front seven.
The passing game has tons of room for improvement.
If the Utes run the table, they’re guaranteed a berth in next month’s Pac-12 Championship Game. The weather didn’t help the passing game, but even in the rain, Utah needs to pass the ball better.
Utah’s opportunistic defense was on full display against Washington.
I’m not suggesting that fate is unavoidable by any means – so much can happen in the next month, and any one-loss Power 5 champ is in the discussion – but nor should we be surprised if that’s how it plays out. For the game itself, check into the Ivar’s Husky Brunch Cruise (http://www.ivars.com/events/item/356-husky-sailgating) option to get to the stadium via tour boat and allow yourself a few time to walk around the rebuilt stadium and take in the views (if it’s not too cloudy) of Mt. Rainier, Lake Washington and the Seattle skyline.
“We were so close the other games of catching a pick, getting a forced fumble”. Wilson also ran for his fifth and sixth rushing touchdowns of the year, accounting for 20 over the course of his career. The Beavers, primarily a running team, started backup QB Nick Mitchell, a redshirt freshman, who did not get rattled by Utah’s defense. This will be a big game for him to show that he’s turning a corner.
Utah was forced to punt on their next outing.
The weather made it tough for the kicking game. Washington managed to score another field goal as a result. Phillips made all four of his PAT attempts, and made his following two field goal attempts, to finish at 2/3 on the night.
-P Tom Hackett (No. 4 punter, 320th overall) – Averaged 54 yards on his three punts last week with the longest at 56 yards. 500 and miss a bowl game, especially if last week’s 49-3 smackdown at Washington is an indication.
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In what seems like forever, the Huskies are finally playing at a reasonable time. “Because I think everyone in the country that is in the playoff picture is going to be tuned into that and find out where they’re slotted”. “That’s what we did: crammed the run game down their throat”. The Huskies allow 16.9 points per game and have a trio of solid players in senior outside linebacker Travis Feeney (conference-leading 6.5 sacks), sophomore inside linebacker Azeem Victor (team-best 64 tackles) and junior cornerback Kevin King (team-high three interceptions).EXTRA POINTS1.
