This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In the fourth quarter against Arizona, Kyle Whittingham and Dennis Erickson debated an almost unthinkable proposition: Should they take out Devontae Booker?
The Utah coaching staff felt the running back wasn't bringing the same violence and tenacity since he had pulled up with a leg injury in the first half. He had just lost his third fumble of the year. Even though he was already over 100 yards rushing, would the Utes be better off finishing the game with backup Joe Williams?
In the end, the Utes stuck with Booker. On Monday, after Utah's 37-30 double-overtime loss, Whittingham second-guessed that decision.
"We should have utilized [Williams] a little more last game, later in the game as things turned out," Whittingham said. "Devontae thought he was going to be able to return and be at full strength. It was really obvious that he wasn't. And we probably should've put Joe back in and given him a few more touches."
This weekend against UCLA, that decision may be dictated by Booker's health. Whittingham called Utah's top rusher, who is 10th in the country with 158 all-purpose yards per game, a "question mark" against the Bruins.
That would be a huge blow for Utah: Booker has 1,261 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns and has eclipsed 100 yards on the ground seven times this year. Against UCLA last year, Booker had 156 rushing yards to help lead the Utes to an upset.
A junior college transfer, Williams has already been named the "heir apparent" to Booker, but is mostly a great unknown. He has 78 yards on 19 carries, with 37 of those yards coming in the last game.
Receiver Britain Covey said Williams is a "goofball" when hanging around the team, but also has impressed with his speed and physicality.
"Devontae's so patient and smart, and does everything right," Covey said. "Joe's just like, almost reckless abandon: just hit the hole hard and go full speed and knock someone over. I think it's a good change of pace, and depending on how Book is feeling, we'll go accordingly."
If Booker misses a start — which at points in the season would've been a catastrophic blow — the Utes at least feel comfortable with their backup plan.
Hatfield pretrial continued again
Resolution of a misdemeanor assault charge against Utah junior cornerback Dominique Hatfield will have to wait, as will Hatfield's version of events at a party in the early morning hours of July 5.
Hatfield's pretrial conference in Salt Lake City Justice Court was continued for a second time Monday. In September, prosecutors said they had yet to provide evidence to the defense. Monday, Hatfield appeared again, but defense attorney Greg Skordas was stuck in Park City due to snow.
The pretrial conference was continued to Jan. 11. Utah has said Hatfield won't be available to media until the charge is resolved.
Phillips passes King Louie on bank shot
Having held for 57 previous made field goals by Andy Phillips, Tom Hackett felt good about the chances for 58 as it sailed toward the uprights.
But Phillips' 40-yard attempt faded right, and clanged with the post. With a lucky bounce, it still went in rather than bouncing out.
"Last time we were in Arizona, he missed one down there," Hackett said. "I kinda had a word with him after to not do that again because my heart stopped beating for a second."
With his 58th made field goal, Phillips became the all-time field goal leader for Utah, surpassing "King" Louie Sakoda, a 2008 All-American whose shadow still looms over every Ute specialist. At least by one measure, Phillips has surpassed him. As a junior, as well, he still has a ways to build on the record.
It was rough, Phillips agreed, to set the record in a discouraging loss, but he still was able to take a grim sort of satisfaction.
"To be mentioned in the same sentence with Louie is an honor," Phillips said on Saturday night. "He was a hell of a kicker. So I've looked up to him my whole career."
Briefly
The Arizona Daily Star has reported that Arizona has asked the Pac-12 to review Jason Fanaika's hit on Anu Solomon in the fourth quarter Saturday. Fanaika tackled Solomon as he appeared to be sliding to the turf, and the Wildcats' quarterback did not return to the game. If the conference determines that Fanaika violated targeting rules, he could face suspension of up to a game. ... The Utes moved defensive end Hunter Dimick back into the two-deep as Kylie Fitts' backup. The junior end has missed three starts with a shoulder injury. … Cornerback Reginald Porter is hopeful to start again after missing last week.
Twitter: @kylegoon