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After going two weeks with a named starter, Utah is back to listing co-starters at quarterback.
Junior Travis Wilson — who led a game-winning drive against USC and was held aloft by cheering fans, only to go 12-for-22 with 57 yards the next week in an overtime loss at Arizona State.
"OR"
Junior Kendal Thompson — whose similar experience against UCLA was followed by a dud in Corvallis.
As they were in fall camp and after Utah's loss to Washington State, the two will be in an "open competition" during practice this week, said head coach Kyle Whittingham at Monday's news conference.
"If you had to determine one thing that really held us back this year, it's the lack of production throwing the football," he said. "That's been an ongoing problem, and we've got to get that solved."
It's also a weakness Utah would like to exploit in No. 5 Oregon, which ranks 115th in passing defense (291 yards per game) despite featuring one the nation's top corners in senior Ifo Ekpre-Olomu.
The passing struggles have come even as junior running back Devontae Booker has had success against eight or nine defenders in the box. Booker has 811 rushing yards in Utah's last five games, while Utah has passed for just 578.
Against the frequently blitzing Sun Devils, Whittingham said offensive coordinator Dave Christensen may have felt that the receivers weren't getting enough separation, and preferred to counter the blitz with Booker runs.
But eventually, Whittingham said, they have to be able to go over the top of a defense.
Wilson has completed 93 of 165 attempts for 1,084 yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions, but he hasn't thrown for 200 yards since doing so in the first half alone against Idaho State.
Whittingham credited Wilson on Monday for doing an "exceptional job" limiting turnovers.
Thompson, in much more limited duty, has completed 28 of 47 passes for 301 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, and he also lost a fumble.
Thompson presents more of a rushing threat, however: He rushed for 71 yards against Fresno State and 83 at UCLA.
In six games this season, both Utah quarterbacks have appeared.
U. may seek medical redshirt for Carter • Since starting at free safety for Utah's first three games, Tevin Carter has played just one quarter against UCLA in five games since, hampered by an undisclosed injury that has put his status in doubt each week.
In limited game time he's made 16 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, two interceptions and a critical touchdown return in Pasadena.
But Whittingham said Monday that if he can't go Saturday, Utah may seek a medical hardship waiver to grant the fifth-year senior an extra year of eligibility.
"It's getting to the point where it's two steps forward and three steps back," Whittingham said. "… We've been told that a medical hardship is in his favor and looks good if he goes in that direction."
True freshman Marcus Williams earned Whittingham's praise and Utah's nomination for Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week for his start in Carter's place last Saturday, when he recorded 10 tackles and made his first collegiate interception.
And senior cornerback Eric Rowe — who has three years of experience starting at safety and started there in spot duty against Oregon State — is likely to return against the Ducks after skipping the trip to Tempe with an injury.
"We feel good about Eric, really good," he said.
Uhatafe overtakes Salt on the line • Salesi Uhatafe, known around the team as "Leka," is hardly a new face — he battled for the right guard spot in the fall — but he's now a starter. Uhatafe's ascension to starting right guard means sophomore Isaac Asiata moves over to left guard, and senior guard and team captain Junior Salt is now a back-up.
Whittingham seemed to suggest Uhatafe has been in Utah's plans for a few weeks, but has been fighting injury.
"He's back to 100 percent," he said. "He's a guy who we think has huge upside. He's a physical kid who we think brings a lot to the table."
Salt will still play snaps, Whittingham said, but he added, "In order to get the combination we think is our best, that's the move we made."
Asiata said he's clicking well on the left side next to tackle Jeremiah Poutasi, who is gaining buzz as a potential all-Pac-12 player. And he believes Uhatafe, one of his roommates, will justify the move.
"When I found out that he was going to be my backup, I knew that I had to perform because there's not much drop-off there," he said. "He pushed me to be better, and hopefully with a little more experience as the season continues, he's going to be somebody who's really going to help this offensive line out."
Clay plays through pain, criticism • On third and 8 in the first half Saturday night, Kaelin Clay made a catch. And then, he got blown up.
While the senior receiver was able to return to the game after being helped off the field and getting an ankle wrap, Clay said Monday he never fully recovered for the remainder of the contest. His ribs ached, and it hurt to walk. But in his mind, leaving the game wasn't an option.
"I think it's just seeing the team we have, and everybody just believing in me and the confidence my teammates and coaches have in me," he said. "I just wanted to go out there and show them no matter what happens in this game, if I get hurt, or if this is the last game I play, I'm going to go out there and give it my all."
Clay said he's feeling better after getting standard treatment, and he'll be ready against Oregon.
But one part of him that's still burning is his ears: He's heard plenty of criticism of Utah's passing game after getting only 57 yards through the air against Arizona State. Clay said he felt the receivers were open at times downfield, but that the Sun Devils' aggressive blitzing throughout the game prevented deep connections. Utah's longest pass was 13 yards, and Clay himself had negative-2 yards in the game.
Clay said the receiving group and the offense as a whole is going forward knowing they have to execute and trust their techniques. But they'll need a little trust in return.
"We just have to execute, that's our No. 1 thing," he said. "Whoever we're lined up against, that's who we have to beat. Travis or whoever's out there, they just have to throw the ball and trust us."
Utes rally around Andy Phillips • Entering the weekend, sophomore kicker Andy Phillips had a reputation as a big-game performer, and possibly the most reliable player on the team.
After missing an overtime attempt from 35 yards, most of his teammates still view him the same way.
Clay said Phillips struggled emotionally after the game, taking the loss on his own shoulders, but others were quick to reassure him that the loss was about more than about which way the wind was blowing on his miss. Offensive struggles and a few missed picks helped put him in that difficult position.
"Andy's not at fault, he's not the reason we lost that game," Clay said. "We lost as a unit. We're not 6-2 because someone lost us a game. We're 6-2 as a unit. It's one of those things where Andy will bounce back, and we'll bounce back as a team."
For the season, Phillips is 17-for-20 on his attempts, and he made three field goals earlier in the game.
Twitter: @matthew_piper and @kylegoon