Asiata, whose season ended after just four carries for 16 yards, had surgery Friday to repair fractures in his right tibia and fibula. The surgery was performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Patrick Greis at the University of Utah hospital.

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said from watching film of the injury Asiata's foot caught on the turf, leading to the injury.

"It was just a freak thing," he said. "He is just devastated right now."

Whittingham said Utah trainers didn't think the injury was career threatening.

"They think he'll be OK. I just feel so bad for him because he has worked so hard and his season is over so soon."

Johnson's right shoulder is separated, and he is listed as being out three to five weeks, according to school officials. Johnson suffered the injury when he was tackled after a 4-yard gain in the closing minutes of the second quarter.

He was 8-for-13 for 119 yards and a touchdown in his first game since the 2005 season. He missed the 2006 season recovering from a knee injury.

Tommy Grady, who played at quarterback the rest of the game and finished 9-for-24 for 59 yards, will start against Air Force in the home opener Sept. 8. Whittingham said he still planned to redshirt junior college transfer quarterback Chad Manis and stick with Grady until Johnson returns.

"Obviously, we're hurting," Whittingham said. "With Asiata we are losing our running attack. We weren't good enough there last year, and with Brian running the option, that went away, too. We have some problems to solve."

Also against the Beavers, Matt Martinez, a member of the special teams, tore his right anterior cruciate ligament and is out for the season.

Before Thursday's loss, devastating as much for the injuries suffered as the loss itself, the most notable injuries were to offensive lineman Jason Boone and freshman walk-on receiver A.J. Reilly, who tore their ACLs in fall camp and are out for the year.

Backup tight end Colt Sampson is out approximately four weeks with a left knee sprain.

lwodraska@sltrib.com