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From his vantage point, Joel Klatt could see what Oregon's punt coverage team could not.
The Fox Sports analyst saw that as the Ducks chased after Britain Covey, who had his eyes on an imaginary ball in the sky, Boobie Hobbs was tracking something else — the actual punt. The play resulted in a 69-yard return for a touchdown by Hobbs, and Utah's deception was a major highlight as the Utes smoked Oregon 62-20 in Eugene. Klatt called that game, and has called two Utes games this season ahead of another Saturday for No. 17 Utah (7-1, 4-1) vs. No. 4 Washington (7-0, 4-0).
Something was burned into his mind that day that hasn't left him since: Kyle Whittingham, whom sometimes is branded for being conservative, can really cut loose if he feels he must.
"I don't know if you can execute a fake punt return better than that one," Klatt told The Tribune. "I really think we could see some stuff like that this weekend, especially from Kyle. He can be really aggressive."
Saturday's showdown at Rice-Eccles Stadium has several hyped storylines: Troy Williams' game against his former team; Joe Williams lighting the field on fire after returning from retirement; the undefeated Huskies and Heisman candidate Jake Browning looking to stay on course for the College Football Playoff.
Almost understated in that scrum is a match-up between Whittingham and Washington coach Chris Petersen, two men who frequently are listed among the best and most respected coaches in the business. Both have won the Bear Bryant coach of the year award: Whittingham in 2008, and Petersen in 2006 and 2009. Both are again on the watchlist after guiding their teams to impressive starts.
But more relevant to the game itself, both have staked reputations on taking risks in high-stakes contests — which could lead to an entertaining and unpredictable match-up when the coaches face off for the fourth time. Previewing Petersen's team, Whittingham made some of the same comments that opponents make about his own: The Huskies are tough, disciplined and don't beat themselves, and they also have a few "specials" up their sleeves.
"They do as good a job as anybody in the country with those plays," Whittingham said. "You never know. I'm pretty confident we'll see some out of them. I think that's a safe bet."
Petersen's resume as a coach is unquestioned, particularly now that he's guided Washington into the nation's top five and playoff contention. But while his 114-24 record speaks volumes, Petersen is inexorably linked to one game when he coached at Boise State in which he showed how bold he could be.
In the final minutes of a 43-42 win over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, Petersen called a hook-and-ladder passing play, an option pass from a direct snap to a wide receiver, and won the game on a two-point conversion run, an old trick play long known as the "Statue of Liberty."
There's already plenty to worry about on this Washington offense, including Browning, who is completing almost 69 percent of his passes, and running back Myles Gaskin who is leading the Pac-12 in rushing. The Washington offensive line has allowed only 12 sacks, and the Utes are coming off a week in which they didn't pressure UCLA's quarterback as much as they wanted while allowing 464 passing yards.
Special plays are an added dimension that Utah's defense doesn't have time to scheme for — they just have to react well in the moment.
"I don't think you really can prepare for it," junior defensive tackle Filipo Mokofisi said. "You've just got to play football when the time comes."
Whittingham has a reputation for cultivating run-first offenses — something starting to take hold again this season after Joe Williams has rushed for 511 yards in the past two games. But he also has no qualms about emptying the bag of tricks if necessary. The fake punt return at Oregon was the play that turned heads, but he also called another punt fake that was coverted for a first down, and a Devontae Booker halfback pass that resulted in a touchdown.
Big games seem to inspire bigger risks from Whittingham: Utah also ran a flea-flicker against USC this year. However, Utah hasn't done as much outside-of-the-box offense with Troy Williams providing more of a downfield threat in the passing game (10 completions of 40 or more yards), and Joe Williams surging the past two weeks.
Could that change this week? There might be some extra surprises Utah has been saving up.
"It wouldn't surprise me at all," Klatt said. "A team takes on the personality of its head coach, and I think that's why you've seen them pull through in some tight games this year. They fight."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
No. 4 Washington at No. 17 Utah
P At Rice-Eccles Stadium
Kickoff • 1:30 p.m.
TV • Fox Sports 1
Radio • ESPN700
Records • Washington (7-0, 4-0); Utah (7-1, 4-1)
Series history • Washington leads, 8-1
Last meeting • Nov. 7, 2015 at Washington; Utah 34, Washington 23
About the Huskies • Dating to last season, Washington has won 10 straight games which is tied for the second longest winning streak in the nation behind Alabama (20). … The Huskies have the nation's best turnover margin at plus-14, and have not allowed an opponent to score after any of their 5 giveaways. … Receiver John Ross has returned four kickoffs 90 or more yards for touchdowns in his Washington career, and has five total scoring plays of 90 yards or more.
About the Utes • Utah's defense enters the week tied for No. 1 in the nation in takeaways (22) and interceptions (14) this season. … In two games back with the team, Joe Williams is coming off a school record-setting 332 yard performance against UCLA and has 586 yards and 5 touchdowns this season, eclipsing his numbers from last year. … The game will be Utah's annual UteProud game, and will feature a halftime cultural demonstration from the Ute Indian Tribe's Pow Wow committee.