Utah senior running back Troy McCormick went into preseason slated to transition to wide receiver, but he has since moved back to the backfield, and he figures to play a bigger role in the running attack going forward.
Redshirt senior Jordan Howard had gone into the season as the Utes’ primary backup at running back, but McCormick, a 5-foot-9, 175-pound speedster, got his first career start this past weekend against BYU. This week, McCormick moved into the two-deep on the Utes depth chart behind starter Zack Moss.
Despite a fumble against BYU, McCormick’s contributions should increase. The Utes certainly need more contributions from the running backs to take pressure off quarterback Tyler Huntley.
“It does have to pick up,” McCormick said. “We have to take that into consideration this week and just pick up all the slack, holding the ball higher, taking everything the coaches say to head. I have the mentality in my head that I want to make a big play every play. I feel like I didn’t do that last week.”
McCormick ranks third on the team in rushing yards (66 yards, 11.0 yards per carry) through two games behind Huntley (159 yards) and Moss (149 yards). McCormick also leads the running backs with seven receptions.
“I think in all honesty, he probably feels most comfortable at running back,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “I think that’s his natural position. We’re going to continue to feed him the ball and hope for production.”
Eyes on Irma
Huntley, one of seven players on the current roster from Florida, said his family would be heading back to Florida from Salt Lake City on Monday. Florida was hit by Hurricane Irma over the weekend which prompted mandatory evacuations in some areas as well as the cancellation of several college football and NFL games.
“I heard a couple spots like Miami didn’t get hit too bad, but there’s a lot of flooding,” Huntley said. “We’ll get over it.”
Huntley, Moss and wide receiver Demari Simpkins all attended Hallandale High School along the East Coast of Florida.
Here and there
Adding to the frustration BYU fans already felt in the aftermath of Saturday night’s loss, Utes kicker Matt Gay revealed after the game that he sought and received a tryout with BYU this past offseason. Gay went 4-for-4 on his field goal attempts against BYU, while BYU’s Rhett Almond missed his only attempt in the game. Gay resides in Orem, about 10 minutes away from the BYU campus. He claimed BYU turned him away because its kicking situation was already set. “Basically, the discussion was they liked me, they wanted me, but there was nothing they could do for me.” … Sophomore defensive end Bradlee Anae changed his uniform from No. 56 to No. 6 prior to Saturday night’s game. No, there are no plans to switch it again in honor of the seventh straight win over BYU. Anae is expected to keep jersey No. 6 for the rest of the season. … Former Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd, who New York Jets drafted in 2014, has apparently become a believer in Tyler Huntley. Boyd posted to his 158,000 followers that Huntley will “be a household name” by the season‘s end.
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