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Palo Alto, Calif. • Travis Wilson not only found his receivers twice for scores in overtime: He found redemption for Kaelin Clay, and relief for Kenneth Scott.
Clay — his season briefly seeming ruined by a mental error that, he believes, cost Utah a win against No. 3 Oregon — hauled in a 25-yard pass from Wilson.
Scott — having expected to be featured more in his return from a season-ending injury in 2013 — caught a 3-yard pass from Wilson to seal victory, and also made two 32-yard receptions and drew a pass interference penalty in Utah's 20-17 win.
Earlier in the week, Scott had said to just to throw it up, and he'd get it.
He longed somewhat for a return to his freshman season, when quarterback Jon Hays let it fly with the expectation that Scott would either catch it, or at the very least, prevent an interception.
Saturday, after a breakthrough game in which, to a degree, he got his wish, he said he prefers to keep the focus now on the next game, and not what he said previously.
"I was very confident in my abilities," he did allow. "Some people think it's cocky, but I was just very confident in what I do, because I spend a lot of time working."
Whittingham said he was pleased for Scott and Clay.
"Scotty worked his tail off the last, however long, five years in the program," Whittingham said. "Great to see him have success."
Scott finished with four grabs for 71 yards, his season high, and now has four touchdown receptions.
Clay's touchdown was his second — this one, in overtime; the first, against USC, the game-winner.
Utah fans may never forget his premature celebration against the Ducks, but with those two receptions and his four returns for touchdowns, the balance has likely tilted toward many forgiving him.
— Matthew Piper
Twitter: @matthew_piper