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A day of film study from Colorado didn't tell Kyle Whittingham much that he didn't know already: Utah has to be better in the red zone.
If anything, time to ruminate on Utah's 27-22 loss in Boulder added to his frustration.
"It's been the issue all season long, and we were 1 for 5 on Saturday," he told The Tribune. "If we're efficient in the red zone, that is the difference in the game. It's something we've worked at length to try to correct. In our losses this year, that's been the thing that has shown itself."
What, then, is the issue? Whittingham didn't narrow down on the point.
To recap: Utah entered Colorado's 10-yard line five times and came away with one touchdown, three field goals and a turnover. After the game, Whittingham said "all of the above" when asked why things went awry close to the Buffs' end zone.
He acknowledged that running back Joe Williams' first fumble in the red zone may have been a confidence sapper — either Williams' own, or the coaching staff's in their senior rusher — but Whittingham didn't elaborate. Williams hadn't fumbled since returning from his retirement, but coughed up the ball twice in the game.
"It's tough because Joe has done so much for our football team since coming back," Whittingham said. "Those turnovers hurt, but we need to be able to recover."
The Utes attempted to apply one possible solution in spring: going under center. In March, the coaching staff cited a desire to be more efficient in short yardage situations, but by season's end, it was not a part of Utah's packages.
Whittingham said the team tried it earlier in the season, but decided it was not among its strengths. That's probably not much comfort to fans, who watched Utah start the year 9 for 9 on fourth down, but finish only 57 percent for the year in conversions.
Utah's success, or lack thereof, under center was hindered by changing centers three times from spring, as well as Troy Williams missing a chunk of spring when Utah was attempting to install the package.
"We may do it in the future," he said. "But you've got to play to the strengths of your personnel, and we've got to do what is going to make Troy most comfortable."
A consistent attack continues to elude the Utes. Utah finished the year ranked No. 9 in the conference in passing offense (216.9 ypg), had more passing touchdowns (15) and fewer interceptions (7) than last year. And yet, the red zone offense (No. 116, 76 percent) took a drastic step back.
Asked if he had confidence in his current offensive coaching staff and coordinator situation, Whittingham said he was still evaluating the body of work.
"You've got to take a step back," he said. "We'll process that in a day or two. You're always looking to make the program better. We'll take a look at everything."
Smith fills in at corner
In Colorado's go-ahead touchdown in the second-half, Utah played a curious coverage: Sophomore receiver Tyrone Smith was on the coverage against receiver Shay Fields, whom Sefo Liufau targeted for a Buffs score.
Why did the Utes play T-Boney on defense? They had to.
Whittingham, who doesn't discuss injuries during the season, said the Utes were paper-thin at corner. Freshman Julian Blackmon didn't travel, freshman Terrell Burgess travelled but didn't play, and when Justin Thomas and Boobie Hobbs left the game for injuries, the secondary was running on fumes. Dominique Hatfield played some nickel, while Brian Allen and Reggie Porter attempted to man the sides.
Utah has been quietly trying Smith at corner for weeks in practice. He may not stay at the position, but with Blackmon and Burgess dinged up, the Utes decided to try him out.
It didn't go well on that play, but with the amount of man coverage Utah played against Colorado, Whittingham said the starting corners needed some breathers. One came at the wrong moment in a goal-line situation for the Utes.
Whittingham said he hopes to have the freshmen corners healthy by Utah's bowl game.
More injury updates
Linebacker Sunia Tauteoli played against Colorado, but didn't start. Whittingham said he and nickelback Justin Thomas should be at full strength for the bowl game.
Senior receiver Cory Butler-Byrd played, but Whittingham said a "setback" during practice convinced the coaching staff to take kick return duties "off his plate." That opened up the door for junior receiver Kyle Fulks, who had a 93-kick return in Boulder.
"He took it almost the entire distance," Whittingham said. "He's a guy we have complete confidence in."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
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